Lesson 1

Speech Contexts
Speech Styles
Speech Acts
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Speech context refers to the situation or

environment and the circumstances in which
communication occurs.

There are three main types of speech context:

1. intrapersonal speech context
2. interpersonal speech context
3. public communication
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Characteristics of Speech Contexts

1. Number of participants
2. Physical proximity of the participants in
relation to one another
3. The channel used for the communication
4. The immediacy of the exchange
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Categories of Communication

1. Formal communication
2. Informal communication
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Example of Intrapersonal Communication

Dear Diary,

The past few days have been tough for me. Since my parents’
separation, I’ve had to live with just my mom. I’ve also had to
transfer to a new school. The people there are nice, and I
have a new group of friends. But I’m having trouble keeping up
with the lessons, and I do miss my friends at my old school.
When my mom asks how I am, I always say I’m okay just
because I don’t want her to worry about me. But sometimes I
wish Dad was still around. Oh well. I’ll just have to keep on
being strong and doing my best, I guess.
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Example of Interpersonal Communication

Tess: Hey, Julia. How have you been? I haven’t seen you in
so long!
Julia: Hi, Tess! I’m doing well. I haven’t been back since we
moved, and we’ve been busy with all sorts of things. How
about you? Are you still working at Carter Inc.?
Tess: Yes, I’m still there, and I just recently got promoted.
Julia: Wow, that’s great! You really deserve it. You’re so
hardworking.
Tess: Thank you. So are you.
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Intrapersonal communication simply means

communicating with oneself. The individual
involved in the process of communication is
both the sender and the receiver.

Examples:
➔daydreaming
➔reflecting
➔analyzing
➔evaluating
➔mumbling
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Types of Intrapersonal Communication

Internal discourse - inner talk, done within the

mind

Solo written communication - writing that is

not intended for others

Solo vocal communication - spoken aloud

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Why is it essential?

● You can get to know yourself better.

● You will be able to make appropriate
responses and sound decisions in various
situations.
● It affects how you see yourself and how you
communicate with others.
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How to Use Intrapersonal Communication

to Be a Better Communicator:

● Learn about yourself by engaging in self-

dialogue.
● Practice self-affirmation.
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Example:

While walking, Carissa thinks about what topic to talk about

in the extemporaneous speech she needs to deliver the
next day. In her mind, she weighs her options. ―Perhaps I
can talk about the importance of financial awareness and
being frugal. Or maybe I can make a speech about
bullying. But I guess that’s going to be the topic of some of
my classmates as well. Hmm . . . Maybe I could talk about
art and creative pursuits and how they help enrich one’s life
. . .‖
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Interpersonal communication

● a transmission or exchange of a message,

feelings, or a meaning through verbal or
nonverbal cues
● necessitates an interdependent relationship
between or among the participants
● may be direct or indirect
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1. Direct - face-to-face encounter

2. Indirect - virtual, with the use of technology

● talking to someone over the telephone or
internet
● communicating by email
● teleconferencing in distance-learning class
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Kinds of Interpersonal Communication

1. Dyad
● composed of two participants taking turns as
speaker and listener in the communication
process
● also known as one-to-one communication
● may be formal or informal
● e.g., conversing with a friend, speaking with
a teacher, telling stories about your day to
your mother
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2. Small Group
● composed of three or more participants who
engage in discussion to achieve a common
goal like problem solving, performing a task
or deciding on something

Examples:
● roundtable discussions
● panel discussions
● group brainstorming sessions
● study groups
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How to Effectively Communicate in an

Interpersonal Speech Context

1. Know the objective of the communication.

2. Let the other participants speak.
3. Observe the other participants’ nonverbal
behavior.
4. Use words that are appropriate for the
situation.
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Public Communication

● single speaker
● sizeable audience
● message: general interest to the audience
● needs planning and preparation
● limited or no opportunities for feedback
except for nonverbal messages
● has a definite time limit
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Examples:

● a professor giving a lecture at a

conference
● a president delivering an inaugural
address
● a candidate delivering a campaign
speech
● a student delivering a valedictory
speech
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Purposes of Public Communication

To inform - professionals, such as doctors and teachers,

deliver speeches during conferences and seminars

To persuade - convincing others to buy products, to

support a cause or advocacy, or to vote for a particular
candidate

To entertain - delivering toasts during a special

occasion, comedy speeches, messages during
school/company programs/parties
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Public Communication vs. Mass

Communication

Same sizeable audience and purpose

but
Different channel of communication used
What Are Speech
Styles?
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● Speech style - a particular style of speaking

when a person interacts with others
● Speech style also indicates the level of
formality with which a person speaks
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● Dutch linguist Martin Joos (The Five

Clocks) identified five types of speech style:
○ Intimate
○ Casual
○ Consultative
○ Formal
○ Frozen
● These speech styles are also called
language registers.
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Factors to Consider in Choosing a Speech

Style

a. Audience – Who are you speaking with? What

is your relationship with him, her, or them?

Examples: classmates, friends, mother, priest,

principal
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b. Topic – What is the subject of the

conversation or the communication
situation? Is it a serious topic or a light-
hearted one?
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Subject of the Communication

conversation situation
science fiction stories writing workshop
participants
planned articles and editors and journalists of
editorials a publication
modern-day discussion between
existentialism philosophers
favorite musicians friendly conversations
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c. Purpose – What is the objective of

the communication? What do you and
the other participants in the
conversation aim to achieve?
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Subject Communication Objective of the
of the situation communication
conversat
ion
science writing workshop to analyze the elements
fiction participants and themes of science
stories fiction stories
planned editors and to plan the contents of the
articles journalists of a next issue of a newspaper
and publication or magazine
editorials
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Subject of the Communicatio Objective of the
conversation n situation communication

modern-day discussion to discuss the prevalence of

existentialism between existentialism among the youth
philosophers of today

favorite friendly to share musical opinions with

musicians conversations people you are comfortable
with
d. Location – Where is the communication being
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held? What is the environment like?
Subject of Communica Objective of the Location
the tion communication
conversat situation
ion
science writing to analyze the classroom
fiction workshop elements and themes setting
stories participants of science fiction
stories
planned editors and to plan the contents workplace:
articles journalists of of the next issue of a publishing
and a publication newspaper or house
editorials magazine
 Learn
Subject about It!
of Communicati Objective of the Location
the on situation communication
conversati
on

modern-day discussion to discuss the philosophica

existentialis between prevalence of l forums
m philosophers existentialism
among the youth of
today
favorite friendly to share musical casual
musicians conversations opinions with conversation
people you are s at the
comfortable with cafeteria
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Intimate Speech Style

● Characterized by a complete absence
of social inhibitions
● Used by participants who share a very
close relationship
● Participants share a completely
private vocabulary.
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Intimate Speech Style

a. Conversations are usually done in private.
b. Participants usually use short, incomplete
utterances.
c. Grammar and proper word choice are not given
importance.
d. Nonverbal cues are often used to convey messages.
e. Participants share inside jokes.
f. Words that signal intimacy are used.
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Wife: Sweetheart, our tenth anniversary is coming

up! Do you have any ideas on how we should
celebrate?
Husband: Well, dear, I was thinking we could get
my parents to look after the kids for a week and go
on a second honeymoon. What do you think?
Wife: Oh, that would be lovely!
Husband: I’m glad you think so! Let’s take a look
at some possible destinations then, shall we?
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Casual Speech Style

● a relaxed or informal dialogue between

friends, peers, colleagues, or family
● Participants may use group language so
only members of the group can understand
it.
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Casual Speech Style

a. The tone is conversational. Slang, colloquial words,
elliptical sentences, and informal contractions are used.
b. General words rather than technical ones are used.
c. Interruptions are common.
d. Nicknames are used in addressing one another.

You may also use this when you would like to make
someone feel at ease or when you want to know that
individual on a more personal level.
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Friend 1: Hey, Nicky. Wanna watch a movie this

weekend? That new superhero flick is premiering
tomorrow. We could catch the first weekend
show.
Friend 2: Well, I’m still not done with the paper
due Monday. Lemme see if I can get it done by
Friday.
Friend 1: Alrighty! Just lemme know soon as
you can.
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Consultative Speech Style

● The most operational style among the other
styles
● Used in semiformal situations in which a
speaker needs to provide background
information because the listener (or
addressee) may not be able to understand
without it.
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a. Used in ordinary or routine transactions that

lead to an outcome or result
b. Used in business or in other professional
situations
c. Interruptions are allowed.
d. Titles are likely to be used when using this
speech style.
e. Speaker chooses words with some care, but
the flow of conversation is still instantaneous.
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Situation: A woman is consulting with a banking

representative.

Banking Rep.: It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Cruz. My

name is Jerome de Leon. How may I help you today?
Woman: I would like to apply for a credit card, but I don’t
know where to start.
Banking Rep.: I see. I can certainly help! We offer many
different kinds of credit cards to suit our clients’ needs.
Woman: Oh, really? What kinds of credit cards do you
have?
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Formal Speech Style

● Lack of listener participation
● Often used in formal situations wherein
there is only one-way communication
● The speaker needs to plan ahead his or her
utterances, or what he or she is going to
say.
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a. Interruptions are not allowed.

b. Pronunciation is very clear.
c. Words are carefully chosen, and grammar rules
are followed.
d. Sentence structures are more complex and
varied.
e. Extensive and technical vocabulary is required.
f. Ideas are cohesive and organized.
g. All background or necessary information is
clearly given.
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● Also used in sermons, speeches,

and announcements
● Also the style that is used for
academic and business writing
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Frozen Speech Style

● Also called the oratorical style

● The most formal style and is reserved for very
formal situations such as in religious services,
state affairs, and court proceedings
● Used to address or is given before an
audience of absolute strangers
● Uses prescribed and highly formal language
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a. It uses “frozen” language.

b. It has a symbolic or historical nature.
c. It is typically prescribed by law, custom,
or ritual.
d. It involves certain fixed or stock
expressions that are rarely or never altered
or changed.
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Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for reward
save that of knowing I am doing your
will.
What Are
Speech Acts?
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Speech Act Theory

● proposed by John Langshaw Austin in 1962
● further developed by John Rogers Searle in
1969
● concerned with what the speaker means—
which is his or her intention—when he or
she says something rather than what the
utterance literally means in a language
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Speech Act Theory

● regards language as a sort of action instead of
as a medium for conveying and expressing
ideas
● states that the very basic unit of
communication is the production or issuance of
words, symbols, and sentences; these
establish the mutual understanding between
people and what they intend to communicate
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Kinds of Utterances

1. Constative utterances describe a situation

or insinuate assertions.

Examples:
―She can write.‖
―Tahani is getting married.‖
―The weather seems fine.‖
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2. Performative utterances are words that

incite action.

Examples:
―Leave.‖
―I order you to keep silent.‖
―Submit your project now.‖
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Classifications of Speech Acts

1. locution
2. illocution
3. perlocution
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Locutionary Act
● It is the act of producing meaningful
utterance.
● Locution is what is said or the actual words
being spoken.
● Searle replaced the concept of locutionary
act with the propositional act. This pertains
to the act of ―saying something‖ in the
normal or traditional sense.
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Functions of Locution
● asking or answering a question
● announcing a verdict or an intention
● giving information
● pronouncing words
● making an appeal
● giving criticism
● identifying or describing
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Types of Locutionary Act

1. Utterance act pertains to the word or string
words said that may not have a particular
meaning.

Example:
Theresa was about to turn left when
suddenly someone appeared out of
nowhere. Then, she uttered, ―Oh!‖
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2. Propositional act pertains to an utterance

performed when referring or predicating in an
utterance. This does not have to be complete
sentence, nor does it have to intend anything.

Example:
As the girl was walking in the park, she
suddenly noticed the pretty bouquets of tulips
and exclaimed, ―Oh, roses!‖
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Illocution
● It is the meaning one wishes to
communicate or convey.
● It is the act that a speaker performs in
saying the utterance.
● This pertains to ―what is done in uttering the
words.‖
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Categories of Illocution
1. Expressives
● express a speaker’s emotions and attitudes
toward a particular situation.
● include apologizing, welcoming, thanking, and
congratulating
Example:
―All the best on your upcoming movie.‖
(congratulating)
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2. Declarations
● bring about a change in the situation upon
being uttered
● include appointing, baptizing, declaring,
firing, and nominating

Example:
―Classes are suspended tomorrow.‖
(declaring)
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3. Assertives
● convey information regarding something.
● Include concluding, stating, describing,
asserting, suggesting, and insisting

Example:
―Female senators are better than male
senators.‖ (asserting)
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4. Directives
● cause the individual being addressed to do
a particular action
● Include commanding, daring, challenging,
requesting, and asking someone to do
something

Example:
―Solve this equation.‖ (commanding)
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5. Commissives
● commit the speaker to doing a particular
action in the future
● Include promising, vowing, planning, and
offering

Example:
―I will finish this project tonight.‖ (vow)
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Perlocutionary Act
● It is the effects, intentional or unintentional, the
utterance has on the behavior, thoughts, and
feelings of the addressee.
● This is the result or effect produced by the
utterance in the given context.
● There is a perlocutionary act when, by saying
something, a speaker gets an addressee to do
something.
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Example:

Ali : It’s getting dark in here.

Luna : I’ll turn the lights on.
Ali : Great!
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Example:

Carl : It’s the Rockers’ lead singer!

Jess : Where?! (screams and runs toward
where the singer is)