Types

of
Speech Act
Speech acts are speakers’
utterances which convey
meaning and make listeners
do specific things.

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 There are three types of
Speech Act

Locutionary act
Illocutionary act
Perlocutionary act

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▪ refers to the Example: When you ask
someone, “Can you
actual utterance pass the salt?” – The
of the speaker. literal meaning
concerns the hearer’s
ability to pass the salt.

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a. utterance acts – b. propositional
where something is acts – where a
said (or a sound is particular
made) and which
may not have any
reference is made
meaning.

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▪ refers to the Example: “Can you pass
intended the salt?” - In illocution, it is
being interpreted by the
utterance by
receiver that the speaker
the speaker requested him to pass the
(performance). salt.

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▪ Assertive
▪ Directive
▪ Commissive
▪ Expressive
▪ Declaration

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▪ It is an act in which the speaker expresses
belief about the truth of a proposition.
Some examples are suggesting, swearing,
boasting, concluding and putting forward.
▪ Example: No one makes better sandwich
than I do.
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▪ It is an act in which the speaker tries to
make the addressee perform an action.
Some examples are asking, ordering,
requesting, inviting, advising and begging.
▪ Example: Would you make me a cup of
tea?
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▪ It is an act which commits the speaker to
doing something in the future. Some
examples are promising, planning, vowing,
betting.
▪ Example: I promise to come at eight and
cook a nice dinner for you.
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▪ It is an act in which the speaker expresses
his/her feelings or emotional reactions.
Some examples are thanking,
apologizing, welcoming, deploring.
▪ Example: Thank you for your kind offer.

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▪ It is an act which brings a change in the
external situation. Some examples of
declarations are blessing, firing, baptizing,
bidding, passing a sentence and
excommunicating.
▪ Example: I bequeath all my property to my
beloved fiancée.
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▪ refers to the actions that result from the locution
or what we bring about or achieve by saying
something such as convincing, persuading,
deterring or surprising.
▪ Example: “Can you pass the salt?” - if illocutions
cause listeners to do something, they are
perlocutions.

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Thank you !!!

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