TYPES OF SPEECH ACTS

Austin’s Theory 1962 – Speech act is a functional unit in communication

Speech-act theory is a subfield of pragmatics
• Pragmatics – concerned with the ways in which words is used not only to present
information but also to carry out actions

What is a speech act?

➢ An utterance defined in terms of a speaker’s intention and the effect it has on a listener;
allows the listener to do something depending on the intention of the speaker
➢ Concerned with the ways in which words can be used to carry out actions;
➢ Include real-life interactions and require not only knowledge of language, but also
appropriate use of that language within a given culture; words may have other meanings
depending on the culture

Three Components of Utterances

1. Locutionary – literal meaning of the utterance
- an act of saying the actual words to represent an idea
Ex. “It’s raining outside” – just saying the situation

2. Illocutionary – the act of saying something with an intention which is called illocutionary force.
- speaker’s intention in delivering an utterance
- uttering the words with intention
Ex. “It’s raining outside” – can mean 1) wants the listener to use an umbrella if he/she goes out;
or 2) wants the listener to not go out because it is raining outside.

3. Perlocutionary – action or state of mind brought about or by, or as a consequence of saying

something
- result or effect
Ex. “It’s raining outside” – can mean 1) listener may use an umbrella; or 2) listener may stay while
waiting for the rain to stop.
 ✓ Language can not just give out information, but can also persuade.
✓ If you want something to change, be a good communicator.

Five Illocutionary/Perlocutionary Points

1. Assertive – aim to describe a state of affairs in the world
- utterance is a statement, description, classification, explanation, and clarification.
- assert, claim,

2. Directives – an act that attempts to make the other person’s actions to fit the propositional
content
- direct, request, ask, urge, tell, require, demand, command, etc.
Ex. Rafael, stop playing Mobile Legends. (Command)
Please vote for me. (Request)

3. Commissive – utterance makes the speaker do something to someone or to a general situation

- utterance which commit the speaker to a course of action as described by the propositional content
- commit, promise, threaten, pledge, swear, accept, consent, refuse, offer, etc.
Ex. Starting next month, I promise to wake up early. (Promise)
I pledge allegiance to the flag. (Pledge)

4. Expressive – reveals the speaker’s attitude and emotion towards a particular preposition
- apologize, thank, condole, congratulate, complain, lament, protest, praising, etc.
Ex. Welcome back to my class!
I am sorry for your loss.

5. Declarative – statement that attempts to change the world by “representing it as having been
changed.”
- declare, resign, adjourn, appoint, nominate, approve, confirm, disapprove, etc.
Ex. The meeting is adjourned.
“I hereby declare a total lockdown” – President Duterte