Speech Act Types

Thaha, Novydhea, Wayan

 SPEECH ACTS
Yule (1996) states that speech acts are a study of how
the speakers and hearers use language. Bach (1979)
explains that an action in verbal communication has
message in itself, so the communication is not only
about language but also with action. In conclusion
speech act is the utterance that occurs and act refers
to an action.
 Locutionary
Locutionary speech act is roughly equivalent to uttering
certain utterance with certain sense and reference, which
again is roughly equivalent to meaning in traditional sense
(Austin, 1962: 108). Also proposed by Yule (1996) who states
that locutionary act is the act of producing meaningful
utterances.
Example of Locutionary
1. It’s so dark in this room.
2. The box is heavy.

The above two sentences represent the actual condition. The first
sentence refers to the lighting of the room and
the second sentence refers to the weight of the box.
 Illocutionary
The illocutionary act is performed via the communicative
force of an utterance, such as promising, apologizing, offering
(Yule, 1996:48). This act is also called the act of doing
something in saying something. The most significant level of
action in a speech act is the illocutionary act because the
force, which has been desired by the speakers, determines
this act.
 Example of Illocutionary
1. It’s so dark in this room.
2. The box is heavy.

Based on the examples above, the first sentence shows a

request to switch the light on and the second sentence shows a
request to lift up the box.
 Perlocutionary
Hufford and Heasley (1983:250) states that perlocutionary act
is the act that is carried out by a speaker when making an
utterance causes in certain effect on the hearer and others.
Perlocutionary act is also the act offering someone.
 Example of Perlocutionary
1. It’s so dark in this room.
2. The box is heavy.

Based on the example it can be inferred that the first sentence is

uttered by someone while switching the light on and the second
sentence is done by someone while lifting up the box.
 SPEECH ACT CLASSIFICATION

Declaration
Speech acts that change the world via their utterance/word.

For example:
“Look at the mirror and you can see your family. Now you won’t feel
lonely anymore.”
In this speech act, the speaker changes the world via words. The
speaker replaces the situation with the word that delivered to the
addressee.
 Assertives
Assertives commit the speaker to the truth of the expressed
proposition:

state, suggest, boast, complain, claim, report, warn (that) Notice that
boast and complain also express an attitude to the proposition
expressed other than a belief in its truth.

For example:
“ I'm the only one in school who has this new iPhones model. ”
 Commisive
Speech acts that speakers use to commit themselves to some
future action.

Promises, threats, refusals, pledges -> can be performed alone or

by a group.
The speaker undertakes to make the world fit the words
(via the speaker).

For example:
a) I'll be back.
b) I'm going to get it right next time.
c) I Will do this latter
 Directives
Speech acts that speaker use to get someone else to do
something.

Command, orders, requests, suggesion -> can be positive or

negative. The speaker attempts to make the world fit the
words (via hearer).

For example:
a) Gimme a cup of coffee. Make it black.
b) Could you close the window?
c) Give me your pen.
 Declaratives
Declarations are speech acts that the utterances effect
immediate changes in the institutional state of affairs and
which tend to rely on elaborate exta- linguistic institutions.
These speech acts include excommunicating, declaring war,
christening, firing from employment. For example “you are dead
to me.”
 Thank
yo!
u !
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