Ray Alben M.

Manaog
TYPES OF SPEECH ACTS Teacher II
Sibuyao National High School
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
RESPONDS APPROPRIATELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO
A SPEECH ACT
CONSIDER THE PHRASE: “I NOW DECLARE MARTIAL
LAW.” WHO AMONG THE FOLLOWING CAN SAY THIS
PHRASE AND MAKE MARTIAL LAW ACTUALLY HAPPEN?
A. PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY
B. MY PREGNANT NEIGHBOR
C. A RETIRED VETERINARIAN
D. A FAMOUS ROCK STAR
WHAT DO YOU THINK DOES THE SPEAKER MEAN WHEN
HE/SHE SAYS, “CAN YOU OPEN THE DOOR?”
A. THE SPEAKER WANTS TO KNOW IF I HAVE THE
ABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR.
B. THE SPEAKER IS REQUESTING ME TO OPEN THE
DOOR.
C. THE SPEAKER DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
D. THE SPEAKER IS ASKING ME A QUESTION.
YOU AND YOUR FRIEND WHO HAS A FEVER ENTER
YOUR ROOM. SHE SHIVERS AND TELLS YOU, “IT’S COLD
IN HERE!” HOW WOULD YOU INTERPRET WHAT SHE
SAID?
A. SHE FEELS COLD.
B. SHE WANTS ME TO INCREASE THE TEMPERATURE IN
THE ROOM.
C. SHE DOES NOT FEEL WELL BECAUSE OF THE COLD.
D. SHE IS COMPLIMENTING THE TEMPERATURE IN MY
ROOM.
BASED ON THE SCENARIO IN ITEM NUMBER 3, WHAT
WOULD YOUR NEXT ACTION BE?
A. I WILL THANK MY FRIEND.
B. I WILL AGREE WITH HER AND SAY THAT THE ROOM
IS COLD. C. I WILL INCREASE THE TEMPERATURE TO
DECREASE THE COLDNESS.
D. I WILL IGNORE MY FRIEND.
IN WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS IS THE
SPEAKER MAKING A COMMITMENT?
A. “I CHECKED HER FACEBOOK PROFILE YESTERDAY.”
B. “I’M IN LOVE AND I’M HAPPY!”
C. “I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU FOR BETTER OR FOR
WORSE.”
D. “I THINK FOLLOWING MY SUGGESTION WILL GET US
A HIGH GRADE.”
- In linguistics and the philosophy of language, it is an utterance that has
performative function in language and communication .
http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/speech_act
- an utterance considered as an action, particularly with regard to its intention,
purpose, or effect.
http://www.Oxforddictionaries.Com/definition/english/speech -act
- it is an utterance that serves a function in communication. We perform speech
acts when we offer an apology, greeting, request, complaint, invitation,
compliment, or refusal. A speech act might contain just one word, as in "sorry!"
To perform an apology, or several words or sentences: "i’m sorry I forgot your
birthday. I just let it slip my mind." Speech acts include real-life interactions and
require not only knowledge of the language but also appropriate use of that
language within a given culture.
Http://www.Carla.Umn.Edu/speechacts/definition.Html
- it is what a speaker does in uttering a sentence. According to austin (1962),
when uttering a sentence, a speaker is involved in three different speech acts: a
locutionary act , an illocutionary act and a perlocutionary act . the locutionary
act is the act of uttering a sentence with a certain meaning. The speaker also may
intend to constitute a certain act of praise, criticism, threat etc., Which is called
the illocutionary act .... the perlocutionary act is the act of trying to bring about a
certain change in the addressee (e.G. Making him/her believe something)....
Http://www2.Let.Uu.Nl/uil-ots/lexicon/zoek.Pl?Lemma=speech+act
Searle asserted that speech encompasses at least
three kinds of acts: (1) locutionary acts, in which
things are said with a certain sense or reference (as
in “the moon is a sphere”); (2) illocutionary acts, in
which such acts as promising or commanding are
performed by means of speaking; and (3)
perlocutionary acts, in which the speaker, by
speaking, does something to someone else (for
example, angers, consoles, or persuades someone).
The speaker's intentions are conveyed by the
illocutionary force that is given to the signs—that is,
by the actions implicit in what is said.
Microsoft ® encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008
microsoft corporation. All rights reserved.
1. Locutionary act is the actual act of uttering.
“Please do the dishes.”
2. Illocutionary act is the social function of what is
said.
By uttering the locution “please do the dishes,” the
speaker requests the addressee to wash the dishes.
3. Perlocutionary act is the resulting act of what is
said. This effect is based on the particular context in
which the speech act was mentioned.
“Please do the dishes” would lead to the addressee
washing the dishes.
“Can you pass the rice?”
Inferred speech act: Do you have the ability to hand
over the rice? Indirect speech act: Please pass the
rice.
So while the utterance literally asks the addressee if
he or she has the ability to hand a plate of rice, it
actually indirectly requests the addressee to pass the
rice to the speaker.
 Assertive
– a type of illocutionary act in which
the speaker expresses belief about the
truth of a proposition. Some examples
of an assertive act are suggesting,
putting forward, swearing, boasting,
and concluding.
Example: No one makes better
pancakes than I do.
Directive
– a type of illocutionary act in which
the speaker tries to make the addressee
perform an action. Some examples of a
directive act are asking, ordering,
requesting, inviting, advising, and
begging.
Example: Please close the door.
Commissive
– a type of illocutionary act which
commits the speaker to doing
something in the future. Examples of a
commissive act are promising,
planning, vowing, and betting.
Example: From now on, I will
participate in our group activity.
Expressive
– a type of illocutionary act in which
the speaker expresses his/her feelings
or emotional reactions. Some examples
of an expressive act are thanking,
apologizing, welcoming, and deploring.
Example: I am so sorry for not helping
out in our group projects and letting
you do all the work.
Declaration
– a type of illocutionary act which brings a
change in the external situation. Simply put,
declarations bring into existence or cause the
state of affairs which they refer to. Some
examples of declarations are blessing, firing,
baptizing, bidding, passing a sentence, and
excommunicating.
Example: You are fired!
By saying that someone is fired, an employer
causes or brings about the person’s
unemployment, thus changing his external
situation.
ANSWER ACTIVITY 1-A
DIRECTION: IDENTIFY THE SPEECH ACT PERFORMED IN THE FOLLOWING
QUOTATIONS.
1. The snake is under your bed.
2. Do to others what you want them to do to you.
3. Could you pass the rice.
4. You should pursue your studies.
5. Today, I declare the national day of happiness.
6. Pardon my intrusion.
7. Puerto Galera is a nearby and a more affordable Boracay.
8. Is that a suggestion or an unsolicited advice?
9. I will remain faith and devoted to my marriage vows.
10. Thank you for reading my book.