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Types of speech
Acts

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 Definition of Speech Acts
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Speech acts- is an utterance that a speaker makes to achieve an intended

effect. Some of the functions which are carried out using speech acts are
o f f e r i n g a n a p o l o g y, g r e e t i n g s , r e q u e s t , c o m p l a i n t , i n v i t a t i o n s , c o m p l i m e n t
or refusal. A speech act might contain just one word or several words or
sentences. For example “Thanks” and “Thank you for always being there
for me. I really appreciate it” both show appreciation regardless of the
length of the statement.

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Typestitle style Acts
of Speech
According to J.L . Austin(1962), a philosopher of language and the developer of the speech act theory,
there are three types of acts in every utterance, given the right circumstances or context. These are:
1. Locutionary act – is the actual act of uttering.
Example:
“Please do the dishes”
2. Illocutionary act – is the social functions of what is said.
Example:
By uttering the locution “ Please do the dishes,” the speaker requests the addressee to
wash the dishes.
3. Perlocutionary acts – is the resulting act of what is said. This effect is based on the particular context in
which the speech acts was mentioned.
Example:
“Please do the dishes ” would lead to the addressee washing the dishes.

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Performatives

Austin also introduced the concept of performative utterances; statement which enable the

speaker to perform something just by stating it. A performative utterance said by the right

person under the right circumstances result in a change of world. Note that certain conditions

have to be met when making a performative utterance.

For example the phrase “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” when uttered by an

authorized person such as a judge will have the actual effect of binding a couple into

marriage. However, if the same statement is uttered by someone who is not authorized to

marry them, then there is no effect, because the condition was not met.

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Searle’s Master title of
Classification style
Speech Acts
As a response to Austin’s speech act theory, John Searle (1976), a professor from the University
of California, Berkeley, classified illocutionary acts into five distinct categories:

1. Assertive – The speaker expressed belief about the truth of a proposition. Some examples pf an assertive are
suggesting, putting forward, swearing, boasting and concluding
Example:
No one makes better pancakes than I do.
2. Directive – The speaker tries to make the addressee perform action. Some examples of a directive are
asking, ordering, requesting, inviting, advising and begging.
Example:
Please close the door.
3. Commissive – Commits the speaker to doing something in the future. Examples of a commissive are
promising, planning, vowing, and betting.
Example:
From now on, I will participate in a group study. 5 5
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Searle’s Master title
Classification of style
Speech acts
4. Expressive – The speaker expresses his/her feelings or emotional reactions. Some examples of expressive are
thanking, apologizing, welcoming, deploring.
Example:
I am so sorry for not helping out in our group project and letting you do all do work.
5. Declaration – Brings a change in the external situation. Some examples of declaration 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.

Always keep in mind that speech acts include concrete life interaction that require the appropriate use of language
within a given culture. Communicative competence (the ability to use linguistic knowledge to effectively communicate
to others) is essential for a speaker to be able to use and understand speech acts. Idioms and other nuances in a
certain language might be lost or misunderstood by someone who does not fully grasp the language.

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