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Speech Act
Speech Act
Speech Act
Speech Act
Refers to the basic unit of human linguistic
communication that implies a meaningful
utterance, and sometimes an intentional utterance
to achieve interpersonal goals through spoken
language. And this speech act affects on the
hearer.
The first theorist who spoke about Speech Acts in the
modern era was called (John Austin), and his theory
divided Speech Acts into three levels.
Speech Act
Locutionary Act
Illocutionary Act
Perlocutionary Act
- Locutionary Act
- Locutionary Act
She wants him to play and have fun.
- Illocutionary Act
She needs some quiet time.
At the end of the interview, Mohammed
said to the interviewer “Nice to meet you!”.
- Locutionary Act
It shows politeness and kindness.
- Illocutionary Act
Mohammed is using adulation in order to have positive
results, and to have a relationship with the interviewer.
After John Austin, came his student (John Searle). This one divided
Speech Act, under Illocutionary Act only, into five types, and we
should know that those five types cannot be realized unless we
have a context; otherwise, we can only understand the Locutionary
act. Those types are:
1- Representative (Assertive)
2- Declarative
3- Expressive
4- Directive
5- Commissive
1- Representative (Assertive)
It is a type of Illocutionary Act in which a statement may be judged true
or false.
In this kind of Illocutionary Act, we can use the function of verbs such
as; affirm, believe, think, conclude, deny, or report.
Ex 1:
John and Susan were debating whether the Earth is spherical or flat.
John said; “All the evidence from satellites, and photographs from the
space clearly show that the Earth is spherical, not flat.”
- Locutionary Act:
General meaning
- Illocutionary Act:
It says that he wants to assert that all the evidence mentioned
above prove the fact that the Earth is spherical.
- Perlocutionary Act depends on the listener (Susan). She may
accept, or refuse, the statement.
2- Declarative:
In this kind of Illocutionary Act, we can use the function of verbs such
as; Blessing, firing, bidding, or excommunicating.
Ex:
I declare you husband and wife.
- Illocutionary:
Now, after the declaration, she is under his responsibility, and he
can take her from her family.
Ex 2:
One of the presentations took longer time than it is supposed to
take. At the end of it, most of the students got bored and wanted to
go home; our Prof. looked at his watch, and said to all the students,
“It is 11:00 o’clock.”
In this kind of Illocutionary Act, we can use the function of words such
as; Apologizing, congratulating, and thanking.
Ex:
After three years far away, my father is home again. My heart is leaping
out.
In this kind of Illocutionary Act, we can use the function of words such
as; Order, request, ask, invite, advise, suggest, challenge, command, beg,
and warn.
Ex:
“Your dad is sleeping!”. Mum whispered in her son’s ear.
- Locutionary Act
The sentence “You look nice today” means that Fuad is
describing Khalid’s handsomeness.
- Illocutionary Act
In fact, Fuad is not describing his friend, but he wants to
say “We are late. Hurry up!”
- Perlocutionary Act
Khalid got it and said, “Just a minute!” and this is the
effect on the hearer or listener.
5- Commissive
Ex:
A: Tomorrow is our presentation, and you have not done anything, yet!
B: I will not sleep tonight.
والمعنى هنا ،كما يعرف جميعنا" ،أعدك أاَّل أبوح!" أو "أعدك أاّل يعرف بما قلَتُه أحد!".
تقديم:
-توهيب مهيوب الجبزي
-أسامة هشام باشا
-أشرف صادق الحسيني
-عبدالحكيم محمد محمود الصبري
..THANK YOU