Oral Communication in Context

Speech Acts
 Learning Targets

01 02 03

The students should be able to The students should be able to The students should be able to
identify the three types of show understanding of speech differentiate locution, illocution,
speech acts in oral acts through a performance and perlocution from one
communication. task. another.
 Introduction

Communication has always been essential to human

existence. Communication enables the exchange of
ideas among individuals, which directly contributes to
the improvement of the quality of life itself. The
ability to perceive communication utterances can
influence subsequent behavior.

In this lesson, we will explore the power of utterances

in communication.
 Sharing

How do you motivate yourself whenever you are

facing a big challenge in your life or when you are
just simply under the weather?

How do you motivate or support others when they are

feeling the same? Do you have words of wisdom to
share?
 Speech Acts

The use of language or words is to transmit messages, Locutionary Act

ideas, and opinions. However, speech extends beyond
the precise words spoken. Each time you speak, you
are actually doing an action; that is, you are
performing. In communication, we call this a speech
act. Illocutionary Act

The three types of speech acts in communication are

the locutionary act, the illocutionary act, and the
perlocutionary act.
Perlocutionary Act
Types of Speech Acts
Locutionary Acts
The literal meaning of an utterance

Representative, Directive, Commissive, Expressive,

and Declarative

Five main categories of illocutionary acts

Illocutionary Acts
The intended effect of an utterance

Perlocutionary Acts
The effect an utterance has on the listener
Locutionary Act

Look at the following examples:

A. I am upset.
B. Do you need help?

Example A expresses an emotional state,

and Example B asks a question.

"I am upset."
Locutionary Act A locutionary act is the act of making
a meaningful utterance. This is about
the same as saying a certain sentence
with a certain meaning and reference.

Locutionary act can be expressed

through asking or answering a
question, describing, providing a
statement or information, or giving
an assurance.

"I am upset."
The illocutionary act is done through illocutionary Act
the power of speech, like when
someone promises, apologizes, or
makes an offer.

This action is doing something by

saying something. The most
significant degree of action in a
speech act is the illocutionary act,
which is determined by the force
desired by the speakers.

"I am sorry."
 illocutionary Act

Look at the following examples:

A. I am sorry.
B. I promise that won't happen again.

Example A expresses an apology, and

Example B expresses a promise.

"I am sorry."
Perlocutionary Act
A perlocutionary act is the effect that the
utterance has on the behavior, thoughts,
and feelings of the listener, whether it was
meant to or not. This is what happened
because of what was said in the given
situation. To put it simply, a
perlocutionary act is when someone says
something to get someone else to act in a
certain way.

"I am upset."
Perlocutionary Act

When a mother heard her child say, "I am

upset," she held the child and gave
assurance.

In the above example, the child's

utterance caused her mother to act, even
though the child didn't ask for
reassurance.

"I am upset."
Words and actions are powerful enough to

appease the heart or incite a war.

This quotation was taken from the work of

Rosa Maria Aguado.
 Wrap Up!

Each time you speak, you are actually doing an The illocutionary act is done through the power of
action; that is, you are performing. In communication, speech, like when someone promises, apologizes, or
we call this a speech act. makes an offer.

A locutionary act is the act of making a meaningful A perlocutionary act is the effect that the utterance has
utterance. This is about the same as saying a certain on the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of the listener,
sentence with a certain meaning and reference. whether it was meant to or not.
 Sean Ranniel Aguado's Class

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