SPEECH ACTS
An utterance that serves a
function in communication. We
perform speech acts when we offer an
apology, greeting, request, complaint,
invitation, compliment, or refusal.
(“What Is a,” 2015)
2
SPEECH ACTS
THEORY
3
The Speech Act Theory is
concerned with the ways which words
can be used not only to present
information but also to carry out our
actions.
4
Speech act theory attempts to explain:
How speakers use language to
accomplish intended actions.
• How listeners understand intended
meaning from what is said.
•
5
Speech acts are categorized into three:
1.
2.
3.
Locutionary
Illocutionary
Perlocutionary
6
1.
LOCUTIONARY ACT
7
LOCUTIONARY ACT
Refers to the message. The
message is the locutionary force of our
speech act. The words in the message
are the primary component of the
message.
8
EXAMPLE:
You should stop eating
junk food.
9
2.
ILLOCUTIONARY ACT
10
ILLOCUTIONARY ACT
Refers to the actual behavior
of the speaker as he/she is
transmitting the message.
11
EXAMPLE:
When a parent asks a son about a
certain untoward behavior that he has
demonstrated, the parent may simply be
asking for an explanation.
12
3.
PERLOCUTIONARY ACT
13
PERLOCUTIONARY ACT
It is an action or state of
mind brought about by.
14
EXAMPLE:
If someone shouts “FIRE!” and
by that act causes people to get out of
a building, which they believe to be on
fire.
15
TYPES OF SPEECH ACTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Constatives
Directives
Commissive
Acknowledgement
16
CONSTATIVES
Announcing,
confirming,
disagreeing, informing, insisting,
predicting.
17
DIRECTIVES
Advising, asking, begging,
permitting, requesting, warning.
18
COMMISSIVE
Agreeing, inviting, promising,
volunteering
19
Acknowledgements
Apologizing, congratulating,
greeting, thanking
20