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Week 11 Semantics

Speech Act Theory, proposed by John L. Austin and developed by John R. Searle, posits that language is used not only to convey information but also to perform actions. It identifies three components of speech acts: locutionary (the utterance itself), illocutionary (the intended action), and perlocutionary (the effect on the listener). Searle further categorizes illocutionary acts into five types: directive, commissive, representative, declarative, and expressive.

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29 views3 pages

Week 11 Semantics

Speech Act Theory, proposed by John L. Austin and developed by John R. Searle, posits that language is used not only to convey information but also to perform actions. It identifies three components of speech acts: locutionary (the utterance itself), illocutionary (the intended action), and perlocutionary (the effect on the listener). Searle further categorizes illocutionary acts into five types: directive, commissive, representative, declarative, and expressive.

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Week 11

Speech Act Theory


Introduction

This concept was proposed was John L. Austin in 1962 one of the founders of pragmatic and later
developed by John R. Searle in 1969, both philosophers of language. They believed that language is not
only used to J.L. Auston inform or to describe things, it is often used "to do things" to perform actions. In
simple words action performed via utterances are generally called speech act.

Definition

A speech act in linguistics is something expressed by an individual that not only presents information,
but performs an action as well.

Example: "I'm hungry." expresses hunger request for something to eat.

Exercise: Can you identify each of the following speech acts intends to convey: a request, an apology, a
suggestion, a command, an offer, a rebuke, or an invitation?

Types of Speech Act:

3 Components of Speech Act:


 Locutionary Act: the utterance itself.
 Illocutionary Act: command/request.
 Perlocutionary Act: A passes B an apple.

1. Locutionary Speech Act: Locutionary Speech Act is a basic act of utterance, or producing a meaningful
linguistic expression. (literal meaning of the words). What is actually said by the speaker. (words that are
spoken) Statements, questions etc

Example: "The coffee tastes great."

2. Illocutionary Speech Act: In an illocutionary speech act, it is not just saying something itself, but the
act of saying something with the intention of:

 Stating an opinion
 Making a promise or request
 Issuing an order or a decision
 Giving an advice or permission (what the locution really is)

Examples: "I'll do my homework later." (promise), "Go to your work!" (order)

3. Perlocutionary Speech Act: Perlocutionary act is the effect produced on the listener when they listen
locutionary act or this is the hears response.

Example: "I'll take you to Disneyland for your birthday." the hearer jumps up and down with joy

Searle’s Five Illocutionary Points

1 .Directive: The speaker trying to


get someone to do something else. (command, invitation, request) It means the speaker wants the
hearer to do what the speaker wants.

Example: "Can you pass me the salt?" (request)

2. Commissive: The speaker commit themselves to doing something. (promise, offer, threats) It means
the speaker commits to the listener.

Example:

 "If you do it again. I'll beat you." (threat)


 "I promise to come to your birthday." (promise)
3. Representative/Assertive: What the speaker believe, predict.

Example: "I call him a liar." (the speaker describe someone as a liar as he believe.)

4. Declarative: Statements that change the situations immediately within the context.

Example: "You are fired, get out."

5. Expressive: Are utterances in which speaker expresses feelings and attitude. (apologies, complaint.
thanks, compliments)

Example:

 "I'm sorry for being late."


 "The dress looks really good on you."

Exercise:

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