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Types of Speech Act Speech Act: Utterances

The document discusses the three types of speech acts: locution, illocution, and perlocution. Locution refers to the literal meaning of an utterance. Illocution refers to the intended meaning or force of an utterance, such as asking a question or making a request. Perlocution refers to the effects or consequences of an utterance on the listener, such as scaring or persuading them. The speech act theory was first proposed by John Austin and later developed by John Searle, and analyzes the meaning and intended effects of utterances in a language.

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62 views2 pages

Types of Speech Act Speech Act: Utterances

The document discusses the three types of speech acts: locution, illocution, and perlocution. Locution refers to the literal meaning of an utterance. Illocution refers to the intended meaning or force of an utterance, such as asking a question or making a request. Perlocution refers to the effects or consequences of an utterance on the listener, such as scaring or persuading them. The speech act theory was first proposed by John Austin and later developed by John Searle, and analyzes the meaning and intended effects of utterances in a language.

Uploaded by

Alexis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TYPES OF SPEECH ACT

Speech Act
Speech Act are the speaker’s utterances which convey meaning and make listeners do specific ,
things. (Austin, 1962). According to Austin (1962), when saying a performative utterance, a
speaker is simultaneously doing something.
The speech act theory was first proposed by Jonh Langshaw Austin 1962. It was further
developed by John Rogers Searle in 1969. It is based on the premise that words cannot only
convey information but they can also cary out actions. Austin and Searle are concerned with
what the speaker utterance means in a language, so Austin identify the three basic types of
speech act : locution, illocution, and perlocution

The three types of Speech Act :


1. Locution Speech Act
- This act happens with the utterance of the meaningful sounds. The act opens the
communication by the speaker to the listener. The speaker has to adjust this act to the
listener to have shared understanding. Utterances must not only be limited to be a sound,
rather it may be words, phrases or sentences following the rules of language.

 In short an locutionary act is an act of saying something using the sound, which
has a meaning in the traditional sense .
For Example:
a. “Hi!” (greeting someone)
b. “Stop!” (a strong command)
c. “How much is this?” (an inquiry)

2. Illocution Speech Act


- The real intended meaning of the utterance is called illocutionary. The meaning may
depend on where, why, when and how it is said as well as the manner of the utterance by
the speaker.
 It is an act performed of saying something with a specific intention, its either by
asking, answering, promising etc.
For example:
a. Will aaron leave the room?
b. Aaron, will leave the room.
c. Aaron, leave the room!
d. I wish Aaron will leave the room..
e. If Aaron will leave the room, I will leave also.

The first would, characterically, be a question, the second an assertion about the future,
that is, a prediction, the third a request or order, the fourth an expression of a wish, and
the fifth a hypothetical expression of intention.
3. Perlocution Speech Act
- This is observed when there is an effect of the utterance to the addressee from the
speaker. The response may be elicited by scaring, inciting, comforting, persuading and
inspiring. This act intends to change feelings, thoughts and actions .
 An act performed by or as a result of saying something. It happens when the
speaker says has an effect on the listener.
For Example :
a. “Cigarette smoking kills.” (scaring)
b. “I don’t want to see you over again!” (inciting)
c. “Everything will be alright.” (comforting)

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