3. 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.
4. Introduction
🠶 They believed that
language is not only used to
inform or to describe
things, it is often used “to
do things” to perform
actions.
6. 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
7. 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?
SPEAKER / LISTENER SPEECH ACT
incoming traveler to hotel clerk "Can I have a room on the top
floor?"
one student to another "You can use my eraser. Yours is
almost gone."
student 1 to student 2, just after
1 tells 2 she failed the exam
"Do you want to study together for the
next test?"
a young woman to her friend "You know, they have a sale on diamond
rings at the mall this weekend."
9. 1. 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.”
10. 2. 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)
11. 2. Illocutionary Speech Act
Examples:
• “I’ll do my homework later.” (promise)
• “Go to your work!” (order)
12. 3. Perlocutionary Speech 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.
