Malone UI Fall '19 Intro to Language Pragmatics Unit Speech Acts and Politeness

1. Speech Acts
and
Politeness
Engl 241 (Malone)
UI Fall ‘19

2. Speech Acts
We use language to:
• Share information
• Request information
• Command
• Threaten
• Warn
• Bet
• Advise
• Apologize
• Joke
• Compliment

3. That is, we use language to perform or accomplish actions.

4. PERFORMATIVE
Speech Acts
“I baptize you…”
“I now pronounce you…” “I hereby
sentence you…”
Speaking the words accomplishes the verb.

5. Performative speech acts are also DIRECT speech acts.

6. Direct Speech Acts
• “I’m asking you to stay.”
• “I wager $60.”
• “If you say that again, I’ll tell on you.”
• “I promise I’ll pay the rent today.”

7. But much of what we say can be classified as an INDIRECT speech
act. That is, we are not explicit about what we want. Instead, our
speech suggests or implies our wishes. The literal meaning of what
we say may not align with what we want out of the conversation.
Indirect speech acts allow us to be polite and maintain plausible
deniability.

8. Indirect Speech Acts
• “Can you pass the salt?”
• “Would you be able to bring me another menu?”
• “It’s so cold in here.”
• “Just a small donation can make a big
difference.”

9. https://www.art.com/products/p15063133574-sa-i6842901/liza-donnelly-i-d-invite-you-in-but-my-life-s-a-mess-new-yorker-cartoon.htm