Speech Act Theory

3. This concept was proposed by John Langshaw
Austin in 1962 one of the founders of pragmatic
and later developed by John R. Searle in 1969,
both philosophers of language, they believe that
langauge is not only used to inform or to
describe things, it is often used “to do things”, to
perform acts. In other words actions performed
via utterances are generally called speech acts.

4. He further distinguished three acts in one
single speech act or event we perform.
1. illocutionary Act
2. Locutionary Act
3. Perlocutionary Act

5. iIlocutionary acts are the real actions
which are performed by the
utterance. We form an utterance with
some kind of function in mind. This
communicative force of an utterance
is known as illocutionary force.
(Intention/desire of the speaker)

6. Locutionary act is the basic act of
utterance, or producing a meaningful
linguistic expressions.
We can say performing an act of
saying something or physical
utterances of words.

7. Perlocutionary act is the effect
produced on the listner when they
listen a locutionary act or this is the
hears response.

8. Desire
Illocution
Effect
perlocution
Physical
utterences
locution

9. This theory was further classified by
John Searle. He states that the
taxonomy used by Austin is
defective, especially in its lack of
clear criteria for distinguishing one
kind of illocutionary force from
another.

10. Searle divides illocutionary acts into
five basic types.
1. Directive
2. Commissive
3. Representative/Assertive
4. Declarative
5. Expressive

11. It is conversation between 1st and 2nd
person here the speaker tries to
make the hearer do something, with
such words as: ask, order, command,
request, beg, plead, pray, entreat,
invite, permit, advise, demand etc.
Ex: Give me your pen.
Leave the town immediately.

12. Here the speaker commits himself or
herself to the future course of action,
with verbs such as: guarantee,
promise, swear, refuse, threating etc.
Ex: I will repay the money.
I swear to tell the truth.

13. Here the speaker asserts a
proposition to be true, using such
verbs as: affirm, believe, conclude,
deny, report, state. etc
Ex: The earth is round.
I think, he is saying the truth.

14. Here the speaker alters the external
status or condition of an object,
situation or context solely by making
the utterance.
Ex: Class dismissed.
You are fired.
We find defendant not guilty.

15. Here the speaker expresses an
attitude to or about a state of affairs,
using such verbs as: thanks,
congratulate, apologize, praise etc.
Ex: I am sorry for being late.
What a great day!
Congratulation!