ENGLISH TEACHING: DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

SPEECH ACTS

Speech acts are the pieces of language or utterances that belong to a particular function in communication and what kind of reaction they create on the receiver. Speech acts have an intention and always have meaning to convey. For example when we are requesting or using a command we are performing an act.

Some common speech acts are:

Promising
Ordering
Greeting
Warning
Inviting
Congratulating
Refusing

Speech acts have three major aspects:

1. Locutionary acts: Are those speech acts that have taken place. E.g. She is coming

2. Illocutionary acts: Are those real actions that are performed by the utterance. For example: When we welcome or warn, we speak and at the same time we are doing it. E.g. ‘’I forgive you’’

3. Perlocutionary acts: Are the effects of the utterance on the listener who accepts the speech act. E.g. let’s go! I will be funny.

Illocutionary acts are divided in five categories:

· Representatives: They represent some state of affairs in varying degrees of truth with respect to the proposition: state, believe, conclude, deny, report.

· Directives: Are speech acts whose intention is to get the addressee to carry out some action: command, insist, dare, request, challenge, ask, request.

Examples:

Pay half of the bill (command)

Be quiet (command)

‘Why don’t we go over there together? (Request)

‘Do you mind if I take one of these? (request)

Do you think I should call the college about my application? (advice)

It might be a good idea letting it go (advice)

Commisives: Are speech acts that commit –in varying degrees- the speaker to some future course of action: promises, pledge, vow, swear, threat.

Examples:

‘’ I promise to keep the secret’ (promise)

“You’ll have it by tomorrow’’ (promise)

‘If you don’t complain I’ll help you’ (promise)

‘if the pizza is not at your home in a half, it is free’ (promise)

· Espressives: Are speech acts that indicate the speaker’s psychological state or mental attitude towards about a state of affairs: welcome, deplore, greet, thank, congratulate, and apologize.

Examples:

Look, we know you’re busy, but you come late to every meeting!

What a beautiful jacket!

I wish I could have some free time

You are so sweet!

· Declarations: Are speech acts that change the reality in accord with the proposition of the declaration. In Declarations saying the words and doing the action is the same thing. The effect of the words pronounced is depending upon the utterance itself. Example. You are punished.

Some examples of speech acts are everyday exchanges:

Some friends inviting and thanking:

Speaker A: Would you like to take a cup of coffee? (inviting)

Speaker B: It’d be nice. Thank you. (thanking)

At home:

Mom: I need some groceries, Go to the store and bring me what I need. (ordering)

Girl: Mom, I’m busy right now, Can I go later. (refusing)

Mom: If you don’t go now, then you won’t go to that party (warning)

Girl: Ok, ok I’ll go (accepting)

A couple

Man: Hello (greeting)

Woman: How are you? (Greeting)

Man: Actually, I’m desperate. I waited for you for half an hour (complaining)

Woman: I’m so sorry. (Apologizing)

Man: Don’t do this again! (Warning)

The performative utterances are actions that both the sender and the receiver think and consider that could be done, if one of them does not believe so, then that felicity of sincerity is not being fulfilled and the performative utterances cannot take place.

It is very important that the performative utterances follow the conditions listed below: