Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I predict
I warn you
I promise you
A PROBLEM ?
Now , if this is the case, a locutionary act can have different
illocutionary forces, this is in fact a problem;
You are going ! …………. ( I tell you that you are going )
You’re going ? …………..( I request confirmation that YG)
You’re going ? …………..( I ask you if you are going )
Directives : are those kinds of speech acts that speakers use to get someone
else to do something for you. They express what speaker wants; like commends,
orders, requests, suggestions, and they can be positive or negative
ex: give me a cup of coffee, could you lend me a pen, don’t touch that.
Commisives : are those kinds of speech acts that speakers use to commit
themselves to some future action, they express what the speaker intends; like
promises, threats, refusals, pledges.
ex: I’ll be back / we will not do that
Direct Vs Indirect speech acts ( Searle)
You answered the phone.
Did you answer the phone?
Answer the phone!
When you say for example , can you pass me the salt please ? You
are not asking whether he/she can pass the salt, i.e the function is
not a question, but rather a request , in this case , you have an
indirect speech act .
The main reason we use the indirect speech act, rather than
simply using the direct one, is because in society it is
considered more polite to use for example a request, rather
than an order .
Speech Events
Speech Events
There are various kinds of events at which speech typically takes
place: political rally, debate, classroom lecture, religious service
(sermon, prayer, welcoming, singing); government hearing;
courtroom trial; all involve particular kinds of speech events that
are appropriate to that setting. Could also be informal: telephone
conversation, purchasing a ticket, a newspaper, ordering a meal.