Speech Acts (‫)األفعال الكالمية‬

Locutionary Act (‫)حدث قولي‬ Illocutionary Act (‫ غرضي‬/‫)حدث تحقيقي‬ Perlocutionary Act (‫)حدث تأثيري‬

Speech Act: It is an utterance defined in terms of a speaker’s intention and the effect it has on a listener. It
is the action that the speaker hopes to influence his/ her audience.

Locutionary Act (LA): The making of a meaningful statement; saying something a hearer understands. It
is a mere act of producing some linguistic sounds or marks with a certain meaning and
reference. It is an umbrella term as illocutionary acts and perlocutionary acts can occur
simultaneously when a locutionary act happens.

Illocutionary Act (IA): Saying something with a purpose, such as to inform. It carries a directive for the
audience; it might be a promise, an order, an apology, an expression of thanks or an
answer to a question.

Perlocutionary Act (PA): Saying something that causes someone to act. It produces a consequence and an
effect on the hearer in feelings, thoughts or actions.

Examples:

- It is so dark in this room.

The LA represents the actual condition of the room which is so dark, while the IA shows a
request to switch the light on. On the other hand, the PA can infer that this sentence is uttered
(said) by someone while switching the light on.

- The box is heavy.

The LA represents the actual condition of the weight of the box, while the IA shows a request to
lift up the box. On the other hand, the PA can infer that this sentence is uttered (said) by someone
while lifting up the box.

Types of speech acts:

1- Declaratives: Blessings, arrests, marrying and etc.

2- Representatives: Statements, claims, suggestions and etc.
3- Commissives: Promises, oaths, pledges and etc.
4- Directives: Commands, requests, orders and etc.
5- Expressives: Greetings, apologies, condolences and etc.