Definition of Speech Acts

A speech act is an utterance that a speaker makes to

achieve an intended effect. Some of the functions which
are carried out using speech acts are offering an apology,
greeting, request, compliant, invitation, compliment, or
refusal. A speech act might contain just one word or
several words or sentences. For example, “Thanks” and
“Thank you for always being there for me. I really
appreciate it” both show appreciation regardless of the
length of the statement.

Three Types of Speech Act

According to J.L Austin (1962), a philosopher of
language and the developer of the Speech Act Theory,
there are three types of acts in every utterance, given the
right circumstances or context. These are:
Locutionary act is the actual act of uttering.
“Please do the dishes.”
 Illocutionary act is the social function of what is
By uttering the locution “Please do the dishes,” the speaker
requests the addressee to wash the dishes.

said.

Perlocutionary act is the resulting act of what is said.

This effect is based on the particular context in
which the speech act was mentioned.
“Please do the dishes” would lead to the addressee washing
the dishes.

Classification of Speech Act

As a response to Austin’s Speech Act
Theory, John Searle (1976), a professor from the
university of California, Berkeley, Classified illocutionary
acts into five distinct categories.
Assertive a type of illocutionary act in which the
speaker expresses belief about the truth of a
proposition. Some example of an assertive act are
suggesting, putting forward, swearing, boasting, and
concluding.
Example;
No one makes better pancake than I do.
Directive a type of illocutionary act which the
speaker tries to make the addressee perform an
action. Some example of an directive act are asking,
ordering, requesting, inviting, and begging.
Example; Please close the door.
Commissive a type of illocutionary act which
commits the speaker to doing something in the future.
Example of a commissive act are promising,
planning, vowing, and betting.
Example;
From now on, I will participate in our group activity.

Expressive a type of illocutionary act in which the

speaker expresses his/her feelings or emotion
reaction. Some example of an expressive act are
thanking,
apologizing, welcoming, and deploring.
Example;
I am sorry for not helping out in our group projects
and you do all the work letting