11

Oral
Communication
in Context
Quarter 1 – Module 7:
Types of Speech Act

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 Lesson
Types of Speech Act
7

Making a statement may be the primary use of language, but there are other things

we can do with words. We can make requests, ask questions, give orders, make

promises, give thanks or offer apologies. Moreover, almost any speech act is really

the performance of several acts at once, distinguished by different aspects of the

speaker's intention: there is the act of saying something, what one does in saying it,

such as requesting or promising, and how one is trying to affect one's audience.

What is It

We all know that speech context and speech styles are just two parts of a

communicative strategy. The third prerequisite is the Speech Act. We know that we

perform all sorts of 'speech acts' besides making statements. These serve as vehicle

for all sorts of social activity. By this time, we will be focusing on the types of speech

act. So, it’s time to gear up your mind with the new topic for today’s lesson.

What is a Speech Act?

Speech acts are speakers’ utterances which convey meaning

and make listeners do specific things.

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There are three types of Speech Act:

1. Locutionary Act refers to the actual utterance of the speaker.

Example: When you ask someone, “Can you pass the

salt?” – The literal meaning concerns the hearer’s
ability to pass the salt.

Two types of Locutionary Act

a. utterance acts – where something is said (or a sound

is made) and which may not have any meaning.

b. propositional acts – where a particular reference is

made.

Note: Acts are sometimes also called utterances – thus, a perlocutionary act is the

same as perlocutionary utterance.

2. Illocutionary Act refers to the intended utterance by the speaker (performance).

Example: “Can you pass the salt?” - In illocution, it is

being interpreted by the receiver that the speaker requested

him to pass the salt.

Illocutionary acts are classified into five distinct categories:

a. Assertive – It is an act in which the speaker expresses belief about

the truth of a proposition. Some examples are

suggesting, swearing, boasting, concluding and putting

forward.

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 Example: No one makes better sandwich than I do .

b. Directive – It is an act in which the speaker tries to make the addressee

perform an action. Some examples are asking, ordering,

requesting, inviting, advising and begging.

Example: Would you make me a cup of tea?

c. Commissive – It is an act which commits the speaker to doing something

in the future. Some examples are promising, planning,

vowing, betting.

Example: I promise to come at eight and cook a

nice dinner for you.

d. Expressive – It is an act in which the speaker expresses his/her feelings

or emotional reactions. Some examples are thanking,

apologizing, welcoming, deploring.

Example: Thank you for your kind offer.

e. Declaration – It is an act which brings a change in the external situation.

Some examples of declarations are blessing, firing, baptizing, bidding,

passing a sentence and

excommunicating.

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 Example: I bequeath all my property to my beloved
fiancée.

4. Perlocutionary Act refers to the actions that result from the locution or what we

bring about or achieve by saying something such as convincing, persuading,

deterring or surprising.

Example: “Can you pass the salt? ” - if illocutions cause

listeners to do something, they are perlocutions.

What we say…
Locutionary Act:
What we mean we say it…
Illocutionary Act:
What we accomplish by saying it…
Perlocutionary Act:

Remember: A speaker can use different locution acts to achieve the same

illocutionary force or use one locution for many different purposes. For instance,

when you ask someone, “Could you water the plants?” The literal meaning concerns

the hearer’s ability to water the plants whereas its illocution is to request the hearer

to water the plants for the speaker. If illocutions cause the listeners to do something,

they are perlocutions; in this case, the hearer is watering the plants

Any question so far? I hope you already understand the three types of speech act

and be able to explain each function in a conversation.

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 What’s More

Since you have already geared up your mind with our lesson for

today, it is time to boost up your learning with the Types of Speech Act by answering

the activity given below.

Know the fact!

Modified True or False

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct If not, change the underlined

word/term with a correct answer. Write your answer on the space provided before

the number (for printed modular) and write your answer on your answer sheet (for

E-modular).

________1. You do the speech act every time you greet someone.

________2. When words are combined, we can make a statement, command or

request.

________3. Locutionary acts are performed with intentionality.

________4. The meaning may be expressed directly or implied in perlocutionary act.

________5. In illocutionary act, an utterance leads to an action from someone else.

________6. Unless certain effect is achieved, the illocutionary act will not also be

successfully achieved.

________7. The examples of directive are promising, planning, vowing or betting.

________8. The actions that result from the locution or what we bring about or achieve

by saying something is called a perlocutionary act.

________9. Speech acts require an appropriate use of language within a given culture.

_______10. Communicative competence is essential for a speaker to be able to use

and understand speech acts.

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 Assessment

Great job! Let us see how far you have learned from the very start of our

lesson by answering the activity below.

Direction: Write your answer on the space provided before the number or

on your answer sheet.

A. Identify the type of speech act in each item.

____________1. It is the utterances we use, which are literal in meaning.

____________2. It is the resulting act of what is said.

____________3. It is the intention that a speaker has.

B. Identify the illocutionary act (intention) in each item.

____________4. No one makes better dessert than my mom.

____________5. Kindly bring that glass of water to me.

____________6. From now on, I will love you until my hair turns grey.

____________7. I do appreciate your presence today as I celebrate my natal day.

____________8. You will be blessed by God.

____________9. I am the only one in General Santos City who has a new Lamborghini

car.

____________10. I voted for President Duterte last election.

____________11. We believe that most plastic are made from soy beans.

____________12. I declare this meeting adjourned.

____________13. I confessed that I stole your money.

____________14. I suggest that you have to pay attention to what you’re doing.

____________15. I promise to be on time in school.

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C. Explain the types of speech act in your own words. Write your answer inside the

box or on your answer sheet.

1. Locutionary Act

2. Illocutionary

3. Perlocutionary

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 Key Answer

What’s more Assessment

1. True 1. Locutionary
2. True 2. Perlocutionary
3. Illocutionary
3. Perlocutionary
4. Assertive
4. Illocutionary 5. Directive
5. True 6. Commissive
6. True 7. Expressive
7. Commissive 8. Declaration
8. True 9. Assertive
10. Assertive
9. True
11. Assertive
10. True 12. Declaration
13. Expressive
14. Directive
15. Commissive

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