TYPES OF

SPEECH ACT
At the end of the lesson, you are
expected to:
a. Identify the different types of speech act;
b. Explain the three types of speech act; and,
c. Appreciate the importance of responding
appropriately and effectively to a speech act
 What is a SPEECH ACT?
Speech acts are speakers’ utterances which
convey meaning and make listeners do specific
things.
Three types of Speech Act
Locutionary Act
Illocutionary Act
Perlocutionary Act
 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

b. Propositional
acts
 UTTERANCE ACTS
• where something is said (or a sound is made) and
which may not have any meaning.

Example: Oh! – is an utterance (communication is

not intended – it is just a sounded caused by
surprise).
 PROPOSITIONAL ACTS
• where a particular reference is made.

Example: “The black cat” (something is referenced,

but no communication may be intended)
 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.
FIVE DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF
ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
a. Assertive
b. Directive
c. Commissive
d. Expressive
e. Declaration
 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.

Example: No one makes better sandwich than I do.

 DIRECTIVE
• It is an act in which the speaker tries to make the
addresses perform an action. Some examples are
asking, ordering, requesting, inviting, advising and
begging.

Example: Would you make me a cup of tea?

 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.
 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.

 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.

Example: I bequeath all my property to my beloved

fiancée.
 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.
LOCUTIONARY ACT:
What we say…
ILLOCUTIONARY ACT:
What we mean we say…
PERLOCUTIONARY ACT:
What we accomplish by saying it…
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