Oral Communication

Speech Acts
 Introduction

Communication has always been essential to human

existence. Communication enables the exchange of
ideas among individuals, which directly contributes to
the improvement of the quality of life itself. The
ability to perceive communication utterances can
influence subsequent behavior.

In this lesson, we will explore the power of utterances

in communication.
 Sharing

How do you motivate yourself whenever you are

facing a big challenge in your life or when you are
just simply under the weather?

How do you motivate or support others when they are

feeling the same? Do you have words of wisdom to
share?
 Speech Acts

The use of language or words is to transmit messages, Locutionary Act

ideas, and opinions. However, speech extends beyond
the precise words spoken. Each time you speak, you
are actually doing an action; that is, you are
performing. In communication, we call this a speech
act. Illocutionary Act

The three types of speech acts in communication are

the locutionary act, the illocutionary act, and the
perlocutionary act.
Perlocutionary Act
 A locutionary act is the act of making
Locutionary Act
a meaningful utterance. This is about
the same as saying a certain sentence
with a certain meaning and reference.
“It is raining.”
“My teacher is wearing a Locutionary act can be expressed
through asking or answering a
red dress today.” question, describing, providing a
“I love dogs.” statement or information, or giving
an assurance.
 Illocutionary Act

The illocutionary act is done through the power of speech, like

when someone promises, apologizes, or makes an offer and
command

This action is doing something by saying something. The most

significant degree of action in a speech act is the illocutionary act,
which is determined by the force desired by the speakers.
 Illocutionary Act

CONSTANTIVE- making something true or false by

saying it. This is commonly done by someone in
authority like a judge or an official.
EXAMPLES:
“I name this dog Chubby.”
“You are free to leave.”
“You are not my friend anymore.”
“The meeting is adjourned.”
 Illocutionary Act

PERFORMATIVE- is doing something by just

saying it.
EXAMPLES:
“I nominate Lancer for president.“
“I accept the challenge.“
“I promise to take care of you as long as I live.“
 John Searle’s categories of illocutionary acts.

1. Assertive – a type of illocutionary act in which the

speaker expresses belief about the truth of a
proposition like boasting, suggesting, asserting,
concluding, and swearing.
Example: I am still the best student in class.
 John Searle’s categories of illocutionary acts.

2. Directive – a type of illocutionary act in which

the speaker tries to make the addressee perform
an action by way of commanding, requesting,
begging, inviting, pleading, or insisting
Example: Take me to that place.
 John Searle’s categories of illocutionary acts.

3. Commissive – a type of illocutionary act

which commits the speaker to future actions such
as promising, planning, vowing, and betting
Example: I will take you to school every day
starting tomorrow.
 John Searle’s categories of illocutionary acts.

4. Expressive – a type of illocutionary act in which

the speaker expresses his/her feelings or emotional
reactions. Some examples of expressive acts are
thanking, apologizing, welcoming, and deploring
Example: I am so sorry for not wearing the complete
uniform today
 John Searle’s categories of illocutionary acts.

5. Declarative – a type of illocutionary act which

brings a change in an external situation. Simply put,
declarations bring into existence, or cause the state
of affairs which they refer to. Some examples of
declarations are blessing, firing, baptizing, and
bidding
Example: You are fired!

Perlocutionary Act
Consider the following utterance, “By the
way, I have a CD of Debussy. Would you
like to borrow it?” Its illocutionary function
is an offer, while its intended perlocutionary
effect might be to impress the listener, or to
show a friendly attitude, or to encourage
interest in a particular type of music.
A perlocutionary act is the effect that
the utterance has on the behavior,
thoughts, and feelings of the listener,
whether it was meant to or not. This
is what happened because of what
was said in the given situation. To put
it simply, a perlocutionary act is when
someone says something to get
someone else to act in a certain way.
Words and actions are powerful enough to

appease the heart or incite a war.

This quotation was taken from the work of

Rosa Maria Aguado.
 Wrap Up!

Each time you speak, you are actually doing an The illocutionary act is done through the power of
action; that is, you are performing. In communication, speech, like when someone promises, apologizes, or
we call this a speech act. makes an offer.

A locutionary act is the act of making a meaningful A perlocutionary act is the effect that the utterance has
utterance. This is about the same as saying a certain on the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of the listener,
sentence with a certain meaning and reference. whether it was meant to or not.
Thank you!