3 TYPES OF SPEECH ACTS - ORAL COMMUNICATION

Summary

In this educational video, the presenter explores the concept of speech acts, as introduced by philosopher J.L. Austin. Speech acts are utterances used to achieve specific effects, such as apologies, greetings, or requests. The video breaks down speech acts into three categories: locutionary (the act of producing meaningful words), illocutionary (the speaker's intention behind the utterance), and perlocutionary (the effect of the utterance on the listener). Examples like 'It's raining outside' are used to illustrate how these acts work together to convey meaning and influence action. The video encourages viewers to engage with the content by asking questions and seeking further examples.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ A speech act is an utterance made by a speaker to achieve an intended effect.
• 🌐 Speech acts can include functions like offering apologies, greeting, requests, complaints, invitations, compliments, or refusals.
• 📚 J.L. Austin, a philosopher of language, developed the concept of speech acts in 1962.
• 📌 There are three types of speech acts: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary.
• 💬 Locutionary act is the act of making a meaningful utterance, like saying 'It is raining outside'.
• 🎯 Illocutionary act is the speaker's intention behind the utterance, such as wanting the hearer to use an umbrella.
• 🌀 Perlocutionary act is the effect of the utterance on the hearer, like the hearer deciding to use an umbrella or stay indoors.
• 🔄 The locutionary aspect is about the literal meaning of what is said.
• 💭 The illocutionary aspect is about the speaker's wish for the hearer to do something.
• 📉 The perlocutionary aspect is about the hearer's response to the utterance.
• 🔗 These acts are interconnected, with the locutionary act leading to the illocutionary and perlocutionary acts.

Q & A

What is a speech act?

A speech act is an utterance made by a speaker to achieve an intended effect, such as offering an apology, greeting, requesting, complaining, inviting, complimenting, or refusing.

Who is credited with the development of the concept of speech acts?

J.L. Austin, a philosopher of language, is credited with the development of the concept of speech acts in 1962.

How many types of speech acts are there according to Austin?

According to Austin, there are three types of speech acts: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary.

What is a locutionary act?

A locutionary act is the act of making a meaningful utterance, such as producing clear words to deliver the intended meaning of the message.

Can you provide an example of a locutionary act?

An example of a locutionary act is when a speaker says 'It is raining outside,' which is the literal meaning of the utterance.

What is an illocutionary act?

An illocutionary act is the speaker's intention in delivering an utterance or the social function of what is said, such as stating, promising, apologizing, threatening, ordering, predicting, or requesting.

What is a perlocutionary act?

A perlocutionary act is the action or state of mind brought about as a consequence of saying something, which refers to the effect of the utterance on the hearer.

How does the effect of a perlocutionary act differ from an illocutionary act?

The perlocutionary act focuses on the effect on the hearer, such as persuading, embarrassing, intimidating, or inspiring, whereas the illocutionary act is about the speaker's intention.

What is the difference between 'lectionary' and 'predictionary' acts mentioned in the script?

The term 'lectionary' seems to be a typographical error for 'locutionary.' The 'predictionary' act is likely a misunderstanding and should be 'perlocutionary,' which refers to the effect of the utterance on the hearer.

Can you provide an example that illustrates the difference between locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts?

Sure, when someone says 'It's hot in here,' the locutionary act is the literal statement of fact. The illocutionary act might be an indirect request for someone to open the window. The perlocutionary act could be the actual opening of the window by someone as a result of hearing the statement.

What should one do if they have more questions about speech acts after watching the video?

If one has more questions about speech acts, they can write them in the comment section of the video for further discussion.