Unit 16 INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS, CLAUSE TYPES AND DISCOURE FUNCTIONS

UNIT 16:
INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS,
CLAUSE TYPES AND
DISCOURE FUNCTIONS

Group 6


I. Definition of the term ‘speech acts’

II. Differences between ‘Sentence’ and ‘Utterance’

The outline III.
of Declaratives
Unit
16
IV. Performatives

V. Exclamations


I. Definition of the term ‘speech acts’
- We use the term ‘speech acts’ to describe actions such as:

 Asking questions;
 Making requests;
 Giving orders;
 Making promises;
 Giving advice;
 Making threat;
→ Speech acts are the acts we

perform through words.

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All language in use carries out acts, and this is what distinguishes an
utterance from a sentence.

- A sentence is a grammatical object, but when it is used in context what we
have is an utterance.

-

Example 1: I am a student.

→ A sentence

-

Example 2: Hoa said: ‘I am a student.’

→ An utterance

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II. The differences between ‘Sentence’ and ‘Utterance’


III. Declaratives

1. Definition.
- The declarative is the basic clause type, with Subject-Finite
ordering.
+ Example: My younger sister sings.
Subject

Finite

2. Basic functions.
+ Making a statement.
+ Performing the verbal act of stating.

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3. Types of declaratives.
3.1. Affirmative declaratives.
III. Declaratives

-

Carrying out the speech act they name.
Usually addressing the hearer directly.
Including certain verbs: promise, advise, warn,
recommend, …

-

Example: I promise I’ll be careful.

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3. Types of declaratives.
3.2. Negative declaratives.

-

Typically expressing a negative statement, which
may have the force of


III. Declaratives

Rejection

Example: I don’t need your help.



Polite questions expression

Example: She didn’t do her homework last night?

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3. Types of declaratives.
3.2. Negative declaratives.

-Typically expressing a negative statement, which may
have the force of
III. Declaratives

Exclamation
Example:
I never heard such rubbish!

Prohibition
Example:
Taking photos is not allowed in this site.

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3. Types of declaratives.
3.2. Negative declaratives.
* Transferred negation:
III. Declaratives

- The negative particle “not” is transferred from its logical
place in the dependent clause to the main clause.
Examples:
I don’t think he is a teacher.
I think he is not a teacher.

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1. Definition

- A performative utterance is a sentence or other
linguistic expression which, when expressed in an
appropriate context, actually does or accomplishes
something.
IV. Performatives

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1. Definition
According to John Austin (1976):
IV. Performatives

- A performative utterance does not describe, or
report, or constate anything at all; is not true or
false.
- The uttering of the sentence is a part of the doing
of an action, which would not normally be described
as ‘just’ saying something.

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1. Definition

What are performative verbs?
IV. Performatives

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1. Definition
- The types of verbs (such as promise, invite, apologize,
predict, vow, request, warn, insist, and forbid, ...) used to
make performative utterances are called performative
verbs.

IV. Performatives

- Performative verbs are ones that describe the
actions carried out by the speakers.
Example: I apologize for my behaviour.

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2. Types of performatives
a. Explicit performatives:

-Carrying out certain acts by naming them.
-Usually including certain verbs: want, agree,
congratulate, wish, beg, declare, …

IV. Performatives

Examples:
I want to thank you all.
We agreed to meet on Thursday.

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2. Types of performatives
b. Hegded performatives:

IV. Performatives

- Being more polite than direct forms because they avoid
invoking power and status.
Examples:
I wanna thank you all.
I can offer you chicken and beer.

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3. Notes
Example: I offered him beer and whisky.
They have decided to go to the zoo.

IV. Performatives
- With pronouns other than I/We, or with past tense or perfect
aspect:



The verbs do not carry out the act they name.



They are statements reporting a speech act.

→ Performatives are used with a 1

st

person subject and the

simple present tense.

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- Can be made with appropriate intonation, by all clause
types, as well as by verbless clauses reduced to a
nominal group or an adjective.

V. Exclamations

-

Examples:



How beautiful you are!



The trouble I have with my mother!



Fantastic!

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