Speech Act Theory (Position Paper)

 

Position Paper -Speech Act Theory

 

        Accepting speech act theory which emphasizes the importance of context in communication.

       Prominent language philosopher J.L. Austin distinguished between three categories of speech acts: perlocutionary, illocutionary, and locutionary acts. Saying something is known as a locutionary act, saying something is known as an illocutionary act, and saying something is known as a perlocutionary act when it is done to accomplish a specific goal.The main idea behind speech act theory is to consider language not only as a medium to convey and describe reality, but also as a form of action, which are actions performed by the use of language (Oishi, 2006).

       According to this theory, the meaning of an utterance is not only determined by the words used but also by the context in which it is used. The context includes the physical setting, the social situation, and the shared knowledge between the speaker and the listener. The illocutionary force of an utterance, which is the intended effect of the speaker's words, is also dependent on the context. Therefore, understanding the context is crucial for interpreting the illocutionary force of an utterance and for successful communication

        Furthermore, speech act theory explains the role of implication in communication by emphasizing that the meaning of an utterance is not only determined by the words used, but also by the speaker's intention and the context in which it is used (cf. Communication Theory). This implies that implicatures, which are inferences made by the listener beyond the literal meaning of the utterance, play a crucial role in communication. The theory suggests that implicatures are derived from the speaker's intended meaning and the context, and are essential for understanding the full force of an utterance. Therefore, speech act theory acknowledges the significance of implication in conveying meaning and achieving communicative goals.

        The implication can significantly affect the meaning of a speech act. For instance, in the sentence "I am cold," the literal meaning is a statement about the speaker's temperature. However, depending on the context and the speaker's intention, this utterance could be a request to close a window or to provide a jacket. The illocutionary force, or the intended effect of the speaker's words, is inferred based on the context and the speaker's intention, illustrating how implication influences the meaning of a speech act (cf. UKEssays, 2018).

    This notion was developed by John Searle. Searle's work on speech act theory introduced a comprehensive speech act taxonomy, which categorized speech acts into different types, such as assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations (Acheoah, 2017) . This classification reflects the diverse ways in which language is used to perform actions, and the significance of context in understanding the intended force of these actions.

       They both [Austin and Searle] agree on the importance of intentionality and context in determining the meaning and force of speech acts. Thus, creating a profound understanding of speech acts and their role in communication.

 

 

 

References:

 Acheoah, J. E., “Searle’s Speech Act Theory: An Integrative Appraisal”, American Research Journal of English and Literature (2017), ISSN (Online): 2378-9026 Volume 2017,Issue 1, 1-13

 Oishi, E., “Austin’s Speech Act Theory and the Speech Situation”, Esercizi Filosofici 1, 2006, pp. 1-14 ISSN 1970-0164.

 UKEssays. (November 2018). Speech Act Theory Implications For English Language English Language Essay. Retrieved from https://us.ukessays.com/essays/english-language/speech-act-theory-implications-for-english-language-english-language-essay.php?vref=1

 Cf. https://www.communicationtheory.org/speech-act-theory/

 

 

 

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