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SAT - Handout - 2 - Classifying Speech Acts

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SAT - Handout - 2 - Classifying Speech Acts

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Renee C
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Pragmatics – English Studies/UAB 2022

E. Codó

CLASSIFYING SPEECH ACTS

1. In each of the following dialogues, decide whether the second speaker’s utterance is
a representative, a commissive, or a directive.

(a) Jane: Coco’s sick


Steve: I’ll take her to the vet.

(b) Mike: What’s the weather like in Dallas?


Annie: It’s raining.

(c) Ed: The garage is a mess.


Faye: Clean it up.

2. Using Searle’s speech act categories, classify the following utterances:

1. I regret to say I haven’t been able to finish the work.


2. We guarantee to refund your money if you are not completely
satisfied with your purchase.
3. Why don’t we go for a walk?
4. I name this child John.
5. I hypothesize a connection between these factors.
6. We, the undersigned, do hereby renounce …
7. Don’t drink and drive.
8. The government of the Roman Catholic Church is based in the
Vatican City.
9. Sign on door: BACK SOON.
10.Watching TV: Are you interested in this programme?
11.I think you’re right.
12.I don’t think that’s necessarily so.
13.Well done!
14.Excuse me.
15.I’m very grateful for your help.
16.Hi there!
17.You’re fired.
18.See you next week, then.
19.I’ll pick you up at eight.
20.Shall I carry your bag for you?
21.Damn his interference!
22.What an idiot you are!
23.After you.
24.Good evening.
25.Good night.

3. Presented below are several examples of interactions. Each contains an utterance that
can be interpreted as doing more than one speech act (marked with *). Identify the

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Pragmatics – English Studies/UAB 2022
E. Codó

speech acts that are being performed in the target utterances and classify them into one
of Searle’s categories. Discuss the role of the situational context in guiding your
analyses. How are those speech acts taken up in each conversation? Does the addressee
respond to one of the acts being performed in each case? To which one?

(a) Professors A and B are colleagues at the same university. A is on


leave in another city. B is in her university office, preparing for class.
A calls Professor B on the phone. After spending a few minutes
discussing an upcoming meeting, the following occurs:

1 *PROF A: Would you like to call me back?


2 PROF B: No that’s okay. I don’t have much more to
say.
3 PROF A: No, I meant use university money instead of mine!
I have some
4 things I have to ask you.

(b) Ellen and Jane are commuters on a daily train. Ellen notices a
newspaper on an empty seat next to where Jane is sitting.

1 *ELLEN: Is that your paper?


2 JANE: Yes but you can have it.

(c) 1 *CUSTOMER: Coffee to go?


2 SERVER: Cream and sugar?
3 CUSTOMER: Just cream
4 SERVER: /provides coffee/
5 CUSTOMER: /pays/

PAIRED SPEECH ACTS

4. Do each of the following pairs of illocutions seem appropriate sequences? What


would be an appropriate response?

1. greeting – greeting
2. accusation – denial
3. greeting – denial
4. protest – apology
5. congratulation – apology
6. compliment – leavetaking

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Pragmatics – English Studies/UAB 2022
E. Codó

5. Fill in the chart below with an appropriate second part:

Part 1 Part 2
1 Greeting
Hello!

Greeting
How do you do, Ms Jones?

2 Confirmation check
Did you say your name was
Smith?

3 Question
So is Mary coming tonight?
4 Apology
I do apologise.

5 Compliment
That shirt really suits you!

6 Opinion
Beethoven’s fifth symphony
is a masterpiece.

7 Accusation
It’s all your fault we were
late!
8 Offer
Is there any way I could help
you?
9 Assertion
I would like to do a linguistics
degree here.

10 Request
Can you lend me 5€?

11 Instructions
Say the password!

12 Comprehension check
Did you understand?
Am I making myself
understood?

Adapted from: Bloomer A., P. Griffiths & A. J. Merrison (2005). Introducing Language in Use. A
Coursebook. London: Routledge.

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