Speech Acts (OT - LA5)

What are the six common types of speech acts?

1. Assertion: Conveys information.

2. Question: Elicits information.

3. Request: Politely asks for action or information.

4. Order: Demands action.

5. Promise: Commits the speaker to an action.

6. Threat: Commits the speaker to an undesirable action for the hearer.

What are felicity conditions?

The conditions that must be met for a speech act to be appropriate and effective in context.

What are the felicity conditions for a request?

1. The speaker believes the action hasn't been done.

2. The speaker desires the action to be done.

3. The hearer can perform the action.

4. The hearer is likely willing to perform the action.

How can context affect felicity conditions?

Different settings, like trivia games or exams, may modify or suspend typical felicity conditions.

What are performative verbs?

Verbs that accomplish the action they describe, such as "promise," "order," or "declare."

Give an example of a performative speech act.

"I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."

What are two requirements for performative verbs?

• The subject must be first-person ("I" or "we").

• The verb must be in present tense.

What is a direct speech act?

An act where the literal meaning aligns with the intended function (e.g., "Take out the garbage" as a direct request).

What is an indirect speech act?

An act where the literal meaning differs from the intended function (e.g., "Could you take out the garbage?" as a polite request).

Why are indirect speech acts used?

Often to be polite or mitigate social pressure.

How can you identify an indirect speech act?

1. Felicity conditions for literal meaning are violated but satisfied for intended meaning.

2. The response aligns with the intended function, not the literal one.

What is the "hereby test"?

A way to check if a verb is performative by inserting "hereby" (e.g., "I hereby promise...").

What are the three main sentence types?

1. Declarative: States something (e.g., "He is cooking.").

2. Interrogative: Asks a question (e.g., "Is he cooking?").

3. Imperative: Gives a command (e.g., "Cook the chicken.").

Can sentence types perform multiple speech acts?

Yes, for example:

• Declarative: "The garbage hasn’t been taken out yet" (indirect request).

• Interrogative: "Can you take out the garbage?" (polite request).

• Imperative: "Let me tell you..." (assertion).

What happens if a specialized performative act is infelicitous?

The action fails (e.g., a dentist saying "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife" is invalid).

What is the relationship between speech acts and context?

The context determines how speech acts are interpreted and whether they are appropriate or effective.