Entry #4: Speech Acts
When are words just words, and when do words force action?
In order to explain Speech Act,J.L Austin distinguished two separate parts of speech, constatives and performatives. On one hand, constatives refer to speech that describes something as true or false. They also try to convey a message. On the other hand, performatives denote an action. Moreover, performatives depend on the context and reception to be understood, what is called FELICITY CONDITIONS. In this way, a performative speech should respect several conditions. It should be authoritative, understood, clear and able to be executed. In simple words, constative IS and performative DOES. Therefore, when we think about Speech act, we should take into account that sometimes words are not only words but words themselves could be actions.
TIME TO THINK
1. Which is not one of the parts of speech defined by Austin?
A. Constatives
B. Formatives
C. Performatives
D. None of the above
2. If the headline reads, "Heatwave!," but the sky is cloudy and it feels cold outside, what best describes the headline?
A. It is a performative
B. The printers accidentally printed yesterday's headline
C. It is a false constative
D. It is a grammar error
3. What is a speech act?
A. When people talk about what they are doing
B. When words are actions
C. A presentation that incites action
D. The constitutional amendment that allows for freedom of speech
4. Which felicity conditions best describe a successful performative?
A. Authoratative
B. Understood
C. Clear
D. Able to be executed
E. All of the above
5. Just because a performative meets the felicity conditions and is clearly stated, it doesn't mean it's implicitly followed.
A. True
B. False
6. Describe a time when you disregarded a performative that resulted in another performative (for example, you ignored the no running sign and were banished from the pool for the rest of the day).
ANSWERS
1.B 2.C 3.B 4.E 5.A
In order to explain Speech Act,J.L Austin distinguished two separate parts of speech, constatives and performatives. On one hand, constatives refer to speech that describes something as true or false. They also try to convey a message. On the other hand, performatives denote an action. Moreover, performatives depend on the context and reception to be understood, what is called FELICITY CONDITIONS. In this way, a performative speech should respect several conditions. It should be authoritative, understood, clear and able to be executed. In simple words, constative IS and performative DOES. Therefore, when we think about Speech act, we should take into account that sometimes words are not only words but words themselves could be actions.
1. Which is not one of the parts of speech defined by Austin?
A. Constatives
B. Formatives
C. Performatives
D. None of the above
2. If the headline reads, "Heatwave!," but the sky is cloudy and it feels cold outside, what best describes the headline?
A. It is a performative
B. The printers accidentally printed yesterday's headline
C. It is a false constative
D. It is a grammar error
3. What is a speech act?
A. When people talk about what they are doing
B. When words are actions
C. A presentation that incites action
D. The constitutional amendment that allows for freedom of speech
4. Which felicity conditions best describe a successful performative?
A. Authoratative
B. Understood
C. Clear
D. Able to be executed
E. All of the above
5. Just because a performative meets the felicity conditions and is clearly stated, it doesn't mean it's implicitly followed.
A. True
B. False
6. Describe a time when you disregarded a performative that resulted in another performative (for example, you ignored the no running sign and were banished from the pool for the rest of the day).
ANSWERS
1.B 2.C 3.B 4.E 5.A
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