c Perlocutionary Acts
Perlocutionary acts is the intending effect of the utterance towards the listeners. It is about what is done or what is
resulted by uttering the words. The effect is expected since at the very first time the speaker utters the words. Therefore,
to make it easy to differ those three speech acts, Austin’s in Leech 1991: 199 explains in the simplest way as follows.
Table 1: The Explanation of Speech Acts
Speech Acts
Explanation Example
Locution Performing the act of
saying something s says to h that X
Illocution Performing the act in
saying something in saying X, s
asserts that P Perlocution Performing the act by
saying something By saying X, s
convinces h that P
2 Searle’s Classification of Speech Acts
Searle 1969 creates one general classification which lists fives types of general functions performed by speech acts which
are presented below.
a Declaration
Declaration is a kind of speech act that change the world via their utterance Yule, 1996: 53. The further explanation is
given through the examples. 1
Priest: I now pronounce you husband and wife 2
Referee: You’re out.
3 Jury Foreman: We find the defendant guilty.
In example 1 the context situation is that there is a Christian couple who want to get married. Th
e priest’s words change the legal status of these two people from single into
a married status. Meanwhile, in example 2 the context situation is that there is a football match. Due to some
conditions, the referee then punishes the player and prohibits him to play in the field during the match. The last example
is example 3 which context situation is about the justice trial. The Jury Foreman’s words change the defendant status
from innocent into guilty. Therefore, he deserves the punishment.
b Representative
Representive is a kind of speech acts which states what the speaker believes to be the case or not Yule, 1996: 53. The
further explanation is given through the examples below. 1
The earth is flat. 2
Chomsky didn’t write about peanuts. 3
It was a warm sunny day. In example 1 the speaker believes that “the earth is flat”
is true. She does not believe in any assertion that backlashes with this premise. Meanwhile, in example 2 the speaker
believes that Chomsky writes about something bigger and
more important. In the last example, the speaker believes that the day was warm and sunny. It was not hot, cold or else.
The speaker also believes that what she feels about the weather is true.
c Commissive
Commissive is a kind of speech acts that speakers use to commit themselves to do something in the future.
Commissive is like giving promises, threats, refusals, pledges and so forth Yule, 1996: 53. The further
explanation is given through the examples below. 1
I’ll be back. 2
I’m going to get it right next time 3
We will not do that. In example 1 the speaker is going to somewhere and
promising to be back again. Meanwhile, in example 2 the speaker promises to not doing something.
d Directive
Directive is a kind of speech that speakers use to get someone else to do something. Directive is like commands, orders,
and suggestions Yule, 1996: 53. The further explanation is given through the examples below.
1 Gimme a cup of coffee. Make it black.
2 Could you lend me a pen, please?
3 Don’t touch that
In example 1 the speaker commands the hearer to make a cup of coffee without pouring any milk. Meanwhile,
in example 2 the speaker asks the hearer to permit her to use the pen. In example 3 the speaker prohibits the hearer
to touch the stuff.
e Expressive
Expressive is a kind of speech acts that states what the speakers believe. Yule, 1996: 53. The further explanation
is given through the examples below. 1
I’m really sorry. 2
Congratulations. 3
Oh, yes, great, mmmm, ssahh In example 1 the speaker feels sorry and sincerely
apologizes upon something she does wrong. Meanwhile, in example 2 the speaker feels happy for some achievements
that the hearer got. In example 3 the speaker feels great for something.
c. Types of Speech Acts in Terms of Directness
Another different approach to differ types of speech acts can be seen through its structure. There are three structural forms which are
declarative, interrogative, and imperative. There are also three general communicative functions such as statement, question, and
commandrequest. The difference between direct and indirect speech acts is put on the relations between the structural forms and
general communicative functions.
1 Direct Speech Acts
It is where there is a direct relationship between the structure and the function. Therefore, a declarative used to make a
statement is considered as a direct speech acts. It is the same as the imperative structure. The examples are presented below.
a It is cold outside.
b I hereby tell you about the weather.
In example a the utterance is directive. If this utterance is used to make a statement, the form will be changed into the
example b.
2 Indirect Speech Acts
It is where there is an indirect relationship between the structure and the function. Therefore, a declarative which is used
to make a request is considered as an indirect speech acts. The examples are given below.
a It is cold outside.
b I hereby request of you that you close the door.
