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2. Classification of Speech Acts
Searle in Mey, 1993: 163 provides classification of speech act into five types, namely declarations, assertives, expressive, directives, and commissives.
1. Declarations
Declarations are kinds of speech acts that declare something. Declarations function to change the status of the person or object by
performing the act successfully. In order to perform a declaration appropriately, the speaker has to have special institutional role in specific
context. Thus, the speaker changes the world through words. Declarations cover declaring war, christening, etc.
Examples: Priest
: I pronounce you husband and wife President
: I declare war to England Referee
: You are out 2.
Assertives Assertives are kinds of speech acts that commit the speaker to the
truth of the expressed proposition. Assertives function to describe state or event. In using an assertive, the speaker makes words fit the world of
belief. The speaker is representing world, as she or he believes it is. Assertives include conclusions, assertions, and descriptions.
Examples:
xxxix The earth is flat
It was a warm sunny day Mia is a beautiful girl
3. Expressives
Expressives are kinds of speech acts that express psychological state feeling and attitude. In using an expressive, the speaker makes the
word fit the world of feeling. Expressives cover thanking, apologizing, welcoming, and congratulating. It can also be statements of pleasure, pain,
joy, and sorrow. Examples:
I’m really sorry Congratulations
Thank you for your help. 4.
Directives Directives are kinds of speech acts that speaker uses to get
someone else to do something. Directives express the speaker’s want. Directives cover commands, orders, requests, and questions.
Examples: Open the window, please
Could you lend me a pen, please? Don’t throw the rubbish to the river
5. Commisives
xl Commisives are kinds of speech acts stating that the speaker uses
to commit him or herself to some future action. Commisives express what the speaker intends. Commisives include promises, threats, and refusals.
Examples: I’ll be back.
I promise him I would come. I will finish my homework tomorrow.
Thus, based on the classification above, it is clear that request belongs to directive. It expresses the speaker’s want in order to get the hearer to do
something.
F. Kinesics