The Speech Function Responses
question or refusing an offer than enact verbally some degree of confrontation.
Based on the consideration between speech functions pairs and two responses above, we can summarize Halliday’s outline 1994:69 of dialogue in
table 2.
Table 2. Speech Function Pairs and Responses Initiating speech
function Responding speech functions
Supporting Confronting
Offer Acceptance
Rejection Command
Compliance Refusal
Statement Acknowledgement
Contradiction Question
Answer Disclaimer
Based on the explanation above it can be concluded that a speech function is expressed through a typical type of sentence construction. For example, speech
function of command is typically expressed through imperative sentence give your money. But sometimes, for a certain purpose, a command is expressed through
interrogative sentence Do you mind giving me your money?. Those eight responding speech functions classes are:
1. Acceptance
The speaker gives the hearer some goods and services and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to supporting those responding.
For example: “Agree.”
“Well, OK” 2.
Compliance The speaker demands the hearer some responding goods and services and
the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to confronting those responding. For example:
“Thanks.”
3. Rejection
The speaker gives the hearer some goods and services and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to confronting those responding.
For example: “You didn’t warn me.”
4. Acknowledgement
The speaker gives the hearer some information and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to supporting those responding.
For example: “Yea.”
5. Refusal
The speaker demands the hearer some responding goods and service and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to confronting those responding.
For example: “No, thanks.” 6.
Contradiction The speaker gives the hearer some information and the speaker inherently
inviting the hearer to confronting those responding. For example: “No, it’s not”
7. Answer
The speaker demands the hearer some responding information and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to supporting those responding.
For example: “Yes, I have”
8. Disclaimer
The speaker demands the hearer some responding information and the speaker inherently inviting the hearer to confronting those responding.
For example: “ I really wouldn’t know.”
“No, no at all.”