Representative The Types of Illocutionary Act Performed by the Main Characters in Alan
The above conversation occurred in the same setting and situation with the previous dialogue. Zoe and Stan were arguing over a cab. Stan told Zoe that she could
not take another person’s cab. Zoe then responded it by saying that she did not see him beforehand. Thus, she did not know that there was another person trying to get in
the same cab. Stan then asserted to Zoe that Zoe saw him. In reference to this context, since Stan’s utterance is a statement which includes his own belief, it is classified as
asserting. Another example of asserting is provided below.
The above dialogue occurred when Zoe visited Stan’s cheese stand. Zoe asked Stan what he sold and he answered cheese. Zoe responded his information by
asserting to him that she knew it was cheese. In relation to the context, Zoe’s 4: 05
Stan : If you see someone about to get in a cab, you can’t just run in from the other side and say it’s yours.
Zoe : I didn’t see you.
Stan : I saw you see me.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Inside a taxi, day
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4: 06 Zoe
: What is it? Stan
: It’s cheese. Zoe
: I can see that.
P: Zoe and Stan S: At Stan’s cheese cave, night
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utterance is a statement which contains her assertion that she knows that it is cheese. Therefore, it is categorized as asserting. By the utterance, Zoe actually wants Stan to
give further explanation about the kind of the cheese he sells at his stand.
3 Explaining
Explaining is an act to tell someone about something which is clear and easy to understand. Datum presented below is the example of explaining performed by the
main character.
The above dialogue happened when Zoe visited Stan’s cheese stand at The Farmer Market. Stan explained to Zoe the details of the cheese that he sold. In regard
with the context, since Stan’s utterances are statements which contain explanation of a particular thing, they are categorized as explaining. Another example of explaining
is written below. 4: 07
Stan walks Zoe through his cheese stand
Stan : This is our basic chevre, probably our best seller. The cheese that started it all, as they say. Then over here we have our surface-
rippened cheeses. These are the agedraw milk cheeses. This is
really boring, huh? Zoe
: No, not at all. P: Zoe and Stan
S: At The Little Goat Cheese stand, day IAS-7P21D-16c ReCB
The above dialogue happened when Zoe visited Stan’s cheese stand. Stan was worried that his explanation about cheese was boring for Zoe. As shown in the bold
expression, Zoe responded Stan’s utterance by asserting to him that his explanation was interesting. Stan then continued to explain the details about the process of
making the cheese. In relation to this context, since Stan’s utterances are statements which contain the detailed explanation about a particular thing, they are categorized
as explaining. Another example of explaining can be seen in the dialogue below.
The above dialogue happened at Stan’s goat farm. Stan and Zoe were walking around the farm and ahead of them was Nuts, Zoe’s dog. Stan expressed his
4: 08 Stan : It’s like you’re in a foreign country and the only thing to watch on tv is
a documentary on cheese. You don’t want to watch it, but somehow you can’t stop.
Zoe : I think it’s interesting. Really.
Stan : All right. You asked for it. The aged rawmilk cheese are made from raw milk and then aged for four to six months. Sometimes more.
Sometimes less. Usually more. Depends on the cheese. P: Zoe and Stan
S: At The Little Goat Cheese stand, day IAS-7P21D-17dReCB
4: 09 Stan : I can’t believe that Nuts has an off-road wheelchair.
Zoe
: He’s got one for snow, too, with little skis on the bottom.
Stan smiles and shakes his head P: Zoe and Stan
S: At Stan’s little goat farm, night IAS-16P49D-30bReCB
amazement at the fact that Nuts had an off-road wheelchair. Zoe then responded it by explaining that he also got one wheelchair for snow season. In reference to this
context, since Zoe’s utterances are statements which contain the explanation of Nuts’ wheelchair, they are categorized as explaining.
4 Arguing
Arguing is a kind of representative act which expresses an opposite opinion. Arguing is also used to give reasons for or against something especially with the aim
of persuading somebody to share one’s own opinion. The only finding of arguing act performed by the main character in the movie is presented below.
The above dialogue happened when Zoe and Stan were incidentally going to rent the same cab. Zoe stated that the cab belonged to her, and it made Stan question her
whether she owned it or not. Zoe answered it by saying that she was about to rent it. Stan then responded her utterance by arguing that it was more like stealing the cab
instead of renting it. With regard to this context, since Stan’s response is a statement which contains his argumentation about a particular thing, it is then categorized as
arguing. 4: 10
Zoe : Excuse me, this is my cab.
Stan : You own it? Zoe
: No, but I’m about to rent it.
Stan : Actually, if we’re being technical, you kind of stole it. Zoe
: I don’t think so. P: Zoe and Stan
S: Inside a taxi, day
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5 Predicting
Predicting is used to say what the speaker believes about something that will happen. The only finding of predicting is presented as follows.
The above dialogue took place when Stan and Zoe were on their way to have a dinner. Stan informed Zoe the details about the restaurant where they would have
their dinner. He then predicted that since some guys from the band would also be present at the restaurant, they might get a little music there. Predicting expresses
someone’s belief towards what will happen in the future. In reference to this context, since Stan’s utterance is a statement which consists of his prediction about what will
happen later at the restaurant, it is identified as predicting.
6 Guessing
Guessing gives an answer to a particular question when the speaker does not have any fact. The speaker is also uncertain whether he or she is correct or not. The
example of guessing performed by the main character is provided as follows. 4: 11
Stan : Are you feeling okay? Zoe nods, her face looks pale
Stan : Good, because this should really be a culinary adventure. This is an underground restaurant that moves from apartment to apartment,
depending on the chef. And some of the guys from the band will be there. So, we might get a little jam going. Sounds fun, right?
P: Zoe and Stan S: Inside a taxi, night
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The above dialogue took place when Stan and Zoe were having a conversation at Stan’s goat farm. Stan asserted his opinion about how perfect Zoe was and he could
not believe that there was no one who snatched her up at that time. Zoe responded Stan’s utterance by guessing that it was probably because she drove them all away.
With regard to this context, since Zoe’s utterance is a statement which contains a guess, it is then identified as guessing. Another example can be seen as follows.
The above dialogue occurred after Zoe told Stan the news regarding her pregnancy. Zoe apologized to Stan for making him shocked. She then explained the
reason why she decided to do the insemination. In regard with this context, Zoe’s 4: 12
Stan : You’re very unique. Zoe : Well, you’re a dime dozen. I can’t tell you how many banjo playing,
cheese makers I’ve been with. Stan : I keep watching for the other shoe to drop. Like, how can you be so
perfect? Why are you even still single? I can’t believe no one’s snatched you up by now.
Zoe : I drive them all away, I guess.
P: Zoe and Stan S: At Stan’s little goat farm, night
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4: 13 Zoe sits in the passenger seat with the key in the ignition. Stan leans against the
car. They are both quiet. Zoe : I don’t know what to say. I guess I’d have given up on meeting
someone like you, and I did what I thought was best.
Stan says nothing, he runs his foot back and forth in the gravel P: Zoe and Stan
S: Inside a car, in front of Stan’s farm, day IAS-21P58D-52bReCB
utterance is identified as guessing since it uses performative verb ‘I guess’. Another guessing can also be seen in the following conversation.
The above dialogue happened when Stan and Zoe were witnessing Lori’s birth delivery. Zoe asked about the thing that floated on the surface of the inflatable pool.
Stan then answered her question by guessing that it was probably the placenta of the baby. With regard to the context, since Stan’s utterance is a statement which contains
his guess of a particular thing, it is identified as guessing.
7 Reminding
Reminding is an act to make someone think of something that they have forgotten or might have forgotten. Datum presented below is the example of
reminding employed by the main characters in the movie. 4: 14
Stan : Are you okay?
Zoe : I don’t know. Why am I wet?
Zoe is lying in the inflatable pool. Her eyes go from side to side. The horror of the situation becoming clear. A spongy, purple thing floats by.
Zoe : What is that?
Stan : I think it’s the placenta.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Inside a car, in front of Stan’s farm, day
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The above dialogue happened after Zoe told Stan that she was pregnant. Since Stan was shocked, Zoe then apologized to him and said that life was not perfect as
what he expected. She reminded Stan that they were in real life. In regard with this context, since Zoe’s utterance is a statement which consists of a reminder of a
particular thing, it is identified as reminding. Another example of reminding is presented below.
The above dialogue occurred when Zoe and Stan were going to Lori’s apartment. Zoe planned to witness the birth delivery alone. Stan then reminded her that it was
4: 15 Stan : Well, what am I supposed to do now? This isn’t how it was supposed
to be. This isn’t what--- Zoe : I’m sorry. I’m sorry, okay. Life isn’t perfect. It’s not all neat and tidy
like your perfect family and your perfect farm and your bluegrass band. It’s messy. It’s fucked up. This is real life, okay? I’m sorry to
break it to you.
Stan : What’s sorry going to do? P: Zoe and Stan
S: Inside Stan’s bathroom, night IAS-20P5750fReCB
4: 16 Stan : I’m confused. Why did you say you would come witness this birth in
the first place? Zoe : I don’t know. Seems like a good idea at the time. I was trying to get
back in their good graces. Go home. I’ll meet you there. I don’t want them to see you anyway.
Stan : It’s four in the morning. I’m not letting you walk home alone.
P: Zoe and Stan S: At Lori’s apartment building lobby, night
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four in the morning and he did not want Zoe to go home alone. In reference to this context, since Stan’s utterance is a statement which consists of a reminder of a
particular time, it is then identified as reminding. Conversation written below is also another example of reminding.
The above dialogue took place in front of Zoe’s home. Stan followed Zoe from the market to her home. Zoe asked him why he followed her. Stan answered her
question by reminding her that the day was Thursday and they had an appointment with a doctor that day. With regard to this context, since Stan’s utterances are
statements which contain a reminder about a particular thing, it is identified as reminding.
8 Reporting
Reporting is an act to give a spoken or written account of something heard, seen, done, studied, etc. The only finding of reporting is presented below.
4: 17 Zoe
: What? Stan
: It’s Thursday. We have a doctor’s appointment.
Zoe : There is no ‘we’, Stan.
P: Zoe and Stan S: In front of Zoe’s house, day
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The above dialogue took place at Zoe’s bedroom when she and Stan were reading a book titled What to Expect when You’re Expecting. After reading a certain
page, Zoe reported to Stan that many women in the second trimester experienced an increased sexual appetite. With regard to this context, Zoe’s utterance is identified as
reporting since it is a statement which contains a report of a particular thing that she has read in the book.
9 Agreeing
Agreeing is an act to say ‘yes’ which means that someone is willing to do something or for something to happen. The only finding of agreeing is presented as
follows. 4: 18
Zoe : Have you gotten to page 79 yet?
Stan : No. I stopped reading when you ripped out one of my pages and used it as a napkin.
Zoe : Says here many women in the second trimester experience an
increased sexual appetite
. P: Zoe and Stan
S: In front of Zoe’s house, day IAS-26P74D-58cReCB
4: 19 Zoe
: I don’t know. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I was trying to get back in their good graces. Go home. I’ll meet you there. I don’t want
them to see you anyway. Stan : It’s four in the morning. I’m not letting you walk alone.
Zoe
: Fine. I’ll just pop in, show my face and leave. Ten minutes, tops.
P: Zoe and Stan S: At Lori’s apartment building, night
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The above dialogue occurred when Zoe was planning to witness her friend’s birth delivery alone. Stan did not allow her to go alone and he insisted to accompany
her. Zoe agreed to Stan’s idea by saying ‘fine’. In relation to this context, since Zoe’s utterance is a statement which contains the agreeing expression ‘fine’, it is then
identified as agreeing.
10 Stating Opinion
Stating opinion is a belief or judgment about somebody or something. It is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. It is also the beliefs or views of a group about
what people think in general. The datum presented below is the example of stating opinion by the main character.
The above dialogue happened when Zoe and Stan were arguing over a cab. Stan thought that Zoe stole his cab. Zoe then responded it by stating her opinion that she
did not think so. In reference to this context, since Zoe’s utterance is a statement which consists of the expression ‘I don’t think so’ that indicates an opinion, it is then
identified as stating opinion. Another example can be seen in the following dialogue. 4: 20
Zoe : Uh…Excuse me, this is my cab.
Stan : You own it?
Zoe : No, but I’m about to rent it.
Stan : Actually, if we’re being technical, you kind of stole it.
Zoe : I don’t think so.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Inside a taxi, day
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The above dialogue happened after Stan and Zoe had sex inside Stan’s room. The bold expression in Datum 4: 21 is identified as stating opinion since the utterances
are statements which include Stan’s personal opinion about sex. The conversation presented below is another example of stating opinion by the main character.
The above dialogue took place at Zoe’s room when she was telling Stan about her past. Stan said that he did not know how Zoe was when she was not pregnant.
According to Stan, all he knew was Zoe who was pregnant. She then responded his utterances by stating that according to her opinion, it was weird that he did not know
the real her. With regard to this context, Zoe’s utterance is identified as stating 4: 21
Stan : That was amazing. I mean, like, totally and exceptionally, over the top, amazing.
Zoe turns to him, take a deep breath Zoe
: There’s something I have to tell you. P: Zoe and Stan
S: Stan’s room, night
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4: 22 Stan : You know what’s weird? I never knew your old ass.
Zoe : It’s kind of like this ass but way hotter.
Stan : I also don’t know what you really like to eat and what’s just a craving, or when you start laughing hysterically and then crying and you say, this
isn’t me, if that’s true because I don’t really know the real you. All I know is the pregnant you.
Zoe : That’s weird.
P: Zoe and Stan S: Zoe’s bedroom, night
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opinion since it is a statement which contains Zoe’s personal opinion about Stan’s confession.