Vladimir Ž. Jovanović
DISCOURSE
ANALYSIS
Lecture 4
Conversational
maxims
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
A difference can be made between
direct speech acts, when we use a
piece of language for its basic
intended purpose, such as when
we want information, we ask a
direct question.
e.g. I name this ship Queen Elizabeth.
I request your passport.
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
However, an indirect speech act is
when we employ one particular
structure with a different intended
result, for instance when we want to
command someone with a question
sentence structure, or any other but
without using imperatives.
e.g. Nije ti tata staklorezac! = Pomeri
se, ništa ne vidim!
Nisi rodjen u čamcu! = Zatvori vrata!
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
Searle perceives indirect speech acts as
acts where the primary function of
statement, question or directive has been
suspended.
Take the following directives:
e.g. Can you tell me the time?
Will you tell me the time?
These are acts which are to substitute a
direct speech act such as
I request you to tell me time.
DISCOURSE
ANALYSIS
Lecture 4
Conversational
maxims
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
A difference can be made between
direct speech acts, when we use a
piece of language for its basic
intended purpose, such as when
we want information, we ask a
direct question.
e.g. I name this ship Queen Elizabeth.
I request your passport.
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
However, an indirect speech act is
when we employ one particular
structure with a different intended
result, for instance when we want to
command someone with a question
sentence structure, or any other but
without using imperatives.
e.g. Nije ti tata staklorezac! = Pomeri
se, ništa ne vidim!
Nisi rodjen u čamcu! = Zatvori vrata!
, INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS
Searle perceives indirect speech acts as
acts where the primary function of
statement, question or directive has been
suspended.
Take the following directives:
e.g. Can you tell me the time?
Will you tell me the time?
These are acts which are to substitute a
direct speech act such as
I request you to tell me time.
