Lecture Notes on Talk and Action

Introduction

• Speaker: Madheli Puspadewi
• Topic: Relationship between talk and action in language
• Key Areas:
  1. Speech Acts
  2. Cooperation
  3. Conversation

Speech Acts

• Definition: Action performed in saying something, or action performed by means of language (Austin, 1962)
• Types of Utterances (GL Austin):
  1. Constative:
     • Do not denote an action
     • Characteristics: Describe or report something (true/false)
     • Example: "Snow is white" (true) vs. "Snow is red" (false)
  2. Performative:
     • Actual performance of an action
     • Examples:
       • Predictive: Making predictions or estimates
       • Exorcist: Exercising power or rights (e.g., "I pronounce you husband and wife")
       • Commissive: Promising or committing (e.g., "I hereby bequeath...")
       • Habits: Apologizing, congratulating, etc.
       • Expositives: Making utterances fit into an argument (e.g., "I argue...")

Felicity Conditions

• Conditions for successful performatives:
  1. Speaker must have authority
  2. Attention should be understood by hearer
  3. Procedure must be executed correctly
  4. Utterance must refer clearly to its consequences

Types of Speech Acts (Branch, 1979)

1. Locutionary Act: Act of saying something
   • Example: "It's hot here" (literal meaning)
2. Illocutionary Act: Act of doing something through speaking
   • Example: Saying "It's hot here" as a request to open a window
3. Perlocutionary Act: Act of affecting someone through speaking
   • Example: Saying "I'm hungry" leading the listener to offer food

Cooperation

• Definition (Grice, 1975): Need for cooperation in communication
• Maxims of Cooperation:
  1. Quantity: Provide as much information as needed, no more, no less
     • Example: Asking for a specific amount of money
  2. Quality: Do not say what you believe to be false; provide adequate evidence
     • Example: Providing factual information about a class captain
  3. Relation: Make contributions relevant to the topic
     • Example: Responding appropriately to a query about someone at the door
  4. Manner: Avoid obscurity and ambiguity; be clear and orderly
     • Example: Clarifying a compliment about appearance

Conversation

• Definition: Series of speech acts (e.g., greetings, inquiries, requests)
• Components of Conversation:
  1. Turn-taking: Process determining who speaks next
  2. Pausing: Allowing silence for clarity
  3. Opening and Closing Sequences:
     • Opening: Greetings or general comments
     • Closing: Summation and farewells

Examples of Conversation Sequences

• Opening Example: "Good morning, how are you?"
• Closing Example: "Okay, bye, see you later."

Conclusion

• Summary of key points about the impact of talk and action in communication
• Thank you for attending the lecture.