Asymmetrical Conversations

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-418
Author(s):  
Claudia Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
Mitchell Green

According to Mitchell Green, speech act theory traditionally idealizes away from crucial aspects of conversational contexts, including those in which the speaker’s social position affects the possibility of her performing certain speech acts. In recent times, asymmetries in communicative situations have become a lively object of study for linguists, philosophers of language and moral philosophers: several scholars view hate speech itself in terms of speech acts, namely acts of subordination (acts establishing or reinforcing unfair hierarchies). The aim of this paper is to address one of the main objections to accounts of hate speech in terms of illocutionary speech acts, that is the Authority Problem. While the social role of the speaker is the focus of several approaches (Langton 2018a, 2018b; Maitra 2012; Kukla 2014; Green 2014, 2017a, 2017b), the social role of the audience has too often been neglected. The author will show that not only must the speaker have a certain kind of standing or social position in order to perform speech acts of subordination, but also the audience must typically have a certain kind of standing or social position in order to either license or object to the speaker’s authority, and her acts of subordination.

scholarly journals A Pragma-stylistic Study of Hybrid Speech Acts in Selected Dramatic Texts

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies ◽  
RIYADH KHALIL IBRAHIM ◽  
Khamail Ali Waheeb
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
Birthday Party ◽  
Proper Interpretation

The study is intended to investigate the role of speech act theory (SAT) in understanding dramatic texts through using pragma-stylistic approach. It is also an attempt to examine the stylistic effects of using speech acts (SAs) and their implication in conveying the theme of the play and the intentions of the characters. Therefore, eight extracts are selected from Harold Pinter's Plays : A Night Out and The Birthday party, to be the data of analysis. The analysis reveals that the interaction between stylistics and pragmatics is a vital tool for analyzing dramatic texts in terms of (SAT). SAs are grouped into systematic combination depending on the purpose of the speaker or the playwright. Direct of fit is the most decisive aspect of the combination of some hybrid speech acts. The pragma-stylistics analysis of hybrid (SAs) also reveals the importance of these speech acts in conveying the intended message of the dramatist through the contextual details offered about the characters and events. These details can secure a proper interpretation of the socio-psychological relationships between the characters and the audience of the play.

Social Evaluations of Assertiveness: A Critique and Speech Act Reformulation

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Herstein Gervasio ◽  
Mary Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Social Evaluation ◽  
Conversational Interaction ◽  
The Social

A conceptual and methodological critique of recent research on the social evaluation of assertive speech demonstrates that while the research is internally valid within its narrow sphere, it lacks ecological validity, cannot adequately explain important phenomena such as gender differences, and leads to misguided clinical prescriptions. An alternative theoretical framework, based on speech act theory, is proposed. Assertiveness is viewed as a style of conversation occurring in complex interpersonal contexts. Such analysis encompasses an understanding of the grammar and speech acts used in assertive conversation, as well as the social roles (including gender and status relationships) that are created and maintained through conversational interaction. As women represent the majority of clients and consumers of assertiveness therapies, the interests and concerns of women are a special focus of the suggestions for increasing the ecological validity and clinical relevance of future research.

A President, Speech Acts and Development in Nigeria

1999 ◽  
Vol 125-126 ◽  
pp. 195-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin Aondona Ioratim-Uba
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Spoken Word ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
Spoken Discourse ◽  
Versus Group ◽  
The Social ◽  
Discourse Strategies ◽  
Public Leaders

Abstract The discourse strategies and social implications of speech importantly overlap to govern our relationships in person versus person, group versus group, and person versus group capacities. We apply here Speech Act Theory to communicative interactions with respect to person versus group by discourse - analytically studying the utterances of a nation’s president to his fellow country men and women. Based on the extensions by GRICE (1975), VAN DIJK (1977) and LEECH (1989) of AUSTIN’S (1962) Speech Act Theory, we examine the promise by a Nigerian Military President to return the country to democratic rule and the extent to which he kept his word. The syntactic and semantic frameworks are combined with the pragmatic acts to bring out the strategy of the spoken discourse. Saying, in the view of the theory, is tantamount to doing. Consequently, utterances carry the social responsibility weight, and there is great honour in redeeming the social weight of utterances through commensurate action. Speech acts executed with the consideration of this obligation as well as sincerity of action in mind can lead to development. However, we find that the promise in the Nigerian President’s speech acts to return the country to democracy is not fuiflied. Considering the primacy of the spoken word in the political realm, which can affect development in many ways, this paper strongly recommends that public leaders should bridge the familiar opposition between promise and fulfilment.

Pragmatics lost?

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-218
Author(s):  
Fabienne Baider
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract This article argues for a definition of online hate speech as a contextualised speech act that is part of a social process of alienation. It suggests that hate speech comes in degrees, is contextual, involves already existing power dynamics, and ‘others’ its targets by creating in/out groups. I first review the various stances towards understanding the phenomenon of online hate speech, including approaches that focus on online hate speech as an interaction shaped by its medium, while also emphasizing the need to consider the role of implicatures in speech acts when defining hate speech. Second, I argue that the relationality of online speech implies that any message is embedded in idiosyncratic socio-cultural norms, and that therefore a ‘one size fits all’ definition of hate speech is elusive. I conclude by suggesting that contextualized hate speech is embedded in a social process of alienation and should be understood as a continuum.

scholarly journals SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND RELIGIOUS ASPECT IN MOSQUE FUNDRAISER

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Achmad Naufal Irsyadi ◽  
Fachriana Hanifiyah ◽  
Suryadi Suryadi
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Social Reality ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cultural Systems ◽  
The Social ◽  
Phenomenological Perspective ◽  
Religious Aspect

Abstract: This study described and analyzed the form and types of speech in fundraising activity as well as to identify social, cultural, and religious aspect in it. The observation was carried out in Wirolegi Village, Sumbersari District, Jember Regency. This study used a phenomenological perspective which viewed that fundraising activity was a social reality known by the public. This study used anthropolinguistic approach which viewed that people's linguistics activities (speech) were related to the social and cultural systems of the community. To examine the forms and types of speech, this study used Searle's speech act theory. This study resulted a finding that the utterances of the fundraiser were about expressive and commissive speech acts. Thus, the language activity within fundraising program was an action that was clearly and indirectly contained in his speech. In its social aspect, the speech contained a binding from the speaker to the interlocutor which could contribute to their social and religious aspect.

The things we do with words: Ilongot speech acts and speech act theory in philosophy

1982 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Z. Rosaldo
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
Partial Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cultural Constraints ◽  
Subjective Meanings

ABSTRACTI begin by introducing the Ilongots and some of their attitudes toward speech. Whereas most modem theorists think of language as a tool designed primarily to “express” or to “refer,” Ilongots think of language first in terms of action. They see commands as the exemplary act of speech, displaying less concern for the subjective meanings that an utterance conveys than for the social contexts in which utterances are heard. An ethnographic sketch thus outlines how Ilongots think of words and how their thought relates to aspects of their practice – providing an external foil for theorists found closer to home. Speech Act Theory is discussed and questioned first on internal grounds, as an approach that recognizes but slights important situational and cultural constraints on forms of language use. A consideration of the application of Searle's taxonomy of acts of speech to Ilongot categories of language use then leads to a clarification of the individualistic and relatively asocial biases of his essentially intra-cultural account. Last, I return to Ilongot directives. A partial analysis of Ilongot acts of speech provides the basis for a statement of the ways in which indigenous categodes are related to the forms that actions take, as both of these, in turn, reflect the sociocultural ordering of local worlds. (Speech acts, philosophy and ethnography, ethnography of speaking, Ilongot [Philippines].)

Synergetic Theory of Document in Evolution of Document Science

2018 ◽  
pp. 1060-1068
Author(s):  
Galina A. Dvoenosova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Role ◽  
Scientific Study ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Universal Theory ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Social Goal ◽  
The Social ◽  
Synergetic Theory ◽  
First Time

The article assesses synergetic theory of document as a new development in document science. In information society the social role of document grows, as information involves all members of society in the process of documentation. The transformation of document under the influence of modern information technologies increases its interest to representatives of different sciences. Interdisciplinary nature of document as an object of research leads to an ambiguous interpretation of its nature and social role. The article expresses and contends the author's views on this issue. In her opinion, social role of document is incidental to its being a main social tool regulating the life of civilized society. Thus, the study aims to create a scientific theory of document, explaining its nature and social role as a tool of social (goal-oriented) action and social self-organization. Substantiation of this idea is based on application of synergetics (i.e., universal theory of self-organization) to scientific study of document. In the synergetic paradigm, social and historical development is seen as the change of phases of chaos and order, and document is considered a main tool that regulates social relations. Unlike other theories of document, synergetic theory studies document not as a carrier and means of information transfer, but as a unique social phenomenon and universal social tool. For the first time, the study of document steps out of traditional frameworks of office, archive, and library. The document is placed on the scales with society as a global social system with its functional subsystems of politics, economy, culture, and personality. For the first time, the methods of social sciences and modern sociological theories are applied to scientific study of document. This methodology provided a basis for theoretical vindication of nature and social role of document as a tool of social (goal-oriented) action and social self-organization. The study frames a synergetic theory of document with methodological foundations and basic concepts, synergetic model of document, laws of development and effectiveness of document in the social continuum. At the present stage of development of science, it can be considered the highest form of theoretical knowledge of document and its scientific explanatory theory.

New Work on Speech Acts

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Speech Act Theory ◽  
New Work ◽  
Half Century ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Semantics And Pragmatics ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Relationship

The essays collected in this book represent recent advances in our understanding of speech acts-actions like asserting, asking, and commanding that speakers perform when producing an utterance. The study of speech acts spans disciplines, and embraces both the theoretical and scientific concerns proper to linguistics and philosophy as well as the normative questions that speech acts raise for our politics, our societies, and our ethical lives generally. It is the goal of this book to reflect the diversity of current thinking on speech acts as well as to bring these conversations together, so that they may better inform one another. Topics explored in this book include the relationship between sentence grammar and speech act potential; the fate of traditional frameworks in speech act theory, such as the content-force distinction and the taxonomy of speech acts; and the ways in which speech act theory can illuminate the dynamics of hostile and harmful speech. The book takes stock of well over a half century of thinking about speech acts, bringing this classicwork in linewith recent developments in semantics and pragmatics, and pointing the way forward to further debate and research.

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