Speech Event and Act

Compiled by:
3rd Group
Farhan Azhar Destiawan (0304181008)
Indi Vira Patmala (0304182065)
Intan Vinanda Kusman (0304181009)
Nella Sari (0304181013)
Puspa Dwi Rahamadani Saragih (0304181021)
Ummi Aisah Nasution (0304181054)
Yunisma Aldayana (0304182132)

Lecturer: Dr. Solihatul Hamidah Daulay, S.Ag, M.Hum.

English Education Department

Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teaching Training
Islamic State University of North Sumatera
2020/2021
 FOREWORD
First of all, we’re grateful because Allah swt allow us to make this
assignment. With his effort and his might, we can made this assignment with the
title Speech Event and Act.
If We have a mistake in my assignment, please forgive me. Because, as a
human-being, we still have a mistake in many aspects.

April 27th, 2021

3rd Group

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 CONTENS

Foreword………………………………………………………………i
Contents…………………………………………………………...….ii
Chapter I Introduction............................................................................1
A. Background of Paper............................................................................................1
B. Problem Formulation...........................................................................................1
Chapter II Speech Event and Act…………………..………………….2
A. Speech Event…………………………...…………………………...…………..2
B. Speech Act…………………...…………………………………..……………..4
Chapter III Closing…………………………………………..……....18
A. Conclusion………………………………………………………………..…...18
B. Suggestion………………………………………………………………..……18
References…………………………………………..……………….19

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background
Speech is different against speak. If speak just related to communication,
meanwhile speech is also communication but with that communication, we can give
a specific effect to someone who hear our speech1. Speech also requires two aspect;
event and act.
Event is an atmosphere which related where and to whom we speak. In other
hand, act is related to our action when we’re doing a speech and of course, that
action also has a relation to our speech. In this paper, those two aspects will be
explained specifically.

B. Problem Formulation
1. What is definition of speech event?
2. What are styles of speech event?
3. What is definition of speech act?
4. What are types of speech act?
5. What are classifications of speech act?

C. Purposes
1. To find out definition of speech event.
2. To find out styles of speech event
3. To find out definition of speech act.
4. To find out types of speech act.
5. To find out classifications of speech act.

1
Pandji Pragiwaksono, Master Class: Public Speaking Teaching

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 CHAPTER II
SPEECH EVENT AND ACT

A. Speech Event
1. Definition of Speech Event
In sociolinguistic, a speech event is generally denied as any instance in
which communication occurs, follows the basic social rules of interaction.
A speech event can be defined by a unified set of components throughout:
same purpose of communication, same topic same participant, same participant
same language variety (generally). for example, exchanging greeting, telling jokes,
giving speeches.
The Speech event is described in terms of six components:
1. setting /scene: place and time at which the event takes place
2. participants: traditionally speech is described in terms of speaker and hearer
3. purpose: all speech act has a purpose to give information, express emotion,
or etc.
4. key: is the tone in which an event is performed: serious, joyful, sad, etc
5. Channel: the choice of oral or written communication
6. Message content: the topic of speech event

For the example: communicative, rule governed sequence:

“knock knock jokes”
“knock knock “

“who’s there?”

“abby”

“abby who”

“abby birthday to you”

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2. Atmosphere of Speech Event
a. Frozen Style
Frozen style is speech style that usually used in very formal situation. The
characteristic of pronunciation is monotone. It called " Frozen" because it already
has a pattern and cannot be changed. In written language, frozen style can be found
in historical documents, such as in Undang- Undang dasar 1945. Frozen style has a
long sentence than the others. The utterance of this style must be accepted seriously
by the hearer. We can find the example of this style in declamation of King to the
people, in the church or ceremony. Frozen style is more elaborated than the other
style. It is structured in planned over still longer spans, often-whole declamation
(Sulistyorini:10). The example of this style: "In this grave hour, perhaps the most
fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and
overseas this message spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as
if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself." This is part of King
Speech of " King's Speech" movie that figure the King announce to the people that
their English will face a war with NAZI, Germany.

b. Formal Style
This style is usually used in literary book, president speech, etc. The pattern
is standarized and cannot be changed individually. For the patterns, it seems like a
standard language that only used in formal situation. So, for conversation between
friends, it do not use this kind of language variety. Gleason in Sulistyorini (2007)
has substituted deliberative for formal style. He describes the formal style is
characterized by more complex and varied sentence structures than consultative.
The vocabulary is also more extensive. This style is usually used in speaking to
medium or large groups.
The speaker must plan ahead, framing whole sentences before they are
delivered. It is also used in speaking to a single hearer. Joos explained in Broderic
(1976), Formal style is artificially explicit in it is pronunciation. Words take on
specialized meanings. Sentence structure is not just complete; it is elaborate. The
speaker's purpose is to keep the listener attentive but quiet. The speaker has decided

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in advance that listener need all the background information he can get. So, there is
no need to gauge the listener's needs by electing feedback. This conversation
usually occurs in conversation between stranger, or someone with his Bos. Another
characteristic of this style is the speaker will call addresser with rank, not his name.
The example of formal style: “Mr. Jhonson, do come in." please take a seat, your
Majesty" How are you, Mr. Jhonson, nice to see you"

c. Business Range (Consultative)

Consultative style is the most neutral or unmarked of the styles. It is a style
that is used in semi-formal communication situation and this is the type of language
which is required from the everyday speaker. Consultative is used in some group
discussion, regular conversation at school, companies, trade speech conversation,
etc.
Characteristic of this variation is the structure of the sentence have a subject
and predicate in each utterance, there are several nonstandard vocabularies, because
variations in consultative language are produced in semi-formal situations.
This style is the most operational among the other styles. The listener
usually responds to the speaker with simple signals, such as the use of "I see"
phrases like the example below "uh, I see, Mr. Lionel, I think it's good ". The variety
of consultative languages, according to Chaer and Agustina (2010: 70), is a
variation of language that is commonly used in ordinary talks in school, results-
oriented meetings or talks.

d. Familiar Variety (Intimate)

Intimate style is characterized by extraction and jargon. The characteristics
of this style are the use of private codes, the use of words signaling intimate relation,
the use of rapid and slurred pronunciation, the use of non-verbal communication,
and the use of non-standard forms.
The existence of private meaning, private meaning here is interpreted as
meaning that is only known by speakers and opposes to say in a very close
relationship. Burridge and Stebbins (2016: 107) add further characteristics that are

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the use of kinship terms or deletion, namely in the form of special calls or
nicknames such as the words dear, darling, honey and schnookums. The following
is an example of using deletion in the form of the word dear, "You have to believe
me, Dear"

B. Speech Act
1. Definition of Speech Act
Speech act is a variety of verbal communication and also a subdivision of
pragmatics. Speech acts are study to recognize how both speaker and hearer use
their language2. Communication is also including other aspects beside language;
like action which is can be contained in communication3. So, while uttering a word
we can applicate some actions which related with our communication atmosphere.

2. Type of Speech Act

a. Pro
1) Assertive Speech Acts
This discourse act expresses reality or trustworthiness restricting the
speakers with the correct suggestion articulated. Eemeren et al (2007a) states this
discourse act doesn't generally show reality yet additionally solid choice of the
contentions. In discussing, this discourse act portrays or communicates the
perspective of the movement; it conveys extra contentions to safeguard or reinforce
the past contentions, and it decides the conversation results. In members'
expressions, emphatic discourse acts are found in going up against, argumentation,
and finishing up stage.

a) Confronting Stage
In this stage, each party delivers its point of view toward the motion.
Assertive speech acts consisted in this stage from pro side consist of.

2
George Yule. Pragmatic. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1996
3
Kent Bach. Linguistic Communication and Speech Acts. Cambridge, M.I.T. Press. 1979

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Contexts:
The participants of debate discuss motion about BPJS should provide more
advantages than disadvantages
"I strongly agree and believe that the BPJS provides many advantages rather than
disadvantages because we can compare before the existence of BPJS there were
many people in Indonesia who could not get health services because of cost
problems."

This utterance covers proportion action indicators indicated by the existence

of expression I strongly agree and believe. It indicates the pro side’s explanation
provides explanation about their beliefs toward the debated motion. Therefore, the
utterance is included into assertive speech act. It is also stated by Eemeren (2007a)
stating one of the examples of the speech act is delivering certain point of view or
explanation

b) Argumentation Stage
This is the core stage of debate. Every party delivers arguments. Assertive
speech acts in this stage are seen on.

Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about BPJS should provide more advantages
than disadvantages
"Comparison of the BPJS is 1: 4, for a gain of 4 and a loss of 1."

The utterance covering the indicators represents argument by comparing is

indicated by expression Comparison. It includes assertive speech act because the
pro side explains its arguments using comparison. According to Eemren (2007a),
one of the prototypes of the speech act is explanation. The pro side in its explanation
uses comparison such as comparing the advantages and disadvantages of BPJS as
much as 1:4.

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c) Concluding Stage
In this stage, each side determines its conclusion, for example, keeping
supporting the motion or denying the motion. Assertive speech acts consisting in
this stage both from pro or contra side are seen on data below.

Contexts:
The participants of debate discuss the motion about bpjs should give provide more
advantages than disadvantages
"Our group strongly agrees that the BPJS provides more advantages than
disadvantages."

The utterance consisting the indicator from pro side is seen in its supporting
to the basic argument expressed by Our group strongly agrees. It is an assertive
speech act to determine the debate result. The side keeps agreeing the motion and
it aligns with Eemeren (2007a) statement telling one of the prototypes of assertive
speech acts is determining the debate result.

2) Directive Speech Act

The discourse act has expectation to ask somebody doing the speaker's will.
This discourse act isn't appropriate in each basic conversation, for example,
expressions working to order or preclude. The discourse act can make a structure
into move dependent on the speaker's will, challenges toward specific contentions
to guard its own contentions, and requests of explanation or clarification (Eemeran
et al 2007 a). In this expression of the member, the decisive discourse acts are found
in opening stage.

Opening Stage
In this opening, every party side is clear, both supporters and opponents. Assertive
speech acts in this stage is from pro side as follows.

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Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about full day school is not effective due to lack
of social interaction of the students
"Can the contra team guarantee that this full day school will make the atmosphere
conducive to teaching and learning activities? Is there any real evidence that this
full day school is making this even more conducive? "

The utterance covering the indicators opposing to defend the basic

arguments are indicated by expression Can and Is there any real evidence. They
include directive speech acts because they demand clarification from the other party.
The pro side uses two different expression to ask clarification. Firstly, the utterance
Can to ask clarification about the contra team’s opinion stating full day school can
create conducive teaching and learning activities. Secondly, the utterance Is there
any real evidence to ask the supporting evidence of it. It agrees with Eemeran’
statement (2007a) telling the prototypes of the directive speech acts are asking
clarification.

3) Commissive Speech Acts

This discourse act expresses the speaker having self-obligation to show it to
other gathering. It is diverse with mandate discourse acts, this commissive one
ensnares the speaker to proceed onward his own. Eemeran (2007a) expresses a few
instances of commissive discourse acts in banter are tolerating or concurring the
contrary's contentions, tolerating or denying the essential contentions or inverse's
place of perspectives, consenting to be a piece of the contrary's contention,
concurring toward the guidelines of conversation identified with acknowledge or
deny the contentions, and to choose beginning new conversation. In the expressions
of the members, the commissive discourse acts are found in opening stage.

a) Confronting Stage
At this stage, each party conveys its point of view on the motion. Commsive
speech act in this stage is seen from this data.

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Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about BPJS supposed to provide more
advantages than disadvantages
"It should be emphasized that we did not mention about hospital facilities, that may
be your opinion that you want to convey but it concerns us, but you did not see the
running of the match that we did not mention the hospital."

The utterances covering the indicators of confronting signed by expression

we did not mention is included in commissive speech act because it has denial or
rebuttal of the positive side toward the contra side dealing with BPJS’ facilitation
in hospital toward BPJS patients and non-BPJS patients. Feeling uncomfortable
toward the arguments, the pro team rebuts the argument. It is also stated by Eemeran
(2007a) that the pro to type of the speech act is argument denial.

b) The Opening Stage

In this stage, each team has clearly positioned itself both supporting and
opposing the motion. Commissive speech act consists in the opening stage of pro
team as follows.

Contexts:
The participants discuss about western culture corrupts local culture
"Let me explain, one example is Japan who works individually because they work
to think of time."

The speech act covering the indicator of accepting burden functions as proof
of one side indicated by expression Let me explain. It is a commissive speech act
to explain or clarify. It also aligns with Eemeran (2007a) stating one of the
prototypes is explaining or clarifying. According to the utterances of pro team, in
which it is willing to explain the argument about Japan cooperating individually.

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4) Declarative Speech Act
This discourse act relates the substance of expressions with the truth, for the
most part in the types of language utilization comprising new articulations. This
discourse act shows authority of the speaker to accept toward the starter and
suspicious expression. Eemeran (2007a) states the instances of this discourse act in
banter by relating the expressions with the truth and characterizing or making
determination of the proposed contentions. In their expressions of the members, this
discourse act comprises in defying stag and argumentation stage.

a) Confronting Stage
In every confrontation, each party delivers its on point of view toward the
motion. Declarative speech act in confronting stage from pro side is seen on.

Contexts:
The participants discuss full day school is not effective because it lessens children’s
social interaction
"Education can be done in the family, community, and others. Facts on the ground
make it clear that successful people do not have to have new knowledge, but also
have good skills as well. Like, Bob Sadino. "

The utterances finished emphasizing expression is singed by Facts on the

ground. It is a declarative speech act because the pro side relates its arguments to
the facts. According to the utterances, the pro side argues based on facts that
successful people are not affected by knowledge but by skills, as for example Bob
Sadino. The additional argument strengthens the previous ones that education can
be done in family or society environment. It aligns with Eemen’s statement (2007a)
stating one of the prototypes of assertive speech act is additional explanation.

b) Argumentation Stage
It is the core of debating. Every party delivers argument. The declarative
speech act contains in argumentation stage from pro side is seen on.

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Contexts:
The participants discuss about gadget lowers students’ reading interest
"When we see adults generally have a steady desire, meaning that when it has been
running from childhood to adulthood it will be difficult to change, but not without
the possibility that it cannot be changed, it's just that it's hard."

The utterance covering indicator of symptomatic arguments are signed by

expression meaning. It is a declarative speech act because the utterance indicating
the positive side defining the related argument. Eemeran (2007a) states the
prototype of declarative speech act in debate is defining again the intended
argument.

b. Contra
1) Assertive Speech Acts
The participants’ assertive speech acts are seen in confronting,
argumentation, and concluding stage.

a) Confronting Stage
Assertive speech acts in this stage occur in.

Contexts:
The participants discuss about western and local culture.
"We say that acculturation of western culture actually strengthens friendship with
western countries. We know that in sociology, acculturation is clearly different
from assimilation. Where acculturation means A + B = AB, while assimilation is A
+ B = C."

This utterance covering indicators of propositional action is signed by We

say. It is an assertive speech act because the utterance indicating the point of view
of contra team. Eemeren (2007a) states one of the prototypes is an assertive speech

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act to deliver point of view toward the motion. The contra team delivers its point of
view toward the pro team about the motion by telling them to strengthen the cultures.

b) Argumentation Stage
This speech act is seen in argumentation stage from the contra team on this
expert.

Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about full day school is not effective because it
less
"Then allow us to present some arguments from our team."

The utterances covering univocal argumentative indicators are signed by

expression some arguments. This utterance is assertive speech act because it has
some explanation or arguments. The contra team states directly some supportive
arguments. It aligns with Eemeren’s statement (2007a) stating one example of this
assertive speech act is providing additional argument.

c) Concluding Stage
This assertive speech act is in contra team.

Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about BPJS should provide more advantages
than disadvantages
"Once again we from the counter team do not agree if it is said that the BPJS has
many advantages rather than losses."

This utterance covering the indicators to state its doubt ness signed by Once
again we from the counter team do not agree. It is assertive speech act because the
utterance above indicating the tone of contra team toward the discussion result.
According to utterance above it can be seen the team is still on its point of view. It

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aligns with Eemeren (2007a) stating an assertive speech act is determining the
discussion results.

2) Directive Speech Acts

In the utterances of the participants, directive speech acts are found in:

a) Opening Stage
Directive speech acts emerging in argumentation stage from the contra team
are.

Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about full day school is not effective because
lessens children’s social interaction
"The pro team cannot provide concrete evidence, whether social interaction is
influenced by full day school?"

The utterance covering opposing indicators to defend basic arguments is

signed by the pro team cannot provide concrete evidence. It is a directive utterance
above since indicating clarification demand of the contra team toward the pro team.
The contra team is feeling doubt the arguments of pro team. Thus, the contra team
asks clarification of the real evidence that full day school affects social interaction
of the students. It aligns with Eemeren (2007a) stating the prototype of directive
utterance is asking clarification.

3) Commissive Speech Acts

In this utterance, the speech acts of contra team are seen in.

a) Argumentation Stage
This declarative speech act occurs in argumentation stage of contra team.

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Contexts:
The participants discuss the motion about BPJS should provide more advantages
than disadvantages
"This BPJS is not a national health insurance program, because it implements a
subsidy system in it. This means that the government does not spend a penny, but
the people who pay for the national health insurance. "

The utterance covering symptomatic argumentative indicators is signed by

the expression means. It indicates the contra team re-explaining its argument about
working system of BPJS in managing its finance. Eemeren (2007a) states the
example of declarative speech act is defining. According to that statement, the
utterance above is said to be declarative.

3. Classification of Speech Act

Speech acts can be classified into five categories as Searle in Levinson
(1983: 240) states that the classifications are representatives, directives,
commissive, expressive, and declarations.
Declaration speech act is the act that makes the propositional content
corresponds with the reality. In order to perform a declaration effectively, the
speaker must have a special contextual privilege that allow him/her to perform an
also contextual declaration. For example, when a priest says “I pronounce you
husband and wife”, the priest (in the context of marriage) has the privilege to
pronounce marriage and when this utterance is performed, the man and woman is
then changed from singles into married people from the moment on. On the contrary,
if the speaker is not a priest or has the privilege to marry people, the utterance will
not be effective.

a. Representatives
This study aims to analyze the types of representative speech acts performed
by the debaters, the opponents’ responses to representative speech acts in debate
and the contribution of the representative speech acts to the development of

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argument in debate. This study used spoken discourse analysis especially speech
act theory proposed by Schifrin (1994) for data analysis. The object of this study is
English debate performed by the debaters.
Representatives are speech acts that the utterances commit the speaker to
the truth of the expressed proposition. The utterances are produced based on the
speaker’s observation of certain things then followed by stating the fact or opinion
based on the observation. When someone says “she’s beautiful”, the speaker can
state the sentence based on the fact or just give his or her own opinion about
physical condition of a person. It also states what the speaker believes to be the case
or not. Statements of fact, assertions, conclusions, and descriptions are all examples
of the speaker representing the world as he or she believes it is. For example, when
someone says “The earth is flat”, it represents the speaker’s assertions about the
earth. The speaker has opinion that the earth is flat. Representatives’ speech act can
be noted by some speech acts verb, such as: remind, tell, assert, deny, correct, state,
guess, predict, report, describe, inform, insist, assure, agree, claim, beliefs,
conclude.

b. Directives
Directive area speech acts that speaker uses to get someone else to do
something. These speech acts include requesting, questioning, command, orders,
and suggesting. For example, when someone says “Could you lend me a pencil,
please?” the utterance represents the speaker requests that the hearer to do
something which is to lend him a pencil.

c. Commissive
Searle (2005: 14) suggests that commissive refers to an illocutionary act
whose point is to commit the speaker (again in varying degrees) to some future
course of action, such as promising, offering, threatening, refusing, vowing, and
volunteering. Yule (1996: 54) and Leech (1996: 105-107) add it expresses what the
speaker intends. Further, Kreidler (1998: 192) explains that commissive verbs are
illustrated by agree, ask, offer, refuse, swear, all with following infinitives. A

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commissive predicate is one that can be used to commit oneself (or refuse to commit
oneself) to some future action. The subject of the sentence is therefore most likely
to be I or we. The examples are as follows:
(1) We’ll be right back.
(2) I’m gonna love you till the end.
The content of the commissive has something to do with a future and
possible action of the speaker. The modal will or (to be) going to (in certain rules,
contexts and situation) signifies a promise in which it is considered as commissive.

d. Expressive
Expressive includes acts in which the words are to express the psychological
state specified in the sincerity condition about a state of affairs specified in the
propositional content (Searle, 2005: 15). In other word, it refers to a speech act in
which the speaker expresses his/her feeling and attitude about something. It can be
a statement of pleasure, pain, like, dislike, joy and sorrow. He adds the paradigms
of expressive verbs are thank, congratulate, apologize, regret, deplore, and welcome.
In line with Searle, Yule (1996: 53) states that this class is a kind of speech acts that
states what the speaker feels. It can be a statement of pleasure, pain, like, dislike,
joy or sorrow. The examples are:
(1) I’m terribly sorry.
(2) Congratulation!
(3) We greatly appreciate what you did for us.
Example (1) is an expression to show sympathy. Example (2) is used to
congratulate someone. The last example (3) can be used to thank or to appreciate
someone.

e. Declaration
Yule (1996: 53) and Cutting (2002: 16), simplify Searle’s long explanation
by saying that declaration is a kind of speech acts that changes the world via
utterance. The speaker has to have a special institutional role, in a specific context,
in order to perform a declaration appropriately. Leech (1996: 105-107) adds that

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declaration is the illocution whose successful performance brings about the
correspondence between propositional content and reality. Christening or baptizing,
declaring war, abdicating, resigning, dismissing, naming, and excommunicating are
the examples of declaration. Some examples of utterances classified as declarations
are:
(1) Boss: “You’re fired”
(2) Umpire: “Time out!”

Examples (1) and (2) bring about the change in reality and they are more
than just statements. Example (1) can be used to perform the act of ending the
employment and example (2) can be used to perform the end of the game.

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 CHAPTER III
CLOSING

A. Conclusion
In sociolinguistic, a speech event is generally denied as any instance in
which communication occurs, follows the basic social rules of interaction. A speech
event can be defined by a unified set of components throughout: same purpose of
communication, same topic same participant, same participant same language
variety (generally). For examples: exchanging greeting, telling jokes, giving
speeches.
Speech acts are study to recognize how both speaker and hearer use their
language. Communication is also including other aspects beside language; like
action which can be contained in communication. So, while uttering a word we can
apply some actions which related with our communication atmosphere. In speech
act there are pro’s side and contra’s side. Pro's side is supporting side toward the
given subject or issue being discussed. The conviction of star's side toward the issue
conveyed in the types of contentions covering different discourse acts: assertive,
directive, commissive, and declarative. The contra side opposes the given topic or
problems debated. The points of view of the team toward the problems given in the
arguments cover from assertive, directive, commissive, and declarative speech acts.

B. Critic and Suggestion

We need critic and suggestion from the reader to be our reflection in the
other subject and reflection to the other audiences who also will perform their
presentation next day.

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 REFERENCES
Bach, Kent. 1979. Linguistic Communication and Speech Acts. Cambridge, M.I.T.
Press.
Duranti, A. 1998. Ethnography of speaking: towards a linguistic o praxis
Hamzah, Indra. 2018. AN ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE STYLE OF TEENAGERS
FOUND IN FACEBOOK STATUS. E-Journal of English Language &
Literature. Universitas Negeri Padang
Yule, George. 1996. Pragmatic. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

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