Ch. 11 | Exercise 5

Chapter 11
Information Structuring and Speech Acts

Exercise 11.5
Indirect Speech Acts

1.

For the following indirect speech acts, (i) name the type of the implicit speech act, (ii) write out the implicit speech act, and (iii) say what appropriateness condition on the implicit speech act the explicit speech act gives expression to.

Example: I would appreciate it if you could do the dishes.
Answer:

i.

directive

ii.

I request that you do the dishes.

iii.

Sp desires H to do something (sincerity condition)
a.

You’ll be happy to know that the work will be finished tomorrow.

b.

The meeting is adjourned.

c.

Any suggestions you have are welcome.

d.

Isn’t that just the best idea we’ve heard so far?

e.

Can’t you sit still for a minute?

f.

I’d be honored if you came to my party next week.

g.

You’re welcome to come to my party next week.

h.

Did you know that Allison is going to Europe this summer?

i.

It's obvious that Bill is going to be late for his interview.

j.

Let the unknown in this problem be Ax@.

k.

Can you tell me how much that costs?

2.
a.

Given the following direct speech act, write as many indirect speech acts as you can think of: “I promise that I’ll pay you the money tomorrow”. Explain how each works.

b.

Other ways to perform indirect speech acts concern the performance of the speech act itself, not the appropriateness conditions on the intended speech act (see Fraser 1975):

–

by stating an obligation to perform the speech act (an expressive), e.g., I must ask you to pass the salt, I have to disturb you for the salt.

–

by stating an emotive attitude toward performing the speech act (an expressive), e.g., I am sorry to disturb you for the salt, I hate to ask you to pass the salt (while you’re so busy eating).

–

by asking permission to perform the speech act (a directive), e.g., May I ask you to pass the salt?, May I disturb you for the salt?

–

by stating the ability/desire/intention to perform the speech act (an expressive), e.g., I {would like, want} to ask you for the salt, I am going to ask that you pass the salt, I can request that you pass the salt.

Try to write indirect speech acts for the direct speech act in (a) based on these principles.

3.

Name the conversational implicature in each of the following.

a.

It was very foggy and a car accident occurred.

b.

(He has been unhappy since his dog died last year.

c.

(She finished her degree and got married.

d.

Speaker A: It's cold in here.

Speaker B: I’ll turn the heat up.

e.

Speaker A: Where's Harry?

Speaker B: Jani's taking a holiday in Bermuda now.

f.

Speaker A: What's the weather prediction?

Speaker B: Bring your coat.

g.

Speaker A: Are your parents coming to visit?

Speaker B: My mother is.

h.

Speaker A: Do you like Rosie?

Speaker B: Well, she has a nice husband.

1.
a.

i.

Commissive

ii.

I promise that the work will be finished tomorrow.

iii.

Sp assumes that future action is beneficial to H and that H desires this action (preparatory condition).

b.

i.

Declarative

ii.

I declare this meeting adjourned.

iii.

The meeting is adjourned (propositional content condition).

c.

i.

Directive

ii.

I request that you give me any suggestions that you have.

iii.

Sp wishes or desires H’s suggestions (sincerity condition).

d.

i.

Verdictive

ii.

I judge that to be the best idea I’ve heard so far.

iii.

The idea is the best that Sp has heard (propositional content).

e.

i.

Directive

ii.

I order you to sit still.

iii.

H is able to perform action requested.

f.

i.

Directive

ii.

I invite you to my party next week.

iii.

Sp wants H to perform action requested.

g.

i.

Commissive

ii.

I promise to welcome you to my party next week.

iii.

Sp intends to perform action (of welcoming H to party).

(N.B. Inviting is both a commissive and a directive.)

h.

i.

Representative

ii.

I state that Allison is going to Europe this summer.

iii.

H does not know the proposition (nonobvious condition).

i.

i.

Representative

ii.

I believe that Bill is going to be late for his interview.

iii.

Sp has evidence/reasons for believing the truth of the proposition (preparatory condition).

j.

i.

Declarative

ii.

I declare the unknown in this problem to be “x”.

iii.

The unknown in this problem is “x” (propositional content).

k.

i.

Directive

ii.

I request that you tell me how much that costs.

iii.

Sp believes that the H is able to give information requested (preparatory condition).

2.
a.

Appropriateness conditions on the direct speech act:

Sp is able to perform action (preparatory condition): I can pay you tomorrow. I get paid tomorrow (and so can pay you.

Sp thinks H wants Sp to perform action (preparatory condition): I know you want your money tomorrow. Do you want me to pay you tomorrow? Would you rather I pay you tomorrow?

Sp is willing to perform action (preparatory condition): I am willing to pay you tomorrow.

Sp intends to perform action (sincerity condition): I {plan, intend} to pay you tomorrow. I will pay you tomorrow.

Future action of Sp (propositional content condition): I am going to pay you tomorrow. I am going to give you the money tomorrow. I shall pay you tomorrow.

It is not obvious to all that Sp will pay H tomorrow (nonobvious condition): Let me {assure, tell} you I will pay you tomorrow.

There are reasons for Sp to perform action (reasonableness conditions):

I’d better pay you tomorrow. It would be a good idea if I paid you tomorrow.

b.

Conditions relating to the performance of the speech act:

Sp asks permission to perform the speech act: May I assure you that I will pay you tomorrow.

Sp states obligation to perform the speech act: I {have to, must} assure you that I will pay you tomorrow.

Sp expresses emotion toward performing the speech act: I’m happy to tell you that I will pay you tomorrow.

Sp states ability/willingness/desire/intention to perform speech act: I want to assure you that I will pay you tomorrow. I {can, will} promise you that I will pay you tomorrow.

3.
a.

The accident occurred because it was very foggy.

b.

He is unhappy because his dog died.

c.

She finished her degree and then got married.

d.

Speaker B makes the implicature that because A is cold, he or she wants more heat.

e.

Speaker A is to make the implicature that Harry is with Jani on her holiday in Bermuda.

f.

Speaker A is to make the implicature that the weather prediction is for cold weather.

g.

Speaker A is to make the implicature that B's father is not coming.

h.

Speaker A is to make the implicature that B does not like Rosie.