Expressives

Definition

Expressives are a type of speech act that convey the speaker's emotional state or attitude toward a situation or event. They are used to express feelings such as joy, sorrow, regret, or appreciation, and they often serve to enhance interpersonal communication by sharing emotional experiences with others. Expressives differ from other speech acts like assertives or directives, as their primary function is not to convey information or elicit action but to share sentiments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Expressives primarily focus on the emotional state of the speaker rather than on conveying factual information.
2. Common examples of expressives include phrases like 'I'm sorry,' 'Congratulations,' and 'Thank you,' each reflecting specific feelings.
3. In communication, expressives can strengthen social bonds by allowing individuals to share personal sentiments.
4. Unlike declaratives that change the state of affairs in the world, expressives do not have truth conditions; they do not imply that a statement is true or false.
5. Expressives are often context-dependent, meaning their interpretation can vary based on the situation in which they are used.

Review Questions

• How do expressives differ from other types of speech acts, and what role do they play in communication?
  • Expressives differ from other types of speech acts like assertives or directives because their main focus is on conveying the speaker's emotions rather than providing information or requesting action. While assertives aim to describe a state of affairs and directives seek to influence others' behavior, expressives serve to communicate feelings such as joy or regret. This emotional sharing enhances interpersonal communication and fosters deeper connections between individuals.
• Discuss how expressives function as performatives and provide examples that illustrate this relationship.
  • Expressives function as performatives because they accomplish their intended emotional expression simply through their utterance. For example, saying 'I apologize' not only conveys regret but also serves to perform the act of apologizing. This relationship highlights how language can be used not just for conveying information but also for enacting emotions and social interactions. The effectiveness of expressives often relies on contextual cues that signal their intended emotional impact.
• Evaluate the importance of expressives in building social relationships and how they can influence interactions between individuals.
  • Expressives play a crucial role in building social relationships by allowing individuals to openly share their emotions and experiences with one another. This sharing can create empathy and understanding, leading to stronger interpersonal connections. For instance, when someone expresses gratitude through phrases like 'Thank you,' it reinforces positive interactions and encourages reciprocity in relationships. Moreover, the ability to express feelings can impact social dynamics, as it shapes how individuals perceive each other's intentions and emotional states within conversations.

Related terms

Speech Acts: Communicative actions that convey meaning and perform a function, including assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations.

Performatives: Statements that perform an action simply by being spoken, such as 'I apologize' or 'I promise,' where the act itself is accomplished through the utterance.

Illocutionary Force: The intended meaning behind an utterance that indicates the speaker's purpose in delivering the statement, which can include making a statement, asking a question, or expressing an emotion.