Directives

Definition

Directives are a type of speech act that aim to get someone to do something, typically expressed through commands, requests, or suggestions. They play a crucial role in communication by influencing the actions and responses of others. Directives are integral to the concept of performative utterances, as they not only convey information but also perform an action through the act of speaking.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Directives can be classified into different types, such as requests, commands, and suggestions, each with varying degrees of politeness and authority.
2. The effectiveness of a directive often depends on the context in which it is issued, including factors like social hierarchy, relationship between speakers, and cultural norms.
3. Directives can be softened or modified through politeness strategies, such as using indirect language or hedging, which can influence how the recipient perceives and responds to the request.
4. The study of directives is closely related to pragmatics, which examines how context affects the interpretation of meaning in language.
5. In performative contexts, when a directive is successfully executed, it highlights the connection between language and action, illustrating how speech can create change in social situations.

Review Questions

• How do directives function as speech acts in communication?
  • Directives function as speech acts by explicitly attempting to influence the behavior of others. They serve to issue commands, make requests, or provide suggestions that aim to elicit a specific response. By doing so, directives highlight the interactive nature of language, where utterances not only convey information but also engage participants in social action.
• Discuss the importance of context in understanding how directives are perceived and executed.
  • Context plays a crucial role in how directives are perceived and executed because it shapes both the intent behind the directive and its reception. Factors such as social relationships, power dynamics, and cultural norms can influence whether a directive is viewed as appropriate or effective. For instance, a direct command may be seen as assertive in one context but rude in another, demonstrating how context significantly impacts communication outcomes.
• Evaluate the relationship between directives and performative utterances in the framework of speech acts.
  • The relationship between directives and performative utterances is fundamental in understanding how language operates within social interactions. While directives aim to prompt action from others, performative utterances demonstrate that certain statements can enact change simply by being spoken. This connection emphasizes that language is not merely a tool for conveying information but is also a powerful means for performing actions and shaping reality through speech acts.

Related terms

speech acts: Speech acts are communicative actions performed through speaking, including making statements, asking questions, giving commands, or making promises.

performative utterances: Performative utterances are statements that not only convey meaning but also enact an action simply by being spoken, such as 'I apologize' or 'I promise.'

illocutionary force: Illocutionary force refers to the intended meaning behind a speech act, determining how the utterance is understood and what action it aims to achieve.