Linguistics

Question

Hello my names anik , I'm from Indonesia. I would like to ask about speech act , I can't identification " How are you " it's include speech act or no ? I hope your suggestion, Thanks : )

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hello Anik,
Welcome to English Forums.

If someone says "How are you?" that is an act of speaking.

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

It can be difficult to say what is a speech act and what is not. However, most would say that a formal greeting: "How are you?" is a speech act

I am not asking only because I need to know if you are well or not. It is an act of greeting and, formally, it shows that I respect you and care about your health

So, yes, I would say it is a speech act. It does more than just ask a question - it is performing a social act

Dave

CalifJim · Answer

Anik SuprihatinI can't identify " How are you?" as a speech act.

Anything you say is a speech act of one kind or another. When you say "How are you?" (or anything else) you are uttering words (performing utterance acts), you are referring and predicating (performing propositional acts), and you are stating, questioning, ordering, etc. (performing illocutionary acts). (John Searle, Speech Acts)

In particular with this case, you are asking a question, and at the same time using a social politeness formula by which you show that you fit in with the culture of your listener.

CJ

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