INTERLANGUAGE

PRAGMATICS

Tentang:

INDIRECT SPEECH ACT

OLEH:

Bunga Refira : 1830104008

Ema Lestari : 1830104012

Ilfa Rahmi : 1830104026

Dosen Pembimbing:

DR. RITA ERLINDA,M.Pd.

JURUSAN TADRIS BAHASA INGGRIS

FAKULTAS TARBIYAH DAN ILMU KEGURUAN

INSTITUT AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI (IAIN)

BATUSANGKAR

2021
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background

Indirect speech acts is introduced the idea of indirect illocutionary act

which also known as indirect speech act. This is speaker's act of communicating
with hearer more than what is actually said. It relies on the knowledgeable
background information about the conversation shared by both speaker and
hearer. In other words, indirect speech acts is the act of conducting an
illocutionary act indirectly (Searle (1979) in Asher, Nicholas and Alex, Lascarides
(2006:25)).

Using indirect speech acts will make us more respectable human beings,
and so will the people we talk to using indirect speech acts, because using indirect
speech acts will make our conversations with other people more polite, would it
be better if we using indirect speech acts in daily communication compared to
using direct speech acts. This is the same as conveyed by (Yule, 1996) in Praditya,
Dwi Jaya I Made , Putra, Adi Jaya I Nyoman , Artini, Luh Putu (2012:3), said that
Using indirect speech acts in interaction will make the interaction more polite
between the sepeaker and the hearer, when speakers deliver their speech politely,
they tend to reduce direct conversation to indirect conversation where the purpose
of being polite is to soften the communication. When the speaker asks the listener
to do something, he or she may imply the speech into an indirect speech for
example, asking the listener to open a window simply by saying "this room is very
hot or are you feeling hot?" Through these sentences, the speaker does not directly
ask the listener to do something, but he can say a condition is being felt.

In this term paper, we want to point out the basic issues of indirect Speech
Act Theory. After giving a general explanation about indirect Speech Act Theory,
we will give an example of these kinds. Afterwards, we will present the
classification of speech acts

B. Formulation of Problem  

1. What is the definition of indirect speech acts?

2. Why is indirect speech acts used in interaction?
3. What are the example of indirect speech acts?
C. Purpose

The reasons of us to make this paper are:

1. Giving the readers explanation about the indirect speech act theory.
2. Knowing is indirect speech acts used in interaction.
3.  Giving the example of indirect speech acts
 CHAPTER II

THEORY AND DISSCUSSION

1. Definition Of Indirect Speech Act

According to Searle (1979) in Asher, Nicholas and Alex, Lascarides (2006:25)
Indirect speech acts is introduced the idea of indirect illocutionary act which also
known as indirect speech act. This is speaker's act of communicating with hearer
more than what is actually said. It relies on the knowledgeable background
information about the conversation shared by both speaker and hearer. In other words,
indirect speech acts is the act of conducting an illocutionary act indirectly.
Kroeger (2005: 197) also give a definition that Indirect speech acts are those
in which there is a mismatch between the sentence type and the intended force. After
that according to Yule (1996) in Oktadistio Fyngky, Aziz Mazrul, and Zahrida
(2018:63) Indirect Speech Acts will happen if there is indirect relationship between
the structure and the function of the utterance.
So, from three expert we can conclude that Indirect speech acts are actions or
utterance that have a mismatch between the type of sentence and the intended
meaning, where what the speaker says has an imprecise meaning or has another
meaning.

2. Why is indirect speech act used in interaction? Do you think that using
indirectness in an interaction shows politeness?
According to (Yule, 1996) in Praditya, Dwi Jaya I Made , Putra, Adi Jaya I
Nyoman , Artini, Luh Putu (2012:3), said that Using indirect speech acts in interaction
will make the interaction more polite between the sepeaker and the hearer, when
speakers deliver their speech politely, they tend to reduce direct conversation to
indirect conversation where the purpose of being polite is to soften the
communication. When the speaker asks the listener to do something, he or she may
imply the speech into an indirect speech for example, asking the listener to open a
window simply by saying "this room is very hot or are you feeling hot?" Through
these sentences, the speaker does not directly ask the listener to do something, but he
can say a condition is being felt.
Using indirect words in everyday life will make us humans look more polite
when talking to other people, for example when we want to ask something indirectly
like "it's cold in here, do you feel cold too" where are we? asking other people politely
indirectly helps turn on the heating.

3. Communicative act
According to Marisa Casillas and Elma H. Hilbrinka “communicative act” is the
action (or set of actions) that a speaker accomplishes by producing an utterance.
Communicative acts include phenomena like requests, invitations, apologies,
greetings, and more.
4. Dialog using indirect speech acts for each type of speech act
a. Assertive / Representative
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.
Example:

The Context is In the afternoon, Leo and Aldo were sitting in front of the
house, then Aldo saw a beautiful girl passing by and told Leo.
Direct :
Aldo : hey, look
Leo : She is beautiful
Aldo : That’s right

Indirect :
Aldo : hey, look
Leo : She is like a flower
Aldo : That’s right

The explanation is in In the dialogue between Aldo and Leo, Aldo said that
a beautiful girl was passing by and Leo directly praised the girl by saying directly
that "she is beautiful". But Aldo said that a beautiful girl was passing by and Leo
complimented the girl by implying that "she is like a flower".
It means that indirectly Aldo said that the girl is beautiful like a flower.
Intended meaning of the speakers is the speaker want to say that girl is
beautiful.

b. Declarative
Declarations/ Declarative are speech acts that the utterances effect immediate
changes in theinstitutional state of affairs and which tend to rely on elaborate exta-
linguisticinstitutions. These speech acts include excommunicating, declaring war,
christening, firing from employment.
Example :

The context is in an office, there is a conversation between the boss and

the employee who is about to be fired.
Direct :
Zul: what's wrong sir?
Irwan: You are fired!
 Indirect :
Zul: what's wrong sir?
Irwan: You don't have to work here anymore.

The explanation is In the dialogue, there was a conversation between the

boss named Irwan and the employee who was going to be fired named Zul. Irwan
immediately fired Zul by saying "you were fired" so that from Irwan's words, it
changed Zul's fate, Zul who originally worked in Irwan's office became
unemployed. But Irwan indirectly fired Zul by saying "You don't have to work
here anymore" which means that Irwan fired Zul, so from Irwan's words changing
Zul's fate, Zul, who originally worked at Irwan's office, became
Intended meaning of the speakers is the speaker Speaker fired the hearer.

c. Expressive
Expressives are speech acts that the utterances express a psychological
state. Thesespeech acts include thanking, apologizing, welcoming, and
congratulating.
1) complimenting
Example :

The context is In a cafe, there are 2 friends who haven't seen each
other for 30 years. In that cafe, they bring their own children.

Direct :
Mr. Budi: your son is so handsome.
Mr Eko: Thank you

Indirect :
Mr. Budi: you are still handsome, your son is like you.
Mr Eko: Thank you

The explanation is In the dialogue, In the dialogue it was seen that

Pak Budi immediately praised Pak Eko's son by saying that "your son is
very handsome" which made Pak Eko feel happy. But Mr. Budi indirectly
praised Mr. Eko's son by saying that "you are still handsome, your son is
like you." which means that Mr. Budi praises Pak Eko Handsome's son,
which makes Pak Eko feel happy.
Intended meaning of the speakers is the speaker compliment the
hearer’s son.

2) Apologizing
Example :
 The context is There are two classmates named Andi and Surly.
After school Andi goes to Surly's house to be taught about mathematics,
after being taught by Surly, Andi gets good marks on the test, and the next
day at noon after the test he thanks Surly.
Direct :
Nayla: sorry I broke your doll
Sasa : Never mind, buy it again later.

Indirect :
Nayla : How can I make up for it?
Sasa : You just buy it again later.

The explanation is In the dialogue, it appears that Nayla, tried to

apologize directly to her sister by saying "Sorry I broke your doll" But
Nayla, trying to apologize indirectly to her sister by saying "How can I
make up for it?" Which means she apologized by asking a way to make
amends for her mistakes.
Intended meaning of the speakers is The speakers wan’t to say
apologizing to the hearer.
3) Thanking
Example :

The context is There are two classmates named Andi and Surly.
After school Andi goes to Surly's house to be taught about mathematics,
after being taught by Surly, Andi gets good marks on the test, and the next
day at noon after the test he thanks Surly.
Direct :
Andi: Thank you for teaching math yesterday, so my test score was
good.
Surly: anytime, Andi

Indirect :
Andi: My test score is good, I'll treat you.
Surly: Good idea

The explanation is In the dialogue, Andi thanked Surly directly for

helping him learn mathematics so that Andi's test score was good by
saying "Thank you for teaching math yesterday, so my test score was
good." But Andi indirectly thanked Surly for helping him learn
mathematics so that Andi's test score was good by saying "My test score is
good, I'll treat you." which means Andi will treat Surly as a thank you to
Surly.
Intended meaning of the speakers is The speaker say thanks to the
hearer.
d. Directive
Directives area speech acts that speaker uses to get someone else to do
something.These speech acts include requesting, questioning, command, orders,
andsuggesting.
1) requesting
Example :

The context is After the war ends against the Ree tribe, captain
join to the wounded Fitzgerald and asked about his condition,
thendiscussing what to do next.

Direct :

Captain : What are you thinking ?

Fitzgerald : stop clashing with Ree tribe
Captain : So, make sure we’re ready to head out by dawn.

Indirect :
Captain : What are you thinking ?
Fitzgerald : I hope, I dont need another shoot.
Captain : So, make sure we’re ready to head out by dawn.

The explanation is In the dialogue beside which is stated by

Fitzgerald and captain, happened after a short clash with Ree tribe.
Fitzgerald said to the captain that he request directly to stop clashing with
Ree Tribe. But Fitzgerald said to the captain that he did not need another
shot. It showed by Fitzgerald’s bold utterance. The strategy used in his or
Fitzgerald’s utterance is an indirect speech act, because this utterance
known as directive types but the function of this utterance is request.
Fitzgerald stated something to captain, the utterance is not used to receive
a comment by captain but it is a request for captain to stop clashing with
Ree tribe.
Intended meaning of the speakers is Speaker want the hearer to
stop clashing with Ree Tribe

2) refusing
Example :

The context is after school sarah invites Leo to go watch a movie

Direct :
Sarah : Let’s go to the movie tonight
Leo : I can’t
 Indirect :
Sarah : Let’s go to the movie tonight
Leo : I have to study for an exam

The explanation is In the dialogue between Sarah and Leo, after

school Sarah invites Leo to go to watch a movie, but Leo rejects Sarah's
invitation directly by saying "I can’t it means Leo refuse directly Sarah’s
invitation. But Leo rejects Sarah's invitation indirectly by saying "I have
to study for the exam" it means Leo can't go to the film with Sarah because
she has to learn to exam, and wan’t to refuse sarah’s invitation.
Intended meaning of the speakers is Leo refuse Sarah’s
invitation, and wan’t Sarah to cancel that plan.
3) Critisizing
Example :

The context is On sunday sarah and leo are going on a date, and
when Leo picks up Sarah, he sees Sarah wearing revealing clothes.
Direct :
Sarah: let's go
Leo: change your clothes

Indirect :
Sarah: let's go
Leo: Your clothes are not polite

The explanation is In the dialogue Leo and Sarah will go on a date,

when Leo picks up Sarah he sees Sarah's clothes are rude and immediately
Leo criticizes Sarah's clothes by saying change your clothes. But indirectly
Leo criticizes Sarah's clothes by saying that Sarah's clothes are rude, which
means Leo wants Sarah to change her clothes.
Intended meaning of the speakers is Leo wan’t sarah to change her
clothes because unpolite.

e. Commisive
Commissives are speech acts that the utterances commit the speaker to
some future course of action, these include promising, threatening, offering,
refusal, pledges.

Example
1) Promising
Example :

The context is there are lovers named Sarah and Leo who are
having dinner at a restaurant.
 Direct :
Sarah: my ring is missing
Leo: Don't worry, I Promise give you a ring sometimes.
Sarah: Really?
Leo: yes dear

Indirect :
Sarah: my ring is missing
Leo: Don't worry, I'll buy you a ring sometimes.
Sarah: Really?
Leo: yes, honey

The explanation is In the dialogue it appears that Leo as Sarah's

lover promises directly that he will buy Sarah a ring because Sarah's ring
is missing by saying "I Promise give you a ring sometimes". But Leo as
Sarah's lover promises indirectly that he will buy Sarah a ring because
Sarah's ring is missing by saying "Sometimes I'll buy you a ring."
Intended meaning of the speakers is Speaker promise to hearer to
give the hearer a ring sometime.

2) Threating/Warning
Example :

The context is In a house in the evening, there are mothers and

children, where their children ask permission from their mothers to go to
the movies with their friends.
Direct :
Son: mom, I want to say something
mother: what is it dear?
Son: I want to go see the movie The Boss Baby with friends
mother: don't come home past 10 at night
son: okay mom

Indirect :
Son: mother, I want to say something
mother: what's up dear
Son: I want to watch the movie The Boss Baby with my friends
Mother: if it is past 10 o'clock there is no need to go home again.
son: okay mom.

The explanation is In the dialogue, it is shown that a mother

warned her child who asked permission to watch with her friends not to
come home late at night. The mother immediately said "don't come home
past 10 at night". But mother indirectly reminds her child who asked
permission to watch movies with her friends so they don't come home late
at night. The mother said "if it is past 10 o'clock there is no need to go
home again." which means the child must go home before 10 pm.
Intended meaning of the speakers is Speaker give warning to the
hearer to not go home after 10 p.m
 CHAPTER III

CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion
From the explanation, we can conclude that Indirect speech acts are
actions or utterance that have a mismatch between the type of sentence and the
intended meaning, where what the speaker says has an imprecise meaning or has
another meaning. After that, Using indirect words in everyday life will make us
humans look more polite when talking to other people, for example when we want to
ask something indirectly like "it's cold in here, do you feel cold too" where are we?
asking other people politely indirectly helps turn on the heating.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fyngky Oktadistio, M. A. (2018). An Analysis of Direct and Indirect Speech Acts Performed by Main
Character in The Movie Revenant Script. Journal of English Education and Teaching (JEET)
Vol.2.No.1, 59-85.

Hilbrink, M. C. (2014). Communicative act development. 1-25.

Kroeger, P. R. (2005). Analysing Grammar an Introduction. New York: Cambridge Universuty Press.

Lascarides, N. A. (2006). Indirect Speech Acts. 1-37.

Praditya, D. J. (2014). An Analysis of Speech Acts in The Conversation between Habibie and Ainun in
The Film Entitled Habibie and Ainun2012. e-Journal Program Pascasarjana Universitas
Pendidikan Ganesha Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Volume 2, 1-10.