Directives

Definition

Directives are specific types of speech acts that issue commands, requests, or instructions, aiming to influence the behavior of others. They play a significant role in performative aspects of language, as they demonstrate how language can not only convey information but also perform actions that guide or control actions in social interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Directives can take various forms, including requests, commands, advice, and invitations, each with its own nuances in how they are perceived by listeners.
2. The effectiveness of a directive often depends on factors such as politeness strategies, context, and the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
3. Directives are a key feature of speech act theory, which examines how people use language to perform actions rather than just convey information.
4. Different cultures may have distinct norms regarding how directives are issued and received, influencing communication dynamics.
5. Understanding directives is crucial for analyzing interactions in everyday communication, as they reveal underlying power dynamics and social relationships.

Review Questions

• How do directives function as speech acts in communication?
  • Directives function as speech acts by influencing the behavior of others through commands or requests. They move beyond mere communication of facts to actively shape social interactions. By issuing a directive, a speaker aims to elicit a response or action from the listener, highlighting the performative nature of language.
• Discuss how context and relationship dynamics affect the effectiveness of directives in conversation.
  • Context and relationship dynamics significantly affect the effectiveness of directives. For instance, a request made by a friend may be received differently than the same request made by a supervisor due to established power dynamics. Additionally, cultural norms regarding politeness can impact how a directive is interpreted and whether it is accepted or resisted.
• Evaluate the role of illocutionary force in understanding directives and their impact on social interactions.
  • Illocutionary force plays a crucial role in understanding directives because it reveals the speaker's intention behind an utterance. Evaluating this force helps clarify whether a directive is meant as a strong command or a polite suggestion. This understanding impacts social interactions by shaping how listeners respond, allowing us to analyze communication not just through words but through intentions and implications.

Related terms

speech acts: Communicative actions that convey meaning and perform functions such as stating, questioning, commanding, or promising within spoken or written language.

performative utterances:

Statements that do not merely describe a situation but instead act upon the world, changing the state of affairs by their very utterance.

illocutionary force: The intended meaning behind an utterance that reflects the speaker's intention, influencing how the listener interprets and responds to the directive.