Directives

Definition

Directives are a type of speech act that express a speaker's intention to get the listener to do something. They are often used in everyday communication to issue commands, requests, or suggestions, and can vary in politeness and strength depending on the context. Understanding directives is essential for analyzing how language functions in social interactions and how speakers negotiate power dynamics through their speech.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Directives can take various forms, such as requests, commands, invitations, or suggestions, reflecting the speaker's intention.
2. The strength of a directive can be influenced by factors like context, relationship between speaker and listener, and the level of urgency involved.
3. Indirect directives involve hinting or implying a request rather than stating it outright, allowing for greater politeness and social maneuvering.
4. Cultural differences play a significant role in how directives are perceived and enacted, with some cultures favoring directness while others prioritize subtlety.
5. The effectiveness of a directive often depends on how well it aligns with the listener's social norms and expectations regarding authority and deference.

Review Questions

• How do directives function as speech acts in everyday communication?
  • Directives function as speech acts by allowing speakers to convey their intentions to get listeners to perform certain actions. These can include making requests or giving commands, which are vital for navigating social interactions. The way directives are expressed can reflect the speaker's relationship with the listener and the context in which the interaction takes place, influencing the degree of politeness and urgency.
• What role does politeness theory play in the formulation of directives?
  • Politeness theory is crucial in understanding how directives are communicated because it highlights the strategies speakers use to mitigate potential face threats when issuing directives. For example, a speaker may choose to phrase a request in a softer manner or use indirect language to avoid imposing on the listener. This balancing act between asserting authority through directives and maintaining positive social relationships illustrates the complexity of human communication.
• Evaluate how cultural differences impact the interpretation and execution of directives in communication.
  • Cultural differences significantly impact how directives are understood and carried out. In cultures that emphasize direct communication, explicit commands may be more accepted and understood as straightforward requests. Conversely, in cultures that value indirectness and harmony, using subtle hints or polite phrasing is preferred. This variation affects not only how individuals issue directives but also how they perceive others' intentions, highlighting the importance of cultural context in effective communication.

Related terms

Speech Acts: Speech acts are utterances that perform actions rather than just conveying information, categorized into various types, including directives, assertives, commissives, expressives, and declarations.

Politeness Theory:

Politeness theory examines how speakers manage social relationships through language, including the strategies used to soften or mitigate directives to maintain harmony.

Implicature: Implicature refers to what is suggested in an utterance, even if it is not explicitly stated, which can often influence the interpretation of directives.