Locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary Acts and the Polyfunctionality of Language in Drama

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between speech act theory and language in drama. The influence speech act theory has had on the understanding of the language phenomena is undeniable and considering the fact that its primary use has been in the field of pragmatics, this study’s main hypothesis is that speech act theory could be applied even on the language in literature, which could ultimately bridge the gap that exists in this field. This paper first discusses the main similarities and differences between language in drama and everyday language, then goes on to explain M. Pfister’s concept of the polyfunctionality of language in drama and J. L. Austine’s locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts. Finally the paper addresses the application of Austine’s speech act classification on all of the six functions mentioned by M. Pfister. By investigating the interrelation between the language in drama and everyday language, the study established that the key difference lies in the existence of two communication systems, inner and outer, which enabled deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. All six functions then led to show different capacities when it comes to being able to ‛perform’ or ‛include’ any of the speech acts. Referential, expressive and appellative function could almost immediately be linked to locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts, whereas phatic, poetic and metalinguistic function needed to occur in special circumstances to be able to do so. Both of the communication systems, inner and outer, also played a significant role in establishing the presence of the three speech acts, leading to one of the most notable examples of a play itself being a speech act in the case od Handkes Publikumsbeschimpfung.