Assertives

Definition

Assertives are a type of speech act that convey information or express beliefs about the world. They can be statements of fact or opinion and are used to assert a particular state of affairs, thus representing the speaker's view as true. Assertives play a critical role in communication by helping to share knowledge and clarify understanding between individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Assertives are characterized by their truth-value, meaning they can be evaluated as true or false based on their correspondence to reality.
2. Common examples of assertives include statements like 'It is raining' or 'The Earth revolves around the Sun.'
3. In everyday conversation, assertives help establish shared knowledge and common ground between speakers and listeners.
4. Assertives differ from other speech acts like directives, which aim to get the listener to do something, and commissives, where the speaker commits to a future action.
5. The context in which assertives are made can influence their interpretation, as factors like tone, body language, and situational context play a significant role.

Review Questions

• How do assertives function within the framework of Speech Act Theory?
  • In Speech Act Theory, assertives serve as a foundational category of speech acts that convey information or beliefs. They are distinct because they assert a proposition that can be assessed for its truth value. By understanding assertives in this context, we recognize their importance in effective communication, where conveying accurate information is essential for mutual understanding between speakers and listeners.
• Discuss how assertives differ from performative utterances and why this distinction matters.
  • Assertives and performative utterances serve different purposes in communication. While assertives aim to convey information that can be deemed true or false, performative utterances are actions that are executed through speaking, such as promising or apologizing. This distinction matters because it highlights how language functions not only to share knowledge but also to enact social interactions and relationships through different types of speech acts.
• Evaluate the role of context in determining the effectiveness of assertives in communication.
  • Context plays a crucial role in determining how assertives are understood and accepted in communication. Factors like cultural background, prior knowledge, and situational nuances can significantly impact whether an assertive is received as credible or trustworthy. Evaluating context allows speakers to adjust their assertives for clarity and persuasiveness, ensuring that their intended message aligns with the listener's expectations and understanding.

Related terms

Speech Act Theory: A framework for understanding how utterances function not just as statements but also as actions that can create effects in the world.

Performative Utterances: Statements that perform an action simply by being spoken, such as making promises or issuing commands.

Locutionary Act: The act of producing a meaningful utterance, which is the basic level of communication involving the words spoken.