Indirect Speech Acts
Indirect speech acts occur when a speaker's intention is not explicitly stated but is implied through their words. For example, saying "Can you pass the salt?" is not just a question about someone's ability; it is a request for them to pass the salt. This form of communication relies on context and shared understanding between the speaker and listener.
These acts often involve politeness and social norms, allowing speakers to convey requests, suggestions, or commands without sounding too direct. Indirect speech acts are common in everyday conversations and are studied in fields like linguistics and pragmatics to understand how meaning is constructed in communication.