Halyna D. Malyk Speech Acts and Events

(Voynich, Gadfly: 29)

2. 
   On the TV show “Hawaii 5-0” there is the following conversation:
   

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  I made a promise to someone; I promised to marry him.
  
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  Okay, a promise, but not a vow. You have the right to change your mind.
  

Explain this distinction between a promise and a vow in terms of their respective felicity conditions.

3. 
   It is often difficult to make a refusal. List as many refusal formulas (negative commissives) as you can.
   

4. 
   In breaking a promise in nonbusiness situations, we offer explanations and excuses. Would a negative commissive in business transactions be accompanied by explanations and excuses. Why? Why not?
   

5. 
   An instructor says to a student, “If you don’t hand in your paper on time I promise you I will give you a failing grade.” The utterance is obviously not a promise but a warning or a threat. Why is it possible to use the locution “I promise”?
   

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