INTRODUCTION
Statement of the problem and rationale for the study
Language serves as a vital medium for expressing ideas, thoughts, and feelings through both written and spoken communication While spoken language tends to be less formal, learning it can be more complex due to the varying interpretations that arise from different contexts (Leech, 1983) Therefore, it is crucial for language learners to grasp utterances within specific circumstances Among the many branches of linguistics, the study of speech acts is particularly significant, as it helps individuals understand not only the literal meanings of words but also the intended messages behind them.
Speech acts are prevalent in conversations, particularly in reality shows, which provide a rich context for their analysis due to the authentic dialogues among participants This has led to extensive pragmatic studies focusing on reality show data Among the most notable examples is MasterChef US, a widely recognized culinary competition that welcomes amateur and home cooks Contestants showcase their culinary skills through various challenges judged by experts With 10 successful seasons and a total of 210 episodes aired, MasterChef US continues to captivate audiences, with the 11th season set to premiere in June.
This article analyzes the speech acts utilized by judges in Season 8 of MasterChef US The researcher aims to explore how these speech acts function within the show, while also examining the similarities and differences in their usage among the main judges.
2 way each main judge uses speech acts.
Aims of the study and research questions
This study aims to explore the employment of speech acts by the judges in
“MasterChef season 8” In order to achieve this aim, two objectives are set out to be:
- To identify the types of speech acts were employed by main judges in reality TV show “MasterChef season 8” and compare the way they used speech acts
- To identify the influences of context on the way judges performed speech acts
In order to fulfil these objectives, the research is conducted to answer the following research questions:
1 How were speech acts employed by judges in “MasterChef US season 8”?
2 How could the contextual factors affect the choice of the judges for speech acts?
Scope of the study
Theoretically, due to the limit of time, the study only focuses on speech act theories by Searle (1979) and Yule (2010)
In this qualitative study, the researcher focused on four specific episodes from the eighth season of the reality TV show "MasterChef," which consists of a total of 21 episodes, to align with the time and word constraints of an MA thesis.
Significance of the study
This research aims to provide significant benefits for the future, enhancing both the researcher’s and readers’ understanding of pragmatics, specifically in relation to speech acts The findings are anticipated to aid other researchers and language learners in deepening their comprehension of speech acts and the broader field of pragmatics.
Structure of the thesis
Overall, this paper is comprised of 5 chapters:
This part presents a statement of the problem and rationale for the study, aims of the study and research questions, scope, significance and structure of the study
Chapter 2: Literature review and theoretical background
This article reviews prior research and theoretical frameworks related to pragmatics and speech acts, focusing on various types of speech acts, their execution, and the contextual factors influencing them It also discusses key theories, including those proposed by Searle and Yule, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
In this chapter, the research methods applied will be clearly explained
This chapter answers the research questions with data analysis
The summary of the main points discussed as well as suggestions for further research are provided in this last chapter
LITERATURE REVIEW & THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Theoretical background
Studying language is fundamentally linked to two key branches of language science: semantics and pragmatics Semantics examines meaning as a dyadic relationship, focusing on the inherent meanings of words and phrases In contrast, pragmatics explores meaning as a triadic relationship, considering the context and the interactions between speakers and listeners.
Pragmatics is the study of the relationship between linguistic forms and their users, focusing on speaker meaning, contextual meaning, and the nuances of communication that extend beyond the spoken words It examines how context influences interpretation and how listeners infer intended meanings, recognizing the significance of what remains unsaid According to Leech (1983), pragmatics relates meaning to speech act situations, while Crystal (1997) emphasizes the impact of language choices in social interactions Stalnaker (in Searle et al., 1980) highlights two key challenges in pragmatics: defining types of speech acts and understanding the contextual features that shape meaning.
Pragmatics is defined as the exploration of speaker meaning, contextual significance, and the nuances of communication that extend beyond mere words It examines how language is utilized in various contexts, focusing on the implied meanings and the expression of relative distance in communication.
5 and how language is integrated in the context of communication itself
Pragmatics differs from semantics by focusing on the relationships between linguistic forms and their users, exploring how meaning is shaped by contextual factors such as the physical situation, general knowledge, and the speaker's intentions This field allows for an examination of intended meanings, assumptions, purposes, and the various actions—like requests or apologies—that individuals perform in communication However, the challenge lies in the complexity of analyzing these inherently human concepts in a consistent and objective manner While pragmatics offers valuable insights into how people interpret language, it can also be a frustrating area of study due to the intricacies involved in understanding human thought and intention.
Pragmatics, as defined by Cutting (2002), examines the meaning of communication within specific contexts, emphasizing that the interpretation of a sentence is influenced by the circumstances of time and place, as well as the assumptions of both the speaker and the listener Yule (1996) describes speech acts as utterances that perform actions by either the speaker or the hearer Furthermore, Austin (1955) identifies speech acts as encompassing both propositional statements and the overall context of the utterances Various classifications of speech acts will be explored in the following section.
The concept of speech acts is a fundamental idea in pragmatics, emphasizing that utterances serve as more than just carriers of meaning; they actively perform actions Introduced by philosopher J L Austin in his 1962 book, "How to Do Things with Words," which is based on his 1955 lectures, the notion has significantly shaped our understanding of language use.
John R Searle Austin (1962) defines speech act as what actions we perform when we produce utterance
Speech acts, as defined by Yule (1996), refer to the actions performed through utterances by both speakers and listeners Searle (1980) further emphasizes that the fundamental unit of human communication is not merely a sentence, but the execution of various acts, including stating, questioning, ordering, describing, explaining, apologizing, thanking, and congratulating This perspective highlights the importance of understanding language as a means of performing specific communicative actions.
From the definition above, we can conclude that a speech act is a statement that contains functional action in communications considering the situational aspects
In 1989, Austin identified three fundamental senses in which utterances convey actions, categorizing them into three simultaneous acts: the locutionary act, which refers to the actual utterance; the illocutionary act, which encompasses the intended meaning behind the statement; and the perlocutionary act, which pertains to the effects or responses generated by the utterance.
A locutionary act refers to the act of expressing the literal meaning of utterances, as described by Peccei (1999), who emphasizes that it involves the specific words used by speakers and their semantic meaning Essentially, a locutionary act is when a speaker produces a meaningful linguistic expression For example, when someone states, "you can't do that," this represents a straightforward act of communication, where the utterance itself is the locution, as noted by Levinson (1983).
An illocutionary act refers to the intended meaning behind a speaker's words, encompassing actions such as commanding, offering, promising, threatening, and thanking (Peccei, 1999:44) This concept highlights the underlying force of an utterance, which is interpreted by the listener According to Yule (1996:48), each utterance we create carries a specific intention that shapes communication.
Every utterance we produce serves a dual purpose, as it conveys a message while simultaneously performing an additional act This concept highlights the illocutionary act or force, which reflects the speaker's intention behind their words For instance, when someone makes a statement, they are not only sharing information but also expressing a specific intention or desire through that utterance.
“you can’t do that” has the illocutionary force of protesting something that the hearer may have done if it was said by someone in appropriate circumstances (Levinson, 1983:237)
Austin (1989) identifies perlocution as the third component of speech acts, which refers to the effects of an utterance on the listener, shaped by the linguistic expression used (Peccei, 1999:44) This effect may align with the speaker's intentions or not, as it arises from the locution Essentially, a perlocutionary act reflects how the listener responds to the speaker's statement For instance, the utterance "you can't do that" can lead to various perlocutionary effects, such as prompting the listener to reconsider their actions, gaining clarity, or even causing annoyance, depending on the listener's reaction (Levinson, 1983:237).
2.1.2.3 Speech Act Classification by Searle (1979)
According to Searle (1979), as referenced in Trosborg (1995:14), speech acts serve five key functions, known as illocutionary acts These functions include representatives, commissives, directives, declarations, and expressives, each of which plays a distinct role in communication.
Representatives are speech acts that express the speaker's beliefs about reality, as noted by Yule (1996) According to Mey (2001), these assertions reflect states of affairs in the world and are classified as assertives by Leech (1983) They possess a truth value, meaning they can be deemed true or false based on their alignment with reality Examples of representatives include factual statements, assertions, conclusions, and descriptions For instance, the statement "The earth is flat" illustrates a representative as it conveys the speaker's perception of the world.
In this example of a representative speech act, the speaker asserts a belief that the earth is flat, presenting it as a fact This type of speech act emphasizes the alignment of words with the speaker's perception of reality, illustrating how statements can reflect personal beliefs.
METHODOLOGY
A brief introduction of “MasterChef US season 8”
"MasterChef US" is a popular competitive cooking reality show that originated from the UK version created by Franc Roddam in 1990 Open to amateur and home chefs, it celebrates culinary talent and provides contestants with the chance to enhance their cooking skills under the guidance of industry experts Launched in 2010 with support from Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, "MasterChef US" has since aired 10 seasons globally, establishing itself as one of the most-watched cooking shows in the world.
Season 8 of “MasterChef US'' premiered on Fox TV Network in 2017 This season has 21 episodes, each lasting about 40 minutes Like other seasons, competition in “MasterChef US season 8” took place in the MasterChef soundstage located in Los Angeles, CA which includes a large kitchen area with several cooking stations which is overlooked by a balcony, a well-stocked pantry, a freezer area and a seating dining area room used for certain challenges Those challenges are a skills test, mystery box, elimination test, team challenge, and pressure test Each episode in the MasterChef series contains 6 basic stages which fulfil different functions:
Stage B: Instruction- Judges draw up the rules and guide contestants before each challenge
Stage C: Contest- Contestants take on cooking challenges and culinary judges observe their processes
Stage D: Assessment – Contestants receive comments from judges
Stage E: Discussion- Judges discuss together the candidates’ performance and cooking-related things
Stage F: Announcement- Judges declare the winner and the eliminated candidates
In the final stage of the competition, the last two contestants face off in an exciting three-course cook-off Each dish is meticulously judged, culminating in the crowning of an overall champion The winner of this season receives a prestigious title and exciting rewards.
In "MasterChef Season 8," contestants compete for a grand prize of $250,000, a coveted MasterChef trophy, and the prestigious title of Master Chef The season features renowned judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi, with Aaron Sanchez joining as a third judge Notably, guest appearances by Shaun O'Neale and Joe Bastianich occur in episodes 10, 20, and 21, adding excitement to the competition.
“MasterChef season 8” is centered around a common environment so its language is quite simple to understand.
Data collection
Data for this analysis is derived from the reality show "MasterChef US Season 8," specifically focusing on four selected episodes.
The videos chosen span from episode 10 to the series finale, with episode 10 being significant as it introduced the first guest This selection suggests a diversity of languages used throughout the episodes, indicating that the speech acts of the judges may vary significantly.
In the Grand Finale, the analysis will focus solely on the speech acts of the three main judges: Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and Aaron Sanchez, despite Joe Bastianich's participation as a guest judge.
In total, there are 4 steps in collecting the data as follows
Step 1: All data from the 4 chosen episodes of the Master Chef Reality Show on www.youtube.com and https://www.dailymotion.com/vn and the transcript of the reality show on https://subscene.com were taken
Step 2: Those videos were watched carefully several times to make sure the transcripts and the actual utterances are coherent and also to understand the context of each utterance
Step 3: The transcripts were revised based on the actual utterances
Step 4: The utterances made by the 3 judges were retrieved for analysis
Data analysis
This research employed both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods The quantitative analysis focused on assessing the frequency and distribution of various speech acts utilized by each character, while the qualitative analysis aimed to elucidate the similarities and differences in speech act usage among the three main judges across different stages of the episodes.
In this paper, the specific procedure applied is described as follows:
Step 1: The researcher classifies 5 types of speech acts based on the theoretical framework which was based on Searl’s (1979) theory and the direct-indirect classification of Yule (2010) (presented in 3.4)
Step 2: Group the speech acts according to the categories in the analytical framework and calculate them in numbers and percentages
Step 3: The quantitative data will be compared and analyzed to draw conclusions on differences and similarities in the way each judge generates speech acts in different stages of the episodes, and the effect of contextual factors on their choices as well
The writer organizes the analysis results according to the research question, utilizing tables to summarize the data effectively, making it easier for readers to comprehend the findings.
Analytical framework
This study combines Searl’s (1979) classifications of speech act and Yule’s
In the 2010 analytical framework, a direct-indirect classification is utilized to enhance understanding of pragmatic studies This framework incorporates all contextual features essential for explaining the functioning of the act, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the context involved.
The research focuses on speech acts from MasterChef US Season 8, utilizing Searle’s (1979) theory and Yule’s (2010) classification to create an analytical framework This framework is divided into two main parts: the classification of speech acts and the methods of performing them The study identifies five types of speech acts—representatives, commissives, directives, declarations, and expressives—along with two performance methods: direct and indirect speech acts Additionally, the research considers the context of speech acts, taking into account the situations and relationships between speakers and hearers.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Findings
This section outlines the study's findings, focusing on the analysis of speech acts by Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and Aaron Sanchez, who serve as the main judges on a popular reality TV show.
“MasterChef US season 8” and a comparison of these 3 judges in term of how they employed the speech acts in different situations
4.1.1 Speech acts employed by judges based on specific stages of the episode
In the following table, the sentences found in the script of 4 episodes of reality TV show “MasterChef US season 8” are analyzed and segmented into the types of speech acts
Table 4.1 The total amount usage of speech acts
Table 4.1 reveals a significant variation in the frequency of speech acts across five categories Notably, Representatives, Directives, and Expressives dominate the utterances, while smaller proportions are allocated to the remaining categories.
In the analysis of speech acts, representative speech acts are the most prevalent, occurring 532 times, followed closely by directives at 414 times Expressive speech acts rank third with 398 occurrences, while commissive and declarative speech acts are significantly less common, with 42 and 11 instances, respectively.
In the analysis of four episodes from "MasterChef US Season 8," which average 40 minutes each, a total of approximately 160 minutes of content was examined Throughout these episodes, judges made 1,397 distinct utterances, highlighting their speech acts across six stages of the competition.
Table 4.2 Speech acts by judges in episode 10
Representatives Commissives Directives Declarations Expressives
Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect
In episode 10, Table 4.2 illustrates that judges predominantly utilize directives, making them the most frequent speech act In contrast, declarative and commissive speech acts are used the least, with only 3 and 9 occurrences, respectively.
In the analyzed episode, judges exhibited varied speech act choices across different stages Gordon Ramsay uniquely led stage A, primarily utilizing direct expressives with nine instances Stages B and E saw representatives being the most frequently employed speech acts, with Aaron Sanchez and Gordon Ramsay contributing ten and seven utterances, respectively, all delivered directly During stage C, while observing the contestants' cooking, judges favored directive utterances, again opting for a direct communication style.
In stage D, expressive speech acts were predominantly utilized, with Gordon, Christina, and Aaron contributing 41, 26, and 15 utterances, respectively Notably, Aaron employed direct expressives, while Gordon and Christina used a mix of direct and indirect expressions The discussions among judges primarily featured direct representative speech acts In the final stage, Aaron refrained from speaking, allowing Gordon and Christina to make significant announcements through declarations In contrast, stage F revealed that declarative speech acts were not the most prevalent, as Gordon favored expressives and Christina leaned towards representatives Overall, judges in episode 10 showed a strong preference for direct speech acts over indirect ones.
Table 4.3 Speech acts by judges in episode 15
Representatives Commissives Directives Declarations Expressives
Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect
In episode 15, representatives emerged as the most frequently used speech acts, while declarations and commissives remained the least utilized, as shown in table 4.3 Each main judge employed a variety of speech acts throughout the stages, with expressive acts being predominant in stage A, particularly by Gordon Ramsay, who used them four times In contrast to Gordon and Christina, Aaron utilized both direct and indirect speech acts in this stage Gordon Ramsay exhibited a strict and hot-tempered demeanor, favoring directives over other speech acts in stages B and D, where he issued 23 directives per stage Conversely, Christina Tosi and Aaron Sanchez leaned towards representatives Notably, in stage C, Aaron deviated from the trend set by Gordon and Christina by favoring direct speech acts over directives, which were otherwise prevalent in the previous stages.
In the discussion stage (Stage E) of the episode, representative speech acts were predominantly utilized, with Aaron Sanchez being the sole judge to execute this act directly Notably, Christina Tosi refrained from making any declarations, while Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sanchez employed direct and indirect declarations once each.
Table 4.4 Speech acts by judges in the grand finale
Representatives Commissives Directives Declarations Expressives
Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect
Table 4.4 presents the speech act usage of judges during the grand finale of "MasterChef US Season 8," specifically in episodes 20 and 21 Notably, there is a consistent pattern observed from episode 15 to the finale, highlighting a predominant use of representatives, while commissives and declarations were utilized less frequently In particular, representatives were the most commonly employed speech act throughout this stage.
A, B, and E with the highest choice belonging to Gordon Ramsay In addition, three
In a study of speech acts performed by 25 main judges, it was found that directive speech acts were predominantly executed in stage C, with Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and Aaron Sanchez contributing 47, 22, and 13 utterances, respectively Notably, while both Ramsay and Tosi employed indirect speech acts three times, Sanchez did not use any Expressive speech acts were favored in the comment section, with Tosi leading at 55 instances In stage D, the judges showcased diverse speech act performances, with Ramsay primarily making declarations about the winner of "MasterChef US season 8," though he produced a higher number of representatives than declarations in this final stage.
In summary, an analysis of six stages across four selected episodes reveals a significant variation in the distribution of speech acts, with representatives being the most prevalent, followed by commissives and declarations Each stage demonstrates distinct dominant speech acts: expressives in stages A and E, representatives in stages B, E, and F, and directives in stage C Among the judges on the US version of MasterChef, Gordon Ramsay contributed the highest number of utterances, followed by Christina Tosi in second place and Aaron Sanchez in third Furthermore, the data highlights the patterns of directness and indirectness utilized by the three main judges.
In "MasterChef US Season 8," the judges predominantly utilized direct speech acts, with Christina Tosi favoring more indirect approaches compared to her counterparts Conversely, Aaron Sanchez employed very few indirect speech acts Notably, Gordon Ramsay emerged as the strictest judge, consistently delivering the highest number of directives throughout the cooking competition.
4.1.2 Speech acts employment in relation to the addressees of the acts
4.1.2.1 Speech acts by judges in conversations with people in the show
In "MasterChef US Season 8," the total use of speech acts by Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and Aaron Sanchez is detailed in Tables 4.5, 4.6, and 4.7, showcasing their distinct communication styles and interactions with contestants.
Table 4.5 The result of using speech acts by Gordon Ramsay
Speech acts/ Hearers Candidates Co- judges Guests Audiences
Total speech acts per hearer (726) 578 94 28 26
Table 4.6 The result of using speech acts by Christina Tosi
Speech acts/ Hearers Candidates Co- judges Guests Audiences
Total speech acts per hearer
Table 4.7 The result of using speech acts by Aaron Sanchez
Speech acts/ Hearers Candidates Co-judges Guests Audiences
Total speech acts per hearer (243) 195 39 1 8
Analysis of the data reveals that the three main judges, Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and Aaron Sanchez, engaged significantly with the candidates, contributing 578 out of 726, 335 out of 428, and 195 out of 243 utterances, respectively While Ramsay and Tosi predominantly employed directive speech acts in their interactions, Sanchez favored representative speech acts Notably, declarations were exclusively used by the judges during announcements to the candidates.
Discussion
In this section, the gathered data are significant in answering the research questions that direct this paper with detailed explanations using several related theories which are discussed in Chapter 2
4.2.1 How were speech acts employed by judges in “MasterChef US season 8”? 4.2.1.1 The types of speech acts used by judges in “MasterChef US season 8”
In the selected episodes of "MasterChef US Season 8," judges utilize various speech act classifications, including representatives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations These speech acts are conveyed through both direct and indirect communication methods, highlighting the judges' diverse approaches to interaction.
Representatives are statements of utterance that commit a speaker to the truth of an expressed proposition For example:
Yachecia, she is more adventurous tonight than ever before
The shrimp, slightly overcooked, rubbery, and a little bit chewy
3 Christina Tosi The look on your face when Shaun walked into the kitchen, priceless
4 Christina Tosi Winner of this mystery box gets a huge advantage
5 Aaron Sanchez Maybe you're challenging Dino Suspecting
6 Aaron Sanchez Halfway done, guys Stating
In utterances (1) and (3), the speakers acknowledge the verifiable condition of the candidate, which can be substantiated by others In utterance (2), the speaker conveys a fact about the shrimp that the hearer can accept Utterances (4) and (6) provide the hearer, or candidates, with crucial information regarding the competition, including advantages and timing Lastly, in utterance (5), the speaker expresses suspicion that the hearer may be challenging the candidate, a notion that the hearer can also recognize.
In commissives, speakers express their commitment to future actions, effectively announcing their intentions The dialogues from the 8th season of the show illustrate the practical application of commissive speech acts, showcasing how characters convey their plans and promises through specific utterances.
1 Gordon Ramsay: Describe the dish, please
Reba: It is a coconut battered shrimp with coconut flavored asparagus and a coconut sauce
Gordon Ramsay: I’m gonna have to be honest
Gordon Ramsay: It looks dreadful
2 Christina Tosi: Now onto the bad news
This is an elimination challenge We do have to say good- bye to at least one home cook to night
3 Aaron Sanchez: All right, Dino, so let's get real here I'm gonna cut right through the middle of this Planning
In the culinary world, notable figures like Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sanchez exemplify the use of the word "gonna" to convey their intentions Ramsay's unexpected comments on Reba's dish highlight his candid critique style, while Sanchez's commitment to his planned tasting method showcases his precision in cooking Additionally, Christina Tosi's announcement of the elimination of one home cook, prefaced by the phrase "on to the bad news," illustrates how commissive speech acts effectively communicate future actions and decisions in competitive cooking environments.
Directives refer to speech acts where the speaker aims to prompt the listener to take action These acts can include asking, advising, commanding, or inviting In Season 8 of the MasterChef series, various directive acts are illustrated through specific utterances that showcase these communicative functions.
1 Gordon Ramsay : Confident you can win this?
2 Christina Tosi: So, what are you making Questioning
Shaun O’neal : I'm doing a herb ravioli
The 2 first examples are the utterances of Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi when observing Dino and Shaun’s cooking “Confident you can win this?” functions as the directive act that Gordon Ramsay used to confirm Dino’s confidence and “So, what are you making tonight?” was raised by Christina Tosi to request Shaun’ presentation of the dish he is making
3 Gordon Ramsay: We are down to five minutes remaining
Christina Tosi: Come on, guys
The judges issued directive commands such as "Come on, guys," "Come on," and "Taste everything" to encourage the candidates to expedite their cooking, tasting, and decorating tasks before the time limit expired.
In the 10th episode of "MasterChef US Season 8," judges Christina Tosi and Gordon Ramsay utilize declarative speech acts to influence the competition Christina Tosi announced the final decision, recognizing two contestants for their outstanding performance while also declaring two candidates safe from elimination.
Christia Tosi: There were two standout dishes tonight Congratulations,
Daniel and Dino: Thank you, chef
Christina Tosi: Now onto the bad news This is an elimination challenge We do have to say good-bye to at least one home cook tonight Caitlin, Jeff, Reba,
Newton, make no mistake Every single one of you performed poorly tonight Caitlin, Newton, get back to your stations and get back in line
Gordon Ramsay declared the person being eliminated from the competition in episode 10 and the winner of Masterchef US season 8 in the last episode:
Gordon Ramsay: The home cook leaving tonight is… Reba Reba, my darling, I’m so sorry
To execute a declaration act effectively, a speaker must hold a specific position within a given context, as noted by Yule (1996) This principle applies to Christina Tosi and Gordon Ramsay, who, as main judges on MasterChef, were well-positioned to announce the judges' significant decisions.
Expressives are speech acts that express some sort of psychological state It can be a statement of greeting, thanking, apologising, complaining, congratulating, complementing, liking etc For example:
1 Gordon Ramsay Welcome back to the MasterChef kitchen Greeting
2 Gordon Ramsay Thank you Thanking
3 Gordon Ramsay It’s look dreadful Complaining
5 Aaron Sanchez Really remarkable cooking Complimenting
6 Christina Tosi I’m impressed Nice job Complimenting
7 Aaron Sanchez I just love the creaminess of the mascarpone
8 Gordon Ramsay Wow, what a night! Liking
Gordon Ramsay warmly welcomes Shaun O’Neal, last season's MasterChef winner, with a heartfelt "thank you," a common expression of gratitude judges use upon receiving dishes from contestants However, he contrasts this with a critical remark about Reba's dish, stating, "It looks dreadful," highlighting his candid approach to feedback in the kitchen.
In her heartfelt congratulations, Christina Tosi conveyed her joy for the competition's winner The judges' praises for the contestants' exceptional cooking skills highlight their appreciation for the culinary talent displayed The final examples illustrate expressive speech acts, reflecting the judges' admiration for the dishes and their enjoyment of the grand finale evening.
In this study, the analysis reveals that judges predominantly employed representative speech acts, demonstrating their commitment to the truthfulness or falsity of statements, with 532 instances out of 1,397 utterances This finding aligns with the research conducted by Siti and Muhammad (2018).
“Speech acts analysis of Donal Trump’ speech” and Ingles’ (2016) entitled
In Philippine television commercials, the use of speech acts is notably influenced by the dynamics of cooking game shows, where judges evaluate contestants' culinary skills These judges frequently employ descriptive and informative statements such as “It's got the spice, it's got the sweetness from the honey,” and “He quickly became a force to be reckoned with in this competition.” Additionally, expressives and directives are prevalent, reflecting the judges' roles in guiding and assessing the competition This blend of speech acts enhances the narrative and engages the audience effectively.
In culinary competitions, judges often express their opinions and preferences about contestants' dishes, which is why expressive speech acts are prevalent However, representatives remain the dominant speech act type to maintain fairness and objectivity Additionally, judges frequently employ directives to inquire about specific aspects and to command or request actions from the contestants.
In "MasterChef US Season 8," directive speech acts were frequently employed to encourage contestants to engage actively in cooking tasks and heed the judges' advice Conversely, declarations were rarely used, as they could alter the game's reality; judges only utilized this speech act when eliminating contestants or making appointments.
4.2.1.2 How the judges performed the speech acts
Direct vs indirect uses of speech acts
CONCLUSIONS
Recapitulation
Speech acts, a key focus of pragmatics, refer to statements that perform functional actions within communication, taking into account the situational context This research provides valuable insights into speech acts and analyzes their use by judges in the TV reality show "MasterChef US Season 8." The following sections of the study delve into various aspects of these speech acts.
The introduction outlines the current state of knowledge and the rationale behind the study, highlighting the necessity for a defined scope It emphasizes the significance of the research and provides a clear structure for the study, setting the stage for the subsequent analysis.
Chapter 2 provided the review of previous studies and theoretical background of the study including pragmatics, speech acts, types of speech acts, way performing speech acts, context, Searl’s (1979) theory and Yule’s (2010) theory
Chapter 3 explained the research method applied in the study in detail The data collection, data analysis, and an analytical framework which is a combination between Searl’s (1979) theory and Yule’s (2010) classification, were described
Chapter 4 answered the research questions with data analysis
The answers to the research questions can be briefed as below:
How were speech acts employed by judges in “MasterChef US season 8”?
In "MasterChef US Season 8," various types of speech acts can be identified according to Searle's taxonomy These include representatives, which convey truthful statements, and directives, which aim to prompt the addressee to take specific actions.
In a study of speech acts used by judges on a cooking competition TV show, three main types were identified: commissives, expressives, and declaratives Among these, representatives were most frequently used, accounting for 532 out of 1,397 total utterances Judges tended to favor direct speech acts over indirect ones Gordon Ramsay led in both total utterances and directives, while Christina Tosi, the only female judge in "MasterChef US Season 8," demonstrated a preference for indirect speech acts In contrast, Aaron Sanchez not only had the fewest total utterances but also exhibited a minimal use of indirect speech acts.
How could the contextual factors affect the choice of the judges for speech acts?
The contextual factors, including the speech situations and the relationships between speakers and listeners, significantly influenced judges' choices of speech acts In different stages of the competition, the distribution of speech acts varied; expressives were favored during greetings, introductions, and comments, while representatives were predominantly used in instructions, discussions, and announcements Additionally, judges primarily employed directives when observing contestants' cooking challenges Furthermore, the judges' selection of speech acts varied based on their interactions with different hearers.
Implications
At the end of this study, the researcher proposes some suggestions for the language learners, and for further research
The researcher wishes that study about speech acts may help learners to reduce misunderstanding when they make the conversations with foreigners and
Many learners aspire to comprehend the dialogue in English movies and TV shows, enhancing their understanding of the actors' intentions Additionally, they aim to effectively utilize speech acts in various contexts, particularly within the classroom setting.
The TV reality show "MasterChef US Season 8" serves as an effective teaching resource in language classrooms, allowing teachers to enhance students' speaking skills by utilizing conversations from the show as models Additionally, the authentic language presented in TV shows can be leveraged to create listening tasks, particularly inference questions that draw on knowledge of speech acts This approach helps learners deepen their understanding by interpreting language within specific contexts.
Limitations
The study on "MasterChef Season 8" acknowledges several limitations, primarily due to the extensive length of each episode's script, which resulted in the analysis of only 4 out of 21 episodes, thereby constraining the findings Additionally, the research could not adequately address gender differences in speech acts due to the unequal number of male and female judges participating in the show.
Suggestions for further study
Future researchers studying speech acts can explore various sources, including movies, daily conversations, and comedy or drama, to gather diverse data It is anticipated that subsequent studies will expand on this research, as the current analysis is limited in scope Furthermore, there is hope that future investigations will encompass a wider range of linguistic fields.
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In her 2016 study, Citra analyzes speech acts in Season 7 of MasterChef U.S., highlighting the communication dynamics among contestants and judges Similarly, Nguyen (2019) examines the emotional aspects of expressive speech acts by judges in The Voice UK compared to The Voice Vietnam, showcasing the cultural differences in feedback and interaction Both studies contribute to the understanding of how speech acts function in competitive reality television, emphasizing the significance of verbal communication in shaping participant experiences.
Widowati (2012) Pragmatic Analysis of Speech Act of Commands by the Main
Character in the Film Elizabeth: the Golden Age
Denise, S N (2016) An Analysis of compound words on culinary terms in
Ngoan, N & (2018) Speech act types in conversations in the “New interchange” series VNU Journal Of Foreign Studies
B.Ingles, M (2018) Speech acts in Philippine Television commercials Don Bosco
Nura Siti, M & (2018) Speech acts analysis of Donal Trump’ speech project
(professional journal of english education), Vol.1 No.2
Sakura’s, T & (2015) Speech Act in an Indonesian talk show (Content analysis research in Mata Najwa talk show at Metro TV) International Journal of Language Education and Culture Review, Vol.1 (2), 35-44
MasterChef US TV series https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MasterChef_(American_TV_series)
Reality Television https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television
Episode 10: The MasterChef Returns https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wiflh
Episode 15: The Great Outdoors https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5z3j8y
Episode 20: The Finale, Pt.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikfncG75908&list=LL&index=7 Episode 21: The Finale, Pt.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEqPJwu1lzg&list=LL&index=6
No Utterance Speech act type Direct/Indirect Hearer
1 Welcome back, everybody Expressives Direct Candidate
Tonight, we have an incredible chef joining us in the
4 So exciting Expressives Direct Christina
5 Tell me about the dish Directives Direct Guest
6 What what is that Expressives Indirect Candidate
7 90 seconds remaining Directives Indirect Candidate
8 What would I change? Commissives Indirect Candidate
I'm sick to death of the word
"deconstructed" because it's just a word to cover up the actual mess
Reba, you're the mother of this kitchen and you've worked so hard for everything you've got,
The home cook leaving tonight…is Reba Declaratives Direct Candidate
Jeff, back to your station, quickly Directives Direct Candidate
The challenges were more difficult than ever before Representatives Direct Candidate
Your MasterChef dreams are truly on the line tonight Representatives Direct Candidate
Smarten up and treat these dishes as your best dishes you've ever cooked
The level of talent set the bar higher than ever before Representatives Direct Candidate
17 It's breath-taking Expressives Direct Candidate
18 - It's beautiful Expressives Direct Candidate
19 Your dish is delicious Expressives Direct Candidate
20 Let's get that right Directives Direct Candidate
You just cooked like a chef's dream Expressives Direct Candidate
Our final home cook battling for the win tonight is Dino…
What's it been like over the last three or four months without this one at home?
Tonight, we have three home cooks entering the grand finale Representatives Direct Candidate
25 Be very afraid Directives Direct Candidate
Then it's set, but let me tell you something Commissives Direct All judges
27 I'm gonna have to be honest Commissives Direct Candidate
Now, Joe Bastianich runs an empire that includes over 30 restaurants
Joe, as always, it' s so good to see you Expressives Direct Joe
30 Have you missed me? Directives Direct Joe
31 Wow, I can't believe it Expressives Direct All judges
One of you is about to walk away… with a check for a quarter of a million dollars
Now, are you all ready for the most important cook of your lives?
34 Come on, speed up, guys Directives Direct Candidate
35 Hands in the air! Directives Direct Candidate
36 Well done! Expressives Direct Candidate
All three of you, bring those incredible appetizers round to the front
38 How long did you cook it for? Directives Direct Candidate
Dino…I want to dive for more Expressives Indirect Candidate
40 He's running behind Representatives Direct All judges
You know, that's the hero, right? Expressives Indirect Candidate
This guy cooks from the heart, and it means so much to him Representatives Direct All judges
43 Do we all agree? Directives Direct All judges
44 Let's go and tell them Directives Direct All judges
Dino, Eboni, and Jason, your journey has been a long, incredible, exciting road
Your amateur days are long gone Representatives Direct Candidate
So, do us a big favour and swap places with us because you deserve to be standing here
One of you is about to walk away… with a check for a quarter of a million dollars
America's next MasterChef is…Dino! Ladies and gentlemen,
50 Wow, what a night Expressives Direct Audience
No Utterance Speech act type Direct/Indirect Hearer
51 We're looking for six perfect cannoli Representatives Direct Candidates
52 You really are upping your game Expressives Direct Candidates
53 Come on down, guys! Directives Direct Candidates
54 All right, guys it's time for your next mystery box challenge Representatives Direct Candidates
Now, are you ready to find out what's under Shaun's mystery box?
56 Shaun, you won three mystery boxes yourself Representatives Direct Guest
57 Why don't you do the honors? Directives Direct Guest
58 Remember to use those ingredients wisely tonight Directives Direct Candidates
Guys, how incredible is it to have Shaun back in the
60 Taste, taste, taste Directives Direct Candidates
61 Guys, you want this advantage
Make those dishes shine Directives Direct Candidates
62 Push, guys! Directives Direct Candidates
63 Hands in the air! Directives Direct Candidates
64 Unbelievable, Shaun Expressives Direct Guest
65 We do have to say good-bye to at least one home cook tonight Representatives Direct Candidates
66 Caitlin, Jeff, Reba, Newton, make no mistake Representatives Direct Candidates
Caitlin, Newton, get back to your stations and get back in line
68 I think it's a beautiful, beautiful dish Expressives Direct Candidates
All right, guys, so, Dino the one thing I have to say about
Dino that I'm incredibly worried about is the cook on his lamb belly
70 That sweet potato mash, I'm digging it big time Expressives Indirect Candidates
71 It's rich, it has a little bit of cinnamon to it Expressives Direct Candidates
Aside from the cook on the duck breast, everything else on this plate is incredibly delicious
73 Those cracklins? Directives Direct Candidates
All right, Jason, Eboni, Dino, please head back into the kitchen and get ready to cook for the very last time
75 It's incredible Expressives Direct Candidates
76 It's perfectly baked Expressives Direct Candidates
That macadamia crumble, you should just make and jar and sell
It's not easy to make squid ink pasta to cook it properly, to make a beautiful clam squid ragout
79 He nailed every single element of it Representatives Direct All judges
I gotta say I loved Dino's appetizer and entree, but I really didn't love the execution of his dessert
81 So tell me the dish, Cate Directives Direct Candidates
Alright Mrs Caitlin, What're you making tonight?
Have you cooked venison tenderloin before
Wow us and wow Shaun 'cause he's judging your dish, too
But from a flavor standpoint, the prawn was delicious
86 It's steamed perfectly Expressives Direct Candidates
87 There are a few small holes Representatives Direct Candidates
88 And finally, Jason Directives Indirect Candidates
You know, Jason, visually, you never cease to amaze me
90 It's a work of art Expressives Direct Candidates
91 Jason, it's gorgeous Expressives Direct Candidates
92 It's elegant Expressives Direct Candidates
93 It's full of technique Expressives Direct Candidates
94 But I agree with Gordon Representatives Direct Candidates
I think what actually makes this dessert so special is actually the chocolate yuzu mousse
96 Keep on it Directives Direct Candidates
All right, guys, so, Dino the one thing I have to say about
Dino that I'm incredibly worried about is the cook on his lamb belly
98 Finish strong! Directives Direct Candidates
99 All three of you, follow us Directives Direct Candidates
100 And I like the chorizo Expressives Direct Candidates
No Utterance Speech act type Direct/Indirect Hearer
101 Is everyone ready to cook? Directives Direct Candidates
He's right there behind them, cooking the same basket Representatives Direct
I think Cate has the ability of making a beautiful dish Representatives Direct
She has all these ingredients that will pop on the plate Representatives Direct
105 Ooh, that's beautiful Expressives Direct Candidates
106 Well done, everyone Expressives Direct Candidates
You have the perfect combination of the creaminess from the puree, and the spices have really blossomed
108 Yachecia, please come forward Directives Direct Candidates
Miss Yachecia, can you explain your dish real quick? Directives Direct
Whoa, there are so many high marks in this dish Expressives Direct
The flavor of the venison itself, the coating, the crust, it's delicious
If Cate hands you a savory basket, you will have to make a savory dish
On the other hand, if Cate hands you a sweet basket, you'll have to make a sweet one Representatives Direct
The home cook who fails to conquer this coconut challenge will be going home Representatives Direct
Whoa, look at those baskets filled to the brim Directives Direct
You all will have just one hour to make us one incredible coconut dish
Miss Eboni, you got a savory basket from Cate Representatives Direct
118 Now what's going on with that? Directives Direct Candidates
119 Do you make curries quite often? Directives Direct Candidates
Where does this inspiration come from? Directives Direct
122 Best of luck to you Expressives Direct Candidates
123 What are you seeing out there? Directives Direct Candidates
125 Come on, Jeff Directives Direct Candidates
126 Let's go, Dino Directives Direct Candidates
I tasted this dish and it just makes me smile Expressives Indirect
I think the balance of the savory- ness and the spiciness of the chili is spot on Expressives Direct
I like how developed the flavor of the sauce is Expressives Direct
130 Tighten up those dishes, guys Directives Direct Candidates
131 Make sure everything's perfect Directives Direct Candidates
I think we should begin with
133 Please step forward Directives Direct Candidates
134 Jason, please describe the dish Directives Direct Candidates
135 Maybe you're channeling Dino Representatives Direct Joe
Jason, the tofu skin wrapped black cod, have you seen this in a restaurant menu anywhere in the world?
So, you chose this forum to be experimental? Directives Direct
Well, I gotta say, this dish is delicious Expressives Direct
139 Talk about a Cadillac fish Directives Direct Candidates
Dino, please describe your entree Directives Direct
I'm gonna cut right through the middle of this Commissives Direct
Eboni, let me tell you, I live in the
South, and I eat collard greens all the time Representatives Direct
And these are the best that I've ever had Expressives Direct
There's just something about this dish that is so exotic Expressives Direct
That spice, once it starts to mingle with that honey glaze, it is just unbelievable Expressives Direct