S. Schane, LIGN 105, Law & Language

Little Red Riding Hood & Hearsay

Read the accompanying story of Little Red Riding Hood, which follows this assignment.

Assume that a Witness (in court) is relating this story as something she observed as she walked through the woods and then subsequently as she stationed herself outside the window of Grandma’s house. In telling her story, the Witness quotes utterances made by Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, both of whom are NOT in the courtroom. For each of these out-of-court statements, decide whether or not it is hearsay and give an explanation for your decision based on speech-act theory.

The paragraph number noted for each question refers to the numeral found in the lef margin of the text, which is where you will find the particular utterance at issue.

1. Paragraph 2: Issue: That the Grandmother was quite competent to take care of herself.”

“Some healthful snacks for my grandmother, who is certainly capable of helping herself as

a mature adult.”

Hearsay: Assertive illocution, propositional content matches issue.

2. Paragraph 3: Issue: That the Wolf gave a warning to Red Riding Hood.

“You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”

Not hearsay: Directive illocution; warning is a type of directive.

3. Paragraph 4: Issue: That the Wolf made a sexist remark.

“I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme…”

Hearsay: Assertive illocution, propositional content matches issue

4. Paragraph 5: Issue: That Red Riding Hood excused herself on leaving the Wolf.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.”

Not hearsay: Directive illocution as it is being said; requesting someone to excuse you is a type of directive

5. Paragraph 6: Issue: That Grandma was a nurturing woman.

“Grandma,…I have brought you some snacks to salute you as a wise and nurturing matriarch.”

Hearsay: Assertive illocution, propositional content matches issue

6. Paragraph 6: Issue: That Red Riding Hood believed that Grandma was a wise matriarch.

Same statement as in 5.

Not hearsay: State of mind; is concerned with what RRH believes not whether Grandma really is.

7. Paragraph 7: Issue: That the Wolf asked Red Riding Hood to come closer.

“Come closer, child, that I might see you.”

Not hearsay: Directive illocution; an imperative (“Come closer”) functions as an implicit directive.

8. Paragraph 8: Issue: That Red Riding Hood thought that Grandma had big teeth.

“Grandma, what big teeth you have!”

Not hearsay: State of mind; is concerned with what RRH believes

9. Paragraph 10: Issue: That Red Riding Hood used a few uncomplimentary names in addressing the Wood-Chopper Person.

“Sexist! Speciesist!”

Not hearsay: Locution. These words of the English language are not of the complimentary type.

10. Paragraph 10: That the Wolf was a sexist.

Same utterance as 9.

Hearsay: Equivalent to “You are a sexist and you are a speciesist.”, which makes the utterance

an implicit assertive illocution whose propositional content matches the issue.