What is a communication event according to Dell Hymes?

According to Dell Hymes, a communication event is a specific instance of communication that involves a particular set of participants, a particular setting, a particular message, and a particular purpose or goal. It is a unit of analysis that allows researchers to study how communication functions in specific contexts and how it is shaped by various social, cultural, and situational factors. Communication events can range from everyday interactions between individuals to more formal and structured forms of communication, such as speeches, debates, or interviews.

A speech event, or a communicative event, is any instance of communication between two or more people. It is a specifically situated act of communication that takes place in a particular place and time, with particular participants, and with a particular purpose. It is not simply the exchange of information, but also includes the exchange of feelings, attitudes, and social roles.