A performative utterance said by the right person under

• It is an utterance that a speaker makes to achieve the right circumstances results in a change in the world. Note
an “intended effect.”
• It might contain just one word or several words or
sentences.
• Speech - has something to do with speaking.
• Act – perform/do.
• An utterance that speaker makes.
• Whenever we deliver a message or speak something
or making an utterance, there is an intended effect
which is called Speech Act.
that certain conditions have to be met when making a
performative utterance.
The type of verbs used to make performative utterances are
called performatives or performative verbs. Examples are:
promise, name, bet, agree, swear, declare, order, predict,
warn, insist, declare or refuse.
Example of performative utterances

According to J.L Austin (1962), a philosopher of language 1. I promise I will never do it again.
and the developer of the speech act theory. 2. I guarantee the quality of their service.
3. I deny being responsible.
There are three (3) types of acts in every utterance: 4. I request your cooperation.

As a response to Austin’s speech act theory, John Searle

౨ৎ Locutionary Act ౨ৎ
(1976), a professor from the University of California, Berkeley,
• Is the actual act of uttering.
classified illocutionary acts into five distinct categories:
• Speaking the words. The utterance itself.
• Producing the sound or the words by the speaker
౨ৎ Assertive ౨ৎ
• A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker
౨ৎ Illocutionary Act ౨ৎ
expresses belief about the truth of a proposition.
• Is the social function of what is said.
• To assert. When we state a fact, an opinion, or a
• The intention of the speaker for making the
belief.
utterance (ex: command, request, order, advice).
• Assertions, statements, claims, hypothesis
• Most significant degree of action
• “No one makes better pancakes than I do.”

౨ৎ Perlocutionary Act ౨ৎ
౨ৎ Directive ౨ৎ
• Is the resulting act of what is said.
• A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries
• This depends on the context.
to make the addressee perform an action.
• We are expecting an action from our addressee.
୨୧ There are also indirect speech acts which occurs when
Imperative Sentences. Utos.
there is no direct connection between the form of the
• Commands, requests, invitations
utterance and the intended meaning.
• “Please close the door.”

For example:
౨ৎ Commissive ౨ৎ
“Can you pass the rice?”
• A type of illocutionary act which commits the
speaker to doing something in the future.
Inferred (Concluded) Speech Act: Do you have the
• “I promise I will not do it again.”
ability to hand over the rice?
• Something that you plan to do.
Indirect speech act: Please pass the rice.
• Promises, pledges, vows
• “From now on, I will participate in our group
Austin also introduced the concept of performative
activity.”
utterances: statements which enable the speaker to
perform something just by stating it.
౨ৎ Expressive ౨ৎ
• A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker
expresses his/her feelings or emotional reactions.
• Congratulations, apologies, condolences
• “I am so sorry for not helping in our group
projects and letting you do all the work.”
౨ৎ Declaration ౨ৎ
• A type of illocutionary act which brings a change in
the external situation. Simply put declarations bring
into existence or cause the state of affairs which
they refer to.
• Declare. Said and done by an authority or right
person. (ex: pronouncements or declaring)
• Baptisms, marrying, hiring/firing, terminating a
contract
• “You are fired!”