SPEECH ACTS THEORY AND DERIVATION

Abstract

When we speak, we “use” language to communicate, for strategic purposes, to express emotional or other psychological states, to persuade, and even to carry out such peculiar activities as joking or play-acting. This set of things we do when we speak or in the performance of which speech plays a major role has been analysed by philosophers and linguists in the tradition of speech act theory, and primarily by the British philosopher John L. Austin. The following article deals with speech act theory and its similarities with derivation. First, three term ’locution, illocution, and perlocution’, according to J. L. Austin’s lectures are shortly reflected. Then, opinions of other scientists on the issue will be analyzed through the samples using the words formed with zero derivation and derivation. In conclusion, the influence of Austin’s speech act theory will be evaluated.