What is performative utterance and examples?
Performative Utterances: Understanding Their Definition and Examples
Performative utterances play a significant role in the philosophy of language and speech acts theory. They are a category of sentences that are not truth-evaluable, meaning they are neither true nor false. Instead, their evaluation depends on whether they are considered “happy” if nothing is wrong with them or “unhappy” if something is wrong. This article explores the concept of performative utterances, provides examples, discusses the distinction between explicit and implicit performatives, and examines the social contestation surrounding them.
Definition of Performative Utterances
Performative utterances are linguistic acts that go beyond describing a given reality. They are sentences that not only convey information but also bring about changes in the social reality they describe. J.L. Austin, in his lecture series “How to Do Things with Words,” rejected the positivist claim that utterances merely “describe” or “constate” something and are always true or false. Instead, he introduced the concept of performative utterances as instances where the utterance itself performs an action.
Examples of Performative Utterances
Performative utterances can take various forms and occur in different contexts. Here are some examples:
- “I promise to attend” (explicit performative)
- “I do (take this woman to be my lawful wedded wife)” (as uttered in a marriage ceremony)
- “I name this ship the ‘Queen Elizabeth'”
- “I give and bequeath my watch to my brother” (as occurring in a will)
- “I bet you sixpence it will rain tomorrow”
These examples highlight the performative nature of the utterances. They go beyond describing a state of affairs and instead bring about a new reality or commit the speaker to a particular course of action.
Explicit and Implicit Performatives
Performative utterances can be categorized as explicit or implicit. Explicit performatives explicitly state the act being performed. For example, saying “I promise” or “I apologize” makes the performative act clear and unambiguous. On the other hand, implicit performatives do not explicitly state the act being performed but still function as performative utterances based on contextual cues and conventional understanding.
Social Contestation
Performative utterances can be subject to social contestation. The acts purported to be performed by these utterances may be accepted by some individuals or groups but not by others. For example, the statement “I divorce you” uttered three times may be considered a valid divorce by some cultural or religious traditions but not by others. This highlights the influence of social and cultural factors on the interpretation and acceptance of performative acts.
Conclusion
Performative utterances are a unique category of linguistic acts that go beyond truth-evaluation and bring about changes in the social reality they describe. They can be explicit or implicit, and their interpretation and acceptance may vary across different social and cultural contexts. Understanding and analyzing performative utterances provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between language, action, and social dynamics.
Sources
– Performative Utterances. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved from https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/performative-utterances
– Performative utterance. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performative_utterance
– Speech Acts. University of Idaho. Retrieved from https://webpages.uidaho.edu/~morourke/404-phil/Summer-99/Handouts/Philosophical/Speech-Act.htm
FAQs
What is a performative utterance?
Performative utterance refers to a type of speech act in which the act of uttering the words brings about a corresponding action or changes the social or institutional reality. Unlike descriptive utterances that describe or report on a state of affairs, performative utterances perform an action by the very act of speaking.
What is the significance of performative utterances?
Performative utterances are significant because they have the power to create or transform social reality. By uttering specific words in certain contexts, individuals can bring about legal, religious, or social changes. These utterances rely on the shared understanding and acceptance of the speech act by both the speaker and the audience.
What are some examples of performative utterances?
– Wedding vows: When a couple says, “I do” during their wedding ceremony, they are not merely describing their intention, but they are actually entering into a marriage contract.
– Oath of office: When a government official recites an oath, such as the presidential oath of office, they are not just describing their commitment to uphold the constitution; they are taking on the responsibilities and authority of the office.
– Baptismal declaration: When a priest says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the act of uttering those words initiates the ritual of baptism in Christianity.
How do performative utterances differ from other types of speech acts?
Performative utterances differ from other types of speech acts, such as constative utterances, which aim to describe or state facts. While constative utterances can be true or false, performative utterances are not evaluated in terms of truthfulness. Instead, their success depends on the appropriate conditions, sincerity, and the recognition of the speech act by the intended audience.
Can any utterance be performative?
Not all utterances can be performative. For a speech act to be performative, certain conditions must be met. These conditions include the authority of the speaker, the appropriate context, and the recognition and acceptance of the speech act by the audience. Additionally, some performative utterances are conventionalized within specific social or institutional contexts.
Are there any limitations to performative utterances?
Performative utterances have certain limitations. Their effectiveness relies on the recognition and acceptance of the speech act by the audience. If the audience does not recognize the utterance as performative or does not accept its consequences, the performative act may fail. Furthermore, performative utterances are not universally applicable and may have specific cultural, legal, or religious contexts in which they are recognized.
Can performative utterances be used to deceive or manipulate?
Performative utterances can potentially be used to deceive or manipulate, especially when there is a mismatch between the speaker’s sincerity and the intended meaning of the speech act. However, the success of performative utterances depends on the recognition and acceptance of the speech act by the audience. If the audience is aware of the manipulative intent or detects insincerity, the performative act may fail.
Are performative utterances limited to spoken language?
Performative utterances are not limited to spoken language alone. They can also be expressed through written language or other forms of communication. For example, signing a contract or writing a legally binding document can be considered performative acts if they bring about legal consequences by the act of writing or signing. The key element is the intention to perform an action through the act of communication.