Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language

Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language by John Searle, first published in 1969, is a seminal work that builds upon J.L. Austin's theory of speech acts, providing a systematic and detailed analysis of how language functions as a tool for action. Searle explores the underlying structure of communication, focusing on how utterances are not merely statements but can also perform actions like promising, commanding, or questioning.

In this influential book, Searle introduces key distinctions between locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts and develops his taxonomy of speech acts. He examines how meaning, context, and intention interplay in communication, emphasizing the role of conventions and rules in shaping the illocutionary force of utterances. His work also addresses foundational issues in semantics and the philosophy of language, including reference, predication, and truth.

Speech Acts has profoundly influenced fields such as linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive science, laying the groundwork for subsequent developments in pragmatics and discourse analysis. Searle's clear and rigorous argumentation makes this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the relationship between language and human action.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 052109626X
• EAN: 9780521096263
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 2011
• Pub Date: January 02, 1969
• Physical Info: 1.6 cms H x 21.59 cms L x 14.07 cms W (0.29 kgs), 214 pages