Andatum

Andatum is a term used in speculative linguistics and social theory to denote a specific kind of utterance that encodes a social obligation or transfer between interlocutors. It functions as a communicative act that signals that something has been given or is expected to be given in return, linking language to social exchange. It is a hypothetical construct rather than a standard term in mainstream linguistics.

Etymology and status: The word is a neologism formed with Latin-style morphology, drawing on the idea of datum meaning “things given.” Andatum is used to signal a thing given or expected as part of a gift or reciprocity exchange. Its precise definition varies across authors, and it is not universally adopted or codified in linguistic theory.

Concept and properties: An andatum is not merely a factual statement but a performative or presupposed commitment embedded in an utterance. It may be expressed overtly or inferred from context and can interact with speech acts, reciprocity norms, and gift economies. In this view, some utterances function as vehicles of obligation as much as convey information.

Applications: In theoretical discussions, andatum helps model how language carries social meaning beyond truth conditions, such as promises or expectations of reciprocity. In computational semantics, it can be used to tag utterances that function as transfers or commitments, aiding analyses of dialogue in social contexts.

Example: A sentence like “I will lend you my book next week” can carry an andatum if interpreted as imposing an obligation to reciprocate, even beyond its literal content. Critics note that as a speculative concept, its applicability varies by context and author.

See also: illocutionary act, speech act theory, gift economy, reciprocity, commitment, social meaning.