Performatiivisesta

Performatiivisesta is a term used in linguistics and philosophy to describe a type of speech act that not only conveys information but also performs an action. The term is derived from the concept of performative utterances, which were popularized by philosopher J.L. Austin in his 1962 work "How to Do Things with Words." Performative utterances are statements that, by virtue of being said, bring about a change in the world or a change in the state of affairs.

For example, the phrase "I promise to pay you back" is a performative utterance. By saying this, the speaker is not merely expressing a promise; they are performing the act of promising. The promise becomes a binding commitment as soon as it is uttered.

Performatiivisesta is a broader concept that encompasses not only Austin's performative utterances but also other forms of speech acts that have a performative component. This includes declarative speech acts, such as declaring a war or making a law, which change the state of affairs by virtue of being said. It also includes expressive speech acts, where the speaker's emotional state is conveyed and sometimes altered by the utterance.

The study of performatiivisesta is important in various fields, including law, politics, and communication studies. Understanding how language can perform actions helps in analyzing the effects of speech acts in different contexts and in developing theories of language use and meaning.