Perlokution

Perlocution, or perlocutionary effect, is a concept in speech act theory describing the effects that a speaker's utterance has on a listener or audience. It refers to the actual outcomes produced by saying something, such as persuading, convincing, frightening, amusing, or inspiring action. This is distinct from the locutionary act, which is the literal content of the words spoken, and from the illocutionary act, which is the speaker’s intended communicative force (for example, inviting, warning, or promising).

Perlocutionary effects may be intended by the speaker but can also be unintended or unforeseen outcomes. They depend on factors such as context, delivery, the hearer’s beliefs and expectations, and social norms. Because perlocution is about consequences rather than the speaker’s explicit intention, it can be difficult to predict or attribute precisely.

The concept originates with the early work on speech act theory by J. L. Austin, notably in his discussions of illocutionary and perlocutionary aspects in How to Do Things with Words. The framework was later developed and formalized further by philosophers such as John Searle, expanding the analysis of how utterances function in communication.

Examples illustrate the range of perlocutionary effects: saying “If you open the door, the alarm will sound” may cause someone to remain still or depart to avoid the alarm, while stating “You’re fired” may provoke anger, resignation, or a search for employment. Perlocution emphasizes the listener’s experience and the practical consequences of speech in real-world contexts.