John R. Searle was born in 1932 in Denver, Colorado. In his article What is a Speech Act? Searle develops a “theory in the philosophy of a language, according to which speaking in a language is a matter of performing illocutionary acts with certain intentions, according to constitutive rules (Grewendorf / Meggle 2002: 4). The following paper will deal with the ideas on speech acts developed in Searle’s article.
First, a fundamental understanding of the assumptions Searle’s theory is based on will be provided. There will be a brief introduction to the theories of J.L. Austin and H.P. Grice, whom Searle’s article was mostly influenced by. Grice’s Meaning and Austin’s How to do things with words will constitute the reading mostly consulted.
After providing a basis for Searle’s theory, his article What is a Speech Act? will be looked at in detail. The examinations will include Searle’s distinction between regulative rules and constitutive rules and his introduction of the notions ‘proposition-indicating element’ and ‘function-indicating device’, as derived from ‘illocutionary act’ and ‘propositional content of an illocutionary act’. The focus will then be on Searle’s conditions for the illocutionary act of promising, and the rules for the use of the function-indicating device for promising, which he derives from these conditions.
There will finally be a brief overview on revisions and amendments Searle developed on his theory after 1965. These include a more detailed classification of speech acts and a distinction between speaker meaning and sentence meaning.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Influences on Searle's "What is a speech act?"
- Grice's Meaning (1957)
- Austin's How to do things with Words
- John R. Searle: What is a Speech Act?
- Searle's further linguistic examinations
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of John Searle's theory of speech acts, as presented in his article "What is a Speech Act?". It achieves this by first examining the foundational theories of Austin and Grice that influenced Searle's work, then delving into Searle's key concepts and arguments, and finally offering a brief overview of later developments in his thinking.
- The nature of speech acts and their illocutionary force.
- The distinction between regulative and constitutive rules in language.
- Searle's analysis of the conditions for promising as a speech act.
- The relationship between intention, convention, and meaning in speech acts.
- The evolution of Searle's theory of speech acts.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by introducing John Searle and his seminal work on speech acts. It outlines the paper's objective: to explain Searle's theory by first exploring the influential works of Austin and Grice. This establishes the theoretical framework upon which Searle built his own contributions to the philosophy of language, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context and intellectual lineage of Searle's ideas. The chapter highlights the core concepts that will be explored in subsequent sections, preparing the reader for a detailed examination of Searle's groundbreaking work. It promises to investigate Searle's distinctions between regulative and constitutive rules, and his concepts of proposition-indicating elements and function-indicating devices within the framework of illocutionary acts.
Influences on Searle's "What is a speech act?": This chapter explores the significant influences on Searle's theory, focusing on the contributions of J.L. Austin and H.P. Grice. It summarizes Grice's distinction between natural and non-natural meaning, highlighting Grice's focus on intentionality in communication and the crucial role of the hearer's recognition of the speaker's intention. It also discusses Austin's threefold division of speech acts into locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts, establishing the foundation for Searle's later refinement and development of these concepts. The chapter emphasizes how Searle synthesized Austin's and Grice's ideas with his theory of constitutive rules, forming the bedrock of his own theory of speech acts. The importance of understanding these prior theories to grasping Searle's innovations is clearly articulated.
John R. Searle: What is a Speech Act?: This chapter delves into the core of Searle's theory. It examines his distinction between regulative and constitutive rules, illustrating how the latter are foundational to language itself. Searle's concepts of 'proposition-indicating element' and 'function-indicating device' are explored as semantic tools for understanding illocutionary acts. The chapter then focuses on Searle's analysis of promising as a specific illocutionary act, detailing the conditions necessary for a successful promise. The chapter also discusses the challenges Searle faced in formulating clear and consistent rules for these illocutionary acts and highlights the complexities inherent in defining precise rules for speech act performance. It underscores Searle's attempt to integrate both intention and convention into a cohesive understanding of meaning in speech acts.
Keywords
Speech acts, illocutionary acts, J.L. Austin, H.P. Grice, constitutive rules, regulative rules, proposition-indicating element, function-indicating device, promising, intention, convention, meaning, linguistic communication.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of John Searle's theory of speech acts, as presented in his article "What is a Speech Act?". It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The goal is to offer a structured understanding of Searle's work within its historical context, highlighting its key concepts and arguments.
What are the key themes explored in this preview?
The key themes include the nature of speech acts and their illocutionary force; the distinction between regulative and constitutive rules in language; Searle's analysis of the conditions for promising as a speech act; the relationship between intention, convention, and meaning in speech acts; and the evolution of Searle's theory of speech acts. The influence of Austin and Grice on Searle's work is also a central theme.
Which influential figures are discussed in relation to Searle's work?
The document heavily features J.L. Austin and H.P. Grice as significant influences on Searle's theory of speech acts. Their contributions, particularly Austin's work on the three types of speech acts (locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary) and Grice's concept of meaning, are analyzed to demonstrate their impact on Searle's development of his own theory.
What are Searle's key concepts regarding speech acts?
Searle's key concepts include the distinction between regulative and constitutive rules (with constitutive rules being fundamental to language itself), the notions of "proposition-indicating element" and "function-indicating device" as tools for understanding illocutionary acts, and his detailed analysis of promising as a specific type of illocutionary act. The interplay between intention and convention in determining meaning within speech acts is another significant concept.
How is the document structured?
The document is structured to provide a complete picture of Searle's theory. It begins with an introduction, followed by a section detailing the influences of Austin and Grice. The core of Searle's theory is then explained, focusing on his key concepts and the analysis of promising as a case study. The document concludes with a summary and key terms.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the stage by introducing Searle and his work, outlining the objectives and key concepts. The chapter on influences explores Austin's and Grice's contributions. The chapter on Searle's theory delves into his core ideas, analyzing the conditions for a successful promise and the relationship between intention and convention. The document lacks explicit summaries for each of the sections listed in the table of contents.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
The keywords include speech acts, illocutionary acts, J.L. Austin, H.P. Grice, constitutive rules, regulative rules, proposition-indicating element, function-indicating device, promising, intention, convention, meaning, and linguistic communication.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Müller (Author), 2016, What is a Speech Act? A brief introduction to Searle’s theory on speech acts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/345644
