Austin (J.L.)

J.L. Austin was a British philosopher and linguist known for his work on the philosophy of language and speech acts. He introduced the idea that language isn’t just about describing facts but also performing actions through speech—like promising, commanding, or apologizing. For example, when someone says “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” they’re not just stating something—they’re making it happen. Austin’s work helped us understand how language functions in everyday life and how the context and intent behind words are crucial to their meaning.