Austin's speech act theory

Austin's speech act theory suggests that when people speak, they do more than just convey information; their words can perform actions. For example, saying "I promise" or "I apologize" doesn't just describe feelings—they actively create commitments or social moments. Austin identified different types of speech acts: *locutionary* (the actual utterance), *illocutionary* (the intended action behind the words), and *perlocutionary* (the effect on the listener). This theory highlights that language isn't just about sharing facts but also about doing things through what we say, shaping social interactions and relationships.