"How to Do Things with Words" (book)

"How to Do Things with Words" is a book by philosopher J.L. Austin that explores how language is used not just to describe or inform, but to perform actions. For example, when someone says "I promise," they are not just stating something; they are making a commitment. Austin introduces the idea of "speech acts," which are utterances that function as actions—like apologizing, warning, or requesting. The book explains how language has a practical and social power, shaping relationships and behaviors through the way we speak. It revolutionized understanding of communication as an active, interactive process.