Illocutionary Acts

Illocutionary acts are the intentions behind what we say when we communicate. They go beyond the literal meaning of words to convey specific actions, such as promising, requesting, or apologizing. For example, when someone says, "Can you pass the salt?", they're not just asking about the action; they're actually making a request. Understanding illocutionary acts helps us grasp the deeper meaning in conversations and social interactions, as it emphasizes the speaker's purpose and the expected response from the listener, reflecting the complexity of human communication.