J.L. Austin (John Langshaw Austin)

John Langshaw Austin was a British philosopher known for developing the theory of speech acts, which explores how our words do things beyond just conveying information. For example, when someone says "I promise," they are not only speaking but also performing the act of promising. Austin emphasized that language has different functions—such as asserting, questioning, requesting, or commanding—that shape our social interactions. His work helps us understand how communication creates real-world effects and how meaning depends on context and intention, not just words themselves.