J. L. Austin (speech act theory)

J. L. Austin was a philosopher who introduced speech act theory, which explains how language does more than just convey information—it's also used to perform actions. For example, when someone says "I promise," or "I apologize," they're not just talking; they're actually making commitments or expressing remorse. Austin identified different types of speech acts, such as locutionary (making a statement), illocutionary (performing an action through speaking), and perlocutionary acts (effects on listeners). His work highlights that our words can shape reality, influence behavior, and fulfill social functions beyond mere description.