John L. Austin

John L. Austin was a British philosopher who developed Speech Act Theory, which explores how language functions beyond mere words. He argued that when we communicate, we often perform actions—like making promises, giving orders, or making apologies—rather than just conveying information. For instance, saying "I promise" is not just stating; it's committing to a future action. Austin highlighted that the meaning of our statements is shaped by context and the speaker’s intention, leading to a deeper understanding of communication and its effects in social interactions.