The Performative

"The performative" refers to a type of language or action that doesn't just describe or state something; it actually does something through speaking. For example, when a judge says, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," the act of saying those words creates a new social reality—marriage. In essence, performatives are expressions that enact change or confer status simply by being spoken or performed. They are an important concept in understanding how language functions beyond conveying information, highlighting its power to effect actions and shaping social realities.