Definition:
In speech-act theory, a speaker's intention in delivering an utterance.
See also:
Etymology:
Term introduced by the British linguistic philosopher John L. Austin in How to Do Things With Words (1962)Examples and Observations:
- Kenneth Parcell: I'm sorry, Mr. Jordan. I'm just overworked. With my page duties and being Mr. Donaghy's assistant, there's not enough hours in the day.
Tracy Jordan: I'm sorry about that. But just let me know if there's any way I can help.
Kenneth: Actually, there is one thing. . . .
Tracy: No! I was just saying that! Why can't you read human facial cues?
(Matthew Hubbard, "Cutbacks," 30 Rock, April 9, 2009) - "Achieving pragmatic competence involves the ability to understand the illocutionary force of an utterance, that is, what a speaker intends by making it. This is particularly important in cross-cultural encounters since the same form (e.g. 'When are you leaving?') can vary in its illocutionary force depending on the context in which it is made (e.g. 'May I have a ride with you?' or 'Don't you think it is time for you to go?')."
(Sandra Lee McKay, Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford Univ. Press, 2002) - "When I say 'how are you' to a co-worker, I really mean hello. Although I know what I mean by 'how are you,' it is possible that the receiver does not know that I mean hello and actually proceeds to give me a fifteen minute discourse on his various maladies."
(George Ritzer, Sociology: A Multiple Paradigm Science. Allyn & Bacon, 1980)
Also Known As: illocutionary function
