Entry #4 Speech acts

J.L Austin introduces the topic "Speech Acts". He states the difference between constative sentences and performative sentences. Performative sentences are not only passively describing a given reality, but they are changing (the social) reality they are describing. Besides they denote an action. Whereas performative sentences are meant to inspire actions, constative sentences are those which describe something as true or false.
Words not only bring about actions, sometimes words themselves are actions. When this situation happens, performatives can lead to speech acts. Words like ordering, promising, apologizing, warning, sentencing, marrying, christening, are clear examples of speech acts. For formatives to achieve this, they depend on context and reception, known as felicity conditions. The performative should have the proper authority, should be understood, should be clear and should be able to be executed. If the performative doesn't meet these conditions, it won't have the power to denote an action. It doesn't mean that wether performative meet its conditions will be followed. Sometimes, it can be ignored or disobeyed, which, as a consequence, could lead to another performative to be achieved.

Source:

Glenney Boggs, C. (2013). Speech Acts: Constative and Performative. Retrieved from Ted-Ed. Last visited: June 8 th, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/LgmpbXIGpcc

Metalanguage analysis

In my opinion, videos are more useful and interesting than reading a book or something similar to that. Personally, I have to say that after seeing and listening to the video, I realize that I learn better through this way. If you ask me, I would say that as these videos have drawings, music and graphics,  they call my attention more than others ways. These kind of tools are very informative, attractive and the best thing is that you can reach different grades of difficulty. Depending on the level of the video, you will need a higher level of proficiency or not.

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