How to Do Things with Words

Title of Source: How to Do Things with Words

Author:  J. L. Austin, edited by J. O. Urmson

Source Type: Academic Book

Publication:  Martino Fine Books, 2018 (originally 1962)

MLA Citation: Austin, J. L. How to Do Things with Words, 1962, edited by J. O. Urmson. Martino Fine Books, 2018.

Notes:

This text is a collection of lectures given by Austin at Harvard University in 1955. In the lectures Austin explores the concept of “performative utterances.” Performative utterances are phrases that are also actions. In other words, it is through the statement of the phrase that the action occurs. The prime example of this idea is vows at a wedding. In saying the words, “I do,” the marriage occurs. As the lectures continue Austin further clarifies the conditions surrounding performative utterances. These utterances only work within certain contexts. For example without a minister, the saying of “I do” is meaningless. It is also meaningless if the person saying it is not of age or already married.