International Journal of Literature and Language Studies
Vol. 5 No. 6 (2026): International Journal of Literature and Language Studies

THE FOUNDATIONS OF SPEECH ACT THEORY: AUSTIN'S APPROACH IN MODERN PRAGMATICS

Kushakova Nodira Odilovna,Yusufova Feruza (teacher of Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages,student of Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Jun 2026

Abstract

This article examines Speech Act Theory as one of the fundamental approaches in modern linguistic pragmatics. The study analyzes the theoretical foundations established by John L. Austin and the subsequent development of the theory in the works of John R. Searle. Particular attention is paid to the concept of speech acts as intentional communicative actions performed according to social conventions. The paper discusses the three components of speech acts—locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts—as well as the notion of performative utterances and felicity conditions. Furthermore, the article examines Searle’s classification of illocutionary acts, including representatives, directives, commissives, declaratives, and expressives, together with the distinction between direct and indirect speech acts. The role of speech acts in pragmatic meaning, interpersonal communication, intercultural interaction, and translation studies is also considered. The findings demonstrate that Speech Act Theory provides an effective framework for explaining how linguistic expressions function as social actions and how communicative intentions are realized in various discourse contexts.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

ijlls

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The mission of the International Journal of Literature and Language Studies (IJLLS) is to provide readers with the development of language studies in linguistics and literature. In addition to manuscripts that center on the study, we welcome manuscripts on a wide range of topics relating to the ...