Speech Acts and the World We Live In

Speech acts are tricky. The first two articles have quirky yet sophisticated methods of explaining what illocutionary acts and performance utternaces are relative to our daily communication. What is a speech act? Good question. I took it as being a combination of words that have meaning and "power" beyond just the words themselves. The words, depending on the speaker and the audience, can command, create, acknowledge, and/or do things that matter in our lives. The performance utterance article spoke of the words "i do" and the value it has in ceremonially making marriages complete. We have an amazing method of putting power behind words, statements, and phrases despite the fact that there is no immediate form of punishment or authority there to enforce it. We may see the reprocutions later, but in that moment the words are sufficient enough to influence our actions and behaviors. The tricky part is how we place that power and the boat christening example revealed to us that actions and words only mean so much. Until you decide who has the power to make these words into "actions", then can they have their true value in our culture.

Through out the world there are thousands of languages spoken. These various countries and cultures rely on their language to performe rituals, ceremonies, and other religious acts. These are mere words put in various orders, possibly even sung or performed, but they mean so much more. This idea of a speech act is seen world-wide. The things we do with words are as important as the things we do in life. They work hand in hand, and we give power to these words. We give holiness and life to these words and in return we feel hope, love, and contentment. How fascinating.