“Speech Acts as a Means of Influence and Social Interaction: Perspectives from Austin and Searle”

Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the theory of speech acts as developed by J.L. Austin and John Searle, two of the most influential linguistic philosophers of the twentieth century. Their work has profoundly shaped contemporary understandings of language and human communication. Austin and Searle challenged the notion that language is merely a sequence of words forming a rigid, artificial system. Instead, they proposed that language functions as a dynamic instrument of interaction, influencing and shaping social reality beyond mere description or reportage. This study employs an analytical and comparative approach, systematically presenting and critically examining the theories of Austin and Searle. A comparative analysis is conducted to identify points of convergence and divergence in their respective perspectives. The study demonstrates that speech acts are central to human social activity, illustrating that words, sentences, and symbols acquire meaning only when properly articulated and rooted in intentionality. Meaning, in this framework, is not an inherent property of linguistic expressions but emerges through the speaker's deliberate use of language. This reflects a cognitive-intentional dimension and a communicative purpose. Contemporary Western philosophers have emphasized the philosophy of language, with J.L. Austin pioneering the theory of speech acts. He conceptualized language not merely as a system of representation but as an act in itself—where speaking is simultaneously doing. His student, John Searle, further refined and expanded this theory, advancing it to a stage of conceptual maturity. Both Austin and Searle examined linguistic acts through an interactive and social lens. However, Searle introduced a more nuanced semantic and symbolic dimension to linguistic analysis, highlighting that speech acts serve as instruments for realizing intention and purpose. His contributions also extended to the concept of indirect speech acts, in which meaning surpasses literal expression.For both philosophers, language is not a passive medium but an active force that shapes and transforms the world around individuals—whether at a personal, social, or even political level. Their work underscores the centrality of interaction and participation in the very fabric of language, reinforcing the notion that meaning does not arise merely from words but through their use in lived experience.