ABSTRACT
This chapter lies at the heart of the philosophy about the nature of language in use. What is fascinating about using language is how that use is always driven by choice and how that choice is, itself, systematic. There are constraints upon the individual’s ability to create these patterns, which we shall deal with in a moment. Within this general theory we see speech acts as acts of projection: the speaker is projecting his inner universe, implicitly with the invitation to others to share it, at least insofar as they recognize his language as an accurate symbolization of the world, and to share his attitude towards it. Our ability to get into focus with those with whom we wish to identify is constrained and the constraints can in general terms be categorized under four heads: the identification of groups, access to groups, positive and negative motivation to identify with groups, and ability to change one’s behaviour, to accommodate.
