ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the different actions that can be performed through language. Language is often used to describe states of affairs in the world. But equally important for pragmatics are the many linguistic utterances that can be used to warn or threaten someone, make apologies and promises, and offer advice and compliments. The rational conditions under which these so-called speech acts are used appropriately, or felicitously, are examined, as are the different classifications of speech acts proposed by J.L. Austin and John Searle. The use of indirect over direct speech acts is warranted in certain circumstances. These circumstances include the need to observe politeness constraints in our verbal interactions with others. The chapter examines how speakers address these constraints and their effect on their choice of speech acts.
