Expressives convey the speaker's emotions or attitudes from "summary" of How to Do Things with Words by John Langshaw Austin,J. L. Austin
When we use language, we are not always simply conveying information or making statements about the world. Sometimes, we are also expressing our own feelings, emotions, or attitudes towards the things we are talking about. This type of speech act is known as an expressive. Expressives are a crucial part of our linguistic repertoire because they allow us to communicate not just facts, but also our personal reactions and responses to those facts. For example, when we say "I'm thrilled to be here" or "I'm so disappointed in your behavior," we are not just reporting on our emotional state – we are actively expressing our emotions in a way that can have a real impact on the listener. One key characteristic of expressives is that they are closely tied to the speaker's own subjective experience. Unlike constatives, which can be true or false based on objective criteria, expressives are true insofar as they accurately reflect the speaker's genuine feelings or attitudes at the time of speaking. This means that expressives are inherently personal and can vary from person to person, depending on their individual perspectives and emotional states. Another important feature of expressives is that they are performative in nature, meaning that they do not just describe reality but also help to create it. When we express our emotions or attitudes through language, we are not just representing our inner states; we are also shaping the social context in which we are communicating. For example, by saying "Thank you so much for your help," we are not only expressing gratitude but also creating a sense of goodwill and reciprocity in the interaction. In this way, expressives have the power to not only convey information but also to create emotional bonds, establish rapport, and shape the dynamics of social relationships. By expressing our emotions and attitudes through language, we are able to connect with others on a deeper level and make our interactions more meaningful and impactful.- Expressives play a vital role in our everyday communication by allowing us to share our emotions and attitudes with others in a way that is personal, authentic, and potentially transformative. By recognizing the power of expressives in shaping our social realities, we can become more intentional and effective communicators in our personal and professional lives.
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