Words can have both descriptive and performative functions from "summary" of How to Do Things with Words by John Langshaw Austin,J. L. Austin
In exploring the nature of language, it becomes evident that words can serve various purposes beyond merely describing reality. While descriptive functions of language are crucial for conveying information, there exists another dimension to words that goes beyond mere description – the performative function. Performative utterances are statements that do not just describe a state of affairs but actually perform an action. For example, when a judge pronounces someone guilty, it is not merely describing the person's status; it is a performative act that carries real-world consequences. Similarly, when one says, "I promise to be there," it is not just describing an intention but committing to a future action. The key distinction between descriptive and performati...
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