ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G02-035 · ATLAS 259

Directive

A directive is a speech act through which a speaker attempts to get an addressee to act.

Part of the subject path Pragmatics and Conversation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Directive adds the attempt to induce another person's action independently of sentence mood. An imperative establishes neither successful uptake nor an identical speech-act function in every context.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A directive is a speech act aimed at action by an addressee, such as a request or instruction. Its function cannot be read off sentence form alone. A question about ability may function as a request in context, while an imperative may merely be quoted. Analysis therefore separates linguistic form, recognisable communicative intention and response. Understanding a request does not entail complying with it.

Movement of thought

1. Describe sentence form. 2. Identify the requested action. 3. Examine context and addressee orientation. 4. Record understanding separately from compliance.

Scientific use case

Conversation analysis could annotate requests for form, context and response trajectory without inferring compliance from form.

Example

“Can you close the window?” functions as a request in this constructed conversation, although its form is interrogative.

Counterexample

In “The sign said, ‘Stop!’”, an imperative is reported; the narrator does not thereby necessarily order the reader to stop.

Distinction

Distinguish imperative form, a mere wish and perlocutionary success. Advice can be a subtype of directive action; distinguishing it from requests or commands requires further criteria.

Effect on thought and perception

The concept reveals the action orientation of utterances beyond their sentence form.

Resonance

A sentence can do more than describe a world: it can invite a next step.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Directive“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G02-035. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-035

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-035

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.