ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

Contextual explanation · NAV-G05-043

Perlocutionary effect

This explanation addresses the term in its originating context. It is not an additional canonical Atlas profile.

Explanation

A perlocutionary effect is a consequence that an utterance produces in participants or subsequent events. It is not simply the act performed in speaking or the speaker's goal. A warning may aim to encourage caution but instead provoke annoyance or go unheeded. Effect and intention must therefore be recorded separately. A later reaction also cannot be attributed exclusively to the utterance without further evidence. Relevant investigation includes situational conditions, observable responses and, where available, additional evidence about later consequences.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the speech act. 2. Record its intended consequence. 3. Observe the response. 4. Test alternative causes. 5. Limit the causal claim.

Example

Someone stops after a warning; analysis must establish whether the warning, a visible obstacle or both prompted the action.

Counter-test

Successfully giving advice does not guarantee that it is followed.

Scientific use case

Conversation research can distinguish illocutionary performance from evidenced responses.

Effect

The concept shifts attention from utterance form to consequences.

Resonance

What a sentence does need not end with what it was meant to achieve.

Distinction

Distinguish perlocutionary effect from intention, temporal succession alone and the illocutionary act.

Sources