INDIRECT PERFORMATIVE SPEECH ACTS IN NABILA MAHJOUB'S NOVEL "WIND PASSAGES": A PRAGMATIC APPROACH

Abstract

Indirect speech acts are statements in which the apparent meaning contrasts with the intended meaning, such as "Can you pass me some water?" which appears to be a question but is actually a polite request. These acts are part of the pragmatics theory, established by John Austin and expanded by John Searle, which emphasizes intentionality and context in speech perception. A sentence is understood not only by its words, but also by the purpose for which it was uttered. This concept helps us explain how language is used to achieve social purposes and how communication goes beyond the mere exchange of knowledge.