VOL. 54, BOOK 1, PART B, 2016, pp. 167 – 178 Full text (Fr)
Author: Gisèle Valency
Affiliation: CRISCO, Caen University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to link speech acts theory (Austin) to a reference issue, i.e. the attribution (Donnellan), with a view of analyzing the protagonistsʼ voice in novels or fictional discourses. Does the fact that the speech is fictional (Searle) or true change the nature of the speech act? Beyond the opposition constative/performative, speech acts theory had highlighted the importance of the direction of fit of mental states to the world (Anscombe), crucial for reference in general, as well as for reported speech in fictional discourse.
Key words: attribution, speech acts, reported speech, direction of fit, reference
