constative acts

[kənˈsteɪtɪv ækts]
nounpl: constative acts
atos constativos
1. Speech acts that describe, report, or state facts about the world, with truth conditions that can be verified as true or false
The statement 'The sky is blue' is a constative act because it can be evaluated as true or false.
A afirmação 'O céu é azul' é um ato constatativo porque pode ser avaliada como verdadeira ou falsa.
2. In speech act theory, utterances whose primary function is to make a claim about reality rather than to perform an action
Constative acts are distinguished from performative acts, which accomplish something by being said.
Os atos constativos se distinguem dos atos performativos, que realizam algo simplesmente por serem ditos.
This is a technical term from speech act theory, primarily used in academic contexts (linguistics, philosophy, pragmatics). It originated from J.L. Austin's work and is used internationally in the same form across English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking academic communities.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
declarative actsassertive actsdescriptive utterances
Antonyms / Antônimos
performative actsillocutionary acts

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
atos constativos
Standard academic usage in linguistics and philosophy of language
Portugal
atos constativos
Same terminology used in Portuguese academic discourse

Related Words

speech actsperformative utterancesillocutionary forcetruth conditionspropositional content
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