constative utterances

[kənˈsteɪtɪv ˈʌtərənsɪz]
nounpl: constative utterances
enunciados constativos
1. Statements or utterances that describe, report, or assert facts about the world and can be evaluated as true or false; they make claims about existing states of affairs without performing actions
The statement 'The sky is blue' is a constative utterance because it makes a factual claim that can be verified.
A afirmação 'O céu é azul' é um enunciado constativo porque faz uma alegação factual que pode ser verificada.
2. In speech act theory, utterances whose primary function is to describe reality rather than to perform an action like commanding, requesting, or promising
Constative utterances differ from performative utterances; 'It is raining' is constative while 'I promise to help' is performative.
Os enunciados constativos diferem dos enunciados performativos; 'Está chovendo' é constativo enquanto 'Prometo ajudar' é performativo.
This is a technical term primarily used in academic contexts, particularly in linguistics, philosophy of language, and speech act theory. It originated from J.L. Austin's influential work on speech acts and remains central to philosophical discussions about meaning and language function in both English and Portuguese-speaking academic communities.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
descriptive utterancesassertive utterancesrepresentative utterancespropositional utterancesenunciados descritivosenunciados assertivos
Antonyms / Antônimos
performative utterancesenunciados performativosperformative acts

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
enunciados constativos
Standard academic term used in linguistic and philosophical contexts
São Paulo
enunciados constativos
Used in academic and formal discourse; consistent with general Brazilian usage
Portugal
enunciados constativos
Same terminology used in Portuguese academic circles, aligned with European linguistic tradition
USA
constative utterances
Primary term in English-language speech act theory and linguistic philosophy

Related Words

speech actsperformative utterancestruth conditionspropositionassertionstatementsatos de falaproposiçãoasserção

Related Idioms & Phrases

truth-conditional semantics
statement of fact
factual claim
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