[lit-ideas] "Operative" (Was: "Performative")
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2004 22:19:20 EDT
In a message dated 8/7/2004 10:54:43 AM Eastern Standard Time,
junger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
As I recall, Austin says
that performatives correspond to what lawyers call ``instrumental
language''---although lawyers, I think unfortunately, have not shown
much interest in Austin.
----
I believe Austin said 'performative' corresponded (or he thought
corresponded) to what lawyers call(ed?) 'operative'. Interestingly, the OED
credits this,
'operative'. ... In weakened sense (without reference to specific
activity or production): significant, important.
1960 J. L. Austin How to do Things with Words (1962) i. 7
"But â??operativeâ??..is often used nowadays to mean little more than
â??important
â??."
-- but fails to give a good example of an actual lawyer using 'operative'.
-- Cheers,
JL
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