> The reason I asked whether it was a performative -- "I can't > wait" -- is that it does what it says: it doesn't wait AND > it mocks. 'This sentence contains five words.' This does what it says. But it is hardly a performative utterance in Austin's sense. Compare: 'This will make you laugh'. Donal Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html