Definition
Rooted in speech act theory and pragmatics, this perspective emphasizes how utterances perform functions such as requesting, promising, or commanding. In Natural Language Processing, it informs the design of dialogue systems that prioritize intent recognition and task completion over mere semantic translation. It shifts focus from what words mean to what speakers achieve by saying them within specific contextual frameworks.
Summary
A theoretical framework viewing language primarily as a form of social action rather than just a system for describing reality.
Key Concepts
- Speech Act Theory
- Pragmatics
- Intent Recognition
- Dialogue Systems
Use Cases
- Designing conversational AI agents
- Analyzing customer service interactions
- Understanding implicit meaning in text