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A performadox in truth-conditional semantics

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Abstract

An argument is developed at some length to show that any semantical theory which treats superficially nonperformative sentences as being governed by performative prefaces at some level of underlying structure must either leave those sentences semantically uninterpreted or assign them the wrong truth-conditions. Several possible escapes from this dilemma are examined; it is tentatively concluded that such hypotheses as the Ross-Lakoff-Sadock “Performative Analysis” should be rejected despite their attractions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ohio State University, Clumbus, USA

    Steven E. Boër & William G. Lycan

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  1. Steven E. Boër
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  2. William G. Lycan
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Boër, S.E., Lycan, W.G. A performadox in truth-conditional semantics. Linguistics and Philosophy 4, 71–100 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351814

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