Speech acts as indicators of communicative intention: literature review and analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Human communication is a complex process that involves not only the transmission of information but also the expression of intentions and actions through speech acts. Developed by J.L. Austin and John Searle, speech acts play a key role in the creation of social relationships and the understanding of communicative intent. This review aims to explore how speech acts can be used as tools to measure communicative intent in clinical and educational contexts, with a particular focus on child development and the early identification of pragmatic difficulties. Materials and Methods: Following the PRISMA model, this review collected studies published between 2010 and 2024 that investigated the use of speech acts as a unit of measurement. The review included theoretical and empirical research focused on the pragmatics of language across various populations. Searches were conducted in databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using key
terms in both English and Spanish. A qualitative analysis identified patterns in the use of speech acts to assess communicative intent, their relationship with child language development, and their application in the diagnosis of disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Results: The reviewed studies revealed a consensus on the utility of speech acts as a key diagnostic tool, particularly in child development and the diagnosis of language disorders. The connection between speech acts and cognitive development was emphasized, as well as the importance of
assessing communicative intent in natural contexts. However, some studies did not delve deeply into the practical application of speech acts in therapeutic interventions. Although their diagnostic value is recognized, the potential of speech acts as a foundation for treating pragmatic difficulties remains an area requiring further exploration.