The normative aspect of signalling and the distinction between performative and constative

✍ Scribed by Andrew J.I. Jones; Steven O. Kimbrough

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 156 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1570-8683
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jal.2007.06.009

✦ Synopsis

The paper outlines an approach to the formal representation of signalling conventions, emphasising the prominent role played therein by a particular type of normative modality. It is then argued that, in terms of inferencing related to this modality, a solution can be given to the task J.L. Austin set but failed to resolve: finding a criterion for distinguishing between what Austin called constatives and performatives. The remainder of the paper indicates the importance of the normative modality in understanding a closely related issue: reasoning about trust in communication scenarios; this, in turn, facilitates a clear formal articulation of the role of a Trusted Third Party in trade communication.