THE PRAGMATICS OF SILENCE IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: A SPEECH ACT PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

In everyday communication, silence frequently carries meaning-it can express agreement, protest, indifference, or deep respect. This article examines whether intentional silence can be classified as a speech act within the Austinian framework. Drawing on the work of Kurzon on "thematic silence" and Sbisà on illocutionary silencing, I argue that while silence lacks a distinct locutionary form, it can indeed perform illocutionary acts under specific contextual conditions. The central claim is that silence functions as an implicit assertive or exercitive act, but its illocutionary force depends critically on shared conventions and hearer uptake. This analysis suggests that speech act theory must expand its boundaries to accommodate non-verbal yet communicative actions.