Abstract

Self-reference suffices to define performative sentences. “I say that” is communicatively functional. By it, speaker shows he is aware of how he is being seen by hearers. Therefore “I order” and “I do not order” are equally performative, though the latter does not perform any activity. This is our first proposal. In the subdivision, “I do not permit” isactive. Our second proposal explains that anomaly attending to synonymy between “I do not permit” and “I forbid”, but without using it as a premature escape.