Speech Act Theory is the study of not only the transfer of information through spoken words but also associated actions.
Examples of the theory are assertions and imperatives. Assertions are the direct transfer of information while an imperative tries to issue an obligation for action, to do something. An example of an assertion would be “is there salt?” implying the listener to provide salt.
In an interview, philosopher Rebecca Kukla uses Speech Act Theory to jusitfy the use of profanity in every day speech. “You can take the curse words out, but then you have lessened the performative and pragmatic power of our language.”
An unique example of an imperative (issuing obligation) is something called a performative, when the spoken word accomplishes the task. For example, “I nominate __ for President.” The statement completes the action as the statement is spoken.