What is perlocutionary failure?

Definition
	Perlocutionary failure is a lack of success in achieving an intended perlocutionary effect.

Example (English)
	Here is an example in which perlocutionary failure is alluded to:
	I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen.

Source
	Leech 1983 204–205

Concept module: perlocutionary failure
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): P
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004