From performative utterances to the performative turn. Theories of performativity between the paradigm of language and media

Abstract

The concept of performativity has had a remarkable career in social and cultural theory in recent years, but its content often remains vague. The same holds true for the proclaimed performative turn. Starting from the current debates about the concept of performativity following, among others, the writings of Karen Barad and Michel Callon, the paper sets out to systematize and critically examine these discussions in greater detail. It begins with a reconstruction of John Austin’s speech act theory and the adaptation of the concept of performativity by cultural theory, before turning to sociological approaches. The focus here lies on Pierre Bourdieu and Judith Butler, who can be understood as counter-positions to Barad and Callon. To grasp the difference between these two strands of the performative turn, the article draws on recent media theories to distinguish two theoretical paradigms: one rooted in language theory and one in media theory. This distinction makes it possible to reveal some misunderstandings and inaccuracies in the current debate and to assess the merit as well as the shortcomings of the respective positions more accurately.