The enunciative approach to language and the Oxford School: some considerations

In the scope of Brazilian linguistics studies, the several theories of enunciation have been pride of place. Not only because of its profusion, but above all because of the quality that surrounds its theoretical debates and analytical works. However, some notes still seem worth adding; more precisely, those related to the Oxford School, this is, to the Ordinary Language Philosophy. Indeed, Flores and Teixeira (2005) recognize the link between studies of enunciation theories (mainly Benveniste's theory of enunciation) and the Oxford School, represented mainly by Austin (1962), Grice (1957, 1975), Searle (1969, 1979a) and Strawson (1970). However, it is also true that, even after Fuchs's "laments" (1981), little progress has been made (at least in Brazil) in pointing out the main foundations that place the reflections of Ordinary Language Philosophy as integral, to some degree, of the several theories of enunciation. Thus, this paper seeks to address how three fundamental questions to the theories of enunciation were developed within the Anglo-American school of Ordinary Language Philosophy - simultaneously with its French-speaking development, undertaken mainly by Benveniste. In the end, we argue that there are sufficient reasons why, as Fuchs (1981) suggests, the Oxford School is to be regarded as part of the set of theories of enunciation.