Speech acts are communicative actions that people perform when they speak. They go beyond just conveying information; they can also express feelings, make requests, give orders, or offer apologies. For example, when someone says, "I apologize," they are not just stating a fact but are also performing the act of apologizing. This concept was notably explored by philosopher J.L. Austin. There are different types of speech acts, including assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations. Assertives convey information, directives aim to get someone to do something, and commissives commit the speaker to a certain action. Understanding speech acts helps in analyzing how language functions in social interactions and communication.