On Disavowal

Abstract This paper discusses the speech act of disavowal, focusing in particular on disavowals prior acts. It is argued that are often used when speakers wish to distance themselves certain ways from some past act, but cannot (or should not) retract it. An account offered according which involve three components: an admission having performed target a denunciation and accounting for act. Disavowals compared related acts denial, retraction, apology, as well use figleaves political speech.