Synopsis
Synopsis
language is so rich that there are myriad ways to say something but this does not mean
that our choices are not deliberate. Language is very important in making and
explanation above, the basic functions of language in society are: (1) Means of
Communication seen as the joint responsibility of the speaker and hearer. Speaker is
one who gives information or idea, while hearer is one who becomes target of speech
from speaker. Communication success is achieved if the speaker chooses his word in
such a way the hearer will, under the circumstances of utterance, recognize his
communication intention.
interaction that is driven by his view that in order to speak language correctly, one
needs not only to learn its vocabulary and grammar, but also the context in which
words are used. Hymes constructs the acronym of SPEAKING, that is: S as Setting
and Scene which refers to the time and place of speech. P is Participant, refers to
Sequence, refers to form and order of the event. K as Key which refers to the clues
1
Kridalaksana, Bahasa dan Linguistik in Kushartanti, et al., Pesona Bahasa (Jakarta: PT.
Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2005), p.3.
2
Definisi/pengertian bahasa, Ragam dan Fungsi Bahasa – Pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia.
Accessed on February 20, 2009. http://organisasi.org/definisi-pengertian-bahasa-ragam-dan-fungsi-
bahasa-pelajaran-bahasa-indonesia.
that establish the “tone, manner, or spirit” of the speech act. I is Instrumentalities,
refers to forms and styles of speech. N as Norms, which refers to the social rules
governing the event and the participants’ actions and reaction. The last one is G as
The content and the manner in expressing language are tell – tale signs on how
our addresses. As members of society, the participants are expected to do the common
practice that applies to any member, which is being polite toward others.
order to act politely, the participants need to understand social values of the society
where they life. Generally speaking, politeness involves taking account of the feelings
of others, as with linguistic politeness, it is the use of language to attend to face needs
Leech explained that the role of politeness is a very important. Politeness principle is
cooperative principle cannot explain why people are so indirect in conveying what
they mean. The examples where the politeness principle rescues the cooperative
When A ask B to confirm A’s opinion, B merely confirms part of it, and
pointedly ignores the rest. From this we derive an implicature: Speaker is of the
3
F.X. Nadar, Pragmatik dan Penelitian Pragmatik (Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu, 2009), p. 7.
4
Geoffrey Leech, Principles of Pragmatics (London and New York: Longman, 1983), p. 80.
2
opinion that we will not all Miss Agatha.’ But on what grounds in this implicature
arrived at? Not solely on the basis of the cooperative principle but because of
politeness principle. The conclusion is that B could have been more informative, but
only at the cost of being more impolite to a third party. That B therefore suppressed
The politicians have a special function. They are non ordinary citizen because they
have power and ability. So, their behavior and language were learned by other people.
able to communicate idea of them clearly. They have to give a good response and
express their idea politely. In fact, in communicating the politeness still not obeyed.
That is why, the writer is interested in the politeness and decided to do the study about
it. To find out the violations of maxims in the context of politeness, the writer chooses
B. Research Methodology
Generally, this research aim to get data about violations of maxims in the
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This research uses method of discourse analysis.. From discourse analysis and
politeness principle as approach, research will load data citations to give picture in
analyzing and concluding the data analysis. In this qualitative research, the writer uses
himself as main instrument to obtain required data variously and unit analyses at this
research are Presidential Candidates Debate McCain Obama Full Text Transcript.
C. Theoretical Framework
violations of maxims in the context of politeness. To reach the target, there are some
1. Defining Pragmatics
definition about pragmatics, i.e.: (1) the study of speaker meaning, (2) the study of
contextual meaning, (3) the study of how more gets communicated that is said, and
human language uses as these are determined by the context of society,6 while
5
George Yule, Pragmatics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996), p.3.
6
Jacob l. Mey, Pragmatics an Introduction (Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell publishers,
2001), p. 6.
7
Stephen C. Levinson, Pragmatics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983), p. 9.
4
From some explanations, the writer can take a conclusion that pragmatics is
2. Implicature
According to Mey, the word ‘implicature’ is derived from the verb ‘to imply’,
as is its cognate “implication”. Originally, ‘to imply’ means ‘to fold something into
something else’ (from the Latin verb plicare ‘to fold’); hence, that which is implied is
strength guess base. Example, “It’s sometime in April” it is the answer to the question
“When’s Aunt Rose’s birthday?” implication that “the only thing the speaker
remembered about Auntie’s birthday was the month it occurred, and the speaker
honestly didn’t know whether it was at the beginning, the middle or the end of the
month”.9
some explicit account of how it is possible to mean more than what is actually said.10
8
Jacob l. Mey, (2001), Op.cit, p.45.
9
Geoffrey Leech, (1983), Op.cit, pp.30-31.
10
Stephen C. Levinson (1983), Op.cit, p. 97.
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3. The Politeness Principles
dictionary use, ‘politeness’ refers to show good manners and respect for the feelings
carried out, more specifically, ways in which in relational function in linguistic action
is expressed.
attempts to categorize some of the underlying intent behind these forms in more detail
The tact maxim is the most important kind of politeness in English speaking
society. The Tact maxim applies to Searle’s directive and commisive which is only
minimizing the cost and maximizing the benefit speaker/hearer: 12 The tact maxim
11
A.S Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, (Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2000). p.1017.
12
Ibid. p.107
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[1] You know, I really do think you ought to sell that car. It’s costing more and more
The tact maxim is adhered to by the speaker minimizing the cost to addressee
by using two discourse markers, one to appeal to solidarity, you know, and the other
as a modifying hedge, really, one attitudinal predicate, I do think, and one modal verb,
ought. On the other hand, the speaker maximizes the benefit to the addressee in the
second part of the turn by indicating that s/he save a lot of time and money by selling
the car.
The tact maxim is not adhered, which suggests extreme irritation with others
behavior, so it is impolite.
The generosity maxim involves minimizing the benefit and maximizing the
For examples:
13
Ricahard J Watts, Politeness (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003). p.66.
14
Geoffrey Leech, (1983), Op.cit, p.108.
15
Ibid, p.133.
16
Ibid
7
The offer [4] and invitation [5] are presumed to be polite for two reasons:
firstly, because they imply benefit to other, and secondly less crucially, because they
imply cost to self. And in [3] and [6], the relation between self and other on both
scales is reversed. Benefit to other but doesn’t imply any cost to self apart from the
avoiding disagreement.
The examples [7] and [8] will serve to illustrate the illocutionary functions of
thanking and complaining, in which the speaker maximizes praise of the addressee in
[7] Dear Aunt Mabel, I want to thank you so much for the Christmas present this year.
[8] I wonder if you could keep the noise from your Saturday parties down a bit. I’m
17
Ibid, p.135.
18
Ricahard J Watts, (2003). Op.cit, p.67.
19
Geoffrey Leech, (1983), Loct.cit.
8
In [9], A fall of the approbation maxim, because A say unpleasant things to
self. The modesty maxim is only applicable in expressives and assertives: 20 modesty
For examples:
agreement between self and other. The agreement maxim is only applicable in
20
Ibid, p.136.
21
Ibid, p.138.
9
For examples:
B: Yes, definitely
between self and other, in [13] partial disagreement happened so agreement maxim
sympathy between self and other. The sympathy maxim is only applicable in
For examples:
[15] I’m terrible sorry to hear that your car died (impolite)
associated set of scales which help establish the requisite degree of tact, generosity,
22
Ibid
23
Ibid. pp. 131-139
10
Cost benefit scale: representing the cost or benefit of an act to speaker and
hearer.24
The cost or benefit scale made up of two distinct scales, cost/benefit to speaker
and cost/benefit to hearer. In general, these two measures vary inversely, but it is
possible for them to vary independently. For example, speaker may purpose a course
of action which is, in speaker’s estimation, at a cost himself and beneficial to hearer.
In the other hand, the speaker may purpose a course of action which is
The optionality scale on which illocutions are ordered according to the amount
The speaker is apparently being polite in offering the hearer the choice of doing
something.
The indirectness scale on which, from speaker’s point of view, illocutions are
ordered with respect to the length of the path connecting the illocutionary act to its
illocutionary goal. The indirectness scale can also be formulated from hearer’s point
24
Ibid pp.123-126.
25
Ibid
26
Ibid
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of view, in terms of the length of the inferential path by which the force is derived
Authority scale: representing the status relationship between speaker and hearer.27
familiar form of address to someone who, in return, uses the respectful form. For
example:
Social distance scale: Indicating the degree of familiarity between speaker and
hearer.28
largely on relatively permanent factors of status, age, degree of intimacy, etc., but
also, to some extent, on the temporary role of one person relative to another. For
example:
4. Defining Dialogue
speech, not an actual transcription. It is much shorter than real conversation, and
quickly gets to the point. In good dialogue, unessential words are stripped away. Yet
characters still sound like real people talking. Dialogue is a conversation between two
27
Ibid
28
Ibid
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government or politics, Dialogue is a political discussion between representatives of
more speakers express opposing views and then there is a vote on the issue.30
D. Research Findings
The writer uses data from the America’s Presidential Candidates Debate
Transcript. Firstly, he writes the text of dialogue and then explains the data what kinds
the violation of maxim in the context of politeness and how the implicature on those
dialogues which are being violated of maxim in the context of politeness. The reason
Obama: ... Now, we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight year of
failed economics policies promoted by George Bush, supported by senator McCain, a
theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and
give more and more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down…
(the Dialogue of the America’s Presidential Candidates Debate, transcript 1, p. 1)
unpleasant things about other, particularly about McCain. Obama gives statement that
dispraise other, he says unpleasant things that McCain supports failed economic
policies promoted by George Bush. Obama have a notion that Bush”s and McCain’s
economic policies didn’t give a solution to prosperity society. In this text, implicature
appear at Obama’s statement “we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on
senator McCain”. This text implicates that Obama disappointed with the economic
dispraise to other.
29
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dialogue
30
A.S Hornby, (2000). Op.cit, p.340.
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McCain: …As president of the United States, people are going to be held accountable
in my administration. And I promise you that will happen…
(the Dialogue of the America’s Presidential Candidates Debate, transcript 1, p. 2)
This text shows that McCain violates the Modesty Maxim, because he says
praise of self and maximizing dispraise of self. McCain says that he promise to held
accountable in his administration. It’s clear that Mccain shows his generosity to be
quite normal and indeed. Implicatur in this text appear at “And I promise you that will
happen…” This text implicates that McCain too giving a promise when he becomes a
President. The impolite implicature derives from McCain’s statement which maybe as
a boasting.
McCain: ….And so, again, look at the record, particularly the energy bill. But, again,
Senator Obama has shifted on a number of occasions. He has voted in the United
States Senate to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42.000 a year.
Obama: That’s not true, John. That’s not true.
Mccain: And that’s just a fact. Again, you can look it up.
Obama: Look, it’s just not true. And if we want to talk about oil company profits,
under your tax plan, John –this is undeniable—oil companies would get an additional
$4 billion in tax breaks.
(the Dialogue of the America’s Presidential Candidates Debate, transcript 1, p. 4)
This dialogue is assertives sentence that the speaker commits to the truth of
energy bill, so based on Leech theory, Obama violates the Agreement Maxim. Obama
says that McCain’s statement is not true. Implicature appear at “That’s not true, John.
That’s not true.” This text implicate that Obama disagree about McCain statement.
used speaker to express something that will do. In this dialogue, Obama uses
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more polite because they increase the degree of optionality. But, in this dialogue,
indirect illocution seems impolite. In this sentence, briefly give suggestion that
Obama won’t respond questioner clearly and completely. So, in this case Obama
violates Tact Maxim because he gives a cost to other. Implicature in this dialogue
appear at “can I respond to this briefly”. It implicates that Obama won’t answer
From analyzing the data, the writer obtained the research findings that
practical application of good manners or etiquette. The finding results in this analysis
are many expressions which violated the maxims of politeness principle. In this case,
the violations of maxim happened on the tact maxim, the approbation maxim, the
modesty maxim, and the agreement maxim. While the violations of Generosity and
The violation of tact maxim happened when the speaker maximizes benefit to
self and gives a cost to other. There is one datum that violated tact maxim, this matter
happened on Obama’s statement when he used requesting illocution and gave more
cost to McCain.
dispraise to other. The violations happened on some dialogues, there are five data that
The violations of modesty maxim happened in the dialogues also, this matter
caused by the speaker who maximizes praise of self. In this analysis, there are five
And then the violations of agreement maxim happened in the dialogues, there
are six data that violated the agreement maxim. They happened by the speaker who
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maximizes disagreement between self and other. So, the writer concluded that in
than others.
From violating the maxims, the writer can obtain about the form of
implicature from each dialogue. So, the violations of maxim became supporter in the
E. Conclusions
what said with the situation in conversation. To be the conversation by speaker and
hearer easy to be understood, there are methods which must be adhered. In this case,
politeness principle was known as the method to reach the target of which is wanted
obeyed.
important role in creating politeness; it makes a good relationship each other. But,
generally the violations of maxims related to the politeness principles still occurred in
many conversations. The violations of maxims may occur because of the desire of
adhered.
F. References
16
Kushartanti, (2005). “Pesona Bahasa”, Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
F.X. Nadar, (2009). “Pragmatik dan Penelitian Pragmatik”. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.
WEBSITES :
http://rncnyc2004.blogspot.com/2008/09/presidential-candidates-debate-
mccain_25.html (accessed on October 15, 2008)
17
Makyun Subuki, “Mengapa Pragmatik Perlu Dipelajari dalam Program Studi
Linguistik?”http://tulisanmakyun.blogspot.com/2007/07/linguistik-pragmatik.html
(accessed on October 15, 2008)
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dialogue
G. Curriculum Vitae
Name : Wahyu Robihun
Place, date of birth : Jakarta, November 28th, 1987
Gender : male
Religion : Islam
Citizenship : Indonesian
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Contact Address : Jl. Qrisdoren 1 No. 27 Sukabumi Utara Kebon Jeruk
West Jakarta 11540
Mobile Phone : 085697590764
E- mail : wayaw_28@yahoo.com
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
1. 1999 : Graduated from MI Al-Fakhriyyah Jakarta
2. 2002 : Graduated from MTs Al-Fakhriyyah Jakarta
3. 2005 : Graduated from MA Al-Falah Jakarta
4. 2005 – 2009 Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Faculty of Letters
and Humanities, English Letters Department.
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