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decision in using the word honor reflects the social politeness. Besides, he also uses it to show his admiration toward Madonna.
Kurt also applies superpolite forms when he asks permission to talk to the addressees as seen in the excerpt [9] from episode 15, [10] from episode 16, and
[11] from episode 17.
[9] KURT: Ms. Sylvester,
[we’ d like a word.]
[10] KURT: Mr. Schue? [If I may?
]
[11] KURT: Mr. Schuster, [may I be blunt?]
From those three excerpts, the researcher finds that when it comes for Kurt to talk to people who are older than him, he uses superpolite forms. First, Kurt is not
imposing his addressee to listen to what he is trying to say. However, he tries to be polite by asking permission for him to talk first and then deliver his idea. Second,
his expressions reflect social politeness. From excerpts [9], [10], and [11], Kurt uses formal or polite modals to ask for his addressee’s permission. Instead of using can,
he uses may and would as the modals in his utterances. Even in the excerpt [9] when the modal would is shortened into we’d, it does not reduce its politeness level.
Another superpolite form is found in the episode 10 when Kurt helped Finn, his crush, to find an outfit that suited him. When Finn thanked Kurt for helping him,
Kurt answered him by using a superpolite form as seen in the excerpt [12].
[12] FINN: Thanks for coming over, Kurt. I know you’re into fashion and
that kind of stuff. And I need to find something nice to wear to the Fabray’s for dinner, so…
KURT:
[I couldn’ t be more pleased and honored to help]
you find something vintage and appropriate to wear.
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From the excerpt [12], Kurt uses the word could which is classified as a formal or polite modal. He also uses the word pleased and honored which usually are used in
a formal situation. The utterance becomes superpolite because he uses those words not in a formal situation and not to the older people but to his friend. The researcher
assumes that Kurt uses a superpolite form to show that he is glad to be able to help Finn as his friend. Also, he wants to build and protect his good reputation in front
of his loved one. Briefly, Kurt uses superpolite form in his utterances in some episodes of
Glee Television Series Season 1. His choices of words such as pleased, honored, would, could, and may make his utterances become superpolite. It happens because
Kurt tries to keep his good reputation in his society. As a different kid, he does not want to be underestimated by people around him. Rather than imposing his
addressees or being rude in front of them, he considers it would be better for him to use the superpolite form.
4. Emphatic Stress
Stress can refer to emphatic stress when it is placed on a particular word in a phrase to clarify or emphasis something. While applying emphatic stress, the
speaker shows a bit of emotion when saying the word through posture and tone of voice. Emphatic stress is a women’s language feature that usually occurs when
women want to strengthen their assertions Lakoff, 1975. From some episodes, the researcher finds 31 examples of emphatic stress used by Kurt Hummel. In Kurt’s
utterances, emphatic stress appears the most in the episode 20 as many as 7 times. One of the evidences is provided in the excerpt 13 below.
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[13] KURT: I used Marlene Dietrich and Garry Cooper in Morocco as my inspiration. It’s [a perfect blend] of the masculine and feminine; the
muted and the theatrical. FINN
: Are you freaking insane? I can’t live here. I’m a dude. What the hell is that supposed to be?
When Kurt redecorated his room that would be shared with his brother-in-law to be, Finn, he said a perfect blend of the masculine and feminine. The phrase a perfect
blend that he uses is an emphatic stress with the aim to emphasize the meaning of his utterance. He wants to show that the room is suitable for them. In this case, the
emphatic stress shows Kurt’s attitude toward the room. In Kurt’s opinion, the room is just perfect for Finn and him. However, it seems like Finn does not like it.
Another emphatic stress is also found in the episode 10 titled Ballad and 18 titled Laryngitis. The researcher provides the evidence for each episode in the
excerpts below.
[14] KURT: It’s my dad. He’s [the most important thing] in the world to
me. I love him, and I’m afraid that I might be losing him because my…sexuality.
[15] KURT: He was my knight in shining armor. My feeling lingered [stronger] as we bonded over Glee. Then football. Then skin care.
Excerpt [14] and [15] show the emphatic stress that is used by Kurt. Both of the emphatic stress are used to emphasize his utterances. Both also show his point of
view; it is only based on Kurt’s feeling. It can be different from others’ perspectives. As an evidence in the excerpt [14], he wants to show that his father is the most
important person for him while perhaps for his friend, Kurt’s father is not that important.
Overall, the examples of emphatic stress found in Kurt ’s utterances are used
to emphasize and strengthen his utterances. Kurt’s feelings about something also
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can be shown from the emphatic stress he used. It is because the emphatic stress shows someone’s attitude toward something or someone where other people can
have other points of view.
5. Hypercorrect Grammar
Hypercorrect grammar is related to the superpolite form feature. Lakoff 1975 stated that hypercorrect grammar is the consistent use of standard verb
forms. Agreeing with Lakoff, Holmes 2001 also stated that women are subordinate to men, so that they must avoid offending them and should speak with
standard forms. According to Pan 2011, hypercorrect grammar involves an avoidance of terms considered vulgar or coarse as ain’t and use of precise
pronunciation such as sounding the final g in words such as going instead of the more casual goin’. Instead of saying the word ain’t or goin, women prefer to use
the formal forms of those word like is not, are not, am not for ain’t or getting for getting’.
Based on the data classification, there are 25 hypercorrect grammar features that appears in Kurt
’s utterances from some episodes. The researcher provides some evidences of hypercorrect grammar used by Kurt that can be found in the seventh,
twelfth, and twentieth episodes.
[16] KURT: [She told me if I eve
n talked to one of Mr. Shue’ s kids that
she would shave my head.] [17] KURT: [Based on my investigation, I am of the opinion that a
yearbook photo would only fuel the flames of anti-glee-club terror.] [18] KURT:
Don’t worry roomie. Mr. Ikea Catalog and I will have this all
figured out. [I am going to put together a palate that expresses who you are and who I want you to be.]
