1
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
The aim of this chapter is to explain deeply and to enlighten clearly the background of the research. It consists of the problems found in the research, the
research focus, and the formulation of the research. In addition, this chapter also describes the objectives which are analyzed by the researcher and the significance
of the research.
A. Background of the Research
Humans build a communication as a fundamental requirement not only to interact or communicate with others, but also to deliver and exchange messages,
ideas, purposes, and aims among others. It certainly requires an effective communication considering that people have limits of times, places, and also the
abilities. Yet, the conceptual system of effective communication is preposterous to be achieved without the intervention of language as human main means of
communication. In short, language is considered as the benchmark to place effective communication as the routine and mundane habits. Thus, practically it is
not surprising that the language term is highly possessed to develop effectiveness in order to maintain communication for the sake of achieving awards in society.
Considering the importance of language, a specific study called linguistics emerged. This specific study is dedicated to scrutinize the mechanism of
language. Linguistics is the study of language as a mature science which analyzes all
general theories
of languages
structurally to
bridge the
gap
within the field and, even more so, between the professional linguist and general public Dearborn, 2005: xxix. Among all aspects of language, style is one which
has its own distinctive features in different pieces of language. Style is a particular attitude of language expression to show and to describe the manner through every
medium which is motivated to prove some purposes and effects. It plays a role as context to deeply embed the language style in distinctive language expression.
Verdonk 2002: 3 states that style is distinctive language expression which is regularly used to shape and design ideas or concept. It characterizes the
uniqueness of human way in choosing a style in language. According to Leech and Short 2007: 9, style is found as a way which refers to how language is used
in a certain context for particular aims by a particular person or, in other words, people employ certain style of language to use language in a given context for
certain reasons. In one way or another, style in language is produced to give a sentimental effect and to express the feelings and imagination by employing
intriguing, exciting, and also persuading languages. Furthermore, style which consists of an unusual and impressive language is
used to attract the perception of human beings. The study that concerns style is stylistics. According to Verdonk 2002: 4, stylistics is one of the linguistics fields
which analyze language style to describe distinctive expressions in language due to particular purposes and effects.
Thus, stylistics is simply defined as the study of style in language that describes ideas or concepts which can be seen in form of choice of words, tone of
voice and also pronunciation called figures of speech. A figure of speech typically
is seen as an aesthetic device to provide a distinctive interpretation and also rises up the imagination and creates the deep impression in works. The ideal of a figure
of speech is bounded with style to influence the way people think and act. According to Perrine 1977: 60-121, divides figures of speech into three
classifications; figures of speech by comparison, figures of speech by association, and figures of speech by contrast. Clearly, it plays central role in defining
language choice as important source to embed better interpretation in understanding the essence of the figures of speech itself.
One of the dominant exercises of language expression in non-literary work is television series that appears as media to cope
the human‘s urge. Watching television series is, undoubtedly, one of human means that represents the needs of
entertainment, information, and even knowledge which also reflects the culture of today‘s society. Besides the visualization of images and sounds in television
series, television series produce a distinctive linguistic feature that bears language of meaningful words, not only to please the audience, but also to create a style in
language that has a significant impact in shaping the conception of thinking of human beings. Thus, people spend a lot of times to watch many television series
to add the information, knowledge, and experience.
A salient language style is presented in Sherlock Holmes TV Series the Final Problem Episode as the chosen object of this research. It is a drama crime
television series adapted from the work of Sir Conan Arthur Doyle‘s Sherlock
Holmes detective series. Furthermore, it is essentially a story about a big man named William Sherlock Scott Holmes who actually is known as Sherlock
Holmes and his partner in solving some mysterious cases Doctor John Watson who has returned from military service in Afghanistan with the Royal Army
Medical Corps. He has an older brother called Mycroft Holmes and land lady Mrs. Hudson. Based on the positive critical responses from the audience, this
television series has been given a big impact for a millions people around the world and has become a great phenomenon as the most watching television series
in United Kingdom with many reviews regarding the quality of the writing, performances, and the direction.
In addition, all this series are about a variety of crimes. However, the researcher chooses the last episode of Sherlock Holmes TV Series entitled the
Final Problem based on her personal reason on drama crime stories. The last episode of this drama is the climax where all puzzles and mysteries are solved and
ansewered with the best ending. This drama series contains of very complex composition of plots, setting, and characterization which become the exact point
of this television series. Also, this drama series reflects a story about friends and families bounded with puzzle and mysterious life that must be solved logically.
On the other hand, this television series draws high quality of story line and brilliant dialogues which create linguistic expression of language style which is in
accordance with the research focus. It needs to be investigated particularly in the terms of using distinctive language style uttered by all the characters.
Concerning the language style which performs in this television series contain a number of sarcastic and ironic utterances. Thus, the researcher decided
to scrutinize the language style which only concerns in figures of speech by
contrast. It is the critical aspects of figures of speech that convey purposes as a language phenomenon which elaborates the messages and ideas to show how style
in language can reflect realities.
B. Research Focus
