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Table 4.1 The occuran ce of women’s language features spoken by Gracie
Hart in Miss Congeniality movie
No. Women’s language features
The frequency of each features
The percentage of each feature
1 Lexical hedge
2 4.1
2 Filler
11 22.5
3 Tag question
2 4.1
4 Rising intonation
6 12.3
5 ‘Empty’ adjective
6 Intensifier
11 22.5
7 Precise of color term
8 ‘Hypercorrect’ Grammar
17 34.7
9 Emphatic stress
10 Superpolite form
11 Avoidance of strong swear word
The number of features 49
100
The total of women’s language features which were found in Miss Congeniality
movie are 46. There were 17 34.7 hypercorrect grammar that appeared the most in the movie. There were 11 22.5 intensifiers and fillers, six 12.3 rising
intonations, and two 4.1 lexical hedges and tag questions. Emphatic stress, empty adjectives, precise color term, superpolite form, and avoidance of strong swear word
did not appear in the movie. The results and evidences are provided and discussed in the following section.
1. Hypercorrect Grammar
Hypercorrect grammar appears the most compared to the other features. Lakoff and Bucholtz 2004 say women are not supposed to talk rough. Women use
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this feature because of their speech role model. Moreover, women use Standard English form to show good behavior in society.
The researcher found 17 sentences 33.3 that used hypercorrect grammar. In this study, the researcher analyzed the conversation that used English standard
forms. The researcher decided to choose long and correct sentences in Hart’s speech
that were categorized as hypercorrect grammar. As a woman, Hart uses hypercorrect grammar in her speech. In the movie, Gracie Hart ensured whether or not Mr.
McDonald got angry about the last case. It happened because Hart did not follow order commanded by Mr. McDonald. She uses hypercorrect grammar in her
statement as shown in [1]. Moreover, hypercorrect grammar can also be found when Hart makes excuses [2] and [3] see appendix 1.
[1] I didn’t realize it was stupidity.
[2] I had a bite of my bagel and I forgot to pray. [3] I was dating him for a little while because he said he had an incurable
disease. Based on the statements [1], [2] and [3], they are considered correct grammar since
Hart consistently uses past tense form in her sentences. The above sentences are few examples of hypercorrect grammar. It is proven that women are capable in delivering
good English. By using hypercorrect grammar means that a woman uses the English standard form constantly Milroy Milroy, 2002, p.30.
Hypercorrect grammar also appears when Hart met Mr. Melling. Mr. Melling was shocked because Hart did not look like as a woman. Since Hart had to do an
