THE SWEARING ANALYSIS EXPRESSED BY PHIL WENNECK IN “THE HANGOVER” MOVIE DIRECTED BY TODD PHILLIPS
THE SWEARING ANALYSIS EXPRESSED BY PHIL WENNECK
IN “THE HANGOVER” MOVIE DIRECTED
BY TODD PHILLIPS
THESIS
By:
ZULFA DIANI NURROHMA KHOLIS
09360210
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
2013
i
This thesis written by Zulfa Diani N.K was approved on October 23rd, 2013.
By:
Advisor II,
Advisor I,
Dr. Hartono, M.Pd
Rina Wahyu S., S.Pd., M.Ed
ii
iii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
To Alloh belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: to Him
do all questions go back (for decision).
-Q.S Ali Imron: 109-
This thesis is dedicated to:
My beloved father and mother
Klismadi and Siti Karomah,
My Great grandfather and grandmother
Miselan and Sumarti,
My lovely Fiancé
Akhirul Fauzi
My little brother
Zusron Indana Zulfa,
and all of my friends
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The researcher would like to express her deepest innumerable gratitude to
Alloh SWT for his blessing and mercy to her upon this thesis writing process. The
researcher truly believes that without His miracle, it is absolutely impossible for the
researcher to complete this research smoothly.
The researcher would like to express her great appreciation and gratitude to
her great advisors Rina Wahyu S., S.Pd., M.Ed and Dr. Hartono, M.Pd for their
guidance kindness in giving suggestions, invaluable guidance and advice during the
consultation period, and their comments and corrections during the completion of this
thesis. Both have guidance the researcher well, just like her parents.
Moreover, she would like to dedicate this research to her beloved and
wonderful parents (Bapak Klismadi and Ibu Siti Karomah) and the second parents (all
of her teachers) who always become her inspiring people to do the best in every
chance she gets.
Finally, she also thanks her lovely grandfather and grandmother (Bapak
Miselan and Ibu Sumarti), sibling (Zusron Indana Zulfa), her fiancé (Akhirul Fauzi)
and all of her friends (especially D class 2009-2013 and Annur 1 community) for
their encouragement, love, care, and pray so that she can finish this thesis.
The writer,
Zulfa Diani Nurrohma Kholis
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ...................................................................................................
LEGALIZATION ..........................................................................................
MOTTO ANS DEDICATION ......................................................................
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................................
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ..................................................................
1.1 Background of the Study ...........................................................................
1.2 Statement of the Problems .........................................................................
1.3 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................
1.4 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................
1.5 Scope and Limitation .................................................................................
1.6 Definition of the Key Terms ......................................................................
1
1
4
4
5
5
5
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ......................
7
2.1 Language……….…………………………………………………………
7
2.2 Sociolinguistics ..........................................................................................
7
2.3 Language and Society………..…………………………………………...
8
2.4 Language Varieties..................................................................................... 9
2.4.1 Accent…………………………………………………………….... 10
2.4.2 Dialect.………………………………………………………..……
10
2.4.2.1 Regional Dialect ………………………………………………. 11
2.4.2.2 Social Dialect …………………………………………………. 11
2.4.2.3 Idiolects ………………………………………………………… 12
2.4.3 Style ……………………………………………………………… 12
2.4.4 Bad Language …………………………………………………………... 13
2.5. Swearing ………………………………………………………………..… 13
2.5.1 Historical State of Swearing …………………………………….. 13
2.5.2 Types of Swearing ……………………………………………..... 14
2.5.2.1 Descriptive swearing…………………………………….. 14
2.5.2.2 Idiomatic swearing ………………………………….. .…. 14
2.5.2.3 Abusive swearing ………………………………………... 14
2.5.2.4 Emphatic swearing ……………………………………… 15
2.5.2.5 Cathartic swearing ………………………………...……. 15
2.6 Movie ……………………………………………………………………... 15
2.6.1 Movie Genre ……………………………………………………...… 15
2.6.1.1 Action-Adventure …………………………………………... 16
2.6.1.2 Animation ………………………………………………….. 16
2.6.1.3 Avant-Garde …………………………………….………..… 16
2.6.1.4 Biopic ………………………………………………….…… 16
2.6.2 Elements of Movie …………………………….………………...…… 17
vi
2.6.2.1 Character ………………………………………….…………
2.6.2.2 Characterization ………………………………………….…
2.6.2.3 Imitation ……………………………………………….……
2.6.2.4 Plot …………………………………………………………
2.6.2.5 Action ………………………………………………………
2.6.2.6 Dialogue ……………………………………………………
17
17
17
18
18
18
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................
3.1 Research Design ........................................................................................
3.2 Object of Study .........................................................................................
3.3 Research Instrument ..................................................................................
3.4 Data Collection .........................................................................................
3.5 Data Analysis ............................................................................................
19
19
20
20
20
20
CHAPTER IV FINDING AND DISCUSSION ...........................................
4.1 Research Findings .....................................................................................
4.1.1 The Swearing Expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips…………………………………..
4.1.2 The Types of Swearing ……………………………………………
4.1.2.1 Descriptive Swearing…………………………………...…
4.1.2.2 Idiomatic Swearing……..………………………………....
4.1.2.3 Abusive Swearing………..………………………..…........
4.1.2.4 Emphatic Swearing……………………………………......
4.1.2.5 Cathartic Swearing………………………………………...
4.1.3 The Most Dominant Swearing……………………………….……
4.2 Discussions ...............................................................................................
22
22
CHAPTER V CONCLUSSION AND SUGGESTION ...............................
5.1 Conclusions ...............................................................................................
5.2 Suggestions ...............................................................................................
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
vii
22
23
23
23
24
25
26
28
28
31
31
32
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Airasian, Peter, Gay L.R. 2003. Education Research. New Jersey: Pearson Education,
Inc
Alfinawati. 2009. The Analysis of Swearings Expressed in“The Velvet Rope Diaries”
Novel by Daniella Brodsky Based on Steven Pinker’s Theory. Thesis.
Muhammadiyah University of Malang.
Arikunto, Suharsimi. 2010. Prosedur Penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Jakarta:
Rineka Cipta.
Ary, Donald, et. al. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education. California:
Wadsworth Group a Devision of Thomson Learning Inc.
Ayto, J. 2000. Dictionary of Euphemisms Revised Edition. Edinburgh:
Bloomsbury.
Chomsky, Noam. 2002. On Nature and Language. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Coupland, Nikolas. 2007. Style Language Variation and Identity.New York:
Cambriedge University Press.
DeFreitas, K. C., 2007. #@?*% You!: To Swear is Human. Retrieved:
April 3, 2013 from http://www./angelingo.usc.edu
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R&Hyams, N. 2003. An Introduction to Language 7th
edition. Boston: Thomson.
Green, J. 2000. Big Book of Being Language: 7000 Slang Insult. New York:
Cassela.
Hargrave, Andrea.1998. Bad Language -What Are The Limits. London: Broadcasting
Standards Commission
Hughes, Geoffrey. 2006. An Encyclopedia of Swearing: the social history of oaths,
profanity, foul language, and ethnic slurs in the English-speaking world. New
York: M.E. Sharpe, Inc.
Iwuchukwu, Onyeka.2008. Elements of Drama.Nigeria: National Open University of
Nigeria.
Mesthrie, R., Swann, J., Deumert, A&Leap, L.W. 2000. Introducing
Sociolinguistics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
viii
Meyerhoff, Miriam. 2006. Introducing Sociolinguistics. New York: Routledge
270 Madison Ave.
Pinker, S. 2007. The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature.
New York: Penguin Books.
Wardhaugh, Ronald. 2006. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. New York: Basil
Blackwell.
Wood, julia T. 2001. Communication on Mosaics. Belmont: Wadsworth Thomson
Learning.
Xing, C. 2005. Culture and Language Teaching Through Movies. A Case Study.
Journal of Chikushi Jogakuen University, 9. Retrieved: April 1, 2013 from
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED405731.pdf
ix
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, the researcher presents background of the study, statement of
the problems, purposes of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation
and definition of the key terms. Each point is presented as follows.
1.1 Background of the Study
Human beings cannot live without making any communication with others
because communication has an important role in the society. In order to have a good
communication among society, people need a mean that can be used to express their
ideas or feelings. Furthermore, in accordance with the use of language, it can be used
in two conditions, formal and informal one. People use language in formal conditions,
for example in the class, meeting, seminar and speech. While in daily talking or
chatting they use informal language for their communication.
In addition, language also serves several functions. Firstly, language is as a
medium of transferring information. Secondly, language is a very useful means of
establishing and maintaining social relationship. Thirdly, language is as a tool to
show one’s expression or feeling, such as anger, sadness, happiness, loneliness and
others. In this case, the use of swearing can be included into the third function of
language that people sometimes use. Defreitas (2007) states that swearing or cursing
is universal because it conveys potent emotions that are otherwise inexpressible
1
through day-to-day language: curse words convey pain, hatred, revulsion,
disapproval, insult, frustration, shock, excitement, offense, and even camaraderie.
Ayto (2000) also defines swearing as a strong language: “Strong language
denotes the use of frank, forceful, perhaps even taboo vocabulary, but probably not
the most extreme obscenities.” Most people are swearing when they are upset, stress,
angry, and hurt. Swearing is actually human and natural behavior. In case of the
English swearing, it is commonly found and used in the daily life and daily
communication. Even right now, the English swearing is not only used by the English
native speakers, but also used by non native speakers of English in the entire world.
Most of people use swearing to express their emotions. This thing can
happen not
only to low class or uneducated people but also to the high class or educated people.
For example Joe Biden, the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, He
showed his excitement over the passing of the health care legislation in March 24,
2010 to President Barack Obama. Joe Biden congratulated President Barack Obama
with an outburst, “This is a big f***ing deal” (Brian: 2010). This sentence “This is a
big fucking deal” did not the same with “this is the big deal which is fucking”.
Since swearing becomes more familiar day by day, as a result there are many
educated people also use it to express their feelings such as anger, upset, stress, and
hurt. It is the same as what Todd Philips tells in his movie “The Hangover”. This
movie tells about four best friends, namely Phil Wenneck, Stu, Alan and Doug, who
come to the Sin City (Las Vegas) to celebrate a bachelor party. In Las Vegas, they get
a drunken debauchery. After they are awakening from their party, Dough is missing.
2
Finally, Phil Wenneck and his friends must attempt to retrace Dough to his family
because he is waited for his wedding.
There are many swearings expressed by the characters in some scenes in this
movie, so that is why “The Hangover” movie was chosen to be analyzed by the
researcher. The researcher feels so interested to analyze swearing that are expressed
in a movie rather than the other object such as a short story, a novel or a play since a
movie can be watched for many times. In addition, through movie, the researcher is
also able to look directly at the swearing expressions shown by the characters. These
all make the researcher easier to investigate about swearing and know the context
when the swearing is spoken.
One of the researchers who did the same research about swearing was
Alfinawati (2009). In her research, she found the type and the characteristics of the
swearing expressed in “The Velvet Rope Diaries” novel by Daniella Brodsky based
on Steven Pinker’s theory. They were: 1) the characters in the novel were swearing
by blurting taboo words and phrases related to Gods or religion, sexuality, disease,
and filth or bodily effluvia; 2) the characters in the novel were swearing for some
purposes, some of them spoke rudely, descriptively, idiomatically, abusively,
emphatically, and cathartically.
In this research, the researcher chooses Phil Wenneck as the specific object of
her research. She chooses him because of two reasons, first Phil Wenneck is a school
teacher and he is truly categorized as an educated person but he often uses swearing
to express his feeling without any fear and reluctance. Second, Phil Wenneck is the
main character, so he is the most dominant actor who leads in every single scene.
3
From the phenomena, the researcher was interested to conduct the analysis of
“The Hangover” movie under the title The Swearing Expressed by Phil Wenneck in
“The Hangover” Movie Directed by Todd Philips.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
The problems which are going to be investigated in this study are formulated
as follows:
1. What are the swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie
directed by Todd Philips?
2. What are the types of swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips?
3. What is the most dominant swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The
Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to find out answer of the problems that have been
stated in the statement of problems. The purposes are:
1. To describe the swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie
directed by Todd Philips.
2. To describe the types of swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips.
3. To know the most dominant swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The
Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips.
4
1.4 Significance of the Study
Theoretically, the result of this research can give more knowledge about
swearing for the researcher herself and also becomes a reference to the students who
are interested in the study of sociolinguistics especially in language variation, more
specially in swearing. Practically, it is hoped that the result of this research can make
people have a thought that swearing is also a phenomenon of sociolinguistics which
should not be avoided but should be understood because it is used not only by low
class or uneducated people but also by high class or educated people. To the next
researchers, she hopes that they will research swearing in different aspects and
contexts.
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
In this study, the researcher analyzes the swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck
(the character) in “The Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips as the scope. And
the researcher limited her analysis to the swearing, the types and the most dominant
swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie directed by Todd
Philips.
1.6 Definition of the Key Terms
To avoid some misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the key terms
used, the researcher defines some terms, they are:
5
1. Swearing is an exclusively verbal practice, blasphemy, profanity, and obscenity
cover a wide variety of modes, including violations of taboos through insulting
signs or outrageous actions (Hughes, 2006: 16).
2. Phil Wenneck is a school teacher who is also the main character in “The
Hangover” movie who used swearing for many times to express his anger, upset,
stress, and hurt in every scene.
3. The Hangover is a Las Vegas-set movie centered around four best friends who
lose one of their friends during their drunken debauchery, then must retrace him to
his family for his wedding.
4. Movie is a story or series of events recorded by camera and shown as moving
picture on a screen in a theatre or a television.
5. Todd Philips is the director of “The Hangover” movie.
6
IN “THE HANGOVER” MOVIE DIRECTED
BY TODD PHILLIPS
THESIS
By:
ZULFA DIANI NURROHMA KHOLIS
09360210
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
2013
i
This thesis written by Zulfa Diani N.K was approved on October 23rd, 2013.
By:
Advisor II,
Advisor I,
Dr. Hartono, M.Pd
Rina Wahyu S., S.Pd., M.Ed
ii
iii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
To Alloh belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: to Him
do all questions go back (for decision).
-Q.S Ali Imron: 109-
This thesis is dedicated to:
My beloved father and mother
Klismadi and Siti Karomah,
My Great grandfather and grandmother
Miselan and Sumarti,
My lovely Fiancé
Akhirul Fauzi
My little brother
Zusron Indana Zulfa,
and all of my friends
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The researcher would like to express her deepest innumerable gratitude to
Alloh SWT for his blessing and mercy to her upon this thesis writing process. The
researcher truly believes that without His miracle, it is absolutely impossible for the
researcher to complete this research smoothly.
The researcher would like to express her great appreciation and gratitude to
her great advisors Rina Wahyu S., S.Pd., M.Ed and Dr. Hartono, M.Pd for their
guidance kindness in giving suggestions, invaluable guidance and advice during the
consultation period, and their comments and corrections during the completion of this
thesis. Both have guidance the researcher well, just like her parents.
Moreover, she would like to dedicate this research to her beloved and
wonderful parents (Bapak Klismadi and Ibu Siti Karomah) and the second parents (all
of her teachers) who always become her inspiring people to do the best in every
chance she gets.
Finally, she also thanks her lovely grandfather and grandmother (Bapak
Miselan and Ibu Sumarti), sibling (Zusron Indana Zulfa), her fiancé (Akhirul Fauzi)
and all of her friends (especially D class 2009-2013 and Annur 1 community) for
their encouragement, love, care, and pray so that she can finish this thesis.
The writer,
Zulfa Diani Nurrohma Kholis
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ...................................................................................................
LEGALIZATION ..........................................................................................
MOTTO ANS DEDICATION ......................................................................
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................................
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ..................................................................
1.1 Background of the Study ...........................................................................
1.2 Statement of the Problems .........................................................................
1.3 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................
1.4 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................
1.5 Scope and Limitation .................................................................................
1.6 Definition of the Key Terms ......................................................................
1
1
4
4
5
5
5
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ......................
7
2.1 Language……….…………………………………………………………
7
2.2 Sociolinguistics ..........................................................................................
7
2.3 Language and Society………..…………………………………………...
8
2.4 Language Varieties..................................................................................... 9
2.4.1 Accent…………………………………………………………….... 10
2.4.2 Dialect.………………………………………………………..……
10
2.4.2.1 Regional Dialect ………………………………………………. 11
2.4.2.2 Social Dialect …………………………………………………. 11
2.4.2.3 Idiolects ………………………………………………………… 12
2.4.3 Style ……………………………………………………………… 12
2.4.4 Bad Language …………………………………………………………... 13
2.5. Swearing ………………………………………………………………..… 13
2.5.1 Historical State of Swearing …………………………………….. 13
2.5.2 Types of Swearing ……………………………………………..... 14
2.5.2.1 Descriptive swearing…………………………………….. 14
2.5.2.2 Idiomatic swearing ………………………………….. .…. 14
2.5.2.3 Abusive swearing ………………………………………... 14
2.5.2.4 Emphatic swearing ……………………………………… 15
2.5.2.5 Cathartic swearing ………………………………...……. 15
2.6 Movie ……………………………………………………………………... 15
2.6.1 Movie Genre ……………………………………………………...… 15
2.6.1.1 Action-Adventure …………………………………………... 16
2.6.1.2 Animation ………………………………………………….. 16
2.6.1.3 Avant-Garde …………………………………….………..… 16
2.6.1.4 Biopic ………………………………………………….…… 16
2.6.2 Elements of Movie …………………………….………………...…… 17
vi
2.6.2.1 Character ………………………………………….…………
2.6.2.2 Characterization ………………………………………….…
2.6.2.3 Imitation ……………………………………………….……
2.6.2.4 Plot …………………………………………………………
2.6.2.5 Action ………………………………………………………
2.6.2.6 Dialogue ……………………………………………………
17
17
17
18
18
18
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................
3.1 Research Design ........................................................................................
3.2 Object of Study .........................................................................................
3.3 Research Instrument ..................................................................................
3.4 Data Collection .........................................................................................
3.5 Data Analysis ............................................................................................
19
19
20
20
20
20
CHAPTER IV FINDING AND DISCUSSION ...........................................
4.1 Research Findings .....................................................................................
4.1.1 The Swearing Expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips…………………………………..
4.1.2 The Types of Swearing ……………………………………………
4.1.2.1 Descriptive Swearing…………………………………...…
4.1.2.2 Idiomatic Swearing……..………………………………....
4.1.2.3 Abusive Swearing………..………………………..…........
4.1.2.4 Emphatic Swearing……………………………………......
4.1.2.5 Cathartic Swearing………………………………………...
4.1.3 The Most Dominant Swearing……………………………….……
4.2 Discussions ...............................................................................................
22
22
CHAPTER V CONCLUSSION AND SUGGESTION ...............................
5.1 Conclusions ...............................................................................................
5.2 Suggestions ...............................................................................................
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
vii
22
23
23
23
24
25
26
28
28
31
31
32
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Airasian, Peter, Gay L.R. 2003. Education Research. New Jersey: Pearson Education,
Inc
Alfinawati. 2009. The Analysis of Swearings Expressed in“The Velvet Rope Diaries”
Novel by Daniella Brodsky Based on Steven Pinker’s Theory. Thesis.
Muhammadiyah University of Malang.
Arikunto, Suharsimi. 2010. Prosedur Penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Jakarta:
Rineka Cipta.
Ary, Donald, et. al. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education. California:
Wadsworth Group a Devision of Thomson Learning Inc.
Ayto, J. 2000. Dictionary of Euphemisms Revised Edition. Edinburgh:
Bloomsbury.
Chomsky, Noam. 2002. On Nature and Language. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Coupland, Nikolas. 2007. Style Language Variation and Identity.New York:
Cambriedge University Press.
DeFreitas, K. C., 2007. #@?*% You!: To Swear is Human. Retrieved:
April 3, 2013 from http://www./angelingo.usc.edu
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R&Hyams, N. 2003. An Introduction to Language 7th
edition. Boston: Thomson.
Green, J. 2000. Big Book of Being Language: 7000 Slang Insult. New York:
Cassela.
Hargrave, Andrea.1998. Bad Language -What Are The Limits. London: Broadcasting
Standards Commission
Hughes, Geoffrey. 2006. An Encyclopedia of Swearing: the social history of oaths,
profanity, foul language, and ethnic slurs in the English-speaking world. New
York: M.E. Sharpe, Inc.
Iwuchukwu, Onyeka.2008. Elements of Drama.Nigeria: National Open University of
Nigeria.
Mesthrie, R., Swann, J., Deumert, A&Leap, L.W. 2000. Introducing
Sociolinguistics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
viii
Meyerhoff, Miriam. 2006. Introducing Sociolinguistics. New York: Routledge
270 Madison Ave.
Pinker, S. 2007. The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature.
New York: Penguin Books.
Wardhaugh, Ronald. 2006. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. New York: Basil
Blackwell.
Wood, julia T. 2001. Communication on Mosaics. Belmont: Wadsworth Thomson
Learning.
Xing, C. 2005. Culture and Language Teaching Through Movies. A Case Study.
Journal of Chikushi Jogakuen University, 9. Retrieved: April 1, 2013 from
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED405731.pdf
ix
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, the researcher presents background of the study, statement of
the problems, purposes of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation
and definition of the key terms. Each point is presented as follows.
1.1 Background of the Study
Human beings cannot live without making any communication with others
because communication has an important role in the society. In order to have a good
communication among society, people need a mean that can be used to express their
ideas or feelings. Furthermore, in accordance with the use of language, it can be used
in two conditions, formal and informal one. People use language in formal conditions,
for example in the class, meeting, seminar and speech. While in daily talking or
chatting they use informal language for their communication.
In addition, language also serves several functions. Firstly, language is as a
medium of transferring information. Secondly, language is a very useful means of
establishing and maintaining social relationship. Thirdly, language is as a tool to
show one’s expression or feeling, such as anger, sadness, happiness, loneliness and
others. In this case, the use of swearing can be included into the third function of
language that people sometimes use. Defreitas (2007) states that swearing or cursing
is universal because it conveys potent emotions that are otherwise inexpressible
1
through day-to-day language: curse words convey pain, hatred, revulsion,
disapproval, insult, frustration, shock, excitement, offense, and even camaraderie.
Ayto (2000) also defines swearing as a strong language: “Strong language
denotes the use of frank, forceful, perhaps even taboo vocabulary, but probably not
the most extreme obscenities.” Most people are swearing when they are upset, stress,
angry, and hurt. Swearing is actually human and natural behavior. In case of the
English swearing, it is commonly found and used in the daily life and daily
communication. Even right now, the English swearing is not only used by the English
native speakers, but also used by non native speakers of English in the entire world.
Most of people use swearing to express their emotions. This thing can
happen not
only to low class or uneducated people but also to the high class or educated people.
For example Joe Biden, the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, He
showed his excitement over the passing of the health care legislation in March 24,
2010 to President Barack Obama. Joe Biden congratulated President Barack Obama
with an outburst, “This is a big f***ing deal” (Brian: 2010). This sentence “This is a
big fucking deal” did not the same with “this is the big deal which is fucking”.
Since swearing becomes more familiar day by day, as a result there are many
educated people also use it to express their feelings such as anger, upset, stress, and
hurt. It is the same as what Todd Philips tells in his movie “The Hangover”. This
movie tells about four best friends, namely Phil Wenneck, Stu, Alan and Doug, who
come to the Sin City (Las Vegas) to celebrate a bachelor party. In Las Vegas, they get
a drunken debauchery. After they are awakening from their party, Dough is missing.
2
Finally, Phil Wenneck and his friends must attempt to retrace Dough to his family
because he is waited for his wedding.
There are many swearings expressed by the characters in some scenes in this
movie, so that is why “The Hangover” movie was chosen to be analyzed by the
researcher. The researcher feels so interested to analyze swearing that are expressed
in a movie rather than the other object such as a short story, a novel or a play since a
movie can be watched for many times. In addition, through movie, the researcher is
also able to look directly at the swearing expressions shown by the characters. These
all make the researcher easier to investigate about swearing and know the context
when the swearing is spoken.
One of the researchers who did the same research about swearing was
Alfinawati (2009). In her research, she found the type and the characteristics of the
swearing expressed in “The Velvet Rope Diaries” novel by Daniella Brodsky based
on Steven Pinker’s theory. They were: 1) the characters in the novel were swearing
by blurting taboo words and phrases related to Gods or religion, sexuality, disease,
and filth or bodily effluvia; 2) the characters in the novel were swearing for some
purposes, some of them spoke rudely, descriptively, idiomatically, abusively,
emphatically, and cathartically.
In this research, the researcher chooses Phil Wenneck as the specific object of
her research. She chooses him because of two reasons, first Phil Wenneck is a school
teacher and he is truly categorized as an educated person but he often uses swearing
to express his feeling without any fear and reluctance. Second, Phil Wenneck is the
main character, so he is the most dominant actor who leads in every single scene.
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From the phenomena, the researcher was interested to conduct the analysis of
“The Hangover” movie under the title The Swearing Expressed by Phil Wenneck in
“The Hangover” Movie Directed by Todd Philips.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
The problems which are going to be investigated in this study are formulated
as follows:
1. What are the swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie
directed by Todd Philips?
2. What are the types of swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips?
3. What is the most dominant swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The
Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to find out answer of the problems that have been
stated in the statement of problems. The purposes are:
1. To describe the swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie
directed by Todd Philips.
2. To describe the types of swearings expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover”
movie directed by Todd Philips.
3. To know the most dominant swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The
Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips.
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1.4 Significance of the Study
Theoretically, the result of this research can give more knowledge about
swearing for the researcher herself and also becomes a reference to the students who
are interested in the study of sociolinguistics especially in language variation, more
specially in swearing. Practically, it is hoped that the result of this research can make
people have a thought that swearing is also a phenomenon of sociolinguistics which
should not be avoided but should be understood because it is used not only by low
class or uneducated people but also by high class or educated people. To the next
researchers, she hopes that they will research swearing in different aspects and
contexts.
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
In this study, the researcher analyzes the swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck
(the character) in “The Hangover” movie directed by Todd Philips as the scope. And
the researcher limited her analysis to the swearing, the types and the most dominant
swearing expressed by Phil Wenneck in “The Hangover” movie directed by Todd
Philips.
1.6 Definition of the Key Terms
To avoid some misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the key terms
used, the researcher defines some terms, they are:
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1. Swearing is an exclusively verbal practice, blasphemy, profanity, and obscenity
cover a wide variety of modes, including violations of taboos through insulting
signs or outrageous actions (Hughes, 2006: 16).
2. Phil Wenneck is a school teacher who is also the main character in “The
Hangover” movie who used swearing for many times to express his anger, upset,
stress, and hurt in every scene.
3. The Hangover is a Las Vegas-set movie centered around four best friends who
lose one of their friends during their drunken debauchery, then must retrace him to
his family for his wedding.
4. Movie is a story or series of events recorded by camera and shown as moving
picture on a screen in a theatre or a television.
5. Todd Philips is the director of “The Hangover” movie.
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