Changing the Topic of Conversation

5. Mentioning Names or Titles

This communicative function is to grab one’s attention in conversation. Moreover, mentioning names or titles becomes one of the expressions showing that people are trying to be close. From the analysis, it has been found that there were 16 utterances or 1.6. The result shows that most of the couples mentioned names and titles. The first finding shows that Socrates and Mello, used this expression. The excerpt of the conversation is illustrated as follows. Excerpt 13 Context : Socrates and Mello were outside the classroom and busy with their own activities. Socrates : Mello, where were you? why you didn’t come to the class today? Mello : Overslept. Ap11-2 It can be interpreted in excerpt 13 that mentioning name was used by Socrates to attract Mello’s attention. It appeared in the beginning of conversation. In this case, Socrates gave code by mentioning his friend’s name, Mello. This expression was to show that Socrates intended to talk to Mello. Another finding shows that Sri and Maria, applied the expression of mentioning names and title. In this point, the title used was in a form of Indonesian because of the influence of their daily language in communication. The example of the conversation is as follows. Excerpt 14 Context : Maria and Sri were in the lobby of the graduate program in English language studies. Maria : Hi, Sri Sri : Halo, mbak Maria [laughing] Ap31-2 The conversation shows that both students mentioned the names, Sri and Mbak Maria. The expression produced was used in the beginning of conversation. It means that Maria caught Sri’s attention by mentioning name first. This expression also aims to show that Maria wanted to talk to Sri. Moreover, Sri used the expression Mbak, as an Indonesian title, showing that Sri respected Maria as the older person.

6. Giving Compliments

This communicative function aims to admire someone or to give appreciation. The finding shows that there were 16 utterances presenting 1.6. The couple of female student and the two couples of a male and a female student produced this expression. The data shows that Sri and Maria, expressed giving compliments. The excerpt of the conversation is as follows. Excerpt 15 Context : Sri asked Maria where she usually practiced singing. Maria : It’s at my home. So, I have a little studio = at my home. = Sri : = Okay. = So sweet Ap348-49 Based on the context, Maria told Sri that she had a small studio in her house since she might like to play music and to sing. Sri, then, gave compliments to Maria using the words So sweet. Sri was amazed when knowing about the studio and she complimented Maria about it. The conversation between Al and Esti also indicates the expression of giving compliments. In this case, Esti was the person who always gave compliments. The example of the conversation is illustrated in the following excerpt. Excerpt 16 Context : Esti and Al shared their current job. Al : Yeah. I work in International office. = Esti : = Oh International? Great = Ap640-41 Excerpt 16 describes that Esti produced the expression of giving compliments, Great. Based on the conversation, Al told Esti that he had worked in the International office in an institution. Then, Esti was extremely astonished to know Al’s job. Esti’s expression aims to give appreciation to him that it might be difficult to get that job, especially in the International office.

7. Joking

The expression of joking is to show that one can make people laugh. The finding shows that there were 15 utterances of joking or 1.5 produced by the couple of males and the couple of a male and a female student. The first example is the conversation of Aan and Mello. The excerpt of the conversation can be illustrated as follows. Excerpt 17 Context : Aan and Mello talked about one of their girl friends who looked like a singer named Alicia Keys. Aan : Yeah. She looks like Alicia Keys, isn’t she? Mello : Really? Aan : Yeah. Mello : Alicia KEYS? Aan : Yeah. Mello : Alicia KEYS or Alicia DOORS? Ap2120-125 Aan : [laughing] Alicia DOORS? I think she is the key of Alicia. The context shows that Aan and Mello talked about one of their girl friends. Aan argued that his friend looked like Alicia Keys, a singer. Mello was not quite sure if his friend was like Alicia Keys. In addition, Mello still did not believe PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI