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communication. In this study this gambits is called as conversation since it is used in conversational speech in a form of debate activities.
According to Keller and Warner 2002, there are three kinds of gambits in conversation gambits. They are opening gambits, linking gambits, and responding
gambits. Those kinds of gambits have their own purposes and functions. The elaboration about the kinds of gambits will be presented as follows:
a. Opening Gambits
Keller and Warner 2002 define opening gambits as gambits that are used to help us introduce idea into the discussion. This gambit is used not only to start
a new discussion or conversation, but also to introduce new ideas during a discussion or conversation. The examples of opening gambits are “You may not
believe it, but …”, “First, …”, “In my view …”, and “do you know …?”. Basically, there are still more examples of this kind of gambits. Therefore, the
complete list of opening gambits will be attached in the appendix 4.
b. Linking Gambits
Linking gambits are gambits used to link our own idea to the others’ idea so that the discussion will be still going on because there will be agreement or
disagreement about a certain topic. Moreover, these gambits are also used to give other speakers chance to speak or to take our turn to give opinion. There are some
examples of linking gambits such as “Because of …”, “But the problem is that …”, and “Let me put it another way” Keller and Warner, 2002. Since there are
many expressions of linking gambits, it will be attached in appendix 4. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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c. Responding Gambits
A successful conversation is when the speakers can respond the others’ idea or develop others’ idea. In responding others’ idea there will be agreement or
disagreement Keller, 2002. These kinds of gambits allow the speakers to say your agreement or disagreement, to show surprise, disbelief, or polite interest.
Here are the examples of responding gambits: “I agree, but …”, “You must be joking”, “Really?”, or “I don’t think that …” Keller and Warner, 2002. This kind
of gambits will ease the speakers to relax and be fluent in discussion or conversation since the speaker will find it is easier to talk by using these
expressions. The complete examples of responding gambits will also be attached in appendix 4.
In this study, the writer addresses the conversation gambits as conversational strategy signals since the gambits used in this study is for giving
transition signal in the utterances. It means that the gambits used in the debate are used to start discussion or to state ideas in debate, to respond to a question or
statement, and link the idea about certain topic. These expressions are used to be introductory phrase that ease the speakers to state their idea. When it is easy for
stating idea, the discussion will flow naturally and contextually. It means that there will be less or no jumping idea when it is used appropriately due to its
function. Conversation gambits have purposes. These purposes ease the learners to
decide which gambit is appropriate to use. In other words, when a speaker uses PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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gambits appropriately in an utterance it will make the utterance becomes more meaningful, natural, and contextual.
According to Keller 1979, conversation gambits have four main functions. These functions help the writer to identify the functions of the used
gambits in the debate due to its purpose. Below are the four main functions of conversation gambits:
a Semantics framing
As Keller 1979 says that commonly, gambits refer to semantic information. They serve to signal that the stretch of utterance to follow is to be
taken in particular manner, for example as an opinion, or as a piece of unpleasant realism. Mostly, the expressions ending at three dots need the complement to
make them as full-fledged gambits. Also, they will convey specific meaning of a complete sentence. As an example, the statement “In my opinion, he’s smart”
contains specific meaning ‘he’s smart’ a meaning which is qualified by the gambit as an opinion. As semantic framing, the gambits are mostly introducers. It means
that mostly the expressions are used in the beginning of the sentence and have functions to introduce the idea contained in the sentence. In conclusion, this
function refers to opening gambits that are used to introduce idea both in the beginning and during conversation.
b Social context signals
The other function of gambits is to signal social context. In a discussion or conversation, speakers will have their speaking turn. To signal that a speaker take
their speaking turn, Keller 1979 gives some turn taking signals gambits such as PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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“Pardon me for interrupting, but …” or “What do you think of it”. The first gambit signals that the speaker wants to have hisher turn while the second gambit
signals that the speaker wants the other speaker to take the active turn then she becomes the passive one. These are the examples of gambits to take turn.
Basically, there are two types of social signal. The first one is gambits to signal turn taking. This is used to signal when a speaker wants to have, keep, or
abandon their turn. Even, when a speaker wants to leave the conversation, it is considered as turn taking signal. The other one is gambits to signal that the
speaker occupies special social role. It is more likely to signal in which side the speaker takes their role. In other words, it is to signal intention or wishes
concerning the speakers’ turns in a conversation or discussion. This social context signal function, especially in turn taking, only occurs in
formal occasion. It is because in informal occasion the turn taking can also signaled non-verbally, for example by facial signs or clearing one’s throat.
Meanwhile, in formal occasion there a set of signals may be used such as “Our next speaker is …” or “It’s Lyra’s turn now”. This function is more likely to make
the conversation run for a longer time so that each speaker can develop the idea of the conversation. In short, since this function keeps the conversation running for
longer time, this fits to linking gambits which enable speaker to take their turn in discussion or conversation.
c State of consciousness signals
This is the function of gambits on how they are used to state consciousness concerning information, opinions, and emotions. It includes the readiness of the
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speaker to receive information, opinions, or emotions. Also, it indicates the speakers’ action on what to do, to say, to listen, or to emphasize point. The
examples of gambits related to this function are “I don’t think so”, “What I want to say is that …” or “Yes, but …”. These expressions are to indicate sharing or
non-sharing knowledge and emotions and to show one’s intended action. Sharing knowledge and showing one’s intended action are referred to how speaker
responds to certain idea. In this case, it fits to responding gambits which are used to state response a speaker on certain ideas delivered by other speaker. In other
words, this function merely fits responding gambits up.
d Communication control signals
It is how the speakers used gambits for assuring that the listeners receive their message well. The speakers sometimes use gambits such as “Are you with
me?” or “Is it clear?” for assuring that the listeners have understood their message. Sometimes, it is also used for giving pause their speeches to give them
time to think without having silence during the speech. The speaker may use gambits like “Umm”, or “You know” to fill up the sentence while they are
thinking about what to say next. Those are the theories that the writer uses to conduct research and analyze
the results of the research. The theory about gambits helps the writer in conducting the research by observing the gambits used by the debaters in English
debate activities. Meanwhile, the theory about functions of gambits helps the writer in analyzing the functions of the gambits used by the debaters. In short,
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these theories ease the writer in analyzing gambits and its functions because it has been clearly stated in the theory kinds of gambits and its functions.
3. Debate
