Politeness Strategy in Suggestions Employed by Male and Female Characters in the Novel Entitled "Can You Keep A Secret?".
POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN SUGGESTIONS EMPLOYED
BY MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL
ENTITLED “CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?”
(Pragmatics Approach)
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of Requirements
for The Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Department
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University
By:
RESSANI ELMIDYA PARAMITA
C1313015
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
SURAKARTA
2016
i
ii
iii
PRONOUNCEMENT
I state this pronouncement truthfully that this thesis entitled “Politeness Strategies
in Suggestions Employed by Male and Female Characters in the Novel Entitled
“Can You Keep A Secret?” is originally written by myself, as the researcher. It is
no way a plagiarism. The previous works which are related to this thesis are all
written in the form of quotations and included in the bibliography. If later, this
pronouncement is proved incorrect, I as the researcher am ready to take
responsibility, including the withdrawal of my degree.
Surakarta, June 2016
Ressani Elmidya Paramita
iv
MOTTO
Because there is nothing more beautiful than the way the
ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how
many times it sent away.
– Sarah Kay
v
DEDICATION
I dedicate this thesis whole-heartedly, to:
Siswantyo Ali Jatmiko
My father, my mentor, my teacher, my coach, my idol, my hero, my family’s
leader, my mom’s best friend, and by far the coolest guy I have ever known.
to my mom, Endang and my little sister, Anna
for their love, support, patience, their technical help, their encouragement
and for always being there for me.
as long as I have breath, I will always try to make you proud.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The process of writing this thesis has been long, but also very rewarding.
Even though I stand as the author of this work, I could not have done it alone. I
am very grateful for the help I have received along the way. I would like to
express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to:
1. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D, as the Dean of Faculty of Cultural
Sciences, Sebelas Maret University for approving this thesis.
2. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A, PhD, the Head of English Department, for
the permission to write thesis.
3. Prof. Dr. Djatmika, M.A., as my supervisor, for his endless support,
patience and encouragement throughout the completion of this thesis. In
addition to being my supervisor, he was the one who sparked my interest
for pragmatic studies through one of his lecture series. You are the best,
Sir!
4. All of the lecturers who have educated me during my study at Sebelas
Maret University, for the priceless knowledge, inspirational story, and
infinite experiences that they have shared to me.
5. My beloved parents and sister for their abundant love, support, patience,
prayers, encouragement and everything they have given to me. I am highly
in your debt. My papa, Helmut Schumacher also deserves thanks for
always advancing me in knowledge.
6. Michael Sladden, my proofreader, for his enthusiasm to read and his
willingness to comment on drafts of this work.
vii
7. My pure-gem friends in matriculation class; especially Nia Indah, Luluk
Rifah and Isna Fataya for their effort to keep me on my feet. You always
take care of me and help me around. Thank you for being there for me
through every thick and thin, up and down. It would not have been the
same without you.
8. My special friends; Joona Lehtola, for the knowledge; Fandy Perbawajaya,
Yunita Murpratiwi and Tamika Wrona for always encouraging and
supporting me. You all always entertain me when I am bored and cheer me
up when I am really sad. Thank you for the friendship you have given to
me.
9. All of my classmates throughout the Linguistics Program who have
studied with me and helped to make the last three years such an enjoyable
and rewarding study journey.
10. Everyone who participated to make this thesis possible, those who make
me laugh and those who support and advise me.
I highly appreciate all the help you have given.
Ressani Elmidya Paramita
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ............................................................................................................. i
THE APPROVAL OF THESIS CONSULTANT ....................................... ii
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ........................... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT .................................................................................... iv
MOTTOS ........................................................................................................ v
DEDICATION ................................................................................................ vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................... ix
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... xi
ABSTRACTS .................................................................................................. xii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background .................................................................................... 1
B. Research Questions ......................................................................... 4
C. Research Objectives ........................................................................ 4
D. Research Benefits ............................................................................ 5
E. Research Limitation ......................................................................... 5
F. Thesis Organization ......................................................................... 6
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Pragmatics ....................................................................................... 7
B. Context ............................................................................................ 7
C. Speech Act ....................................................................................... 10
ix
D. Suggesting ....................................................................................... 15
E. Politeness Strategy ........................................................................... 18
F. Gender and Language Theories ....................................................... 21
G. Review Research of Related Study ................................................. 23
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Research Design .............................................................................. 25
B. Research Location ........................................................................... 26
C. Source of Data and Data .................................................................. 26
D. Sampling Technique........................................................................ 26
E. Technique of Data Collection .......................................................... 27
F. Technique of Analyzing Data. ......................................................... 28
G. Data Coding .................................................................................... 28
H. Validity ............................................................................................ 29
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Introduction ..................................................................................... 30
B. Data Analysis .................................................................................. 31
C. Discussions ...................................................................................... 74
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions ..................................................................................... 86
A. Suggestions ..................................................................................... 89
BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 90
APPENDICES ................................................................................................ 92
x
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Table of Utterances Form ................................................................ 11
Table 2.2 Table of Direct-Indirect Speech ....................................................... 12
Table 2.3 Table of the Taxonomy of Suggestions ............................................. 17
Table 4.1 Table Direct Suggestion Uttered by Male to Female ...................... 75
Table 4.2 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Male to Female .............. 78
Table 4.3 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Female to Female .......... 78
Table 4.4 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Female to Male .............. 79
Table 4.5 Table of Indirect Suggestion by Male to Female ............................. 81
Table 4.6 Table of Indirect Suggestion by Female to Male ............................. 82
xi
ABSTRACT
Ressani Elmidya Paramita. C1313015. Politeness Strategies in Suggestions
Employed by Male and Female Characters in the Novel Entitled “Can You
Keep A Secret?” (Pragmatics Approach). Thesis: English Department,
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sebelas Maret University. This research was
conducted to describe the type of suggestions used by male and female characters
in the novel Can You Keep A Secret? It was also executed to analyze the
politeness strategies employed by the characters in making suggestions. This
study was also carried out to find out the factors influencing the differences of
suggestions issued by male and female characters.
This research uses Pragmatics approach, focusing on suggestions as the object of
the analysis. This research applies descriptive qualitative research which takes
purposive sampling technique. The data are taken from the dialogues containing
suggestions uttered by both male and female characters. There are 32 data which
are analyzed.
This study gains three findings. The first finding shows that there are three types
of suggestions presenting in the data, they are direct suggestion, conventionalized
form of suggestion and the last is indirect suggestion. All the direct suggestions
are issued by female characters, while conventionalized form of suggestions are
mostly employed by female characters. Surprisingly, indirect suggestions are
mostly spoken by male characters in the novel.
Second, in terms of politeness strategy, the research shows that all of the direct
suggestions always employ bald on record. On contrast, the indirect suggestions
can never use bald on record strategy. While the other type, suggestions in
conventionalized form are mostly loaded with bald on record, but can be
occasionally loaded with another politeness strategy, such as positive politeness.
Finally, the last finding shows that although gender is not a significant factor, but
gender may influence the choice of suggestions. Other factors which influence the
choice of suggestions are power, social distance and the size of imposition.
Keywords: suggestions, speech acts, politeness, gender, novel.
xii
BY MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL
ENTITLED “CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?”
(Pragmatics Approach)
THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfilment of Requirements
for The Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Department
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
Sebelas Maret University
By:
RESSANI ELMIDYA PARAMITA
C1313015
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
SURAKARTA
2016
i
ii
iii
PRONOUNCEMENT
I state this pronouncement truthfully that this thesis entitled “Politeness Strategies
in Suggestions Employed by Male and Female Characters in the Novel Entitled
“Can You Keep A Secret?” is originally written by myself, as the researcher. It is
no way a plagiarism. The previous works which are related to this thesis are all
written in the form of quotations and included in the bibliography. If later, this
pronouncement is proved incorrect, I as the researcher am ready to take
responsibility, including the withdrawal of my degree.
Surakarta, June 2016
Ressani Elmidya Paramita
iv
MOTTO
Because there is nothing more beautiful than the way the
ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how
many times it sent away.
– Sarah Kay
v
DEDICATION
I dedicate this thesis whole-heartedly, to:
Siswantyo Ali Jatmiko
My father, my mentor, my teacher, my coach, my idol, my hero, my family’s
leader, my mom’s best friend, and by far the coolest guy I have ever known.
to my mom, Endang and my little sister, Anna
for their love, support, patience, their technical help, their encouragement
and for always being there for me.
as long as I have breath, I will always try to make you proud.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The process of writing this thesis has been long, but also very rewarding.
Even though I stand as the author of this work, I could not have done it alone. I
am very grateful for the help I have received along the way. I would like to
express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to:
1. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed., Ph.D, as the Dean of Faculty of Cultural
Sciences, Sebelas Maret University for approving this thesis.
2. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A, PhD, the Head of English Department, for
the permission to write thesis.
3. Prof. Dr. Djatmika, M.A., as my supervisor, for his endless support,
patience and encouragement throughout the completion of this thesis. In
addition to being my supervisor, he was the one who sparked my interest
for pragmatic studies through one of his lecture series. You are the best,
Sir!
4. All of the lecturers who have educated me during my study at Sebelas
Maret University, for the priceless knowledge, inspirational story, and
infinite experiences that they have shared to me.
5. My beloved parents and sister for their abundant love, support, patience,
prayers, encouragement and everything they have given to me. I am highly
in your debt. My papa, Helmut Schumacher also deserves thanks for
always advancing me in knowledge.
6. Michael Sladden, my proofreader, for his enthusiasm to read and his
willingness to comment on drafts of this work.
vii
7. My pure-gem friends in matriculation class; especially Nia Indah, Luluk
Rifah and Isna Fataya for their effort to keep me on my feet. You always
take care of me and help me around. Thank you for being there for me
through every thick and thin, up and down. It would not have been the
same without you.
8. My special friends; Joona Lehtola, for the knowledge; Fandy Perbawajaya,
Yunita Murpratiwi and Tamika Wrona for always encouraging and
supporting me. You all always entertain me when I am bored and cheer me
up when I am really sad. Thank you for the friendship you have given to
me.
9. All of my classmates throughout the Linguistics Program who have
studied with me and helped to make the last three years such an enjoyable
and rewarding study journey.
10. Everyone who participated to make this thesis possible, those who make
me laugh and those who support and advise me.
I highly appreciate all the help you have given.
Ressani Elmidya Paramita
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ............................................................................................................. i
THE APPROVAL OF THESIS CONSULTANT ....................................... ii
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS ........................... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT .................................................................................... iv
MOTTOS ........................................................................................................ v
DEDICATION ................................................................................................ vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................... ix
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... xi
ABSTRACTS .................................................................................................. xii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background .................................................................................... 1
B. Research Questions ......................................................................... 4
C. Research Objectives ........................................................................ 4
D. Research Benefits ............................................................................ 5
E. Research Limitation ......................................................................... 5
F. Thesis Organization ......................................................................... 6
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Pragmatics ....................................................................................... 7
B. Context ............................................................................................ 7
C. Speech Act ....................................................................................... 10
ix
D. Suggesting ....................................................................................... 15
E. Politeness Strategy ........................................................................... 18
F. Gender and Language Theories ....................................................... 21
G. Review Research of Related Study ................................................. 23
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Research Design .............................................................................. 25
B. Research Location ........................................................................... 26
C. Source of Data and Data .................................................................. 26
D. Sampling Technique........................................................................ 26
E. Technique of Data Collection .......................................................... 27
F. Technique of Analyzing Data. ......................................................... 28
G. Data Coding .................................................................................... 28
H. Validity ............................................................................................ 29
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Introduction ..................................................................................... 30
B. Data Analysis .................................................................................. 31
C. Discussions ...................................................................................... 74
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions ..................................................................................... 86
A. Suggestions ..................................................................................... 89
BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 90
APPENDICES ................................................................................................ 92
x
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Table of Utterances Form ................................................................ 11
Table 2.2 Table of Direct-Indirect Speech ....................................................... 12
Table 2.3 Table of the Taxonomy of Suggestions ............................................. 17
Table 4.1 Table Direct Suggestion Uttered by Male to Female ...................... 75
Table 4.2 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Male to Female .............. 78
Table 4.3 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Female to Female .......... 78
Table 4.4 Table of Conventionalized Suggestion by Female to Male .............. 79
Table 4.5 Table of Indirect Suggestion by Male to Female ............................. 81
Table 4.6 Table of Indirect Suggestion by Female to Male ............................. 82
xi
ABSTRACT
Ressani Elmidya Paramita. C1313015. Politeness Strategies in Suggestions
Employed by Male and Female Characters in the Novel Entitled “Can You
Keep A Secret?” (Pragmatics Approach). Thesis: English Department,
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sebelas Maret University. This research was
conducted to describe the type of suggestions used by male and female characters
in the novel Can You Keep A Secret? It was also executed to analyze the
politeness strategies employed by the characters in making suggestions. This
study was also carried out to find out the factors influencing the differences of
suggestions issued by male and female characters.
This research uses Pragmatics approach, focusing on suggestions as the object of
the analysis. This research applies descriptive qualitative research which takes
purposive sampling technique. The data are taken from the dialogues containing
suggestions uttered by both male and female characters. There are 32 data which
are analyzed.
This study gains three findings. The first finding shows that there are three types
of suggestions presenting in the data, they are direct suggestion, conventionalized
form of suggestion and the last is indirect suggestion. All the direct suggestions
are issued by female characters, while conventionalized form of suggestions are
mostly employed by female characters. Surprisingly, indirect suggestions are
mostly spoken by male characters in the novel.
Second, in terms of politeness strategy, the research shows that all of the direct
suggestions always employ bald on record. On contrast, the indirect suggestions
can never use bald on record strategy. While the other type, suggestions in
conventionalized form are mostly loaded with bald on record, but can be
occasionally loaded with another politeness strategy, such as positive politeness.
Finally, the last finding shows that although gender is not a significant factor, but
gender may influence the choice of suggestions. Other factors which influence the
choice of suggestions are power, social distance and the size of imposition.
Keywords: suggestions, speech acts, politeness, gender, novel.
xii