T1 112011707 Full text
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different
nt Audiences
A
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
O the Requirements for the Degree of
Of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Martinus Ronald Christian
112011707
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY
TY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
RE
SATYA WACANA
W
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
SALATIGA
2013
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Martinus Ronald Christian
112011707
Approved by:
Christian Rudianto, M.Appling
Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA
Supervisor
Examiner
i
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: Undergraduate Thesis
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Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
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Date
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Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA
ii
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Martinus Ronald Christ
iii
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
Martinus Ronald Christian
Abstract
Many studies generally examine the language use from the speaker’s point of
view. This study sees if the language style use is also influenced by the audiences,
namely audience design Bell in Coupland (2007). Inspired from the use of language
style, this study attempts to analyze the use of formality and informality by the radio
broadcaster toward different audiences. The use of formality and informality of
language style is important because a radio broadcaster must be capable to
differentiate the language style based on the audience’s background. The research
question is ‘how is the use of formality and informality by the radio broadcaster
toward the different audiences?’ This study uses audience design method, which
proposes that linguistic style-shifting, occurs primarily in response to a speaker's
audience Bell in Coupland (2007). The result of the study shows that a radio
broadcaster changes his language style depending on his audience. He uses more
formal language to talk to the adult audience, because he wants to create a close
formal interaction situation as he did not know the audience’s level of age. In contrast,
he uses informal language to the young audience, because he wants to make a liberate
conversation, because a language style that is used by young people is mostly
informal.
Key words: language style, formality, informality, audience design.
Introduction
I am an audience of a certain radio not only I like to listen to the music, but
also to get extra information that maybe inaccessible through other media. Besides, I
like to listen to the radio because of broadcasters’ speech or language style they used.
It gives me information about the use of language style. One interesting that I noticed
is that when a program moves to the other programs for different audiences, the radio
broadcaster also changes into different language style. It seems that the radio
broadcaster consciously change her language style.
This phenomenon of the language style changed by the radio broadcaster can
be included to the study of sociolinguistic, especially the use of language style related
1
to the social environment of the language users. What seems to be the cause of
language style by the radio broadcasters is the relationship between the radio
broadcasters with the audience.
Many studies usually see the language use from the speaker’s point of view.
Now I want to see if the language style use is also influenced by the audiences. In this
case, a radio broadcaster is also being aware of the audience background. They cannot
always use their daily language style based only on the speakers’ consideration. They
have to know when they use the casual or formal language style.
In this study, I want to analyze the language style, namely the formal and
informality of the language that is used by the radio broadcaster. I want to describe
the use of the formality and informality of language that is used in greetings,
answering request, and giving information when broadcasting a radio program.
The Research question that I use to guide my study is: How is the use of
formality and informality by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences.
This formality and informality is analyzed within the feature of speech by the
broadcaster namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
Theoretical Frame Work
Communication is one of tools to share or deliver human’s idea. In every part
of the world languages are the important channel to communicate. It means that
language has important role in people’s life. In communicating, there are a lot of
tools. One of them is radio broadcasting as the mass media communication
Radio is one of communication tools in our life. It is also one of mass media
communication. Almost every region has radio as their mass communication. Its
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function is to give information, education, and entertainment. According to Black and
Whitney (1988), the function of mass communication is (a) to inform, (b) to entertain,
(c) to persuade, and (d) transmission of the culture. Radio seems to cut the distance
and limiting the social strata gap, gives chance to enrich our knowledge and concept
as audience to be more open toward the changes. Actually, radio is more effective in
influencing, although the main point of a radio is to entertain.
According to Wardhaugh (1990), there is a variety of possible relationships
between language and society. Even when members of society communicate through
radio, the relationship is maintained through the language use. The main point is radio
broadcasters should be aware of the society as the audience. They should notice
several things, such as; the topic of the program, the audience, and the style of
language that they should use, etc. Particularly, audience is one thing to be noticed for
a radio broadcaster to select the style of language he or she should use.
Language is one important thing that radio broadcaster must use appropriately.
He or she must be able to select the language style for various audiences in order to
avoid improperness in selecting the language style. For example, radio broadcasters
may use formal language to audience who is elder and may use informal or casual
language to audience who is younger or at the same level. The point here is Speakers
must be aware of the audience whom they are speaking to. They should know the
listeners’ background, radio has many programs. Each program has to be set
appropriately to the target, which is audience. A radio broadcaster may take two or
more programs. It means that a radio broadcaster will use variation of language
toward each audience related to the target’s nature.
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To connect with their social life, people need to adjust their code according to
the purpose and situation (Stockwell, 2002). The variety of possible relationship
between language and society can be influenced by structure, age, gender, and status
in the society (Wardaugh, 1990). The formal and formality of language style that
radiobroadcaster use is influenced by those variety of audiences in the society.
There are commonly three categories of speech that often occur when I listen
to the radio, which are greetings, answering request, and giving information.
Specifically, greetings always put in the beginning of the program then followed by
giving information and answering requests by the audience. A radio broadcaster may
use language variation in his or her programs. It is important to do in order to make
the program suitable to the characteristic background of the audience. A program for
kids will be different from the program for the elder in terms of the using of the
language variation. The language variation will also be different in the interaction
with the audience who is well known from the unknown audience.
Regarding audience design of language style, we can refer to the Allan Bell’s
statement that audience design has four important considerations of audience:
Addressee – listeners who are known, ratified, and addressed
Auditor – listeners who are not directly addressed, but are known and
ratified
Overhearer – non-ratified listeners of whom the speaker is aware
Eavesdropper – non-ratified listeners of whom the speaker is unaware
Audience design, which proposes that linguistic style-shifting, occurs primarily in
response to a speaker's audience. Bell in Coupland (2007) also stated that audience
4
design applies to all codes and levels of a language repertoire, monolingual, and
multilingual. It means that in the multilingual condition of this country, a radio
broadcaster should decide whether he or she use local language or national language,
formal or informal style of chosen language. They also need audience’s participations
to make him or her decide to select or choose certain language style to be used in their
program.
Style refers to ways of speaking – how speakers use the resource of language
variation to make meaning in social encounters (Coupland, 2007). He also stated that
language style can be explained as speakers/communicators designing their
speech/communicative output in relation to their audience. It means that in radio
broadcasting, a radio broadcaster must decide the language style they used related to
the audience. Bell in Coupland (2007) stated that style is what an individual speaker
does with a language in relation to other people. A radio broadcaster cannot speak
with random language style. He or she must know the language style he or she has to
use. A radio broadcaster chooses certain language style in relation to the audience no
matter what code he or she uses.
The Study
Context of the Study
This study attempts to analyze the language style that is used by a radio
broadcaster by audience or listeners design. The study was conducted in one local
radio in Salatiga to be the subject of the examination. This radio broadcast is a media
for the people in Salatiga, especially the Christian group. The programs were chosen
5
from various programs for various audiences, namely Kiddy Land for Children
listeners, Ada Pacar (Anak Muda Punya Acara) for the young listeners, and Oldies
Mania for the elder listeners. By choosing several programs for different audiences,
the shift of language style could be noticeable.
Participant
This study also employed a radio broadcaster of SA Radio Station (the real
name is hidden). The participant is the broadcaster who holds three programs for
different audiences. He is also a student of Social and Communication at Satya
Wacana Christian University.
Data and Collection
In attempting to answer the research question, the methodology used one
instrument that is recording. Recording was employed, because the study wanted to
know how the broadcaster shifted his language style for three different programs. The
data for this research was collected through recording the participant`s program when
is the participant was doing his broadcasting in the studio of the radio station. I will
record of the whole interaction in the three programs in order to obtain the formality
and informality used by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences. This
formality and informality is analyzed within the feature of speech by the broadcaster
namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
6
Method of Research
This study’s purpose is to analyze the language style that used by a radio
broadcaster. The methodology will be done by direct recording. In seeking to explore
the natural scene, the qualitative researcher tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, so
that neither research presence nor methods disturb the situation. This is why
participant observation is one of the favored approaches (Woods, 2006). The data
obtained for this study is qualitative data. They were taken from three different
programs.
The approach used for this research is Audience Design Method. The main
idea of this approaches, shared between them, is that variation in speech style can be
explain as speaker/communicators designing their speech/communicative output in
relation to their audiences (Coupland, 2007). In Her book, “Introducing
Sociolinguistic”, Meyerhoff (2006), also said that the term audience design both
classifies the behavior (the speaker is seen as proactively designing their speech to the
needs of a particular audience) and encapsulates the presumed. In this journal, I want
to analyze the use of language style of formality and informality used by the radio
broadcaster by considering the audience design.
Procedure
I asked for permission to record the broadcasting programs in SA Radio
Station. The digital voice recording tool was used to record the programs. I only
recorded one time for each program because the program was set up as live programs.
The data for this research will be collected through transcribing the recording
of the subject`s program. I, then, selected from the transcription the use of formality
7
and informality used by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences. This
formality and informality was labeled within the feature of speech by the broadcaster
namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
Data analysis
After I got the data from the voice recording, I transcribed and analyzed the
data. Then, I will classify the data based on my procedure tables. Moreover, I
elaborated the data based on my interpretation and related to the audience design
method.
Discussion
Ronald’s style in interaction with adult audience
Oldies Mania
Oldies Mania is a radio program which is designed for the audience to reremember their old memories of oldies songs. This program’s target is especially for
the adult, but it is actually not limited only for the adult. The young listeners can also
join into this program.
In this program (Oldies Mania), Ronald’s (not the real name) much use formal
language than informal language since the audiences were adult. Formal words mean
words that decided based on agreement or standard that listed in Kamus Besar Bahasa
Indonesia (KBBI). Shortly, formal words are correct words whether in writing or
speaking (Romli, 2009). Moreover, the correct words are words codified in standard
dictionary. Although the target audience is assumed to be adults for this program, he
tries to make the program for general audience without leaving the main target
8
audience. Ronald wants to create a close formal interaction situation as he did not
know the audience’s level of age. However, In order to avoid rudeness and offence,
he maintains the use of more formal language style. It is also influenced by Javanese
culture in using language. Meyerhoff (2006) states that some of the best-known
examples of these kinds of speech levels come from Indonesian language such as
Javanese, which is typical of the languages in Indonesia in distinguishing low, mid,
and high speech level. Moreover, she claimed that the structure of a sentence does not
change radically according to speech level, but the vocabulary can be entirely
replaced. So that, although in this program using Indonesian language, but the diction
would be use formal word to show the broadcaster’s respect to the audience’s age
level.
The words and sentences he used most were formal style. He used it to create
efficient sentences and to make audience easier to understand what he talked about
and avoiding ambiguities in his program since he talked in a radio program. In the
original transcript 1, occurs a sentence: “Oldies Mania spesial Classic Rock menemani
anda sampai tengah malam ini”. In the sentence consist of Subject, verb, object, and
adverbial of time. Ronald used the sentence to make it clear that the program name is
Oldies Mania, which was a special classic rock, and will be finished at 00.00 or at
mid-night.
Moreover, He used formal language style to fulfill the social function
greetings, answering request, and giving information. In all those function, I found
that he often uses several formal words that are menemani, anda, and bergabung.
Those words often occurs in his those speech functions. In Kamus Besar Bahasa
Indonesia, those words are listed as formal language. Menemani means to accompany.
9
Menemani is used in formal way by the radio presenter, because it is used or
pronounced in full word without contracting the affixes. It is possible to use the word
in a various forms. When it is pronounced as nemenin or nemanin, it will lose its
formal function.
The second formal addressing term mostly used in is Anda. In KBBI( 2008),
Anda means an addressing term to call one with whom we communicate (without
seeing class, position, and ages). Although the target audience of this program is
elders, Ronald did not use bapak, ibu, or saudara, which are most formal, because he
wanted to create an efficient sentence since he talked in a radio program. Based on
Johns (1977), it (Anda) is frequently used in the media to address the general public,
as in television, radio and advertising. Ronald is likely to use Anda because he did not
know all of the audience’s background, although the program was designed for the
adult. Therefore, in order to avoid rudeness and offence he used the word Anda,
which is more neutral, to address the audience.
The third word, which frequently appears in the program, is bergabung. In
Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, bergabung means to participate, to reunite, join up,
or come together. Just like menemani, bergabung is also pronounced in full word
level that shows the formality use of the word. When it is pronounced as gabung, it
will lose its formal function and will be an informal word because gabung itself has
different meaning that is bounded. Look at the sentence:
“Oldies Mania spesial Classic Rock menemani Anda sampai
tengah malam ini. Jadi untuk temen agape yang sekarang
butuh teman… butuh lagu – lagu yang menghibur bisa
bergabung.” (Original)
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Although formal language style mostly used, i found several informal
language style. In answering request segment, i found two frequently used informal
words that is gabung and ya. As previous explanation, gabung has its own meaning.
In his speech, Ronald used gabung as the contracted style from bergabung. Look at
the sentence:
“Datang dari Nawawi Kun Aguero yang ada di twa… terminal
lama Salatiga. Mau request lagu Enter Sandman. Lagu ini aku
kirimkan untuk semua Agape komuniti. Selamat malam aja
dan buat Mas Ronald selamat bertugas dan SBY. Terimakasih
ya untuk Om Awi yang sudah ikut bergabung. Kalau Om Awi
mau gabung lagi ke sini, request lagu yang lain, Ronald
tunggu.” (Original)
The assumed audience for this program influence the broadcaster to mostly use formal
language style. However, sometimes, the broadcaster instantly switches the word
bergabung into gabung. The reason he uses gabung was to change the situation to be
more relaxed and to get closer to the addressee. Different style from the formal use of
bergabung in transcript 1, where the use of formal style is intended to general
audience, the broadcaster tends to shift into less formal (gabung) when he is
interacting with an individual. Furthermore, the word ya occurs as a sentence tag in
answering request segment. In the next sentence:
“Terima kasih ya, untuk Indah yang sudah ikut bergabung
kembali di malam ini.” (Original)
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Sneddon (2010) said that a sentence tag in informal statements ya allow the speaker to
avoid the impression of making a firm assertion. It means that the radio broadcaster
did not want to force the audience follow his idea.
Ronald’s style in interaction with children and the same level age.
Kiddy Land
Kiddy land is a radio program which is designed especially for the children
listeners. This program provides the children to listen to the music of religious songs
that sang by the children singers. This program also provides the information related
to the children activities in their home, church, and social environment.
In the Kiddy Land program, Ronald uses more informal language style,
especially language style that mostly used by the children, than formal language style
since the audiences are children. Nonstandard, used of speech or writing which differs
in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary from the standard variety of the language
(Richards, Jhon, dan Heidi , 1985 :193). The words and sentences he used most were
informal. He used it to make audience, which is children, easier to understand what he
talked about in his program. Those informal words were used to make the meaning is
clear enough for the children. At the time of that language acquisition, children
language style is more show as language function than language form or structure
(Hartati, 2011). So that formal language might be difficult for children to understand.
Moreover, Ronald’s use of informal language is because of age influence of target
audience. It is according to Meyerhoff (2006), obviously there are also differences
between how the average adult thinks about her or himself in relation to language and
how small children do, and these non-biological attitudinal factors may also play a
12
part in making it more difficult to learn a language to native-like levels after the
critical period.
In the program, I found several informal words form that are kamu, nemenin,
and ya that occurred frequently. Those words occurred in the three categories of social
function: greeting, answering request and giving information. According to Kamus
Besar Bahasa Indonesia, kamu means you or to call people we talk to (in close
relationship; sometimes is considered rude). Kamu is often used, especially for
younger to call his or her friend of the same age or elders addressing younger
speakers. Ronald frequently uses kamu to call the audience who are younger.
In the greeting segment, kamu occurred in the sentence:
“Gimana nih harinya kamu hari ini? Tentunya kamu sudah
menikmati hari libur.” (Original)
Then, in the giving information segment, kamu occurred in the sentence:
“Karena Natalnya masih tanggal dua lima, tapi Kak Ronald
siap nih untuk menyajikan lagu - lagu natal di ruang dengar
kamu dan kamu juga bisa dengerin pujian - pujian rohani yang
biasanya kamu nyanyiin di sekolah minggu barengan sama
temen - temen dan juga Kakak Sekolah minggu kamu.”
(Original)
In the answering request segment, kamu occur in the sentence:
“Makasih banget nih, yang udah gabung di 3460. Syalom
Kak, aku minta lagu Kuisitimewa. Salamnya buat keluargaku
yang sedang santai (audience). Oke, selamat menikmati santai
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keluarga, salam juga buat keluarga kamu ya (broadcaster).”
(Original)
The use of the word kamu in the transcriptions above has two linguistic functions: to
address the audience ‘you’ and to show possessive pronoun ‘your’. Kamu was
preferred to make the distance between the audience and the broadcaster closer and
the conversation is comfortable as a friend, rather than as elders patronizing younger
speakers. Besides, by using casual language styles the radio broadcaster might gain
more attention from the audience to join in.
The second frequently appearing informal word is the word nemenin. The
word nemenin is not listed in KBBI. Its original formation is menemani, meaning is to
accompany. Nemenin is an informal form of menemani or to accompany. In the
greetings segment, nemenin occur in the sentence:
“Balik lagi barengan sama Kak Ronald nemenin di Kiddie Land sampai jam
satu siang.” (Original)
In this sentence, Ronald preferred to use the word nemenin than menemani. It might
be as an unconscious word that Ronald use to make the audience familiar to the word.
The language style of the broadcaster is also characterized by a tag sentence
form: “Terimakasih, ya?” Ya is used as a tag question as Sneddon (2010) mentions
that in informal speech ya can occur as a sentence tag, which invites confirmation or
agreement from the listener. He also said that a sentence tag in informal statements ya
allow the speaker to avoid the impression of making a firm assertion. Those informal
words were used to make the meaning is clear enough for the children. At the time of
that language acquisition, children language style is more show as language function
14
than language form or structure (Hartati, 2011). Still, if it was in a formal style of
language, I think the children will think too hard to catch the meaning.
Ada Pacar
Ada Pacar is a radio program which is designed for the young audience. This
program provides information and songs that recently popular among the youngster.
In the Ada Pacar program, Ronald most used informal language style since he
realizes that the audience target was young. Informal language style is preferred to
make a libration conversation, because a language style that is used by young people
mostly in informal. Gielson in Hartati (2011) claimed that this period, which is young,
is a sensitive age to learn language. Young people use a certain language style, which
is typical, in their speech as a part from their identity formation. So that they seem
avoid using formal language.
The words and sentences level used most were informal. It was used to avoid
age and class differences. It is unusual to use formal language to speakers at the same
age, because the audience will feel uncomfortable since the program is designed for
the young audience. According to Meyerhoff (2006) stated that similarly, the social
distance has tremendous impact on how they speak to each other. Furthermore, she
explained that we are generally more polite to people who don’t know very well, and
we generally we can be more abrupt with people are close friend. So that Ronald uses
informal language style to make the situation be more close and relax with the
audience.
He used informal language style to fulfill the social function of greeting,
answering request, and giving information. In this program I found several words
15
pronounced in informal forms that are kamu, ya, and some words that pronounced in
contracted words (nemenin, ngerasa, and gabung). As in the previous explanation,
kamu means you or addressing term to call people we talk to (in close relationship)
(KBBI, 2008). Here, kamu preferred to show that the radio broadcaster is equal with
the audience in terms of age. Kamu is also preferred to make the audience felt
comfortable with the situation and the topic of the program. So, it is hoped that the
audience has willing to listen to the program and even join in (requesting songs and
greet each other). Ya has the same function as the previous use in the other two radio
programs as a tag question that formed an informal sentence: a sentence tag, which
invites confirmation or agreement from the listener (Sneddon, 2010). .
In the script, ya occurred in those three categories (greetings, giving
information, and answering request). In the greeting segment from the original
transcript, there is a sentence:
“Ronald tahu ya sepanjang hari ini Salatiga diguyur hujan
yang deres.” (Original)
In the sentence, ya was occurred as tag sentence. The function of the word ya is to
make assurance that between both the radio broadcaster and the audience know that it
was raining on that afternoon. Then, in the giving information segment, there is a
sentence:
“Di sini kamu bisa dengerin lagu yang keren - keren, lagu
yang nge-hits beberapa minggu, bulan, kalo tahun sepertinya
ga kali ya.” (Original)
16
Here, the tag question ya is to give information that the song will be requested and
played is recent. Ronald makes his own agreement that audience might be disagree
with him. In the answering request segment, there are sentences:
“Ini datang dari… dari… dari kamu nih yang request lagunya
Keris Patih, Tak Lekang Oleh Waktu. Oh ini… dari 1967.
Salam aja buat Rudi, Iko Lia, Erna, dan buat Ronald, thank’s.
Tapi sorry banget ya, Keris Patih yang Tak Lekang Oleh
Waktu kalo gak salah yang nyanyi masih vokalis lamanya ya
itu, si Sammy Simorangkir ya.” (Original)
In the sentence, the first sentence tag ya was used to ask for apologize and in the last
sentence tag ya was used to make agreement that the singer was still the ex-singer of
the band. From those categories of social functions, the function of the sentence tag ya
is to make agreement between the radio broadcaster and the audience. Of course, the
radio broadcaster will not wait for the audience respond or answer and the audience
would not instantly answer the radio broadcaster’s own agreement.
Beside question tag ya, I found three words that often occurred that are
nemenin, ngerasa, and gabung. Nemenin derives from the word menemani, which
means to accompany. Ngerasa derives from the words merasakan which means
feeling something. Gabung derives from the word bergabung which means join in or
participating. Those words, nemenin and ngerasa, are not listed in Kamus Besar
Bahasa Indonesia. Only gabung listed in KBBI as a stem word, which has different
meaning which is bounded. Here, gabung is commonly used by the young people as
the informal form of bergabung. In greeting segment, there is a sentence:
17
“Ronald tunggu atensi
kamu di 313623 yang mungkin
ngerasa sendiri di sore ini butuh teman ngobrol, Ronald bisa
kok nemenin kamu nob… nemenin kamu ngobrol, susah
banget ya ngomon ngobrol.” (Original)
Ngerasa and nemenin were occurred in a sentence. Here, Ronald used the informal
words of nemenin and ngerasa might to gain attention from the audience. In giving
information segment, the word gabung occurred in a sentence: Gabung ke fan pagenya kita di Facebook tentunya . The function of the word gabung that used by Ronald
was to give information and of course also to gain attention from the audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the two different programs show that language style was
changed because of different audience target. In a program that has target to adult
audience, the radio broadcaster will use more formal language style. He used formal
language to create a close formal interaction situation as he did not know the
audience’s level of age. In order to avoid rudeness and offence, he maintains the use
of more formal language style. Apparently, cultural background in relation to hearers
also influences the choice of style. In Javanese culture, a young people have to respect
the adult, especially in using language. This cultural background influences a radio
broadcaster to beware in using diction, even the program use Indonesian language.
Meyerhoff (2006) states that some of the best-known examples of these kinds of
speech levels come from Indonesian language such as Javanese, which is typical of
the languages in Indonesia in distinguishing low, mid, and high speech level.
18
Moreover, she claimed that the structure of a sentence does not change radically
according to speech level, but the vocabulary can be entirely replaced.
In a program where the target audiences are youngsters and children audience,
a radio broadcaster will use another variation language, which is informal. In a
program for children, he uses it to make audience, which is children, easier to
understand what he talks about in his program. Those informal words are used to
make the meaning clearer enough for the children. At the time of language
acquisition, children language style is more as language function than language form
or structure (Hartati, 2011). Therefore, formal language might be difficult for children
to understand. Then, in a program for young people, Ronald uses certain language
style, which is typical for the youngsters, which is still informal. Informal language
style is preferred to make a liberate conversation, because a language style that is used
by young people is mostly informal. Gielson in Hartati (2011) claims that this period,
which is young, is a sensitive age to learn language. Young people use a certain
language style, which is typical, in their speech as a part from their identity formation.
It was used to avoid age and class differences. It is unusual to use formal language to
speakers at the same age, because the audience will feel uncomfortable since the
program is designed for the young audience. Meyerhoff (2006) explained that we are
generally more polite to people who do not know very well, and generally we can be
more abrupt with people who are close friend. With audience design methodology to
support the finding, it is proven that the radio broadcaster uses different language
style to talk to different audience
19
Acknowledgement
This thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people.
Firstly, I want to thank to my Lord, Jesus Christ for His guidance until I finished my
paper. I wish to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Christian Rudianto,
M.Appling who was abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support
and guidance. Thank to Mr Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA for patiently reading my
thesis and revised any wrong things. Special thanks also go to my participant, SA
radio station. I also thanks to all of my best friends for their supports. At last, I also
wish to express my love to Nhia and gratitude to my beloved families for their
understanding through the duration of my study.
20
References
Romli, A.S (2009). Bahasa Media: Panduan Praktis Bahasa Jurnalistik. Bandung:
Baticpress Bandung.
Coupland, N (2007). Style: Language Variation and Identity. Cambridge University
Press.
Departemen Pendidikan Nasional, (2008). Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia. Retrieved
from http://pusatbahasa.kemdiknas.go.id/kbbi/index.php
Hartati, T (2011). Pemerolehan dan Perkembangan Bahasa Anak: Modul Mata Kuliah
Psikolingusitik. Bandung: UPI.
Johns, Y. (1977). Bahasa Indonesia: Introduction to Indonesian Language and
Culture. Australia: Periplus.
Meyerhoff, M. (2006). Introducing Sociolinguistics. New York: Routledge.
Richards, J; John P; dan Heidi Wr. (1985). Longman Dictionary
of Applied Linguistics. England: Longman Group Limited.
Rickford (eds.) Style and Sociolinguistic Variation. Cambridge and New York:
Cambridge University Press,.
Sneddon, J. (2010). Indonesian: A Comprehensive Grammar. London and New York:
Routledge.
Stockwell, R. (2002). How much shifting occurred in the historical English vowel
shift? In Donka Minkova and Robert Stockwell (Eds.), Studies in the history of the
English Language: A millennial perspective. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Wardaugh, R. (1990). An introduction to sociolinguistics. New York: Blackwell.
21
Woods, P (2006). Qualitative Research. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/qualitative%20methods%202/qualrshm.htm
22
nt Audiences
A
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
O the Requirements for the Degree of
Of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Martinus Ronald Christian
112011707
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY
TY OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
RE
SATYA WACANA
W
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
SALATIGA
2013
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Sarjana Pendidikan
Martinus Ronald Christian
112011707
Approved by:
Christian Rudianto, M.Appling
Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA
Supervisor
Examiner
i
PUBLICATION AGREEMENT DECLARATION
As a member of the (SWCU) Satya Wacana Christian University academic
community, I verify that:
Name
: Martinus Ronald Christian
Student ID Number
: 112011707
Study Program
: English Language Teaching Department
Faculty
: Language and Literature
Kind of Work
: Undergraduate Thesis
In developing my knowledge, I agree to provide SWCU with a non-exclusive royalty
free right for my intellectual property and the contents therein entitled:
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
With this non-exclusive royalty free right, SWCU maintains the right to copy,
reproduce, print, publish, post, display, incorporate, store in or scan into a retrieval
system or database, transmit, broadcast, barter or sell my intellectual property, in
whole or in part without my express written permission, as long as my name is still
included as the writer.
This declaration is made according to the best of my knowledge.
Made in
: Salatiga
Date
: 21 Mei 2013
Verified by signee,
_________________
Approved by
Thesis Supervisor
Thesis Examiner
Christian Rudianto, M.Appling
Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA
ii
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
This thesis contains no such material as has been submitted for examination in any
course or accepted for the fulfillment of any degree or diploma in any university. To
the best of my knowledge and my belief, this contains no material previously
published or written by any other person except where due reference is made in the
text.
Copyright @ 2013 Martinus Ronald Christian and Christian Rudianto, M.Appling
All rights reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced by any means without
the permission of at least one of the copyright owners or the English Department,
Faculty of Language and Literature, Satya Wacana University, Salatiga.
Martinus Ronald Christ
iii
Language Style by Radio Broadcaster toward Different Audiences
Martinus Ronald Christian
Abstract
Many studies generally examine the language use from the speaker’s point of
view. This study sees if the language style use is also influenced by the audiences,
namely audience design Bell in Coupland (2007). Inspired from the use of language
style, this study attempts to analyze the use of formality and informality by the radio
broadcaster toward different audiences. The use of formality and informality of
language style is important because a radio broadcaster must be capable to
differentiate the language style based on the audience’s background. The research
question is ‘how is the use of formality and informality by the radio broadcaster
toward the different audiences?’ This study uses audience design method, which
proposes that linguistic style-shifting, occurs primarily in response to a speaker's
audience Bell in Coupland (2007). The result of the study shows that a radio
broadcaster changes his language style depending on his audience. He uses more
formal language to talk to the adult audience, because he wants to create a close
formal interaction situation as he did not know the audience’s level of age. In contrast,
he uses informal language to the young audience, because he wants to make a liberate
conversation, because a language style that is used by young people is mostly
informal.
Key words: language style, formality, informality, audience design.
Introduction
I am an audience of a certain radio not only I like to listen to the music, but
also to get extra information that maybe inaccessible through other media. Besides, I
like to listen to the radio because of broadcasters’ speech or language style they used.
It gives me information about the use of language style. One interesting that I noticed
is that when a program moves to the other programs for different audiences, the radio
broadcaster also changes into different language style. It seems that the radio
broadcaster consciously change her language style.
This phenomenon of the language style changed by the radio broadcaster can
be included to the study of sociolinguistic, especially the use of language style related
1
to the social environment of the language users. What seems to be the cause of
language style by the radio broadcasters is the relationship between the radio
broadcasters with the audience.
Many studies usually see the language use from the speaker’s point of view.
Now I want to see if the language style use is also influenced by the audiences. In this
case, a radio broadcaster is also being aware of the audience background. They cannot
always use their daily language style based only on the speakers’ consideration. They
have to know when they use the casual or formal language style.
In this study, I want to analyze the language style, namely the formal and
informality of the language that is used by the radio broadcaster. I want to describe
the use of the formality and informality of language that is used in greetings,
answering request, and giving information when broadcasting a radio program.
The Research question that I use to guide my study is: How is the use of
formality and informality by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences.
This formality and informality is analyzed within the feature of speech by the
broadcaster namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
Theoretical Frame Work
Communication is one of tools to share or deliver human’s idea. In every part
of the world languages are the important channel to communicate. It means that
language has important role in people’s life. In communicating, there are a lot of
tools. One of them is radio broadcasting as the mass media communication
Radio is one of communication tools in our life. It is also one of mass media
communication. Almost every region has radio as their mass communication. Its
2
function is to give information, education, and entertainment. According to Black and
Whitney (1988), the function of mass communication is (a) to inform, (b) to entertain,
(c) to persuade, and (d) transmission of the culture. Radio seems to cut the distance
and limiting the social strata gap, gives chance to enrich our knowledge and concept
as audience to be more open toward the changes. Actually, radio is more effective in
influencing, although the main point of a radio is to entertain.
According to Wardhaugh (1990), there is a variety of possible relationships
between language and society. Even when members of society communicate through
radio, the relationship is maintained through the language use. The main point is radio
broadcasters should be aware of the society as the audience. They should notice
several things, such as; the topic of the program, the audience, and the style of
language that they should use, etc. Particularly, audience is one thing to be noticed for
a radio broadcaster to select the style of language he or she should use.
Language is one important thing that radio broadcaster must use appropriately.
He or she must be able to select the language style for various audiences in order to
avoid improperness in selecting the language style. For example, radio broadcasters
may use formal language to audience who is elder and may use informal or casual
language to audience who is younger or at the same level. The point here is Speakers
must be aware of the audience whom they are speaking to. They should know the
listeners’ background, radio has many programs. Each program has to be set
appropriately to the target, which is audience. A radio broadcaster may take two or
more programs. It means that a radio broadcaster will use variation of language
toward each audience related to the target’s nature.
3
To connect with their social life, people need to adjust their code according to
the purpose and situation (Stockwell, 2002). The variety of possible relationship
between language and society can be influenced by structure, age, gender, and status
in the society (Wardaugh, 1990). The formal and formality of language style that
radiobroadcaster use is influenced by those variety of audiences in the society.
There are commonly three categories of speech that often occur when I listen
to the radio, which are greetings, answering request, and giving information.
Specifically, greetings always put in the beginning of the program then followed by
giving information and answering requests by the audience. A radio broadcaster may
use language variation in his or her programs. It is important to do in order to make
the program suitable to the characteristic background of the audience. A program for
kids will be different from the program for the elder in terms of the using of the
language variation. The language variation will also be different in the interaction
with the audience who is well known from the unknown audience.
Regarding audience design of language style, we can refer to the Allan Bell’s
statement that audience design has four important considerations of audience:
Addressee – listeners who are known, ratified, and addressed
Auditor – listeners who are not directly addressed, but are known and
ratified
Overhearer – non-ratified listeners of whom the speaker is aware
Eavesdropper – non-ratified listeners of whom the speaker is unaware
Audience design, which proposes that linguistic style-shifting, occurs primarily in
response to a speaker's audience. Bell in Coupland (2007) also stated that audience
4
design applies to all codes and levels of a language repertoire, monolingual, and
multilingual. It means that in the multilingual condition of this country, a radio
broadcaster should decide whether he or she use local language or national language,
formal or informal style of chosen language. They also need audience’s participations
to make him or her decide to select or choose certain language style to be used in their
program.
Style refers to ways of speaking – how speakers use the resource of language
variation to make meaning in social encounters (Coupland, 2007). He also stated that
language style can be explained as speakers/communicators designing their
speech/communicative output in relation to their audience. It means that in radio
broadcasting, a radio broadcaster must decide the language style they used related to
the audience. Bell in Coupland (2007) stated that style is what an individual speaker
does with a language in relation to other people. A radio broadcaster cannot speak
with random language style. He or she must know the language style he or she has to
use. A radio broadcaster chooses certain language style in relation to the audience no
matter what code he or she uses.
The Study
Context of the Study
This study attempts to analyze the language style that is used by a radio
broadcaster by audience or listeners design. The study was conducted in one local
radio in Salatiga to be the subject of the examination. This radio broadcast is a media
for the people in Salatiga, especially the Christian group. The programs were chosen
5
from various programs for various audiences, namely Kiddy Land for Children
listeners, Ada Pacar (Anak Muda Punya Acara) for the young listeners, and Oldies
Mania for the elder listeners. By choosing several programs for different audiences,
the shift of language style could be noticeable.
Participant
This study also employed a radio broadcaster of SA Radio Station (the real
name is hidden). The participant is the broadcaster who holds three programs for
different audiences. He is also a student of Social and Communication at Satya
Wacana Christian University.
Data and Collection
In attempting to answer the research question, the methodology used one
instrument that is recording. Recording was employed, because the study wanted to
know how the broadcaster shifted his language style for three different programs. The
data for this research was collected through recording the participant`s program when
is the participant was doing his broadcasting in the studio of the radio station. I will
record of the whole interaction in the three programs in order to obtain the formality
and informality used by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences. This
formality and informality is analyzed within the feature of speech by the broadcaster
namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
6
Method of Research
This study’s purpose is to analyze the language style that used by a radio
broadcaster. The methodology will be done by direct recording. In seeking to explore
the natural scene, the qualitative researcher tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, so
that neither research presence nor methods disturb the situation. This is why
participant observation is one of the favored approaches (Woods, 2006). The data
obtained for this study is qualitative data. They were taken from three different
programs.
The approach used for this research is Audience Design Method. The main
idea of this approaches, shared between them, is that variation in speech style can be
explain as speaker/communicators designing their speech/communicative output in
relation to their audiences (Coupland, 2007). In Her book, “Introducing
Sociolinguistic”, Meyerhoff (2006), also said that the term audience design both
classifies the behavior (the speaker is seen as proactively designing their speech to the
needs of a particular audience) and encapsulates the presumed. In this journal, I want
to analyze the use of language style of formality and informality used by the radio
broadcaster by considering the audience design.
Procedure
I asked for permission to record the broadcasting programs in SA Radio
Station. The digital voice recording tool was used to record the programs. I only
recorded one time for each program because the program was set up as live programs.
The data for this research will be collected through transcribing the recording
of the subject`s program. I, then, selected from the transcription the use of formality
7
and informality used by the radio broadcaster toward the different audiences. This
formality and informality was labeled within the feature of speech by the broadcaster
namely greeting, answering request, and giving information.
Data analysis
After I got the data from the voice recording, I transcribed and analyzed the
data. Then, I will classify the data based on my procedure tables. Moreover, I
elaborated the data based on my interpretation and related to the audience design
method.
Discussion
Ronald’s style in interaction with adult audience
Oldies Mania
Oldies Mania is a radio program which is designed for the audience to reremember their old memories of oldies songs. This program’s target is especially for
the adult, but it is actually not limited only for the adult. The young listeners can also
join into this program.
In this program (Oldies Mania), Ronald’s (not the real name) much use formal
language than informal language since the audiences were adult. Formal words mean
words that decided based on agreement or standard that listed in Kamus Besar Bahasa
Indonesia (KBBI). Shortly, formal words are correct words whether in writing or
speaking (Romli, 2009). Moreover, the correct words are words codified in standard
dictionary. Although the target audience is assumed to be adults for this program, he
tries to make the program for general audience without leaving the main target
8
audience. Ronald wants to create a close formal interaction situation as he did not
know the audience’s level of age. However, In order to avoid rudeness and offence,
he maintains the use of more formal language style. It is also influenced by Javanese
culture in using language. Meyerhoff (2006) states that some of the best-known
examples of these kinds of speech levels come from Indonesian language such as
Javanese, which is typical of the languages in Indonesia in distinguishing low, mid,
and high speech level. Moreover, she claimed that the structure of a sentence does not
change radically according to speech level, but the vocabulary can be entirely
replaced. So that, although in this program using Indonesian language, but the diction
would be use formal word to show the broadcaster’s respect to the audience’s age
level.
The words and sentences he used most were formal style. He used it to create
efficient sentences and to make audience easier to understand what he talked about
and avoiding ambiguities in his program since he talked in a radio program. In the
original transcript 1, occurs a sentence: “Oldies Mania spesial Classic Rock menemani
anda sampai tengah malam ini”. In the sentence consist of Subject, verb, object, and
adverbial of time. Ronald used the sentence to make it clear that the program name is
Oldies Mania, which was a special classic rock, and will be finished at 00.00 or at
mid-night.
Moreover, He used formal language style to fulfill the social function
greetings, answering request, and giving information. In all those function, I found
that he often uses several formal words that are menemani, anda, and bergabung.
Those words often occurs in his those speech functions. In Kamus Besar Bahasa
Indonesia, those words are listed as formal language. Menemani means to accompany.
9
Menemani is used in formal way by the radio presenter, because it is used or
pronounced in full word without contracting the affixes. It is possible to use the word
in a various forms. When it is pronounced as nemenin or nemanin, it will lose its
formal function.
The second formal addressing term mostly used in is Anda. In KBBI( 2008),
Anda means an addressing term to call one with whom we communicate (without
seeing class, position, and ages). Although the target audience of this program is
elders, Ronald did not use bapak, ibu, or saudara, which are most formal, because he
wanted to create an efficient sentence since he talked in a radio program. Based on
Johns (1977), it (Anda) is frequently used in the media to address the general public,
as in television, radio and advertising. Ronald is likely to use Anda because he did not
know all of the audience’s background, although the program was designed for the
adult. Therefore, in order to avoid rudeness and offence he used the word Anda,
which is more neutral, to address the audience.
The third word, which frequently appears in the program, is bergabung. In
Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, bergabung means to participate, to reunite, join up,
or come together. Just like menemani, bergabung is also pronounced in full word
level that shows the formality use of the word. When it is pronounced as gabung, it
will lose its formal function and will be an informal word because gabung itself has
different meaning that is bounded. Look at the sentence:
“Oldies Mania spesial Classic Rock menemani Anda sampai
tengah malam ini. Jadi untuk temen agape yang sekarang
butuh teman… butuh lagu – lagu yang menghibur bisa
bergabung.” (Original)
10
Although formal language style mostly used, i found several informal
language style. In answering request segment, i found two frequently used informal
words that is gabung and ya. As previous explanation, gabung has its own meaning.
In his speech, Ronald used gabung as the contracted style from bergabung. Look at
the sentence:
“Datang dari Nawawi Kun Aguero yang ada di twa… terminal
lama Salatiga. Mau request lagu Enter Sandman. Lagu ini aku
kirimkan untuk semua Agape komuniti. Selamat malam aja
dan buat Mas Ronald selamat bertugas dan SBY. Terimakasih
ya untuk Om Awi yang sudah ikut bergabung. Kalau Om Awi
mau gabung lagi ke sini, request lagu yang lain, Ronald
tunggu.” (Original)
The assumed audience for this program influence the broadcaster to mostly use formal
language style. However, sometimes, the broadcaster instantly switches the word
bergabung into gabung. The reason he uses gabung was to change the situation to be
more relaxed and to get closer to the addressee. Different style from the formal use of
bergabung in transcript 1, where the use of formal style is intended to general
audience, the broadcaster tends to shift into less formal (gabung) when he is
interacting with an individual. Furthermore, the word ya occurs as a sentence tag in
answering request segment. In the next sentence:
“Terima kasih ya, untuk Indah yang sudah ikut bergabung
kembali di malam ini.” (Original)
11
Sneddon (2010) said that a sentence tag in informal statements ya allow the speaker to
avoid the impression of making a firm assertion. It means that the radio broadcaster
did not want to force the audience follow his idea.
Ronald’s style in interaction with children and the same level age.
Kiddy Land
Kiddy land is a radio program which is designed especially for the children
listeners. This program provides the children to listen to the music of religious songs
that sang by the children singers. This program also provides the information related
to the children activities in their home, church, and social environment.
In the Kiddy Land program, Ronald uses more informal language style,
especially language style that mostly used by the children, than formal language style
since the audiences are children. Nonstandard, used of speech or writing which differs
in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary from the standard variety of the language
(Richards, Jhon, dan Heidi , 1985 :193). The words and sentences he used most were
informal. He used it to make audience, which is children, easier to understand what he
talked about in his program. Those informal words were used to make the meaning is
clear enough for the children. At the time of that language acquisition, children
language style is more show as language function than language form or structure
(Hartati, 2011). So that formal language might be difficult for children to understand.
Moreover, Ronald’s use of informal language is because of age influence of target
audience. It is according to Meyerhoff (2006), obviously there are also differences
between how the average adult thinks about her or himself in relation to language and
how small children do, and these non-biological attitudinal factors may also play a
12
part in making it more difficult to learn a language to native-like levels after the
critical period.
In the program, I found several informal words form that are kamu, nemenin,
and ya that occurred frequently. Those words occurred in the three categories of social
function: greeting, answering request and giving information. According to Kamus
Besar Bahasa Indonesia, kamu means you or to call people we talk to (in close
relationship; sometimes is considered rude). Kamu is often used, especially for
younger to call his or her friend of the same age or elders addressing younger
speakers. Ronald frequently uses kamu to call the audience who are younger.
In the greeting segment, kamu occurred in the sentence:
“Gimana nih harinya kamu hari ini? Tentunya kamu sudah
menikmati hari libur.” (Original)
Then, in the giving information segment, kamu occurred in the sentence:
“Karena Natalnya masih tanggal dua lima, tapi Kak Ronald
siap nih untuk menyajikan lagu - lagu natal di ruang dengar
kamu dan kamu juga bisa dengerin pujian - pujian rohani yang
biasanya kamu nyanyiin di sekolah minggu barengan sama
temen - temen dan juga Kakak Sekolah minggu kamu.”
(Original)
In the answering request segment, kamu occur in the sentence:
“Makasih banget nih, yang udah gabung di 3460. Syalom
Kak, aku minta lagu Kuisitimewa. Salamnya buat keluargaku
yang sedang santai (audience). Oke, selamat menikmati santai
13
keluarga, salam juga buat keluarga kamu ya (broadcaster).”
(Original)
The use of the word kamu in the transcriptions above has two linguistic functions: to
address the audience ‘you’ and to show possessive pronoun ‘your’. Kamu was
preferred to make the distance between the audience and the broadcaster closer and
the conversation is comfortable as a friend, rather than as elders patronizing younger
speakers. Besides, by using casual language styles the radio broadcaster might gain
more attention from the audience to join in.
The second frequently appearing informal word is the word nemenin. The
word nemenin is not listed in KBBI. Its original formation is menemani, meaning is to
accompany. Nemenin is an informal form of menemani or to accompany. In the
greetings segment, nemenin occur in the sentence:
“Balik lagi barengan sama Kak Ronald nemenin di Kiddie Land sampai jam
satu siang.” (Original)
In this sentence, Ronald preferred to use the word nemenin than menemani. It might
be as an unconscious word that Ronald use to make the audience familiar to the word.
The language style of the broadcaster is also characterized by a tag sentence
form: “Terimakasih, ya?” Ya is used as a tag question as Sneddon (2010) mentions
that in informal speech ya can occur as a sentence tag, which invites confirmation or
agreement from the listener. He also said that a sentence tag in informal statements ya
allow the speaker to avoid the impression of making a firm assertion. Those informal
words were used to make the meaning is clear enough for the children. At the time of
that language acquisition, children language style is more show as language function
14
than language form or structure (Hartati, 2011). Still, if it was in a formal style of
language, I think the children will think too hard to catch the meaning.
Ada Pacar
Ada Pacar is a radio program which is designed for the young audience. This
program provides information and songs that recently popular among the youngster.
In the Ada Pacar program, Ronald most used informal language style since he
realizes that the audience target was young. Informal language style is preferred to
make a libration conversation, because a language style that is used by young people
mostly in informal. Gielson in Hartati (2011) claimed that this period, which is young,
is a sensitive age to learn language. Young people use a certain language style, which
is typical, in their speech as a part from their identity formation. So that they seem
avoid using formal language.
The words and sentences level used most were informal. It was used to avoid
age and class differences. It is unusual to use formal language to speakers at the same
age, because the audience will feel uncomfortable since the program is designed for
the young audience. According to Meyerhoff (2006) stated that similarly, the social
distance has tremendous impact on how they speak to each other. Furthermore, she
explained that we are generally more polite to people who don’t know very well, and
we generally we can be more abrupt with people are close friend. So that Ronald uses
informal language style to make the situation be more close and relax with the
audience.
He used informal language style to fulfill the social function of greeting,
answering request, and giving information. In this program I found several words
15
pronounced in informal forms that are kamu, ya, and some words that pronounced in
contracted words (nemenin, ngerasa, and gabung). As in the previous explanation,
kamu means you or addressing term to call people we talk to (in close relationship)
(KBBI, 2008). Here, kamu preferred to show that the radio broadcaster is equal with
the audience in terms of age. Kamu is also preferred to make the audience felt
comfortable with the situation and the topic of the program. So, it is hoped that the
audience has willing to listen to the program and even join in (requesting songs and
greet each other). Ya has the same function as the previous use in the other two radio
programs as a tag question that formed an informal sentence: a sentence tag, which
invites confirmation or agreement from the listener (Sneddon, 2010). .
In the script, ya occurred in those three categories (greetings, giving
information, and answering request). In the greeting segment from the original
transcript, there is a sentence:
“Ronald tahu ya sepanjang hari ini Salatiga diguyur hujan
yang deres.” (Original)
In the sentence, ya was occurred as tag sentence. The function of the word ya is to
make assurance that between both the radio broadcaster and the audience know that it
was raining on that afternoon. Then, in the giving information segment, there is a
sentence:
“Di sini kamu bisa dengerin lagu yang keren - keren, lagu
yang nge-hits beberapa minggu, bulan, kalo tahun sepertinya
ga kali ya.” (Original)
16
Here, the tag question ya is to give information that the song will be requested and
played is recent. Ronald makes his own agreement that audience might be disagree
with him. In the answering request segment, there are sentences:
“Ini datang dari… dari… dari kamu nih yang request lagunya
Keris Patih, Tak Lekang Oleh Waktu. Oh ini… dari 1967.
Salam aja buat Rudi, Iko Lia, Erna, dan buat Ronald, thank’s.
Tapi sorry banget ya, Keris Patih yang Tak Lekang Oleh
Waktu kalo gak salah yang nyanyi masih vokalis lamanya ya
itu, si Sammy Simorangkir ya.” (Original)
In the sentence, the first sentence tag ya was used to ask for apologize and in the last
sentence tag ya was used to make agreement that the singer was still the ex-singer of
the band. From those categories of social functions, the function of the sentence tag ya
is to make agreement between the radio broadcaster and the audience. Of course, the
radio broadcaster will not wait for the audience respond or answer and the audience
would not instantly answer the radio broadcaster’s own agreement.
Beside question tag ya, I found three words that often occurred that are
nemenin, ngerasa, and gabung. Nemenin derives from the word menemani, which
means to accompany. Ngerasa derives from the words merasakan which means
feeling something. Gabung derives from the word bergabung which means join in or
participating. Those words, nemenin and ngerasa, are not listed in Kamus Besar
Bahasa Indonesia. Only gabung listed in KBBI as a stem word, which has different
meaning which is bounded. Here, gabung is commonly used by the young people as
the informal form of bergabung. In greeting segment, there is a sentence:
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“Ronald tunggu atensi
kamu di 313623 yang mungkin
ngerasa sendiri di sore ini butuh teman ngobrol, Ronald bisa
kok nemenin kamu nob… nemenin kamu ngobrol, susah
banget ya ngomon ngobrol.” (Original)
Ngerasa and nemenin were occurred in a sentence. Here, Ronald used the informal
words of nemenin and ngerasa might to gain attention from the audience. In giving
information segment, the word gabung occurred in a sentence: Gabung ke fan pagenya kita di Facebook tentunya . The function of the word gabung that used by Ronald
was to give information and of course also to gain attention from the audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the two different programs show that language style was
changed because of different audience target. In a program that has target to adult
audience, the radio broadcaster will use more formal language style. He used formal
language to create a close formal interaction situation as he did not know the
audience’s level of age. In order to avoid rudeness and offence, he maintains the use
of more formal language style. Apparently, cultural background in relation to hearers
also influences the choice of style. In Javanese culture, a young people have to respect
the adult, especially in using language. This cultural background influences a radio
broadcaster to beware in using diction, even the program use Indonesian language.
Meyerhoff (2006) states that some of the best-known examples of these kinds of
speech levels come from Indonesian language such as Javanese, which is typical of
the languages in Indonesia in distinguishing low, mid, and high speech level.
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Moreover, she claimed that the structure of a sentence does not change radically
according to speech level, but the vocabulary can be entirely replaced.
In a program where the target audiences are youngsters and children audience,
a radio broadcaster will use another variation language, which is informal. In a
program for children, he uses it to make audience, which is children, easier to
understand what he talks about in his program. Those informal words are used to
make the meaning clearer enough for the children. At the time of language
acquisition, children language style is more as language function than language form
or structure (Hartati, 2011). Therefore, formal language might be difficult for children
to understand. Then, in a program for young people, Ronald uses certain language
style, which is typical for the youngsters, which is still informal. Informal language
style is preferred to make a liberate conversation, because a language style that is used
by young people is mostly informal. Gielson in Hartati (2011) claims that this period,
which is young, is a sensitive age to learn language. Young people use a certain
language style, which is typical, in their speech as a part from their identity formation.
It was used to avoid age and class differences. It is unusual to use formal language to
speakers at the same age, because the audience will feel uncomfortable since the
program is designed for the young audience. Meyerhoff (2006) explained that we are
generally more polite to people who do not know very well, and generally we can be
more abrupt with people who are close friend. With audience design methodology to
support the finding, it is proven that the radio broadcaster uses different language
style to talk to different audience
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Acknowledgement
This thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people.
Firstly, I want to thank to my Lord, Jesus Christ for His guidance until I finished my
paper. I wish to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Christian Rudianto,
M.Appling who was abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support
and guidance. Thank to Mr Dian Toar Y. G. Sumakul, MA for patiently reading my
thesis and revised any wrong things. Special thanks also go to my participant, SA
radio station. I also thanks to all of my best friends for their supports. At last, I also
wish to express my love to Nhia and gratitude to my beloved families for their
understanding through the duration of my study.
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