LANGUAGE OF INSTANT MESSAGE IN COMMUNICATION.

Abstract

Juliana. Melyssa Liong. LANGUAGE OF INSTANT MESSAGE IN COMMUNICATION.
A Thesis English Applied Linguistic study Program. Post Graduate School. State
Universtity ofMedan.

Instant messaging {IM) as one of the internet services have become a needs and lifestyle of
online communication, especially among teenagers and young adults. The main reasons of
1M use are the practical, efficient and entertain function. While 1M is commonly thought of
as a written version of informal speech that affect the user language development, there has.
been little empirical investigation of its linguistic characteristics, limited on the linguistics
scaffolding (how the overall conversations were conducted), lexical issues ( issue relating to
specific words) and semantics code mixing. This study examines three points about the 1M
communication, they are: (I) to find out the type of language use in lM communication, (2)
to find the type of code mixing applied in 1M communication (3) to find out the reason of the
business people apply the IM communication. This paper reports on an analysis studies of
the 1M behavior of a worker named Rustina, a multilinguals worker of a company that serves
the export and local market, in influence to her culture and language as this reseach
conducted in ethography design that all the data taken will also observe to her socio-cultural
background. IM message history, transcript, interview, and questionnaire data to the
background of the subject indicate that 1M language use (I) Simplification and affectiveness

of the communication plays the important part in 1M communication since the most quantity
used is one word only with 8 to 60 words/minute transmittion (2) The insertion type of the
code mixing appear mostly in 1M conversation. (3) The linguistics characteristics used ofiM
are uncommon or unstandadized with certain language of the multilinguals, they mix the
language that suitable with them. The paper concludes by suggesting that lM can be seen as a
new style of discourse that create a new language and new group of socieaty with bas no
standarization for all user of different group The mixing of the languages known is
considered change (absorb) the main rules or assumptions about ones spoken and written
language.

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LANGUAGE OF INSTANT MESSAGE
IN COMMUNICATION
A Thesis

Submitted to ·the English Applied Linguistics Study Program
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humanlora


ENGLISH APPLIED LINGVISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATESCROOL
STATEUNIVERslTYOFMEDAN

2010

...

A THESIS
THE LANGUAGE OF INSTANT MESSAGE IN
COMMUNICATION

Registration Number: 082188330005

English Applied Linguistics Study Program
Postgraduate School
State University of Medan
This thesis was examined on February 25,2010 by the Board Examiners

-


Approved by
Adviser Commission

Second Adviser

Director of Postgraduate Study
School

Prof. Dr. Belferik Manullang
NIP. 19471015 197412 1 001

APPROVAL
This thesis was examined on February 25, 2009 by the Board Examiners

Prof. D.P. Tampubolon, Ph. D.

Prof. M. Silitonga, Ph.D.

z

Prof. Tina Mariany Arirm, M.A., Ph.D.

Dr. Didik Santoso, M.Pd.

Advisers' Statements

I certify that I have read this thesis and that, in my opinion it is fully
adequate in scope and quality as a thesis for the Degree of Magister
Humaniora.

·-

Prof. D.P. Tampubolon, Ph. D.
First Adviser

--

~

tft


a

)I.
I certify that I have read this thesis and that, in my opinion it is fully
adequate in scope and quality as a thesis for the Degree of Magister
Human·o a.

Prof. M. Silitonga, Ph.D.
Second Adviser

ACKNOWLEGMENTS

First of all, the writer is very grateful to Buddha and Bodhisatta who has granted
blessings so that this thesis could be finished. This thesis is intended to fulfill a part of
requirements to get the degree of Master Humaniora at the Englisti Applied Linguistics
Program, Post Gradute

~ Schol,


State University ofMedan.

This thesis could not have been accomplished without the guidance, suggestions,
and comments from several people, for which the writer would like to extend her sincere and

special thanks.

Firstly, the writer would like to express her greatest gratitude to Rrof. D.P.
Tampubolon, Ph.D., her first consultant, and Prof. M. Silitonga, Ph. D., her second
consultant, for the valuable advice, time, guidance and suggestions in writing this thesis.

Her gratitude goes to Prof. Tina Mariany Arifin, M.A., Ph.D. for her valdable time
and generous support being the third adviser and former Head of English Applied Linguistics
Study

ogram. Her gratitude goes to the reviewers, Prof. Dr. Lince Sibom6" g, M.P.d., and

Dr. Didik Santoso, M.Pd.

Linguistics Program, for theirltelp regarding the administrative procedures and full support.


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Her gratitude also go to all lecturers who have shared their knowledge to her during her
academic year.

Her thank also goes to her colleagues, Venti Halim, Jules Suharto, Suwandy and
especially her subjel:t of research, Rustina Cheung, PreSident Director of CML, Mr. Tony
Harsono, for their support and help in giving time and o portunit}] for her in conducting the
research and collecting the data.

Her very special thanks and sincere are directed to her beloved mom, lorida, her
lovely sister and brother, Tonny Liong, Tetty Suriany, Lady Diana, and Jhonny Roy, who
have patiently given pray and never ending spiritual and material support.

Her thanks also go to her colleagues in SMU Methodist-3, Ms. Taty Wijaya, Ms.
Susan, Ms. Mery, Ms. Eka, Ms. Lidya Ghodang, Ms. Etna Kimiawati, and many more for
their positive support and contributions for this thesis. In addition, her thanks also go to all
her classmates, especially Debbie, Ade, Yanti, Benny, Ipur and Hanim. Thank you for being
great friends.


May God Bless Us!

Melyssa Juliana Liong

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ABSTRACT .................-····-···-···-···-·--··········-········.............................................

ACKNOWLEDGEMEN S........................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................................
LIST OF FIGURES. ...................................................................................................
LIST OF TABLE ...............................-......................................................................
LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................... ................

(i)
(ii)

(iv)

(x)
(xi)
(xii)

CHAYfERI

1.2 The Problems of the Study ............................................ .
1.3 The Objectives of the Study .......................................... .
1.4 The Scope of the Study ................ ..................................
1.5 The Significance of the Study ............................. ........ .

CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS ..............................
2.1 Communication ............................................................. .
2.1.1 Definition.........................................................

10


2.1.1.2 Communication Is a Process .................

11

2. 1.2 Functions of Communication .. .... ... ..... ..............

12
13

2.1.22 Identity Needs ...... ..... .. ...........................

13

2.1.2.3 Social Needs ..........................................

14

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2.1.2.4 Practical Needs ........................... ..........

14

Types of Communications ............................ ..

14

2.1.3.1 Based on Context................................

14

a Mass Communicaton .....................

15

b. Public Communication ................ ..

15

c. Small Group Communication ........

16

e. Intrapersonal Communication .......

17

2.1 .3.2 Based on Communication Ghannels....

17

2.1.3

a. Verbal Communication ................. .

a.

Formal Communication...............

19

2.1 .5 Character of Business Communication ..............

25

a.

Conciseness.................................................

25

b.

Concreteness ...............................................

25

c.

Clari!Y .........................................................

25

e.

Courtesy ......... ........... .... ......... ..... ..... ...... ... .

26

f.

Correctness .. ................. ............. .................

26

g.

Consideration .............................................

26

(v)

2.1.6. Reason ofMedia Use.........................................

26

2.1.6.1 Information ............................................

26

2.1.6.2 Personal Identity ....................................

27

2.1.6.3

Integration and Social Interaction ........

27

2.1.6.4

Entertainment ......................................

27

2.2 Instant Message ..............................................................

27

2.2.4 Instant Message Language ................................ ..
2.3 Culture and Language ................................................... .
2.3.1 Culture ................................................................ .

-z
?

2.3.2 Language ........................................................... ..
2.4 Linguistics .................................................................... ..
2.4.1 Linguistics Analysis ............................................ .
2.4.2 Semantics ............................................................

m
39

40
2.5. Computer- Based Communication .............................. .

40
40

2.5.2 Computer- Based Communication
Competence........................................................
(vi)

41

2.5.2.1 Motivation .............................................

42

2.5.2.2 Knowledge.............................................

42

2.5.2.3 Skills .....................................................

43

2.5.3 Computer- Based Communication Factors ........

45

2.5.3.1 Medium Factors.....................................

45

2.5.3.1 Message Factors....................................

45

2.5.3.1 Context Factors......................................

45

2.5.4 Computer- Based Communication Out Comes..

46

2.5.3.1.

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

2.5.32.

Understanding ..................................

2.5.3.3.

Appropriateness.................................

2.5.3.4.

Satisfaction ..................................... .

METHODOLOGY •.•••••••••••..••.•••...•••••..•••.•.••.....•.••....•.•..•

3.1 Research Design.............................................................

48

3.2 Subject of the Study.......................................................

50

3.3 Instruments of Data Collection.....................................

SO

3.4 The Data of Study ......................................................... .

52

3.5 The Data Analysis ......................................................... .

52

3.5 .1 ()rganizing ·············· ..... ······························ ......... .

52

3.5.2 Coding The Data ..................................................

53

3.5.3 Data Elaboration .................................... ..............

53

5.5.4 Interpreate Meaning .............................................

54

DATA ANALYSIS ·-········--···-··-····-····-····-····-·-·-·...
(vii)

55

4.1 Analysis of Discourse Scaffolding..................................

55

4.1.1 Avarage Word in an Transmission............... .......

55

4.1.2 Avarage Number ofTransmission .......................

58

4.1.3 Grammatical CbaracterofUtterance Break..........

61

4.2 Lexical Analysis .................... ........ .......... .......... ....... ....

62

64
66
66

-z

4.3.2.6 Mk ·························································

4.3.2.7 Sh........................................................... .

':)

m

4.4 The Analysis of code Mixing................................... ..
4.4.1 Rs and Ad .......................................................... ..
4.4.2 Rs and Jb............................................... ...............

70

72
72

73

4.5 1M Communication Type...............................................

74

4.6 1M Business Communication .........................................

79

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the users, who chat through Internet that make their conversation become more interesting
and efficient.

In everyday interaction, people usually choose different codes in different situations.
"cUJar variety of codes because it makes easier to discuss a particular
topic, regardless where they are speaking. When they about work or school at home, for
instance, they may

use the language that associate to those fields rather-thin use the language

used in daily communication at home (Holmes, 1992:31 ).

Short, Williams & Cristine ( 1976) assert that different communication media enable
different levels of experience of the social presence of individual who are engaged ·
communicating the level of experience of the social presence of other people is related to tlie
quality of medium.

Since the presence of 1M as one of the media of communication bas been highly
developed among the business people, it will be interesting to discuss the effect on this

from past generation to the next generation. Everything is changed, there is nothing ·
in this

orld, including the language as part of culture. Kroeber & Kluckbo

. (1952) state

that the term "culture" refers to all the characteristics common to a particular group of people

value that is received from last generation, who taught how to
speak, bow to act, how to treat people, how to dress up and many others as they belong to

4

communication work well. Despite the features that all share, each has its own
characteristics.

a.

Mass communication consists of messages that are

transmied~

large, widespread

audiences via electronic and print media: newspapers,magazines, television, radio, etc. Mass
communication differs from the interpersonal, small group,and public varieties.

First, mass

mes~

are aimed at a large audience without an>.:

~rsonal

contact

between sender and receivers. Second, most of the messages sent via mass communication
channels are developed, or at least financed,by large organizations. In this
communication is fur less personal and more of a product than the other types.

Finally, mass communication is almost always controlled by many gatekee rs who
determine what messages will be delivered to consumers, how they will be c n
when they will be delivered. Sponsors (whether corporate or govemm
producers, reporters, and executives all have the power to influence mass messages in ways
that don't affect most other types.

Public communication occurs when a group becomes too large for all members to
contribute. One characteristic of public communication is an unequal amount of speaking.

15

One or more people are likely to deliver their remarks to the remaining members, who act as
an audience. This leads to a second characteristic of public settings: limited verbal feedback.

The audience isn't able to talk back in a two-way conversation the way they might in
a dyadic or small group setting. This doesn't mean that speakers operate in a vacuum when
delivering their remarks. Audiences often have a chance to ask questions and offer brief
comments, and their nonverbal reactions offer a wide range of clues about

ir reception of

the speaker's remarks. Public speakers usually have a greater chance to
their remarks than do communicators in smaller settings.

c.

Small Group Communication

In small group communication every person can participate actively with tbe other

members. Small groups are a common fixture of everyday life. A fumily is a groi!J), so are a
group of students working on a class project. Whatever their make up, small

grQJ!DS

possess

characteristics that are not present in a dyad. For instance, two or more members of a group
can form a coalition to defend their position against other members, whereas in a dya9 the
memEiers fuce each other on their own, without support from others.

In a group, the majority of members can put press
conform, eithe consciously or unconsciously; but in a dyad no such pressures exist.

would not dare if they were alone or in a dyad. With their greater size, groups also have the
ability to be more creative than dyads. Finally, communication in groups is affected strongly
by the type of leader who is in a position of authority.

16

d.

Dyadic/Interpersonal Communication

This form of communication describes the interactions of two or more people. The
most significant setting for

in~l

communication is direct face-to

face

interview, a conversation, and intimate
communications come under this heading. It is more persuasive and influential than any
other type of communication, for it involves the interplay of words and gestUres, the warmth
of human closeness and in fact all the five senses. The fedback is instantaneous.

e.

lntrapersonal Communication

Intra.personal Communication is communication within the people se ves. People
engage in intra.personal communication when they are thinking, listening, da,Y.dreaming,
studying, creating, contemplating or dreaming. They are both source and destination of this
type of communication. They use their brain waves as a channel; and the outComes are
thoughts or ideas, sometimes decisions, and sometimes actions or behaviors.

They still communicate within the context or environment. Theil:

~e

and other

social considerations shape the environment. This communication worlCS as we motivate
ourselves

Based on the channels used for communicating, the process of communication can be

broadly classified as verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Verbal

17

communication includes written and oral communication whereas the non-verbal
communication includes body language, facial expressions and visuals diagrams or pictures

used for communication.

a.

Verbal Communicatioa

Verbal communication is further divided in two. First, the oral communication refers

to the spoken words in the communication process, Than, oral communication can either be
face-to-face communication or a conversation over the phone or on the voice chat over the
Internet.

Spoken conversations or dialogs are influenced by voice modulation, pitch) volume
and even the speed and clarity of speaking. The other type of verbal communication is
written communication. Written communication can be either via snail mail, or email. The
effectiveness of written communication depends on the style of writing, voc@ulary used.
grammar, clarity and precision of language.

b.

Nonverbal Communication

speakipg, which will include the body pOst;ure, the hand gesture

expressions on a person's face say a lot about his/her mood. On the other hand gestures like a
handshake, a smile or a hug can independently convey emotions. Non verbal communication

18

can also be in the form of pictorial representations, signboards, or even photographs,
sketches and paintings.

Based on the style of communication, there can be two broad categories of
communication. which are formal and informal communication that have their own set of
characteristic features.

a.

Formal Communication

Formal communication includes all the instances where communication

~

to occur

in a set formal format. Typically, this can include all sorts of business or corporate
communication. The style of communication in this form is very formal and official.

Official conferences, meetings,
communication. Formal communication can also occur between two strangers
meet fo the first time. Hence, formal communication is straightforward, official and always
precise and has a stringent and rigid tone to it.

Informal communication includes instances of free unrestrained communication
between people who share a casual rapport with each other. Informal communication

19

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .............- ....... .

82

5.1 Conclusions.....................................................................

87

5.2 Suggestions......................................................................

92

REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................

88

APeENDJCES ·········-····································...··-··········-······················ ·-··· ..........•.

91

CHAPTERV

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LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure

2-2.

Transactional Communication'Model.............................................

22

Computer Mediated Communication Competence. . . . ........ .... ..............

44

-z

?

m

(x)

LIST OF TABLES

Table

Page

2.1

Communication Rights and Responsibilities .........................................

2.2

Factors to Consideration Choosing

9

24
4.1

ysis ofWord Quantity....................................................................

z

?

m

(xi)

56

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendices

Page

1

Analysis of Time Transmittion (Rs to :Ali)••.........................................

9I

2

Analysis of Time Transmittion (Rs to Jh) .......................................... .

96

3

98

4

104

5

108

6

Analysis of Time Transmittion (Rs to Sh) ................................... ..... ...

7

Analysis of Time Transmittion (Rs to Mk)........................................ .

8

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Ad) .............................................. .

9

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Jh) ................................................

125

10

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Js) .................... ............................ .

127

II

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Ls) ............................................... .

I35

12

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs toMs).............................................. .

141

13

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Mk).............................................. .

148

14

Analysis of Words Quantity (Rs to Sh)............................................. .

I 50

15

Analysis of Writing and Lexical (Rs to Ad) ..................... ................... .

15I

16

ysis of Writing and Lexical (Rs to Jh) ........................................ .

160

17
18

112

162
Analysis of Writing and Lexical (Rs to LS)..................... .......... ........ .

170
176

19

20

Analysis of Writing and Lexical (Rs to Mk) ....................................... .

184

21

Analysis of Writing and Lexical (Rs to Sh) ........................................ .

186

(xii)

22

Analysis of Code Mixing (Rs to Ad) ................................................... .

187

23

Analysis of Code Mixing (Rs to Jh) ................................................... .

199

24

Analysis of Code Mixing (Rs to Js).................................................... .

201

25

Analysis of Code Mixing (Rs to Ls).................................................... .

209

26

Analysis ot:eooe Mixing (Rs toMs)................................................ .

216

27

Analysis of Code Mixing (Rs to Mk).................................................. .

225

28

227

30

Supporting Subject Details ...................................................................

227

32

Sampla of 1M Communication ........................................................... .

235

-z
?

m

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study

Globalization refers to the dynamic development of cross-border movements of
goods. money. information. ideas. and people. together with the interdependency of

ple

and institutions around the world. This interconnectednesS, and the changes it brings in liv-ing
conditions and perspectives. creates both opportunities and challenges. Globalization
processes are driven by science and technology, particularly new information ani:l
communication technologies. At the same time. globalization has strongly influenCed the
ways in which scientific knowledge and new technologies are produced and disseminated.

Technology and human and society have the interrelationship. HumJ.n needs
technology and technology only works if it is operated by human. Moreover, technolo

is

created by human need as the main reason. A society involves number of people in a social
SMCt;

r network held together by the sense of understanding and obli

·on towards the

betterment of the community and promotes a sense of togetherness within the members.
Then. technology itself can be defined as the process of applying established knowledge to
meet identified market and social needs.

Technology sources are the tools which have-been developed over time to help people
to get to lifestyles and increase comforticity levels and efficiency. Technology sources can
be said to have existed in people lives since time since the early life. Some examples of the

technology is electricity, telephones, medicinal discoveries, transportation etc., All the things
has exist for comfort and performance. Since the discovery of different invention, different
technology sources have come to the forefront and have known to affect the lifestyle of
humans.

It can be concluded that the most important contribution of technology to society is
making people live much easier and helping them. The usage of technology lias added a new
dimension to the work related community. Now with the use of Internet, pagers. mobile
phones, the working member of the family can be attend to the office work while at the same
time,J>roviding due attention to his/her family.

Technology has touched every part of human's life as in communicatio0; flie use of
modem inventions like cellular phones, television and internet has become common in live,
moreover in world. Internet as modem life inventions helps people to get information faster
and allows them to stay connected with friends and other people. Previously, pewle used to
have a business meeting where they had a chat with each other and discussed tlieir problems.
The distance is not an issue when communication is available through a phone
that is easily at hand. Nowadays, all considered about is checking emails and text messages
without the true emotional bond and relationship with others. It is keepmg toda 's people
connected.

to simply "IM", is a

rm of online communication that illows real-time interaction through

personal computers or mobile computing devices. Users can exchange messages privately,
similar to e-mail, or join group conversations. Although typed text remains the primary

2

convention for Instant message (IM), the technology bas grown significantly from early
versions and now allows users to send images, audio and video files, and other attachments.

1M is gradually gaining acceptance in business organizations in recent years. Because
of its supports of spontaneous and opportunistic communication, there are potential benefits
not provided by e-mail or other forms of computer-based communications. The unique
presence awareness feature of 1M is useful in filling some of the gaps in traditional business
communication systems for connecting distance workers, telecommuters, an
partners. For example, such capabilities geographically separated workers to work on the

same project, such as writing an agreement.

Hundreds even thousands of people use 1M to connect, send and receive messages

almost every hour, from a wide spectrum of devices, while doing several other thfiigs at the
same time. An important function of 1M at the work place is to facilitate team work between
separated co-workers. With increasing use of outsourcing and off shoring, teams located on
different places desperately need a coordination tool that will allow them to
meetings and transfer documents, and respond to unanticipated events quickly: I

is also

ideal for spontaneous communications such as brief questions, clarifications, coordination,
scheduling, and other tasks that require the rapid exchange of information.

In writing, the I

t Message (IM) users have developed an evolving syntax that

incluHes shorthand, acronY!!J§, sy1pbols, and other e ements that constitute a unique lexicon,
encouraging users to ifiteract in ways ot possible eiilier in person or with other forms of
electronic communication. While this dynamic development expands access to workers, who

are uneasy with other types of communication, it also provides new modes of expression for

3

that group and to be accepted by the other member of the society. Those can be seperated
from each society. On the other hand, it is necessary to realize that instant message world has
their own culture.

1M users belong to a group of people who have the agreement to understand each
other so they stay connected. This medium force them to share infonnation and try to
understand eacb other.

'Qlis is a great finding to know bow the medium cbaiage the people,

since they have to adapt, and how this new share information effected the culture.

1.2

Tbe Problems of tbe Study

The influence oftbe language ofiM is not merely in tbe conversation oftlle network,
but has already spread into user culture and become a new developing language. 1M has
brought different enjoyment to the dialogue of the daily life. In order to discuss ilie relation
and condition of language style of IM in communication, especially on the business people.
There are some questions need to be answered:

1. What are the types of language use in 1M communication?

2.

What type of code mixing is applied in IM communication?

IM is a form of online in internet, which is more instantaneous than emails. In this
way, IM is a direct form of communication. The objectives of the study are:

5

I.

To find out the types of language use 1M communication.

2.

To find out the type of code mixing applied in 1M communication.

3.

To find out the reason of business people apply the IM.

1.4 The Scope of the Study
J}ue to the existance of the language particularly used in
I~

that they have made changes. The frequency of the changing might affect the users. People
need to adapt as they are a social human being. The study is focused n the linguistics and

semantics analysis dealing with the code mixing. Linguistic analysis ·s divided into two
categories: discourse scaffolding (that is, bow the overall conversations were constructed)
and lexical issues (that is, issues relating to specific words).

The discourse scaffolding analysis includes:
a.

Average length (in words) of an 1M transmission

b.

Average number ofiM transmissions per minute

c.
d.

Grammatical character of utterance breaks

The lexical analysis includes:
Use of abbreviations and acronyms

Boothe Prize Essay, Winter 2003 Honorable Mention) in 2003. He devides the type of IM

6

language base on the lexical item, those are the use of abbreviations, acronyms, emoticons
and spelling errors/self-corrections.

I.S The Signiftean« of tlie Study

The study about the language style of Instant Message Communication bas a great
significance in this

era of technology. In the communication technology, it will be interesting

to explore how the 1M language affects the users, the young generation workers in language
and culture development. Many people might not have good impressions of 1M language
using when they hear it, but if it is not really negative in every part. It is hoped that the
exploration would lead to better understanding about do the IM language really affect to the
users, especially the worker's language and culture. An addition, the purpose ·s that this
research, hopefully can provide data that may help to find out the the points that considered
to be filtered in order to keep the culture exist and avoid the effect of negative

might exist.

7

issue that

CHAPTERV

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

5.1 Conclusions

The tremendous development in technology bas affected the lifestyle of people in
society. It will be wrong to say that the progress in technology is for the betterment ofi the
society since it has bad bad implications also on people. It is also affecting worK; family,

ana

the economy. However, the effects of technology depend completely on the amount of
exposure people get to the technology source and the use they derive from the same.

This study is set out to seek answers to a number of questions concerning language
on on Instant Message communication. The study indicates that through the media. the
transmit 8-60 words/minute, which conversations contain approximately 30,93 % of all

transmissions were 1 word in length, 1M communication were done in very effective and
short time with minimum noise happen. Meanwhile the noise that mostl)! can diturb the
conversation, are the electricity problem (60%) and their willingness or mood of the user
(55%). One word traJiSmission shows that in 1M communication, the communication
frequently; done in compleate sentence, it is breaking to a few times, means every sentence

The frequency of language quantity used, also effected the completness of sentences
used. A lot utterance break was made by the subject which counted from 40 -50%, while

84

from the turn taking side, the users of this media is also pay less attention. They commonly
just write the message and remind for the anwer by shocking the table of message.
Sometimes, this cases made the 1M less polite and far from the standard of business
communication as the

mown as "7 C'

( conciseness; concreteness, clarity, completeness,

courtesy, correctness, consideration)

The lexical analyzed number oftbe linguistic characteristics ofthe 1,300 words in the
1M communication found that of error words and typos mostly appem;because tbe speed of
typing. Relatively, few abbreviations and acronyms appeared in the history of the message,
since the subject have to avoid misunderstanding and repetition because unsame shared
language this also can make them wasting their time. Emotion will only Used with a very
close friend, then, in business the formality still in prior, this makes emotion still be avoided
by users, and the most used were a smiley face, i.e., ©. This is for the politeness purpose.

The biggest number of the lexical analysis is Spelling correction or self correcness.
Some of these spelling errors were mostly corrected in subsequent turns. But sometimes it
reminded by partner of communication, in order to have better understanding. The awareness
of tH users will plays great rules in this case is the feeling of uncomfo o having mistake

that may cause herself ashameful. Therefore, through the data of the lexical analysis above, it
can be concluded tba1 the spelling and lexical item is remind in good level.

e results of this study also demonstrated that there
elements that might be

~nsible

for the wide use of English or mixing among English,

Indonesia, Mandarin and Hokkien by a multilinggual. Among these are: ease and mixing of
writing in English, Indonesia, Mandarin and Hokkien and limited space in the messages.

85

Since code-mixing is becoming increasingly common in more parts of the world, it is of the
utmost importance to understand how code-mixing, as a communicative strategy, functions
in this particular milenium.
_.-~

The results of this study reveal the fact that the participant exhibits the ability to
move

mrek and forth more codes depending on the suitability of the~

communicative needs.

Many instances of code-mixing in the data are found to serve various sociolinguistic
functions. Mixing to English, Indonesia, Mandarin and Hokkien as an embedded language,
for instance, was found to serve the functions of greeting, quoting someone, this is done to
highlight contextualized situations and quotations and a number of other sociology functions.
The mostly applied the insertion, it is conceived as something akin to borrowing, She just
_inserted the word from a or some language in to the other language without c

form of the sentence's structure and grammar. This comes from the direct translation that
commonly made. As Mandarin, Hokkien and Indonesia languages are not quite different in
structure.

However, it bas been observed that user do resort to English for a number of
sociolinguistic reasons. That is, they use some lexical items from Eng ish as a mark of
prestige, to fill gaps in the language or to serve the function of euphemism; using certain
;XJ>ressions

m English in place of Indonesia or English wordS that may offend or suggest
oreover, it has been noticed that greetings and a

codemixing!switbching.

86

Finally, the emergence of new modes of communication like 1M over the past
twenty years has increased practices of both code-mixing and linguistic simplicity
throughout the user. We argue then that when code-mixing and simplicity of the linguistic
item will become extensive, entirely new linguistic varieties may exist.

fie usage of the Instant message itself for the company consist of five purposes.
First, for the evidence purpose, economic purpose, entertain and self indroduction purpose,
comfort purpose and effectiveness purpose

S.l

Suggestions

Due to the rapid changing of the language and technology, it is suggeSted that the
other researcher can do further research in larger quantity of subject, in purpose to have more
general and accurate result that can represent alJ person generally. As language is part of
culture, any changes on one of them will change the other parts. Then, we need to keep the
language as a harritage to next generation with not much changes or at least

e are able to

provide the data of the official language in this era and changing that already happeJJ. We
also have to realize that nothing immortal in this world, everything ke~

cHange, so does the

langguage. History will provide data for people to have feedback point of learning.

87

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