LANGUAGE FUNCTION FOUND IN ANI YUDHOYONO'S INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS.

LANGUAGE FUNCTION FOUND IN ANI YUDHOYONO'S
INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS
A THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree
of English Department Faculty of Arts and Humanities
State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya

By:
Nidaan Nungky Chofiyya
NIM: A83212174

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL
SURABAYA
2016

LANGUAGE FUNCTION FOUND IN ANI YUDHOYONO'S
INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS

A THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree
of English Department Faculty of Arts and Humanities
State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya

Nidaan Nungky Chofiyya
NIM: A83212174

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SUNAN AMPEL
SURABAYA
2016

ABSTRACT

Chofiyya, Nidaan Nungky. 2016. Language Function Found in Ani Yudhoyono’s
Instagram Captions. English Department, Faculty of Arts and
Humanities, State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Advisor: Diah Royani Meisani, M. Pd.
Keywords: Language Function, Instagram, Caption, Ani Yudhoyono

This study investigates the kind of language function in Ani Yudhoyono’s
instagram captions as well as the language function mostly used by Ani
Yudhoyono and the meaning behind language function of Ani Yudhoyono’s
instagram captions. The objectives of this study are to describe kind of language
functions which are used by Ani Yudhoyono in her instagram and to reveal the
meaning behind language functions of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram captions.
The method which is applied by the writer is descriptive qualitative because
the data collected are in the form of words. The data were collected from Ani
Yudhoyono’s instagram captions and those were analyzed by using Roman
Jakobson theory of language function.
This study reveals that all six elements of communication are found in Ani
Yudhoyono’s instagram caption, namely addresser, context, message form,
contact, common code and addressee. The result of this study also shows that there
are six language functions used by Ani Yudhoyono on her instagram captions,
such as emotive function, conative function, referential function, phatic function,
poetic function and metalinguistic function. The language function that is mostly
used by Ani Yudhoyono is referential function. The caption needs to use this
function because instagram photos require a lot of information to be informed to
the followers in order to get the message of the photo through the caption. It is
used in describing the object of the photos and giving the information about the

photos with twenty five sentences used or 58,1%. The writer also found another
functions; two conative functions or 4,7%, three phatic functions or 7% and three
metalinguistics functions or 7%, and five emotive functions or 11,6% and poetic
functions or 11,6%. Furthermore, this study also shows that there is a combination
among the language functions. It means, one captions does not only carry out one
function, but also two or three functions at once. So, from 36 data, the writer can
find out 43 language functions. Besides, there are several meanings behind
language function of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram captions. First, the meanings
behind emotive function of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram captions are expressing
emotion of happiness and admiration. Second, the meaning behind conative

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function is persuading the followers to do positive activity, such as persuade the
followers to be grateful. Third, the meaning behind referential function captions
are informing and describing the activities of her husband, the cities which are
visited by Ani Yudhoyono and her works in photography. Fourth, the meaning
behind phatic function of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram captions is greeting the
followers indirectly. Fifth, the meaning behind poetic function is delivering the

positive messages. Sixth, the meaning behind metalinguistic function is describing
the languages or terms which have not clear.
The writer expected that this study can contribute a deeper understanding
about language function. She suggests to the next researcher to examine another
subject, such as song, daily conversation, etc.

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ABSTRAK

Chofiyya, Nidaan Nungky. 2016. Language Function Found in Ani Yudhoyono’s
Instagram Captions. Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora,
Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Pembimbing: Diah Royani Meisani, M. Pd.
Kata Kunci: Fungsi Bahasa, Instagram, Caption, Ani Yudhoyono
Penelitian ini menginvestigasi macam-macam fungsi bahasa pada caption
instagram bu Ani Yudhoyono serta fungsi bahasa yang sering digunakan oleh bu
Ani Yudhoyono dan makna dibalik fungsi bahasa tersebut. Tujuan dari penelitian

ini adalah untuk menggambarkan atau mendeskripsikan macam-macam fungsi
bahasa yang digunakan oleh bu Ani dan mengungkap makna dibalik fungsi-fungsi
bahasa tersebut.
Metode yang digunakan oleh penulis adalah kualitatif deskriptif karena data
yang dikumpulkan berupa kata-kata. Data dikumpulkan oleh penulis dari captioncaption akun instagram bu Ani Yudhoyono dan dianalisis mengunakan teori fungsi
bahasa dari Roman Jakobson.
Penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa semua dari enam elemen komunikasi
ditemukan pada caption instagram bu Ani Yudhoyono seperti addresser, context,
message form, contact, code and addressee. Hasil dari penelitian ini juga
menunjukkan bahwa terdapat enam fungsi bahasa yang digunakan oleh bu Ani di
caption yang terdapat pada akun instagramnya, antara lain fungsi emotif, fungsi
konatif, fungsi referensial, fungsi phatik, fungsi puitik dan fungsi metalinguistik.
Fungsi bahasa yang sering digunakan oleh bu Ani Yudhoyono adalah fungsi
referensial. Sebuah caption perlu menggunakan fungsi referensial ini karena fotofoto instagram memerlukan banyak informasi untuk diinformasikan kepada
pengikutnya agar mendapatkan pesan dari foto tersebut melalui caption. Fungsi ini
digunakan dalam menggambarkan atau mendeskripsikan serta memberikan
informasi tentang objek foto dengan menggunakan duapuluh lima kalimat atau
58,1%. Penulis juga menemukan dua fungsi konatif atau 4,7%, tiga fungsi phatik
dan metalinguistik atau 7%, serta lima fungsi emotif dan puitik atau 11,6%.
Kemudian, penelitian ini juga menunjukkan bahwa terdapat kombinasi antara

fungsi bahasa. Maksud dari penulis adalah satu caption tidak hanya ada satu fungsi
bahasa, tetapi bisa dua atau tiga fungsi dalam satu caption. Oleh karena itu, penulis
bisa mendapatkan 43 fungsi bahasa dari 36 data. Selain itu, terdapat beberapa arti
dibalik fungsi bahasa dari caption instagram Ani Yudhoyono. Pertama, arti dibalik

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fungsi emotif pada caption instagram bu Ani adalah mengekspresikan emosi
kebahagiaan dan kekaguman. Kedua, arti dibalik fungsi konatif adalah mengajak
pengikutnya untuk melakukan aktifitas yang positif yaitu bersyukur. Ketiga, arti
dibalik fungsi referensial adalah menginformasikan dan menggambarkan aktifitas
suaminya, kota-kota yang dikunjungi oleh bu Ani dan karya-karya fotografinya.
Keempat, arti dibalik fungsi fatik adalah menyapa para pengikut instagram bu Ani
secara tidak langsung. Kelima, arti dibalik fungsi puitik adalah menyampaikan
pesan-pesan positif. Keenam, arti dibalik fungsi metalinguistik adalah
menggambarkan bahasa itu sendiri atau istilah-istilah yang kurang jelas.
Penulis berharap bahwa penelitian ini dapat memberikan pemahaman yang
lebih dalam tentang fungsi bahasa. Penulis juga menyarankan kepada peneliti

selanjutnya agar menguji subyek lainnya seperti lagu, percakapan sehari-hari, dan
lain-lain.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
INSIDE COVER PAGE ................................................................................
INSIDE TITLE PAGE ...................................................................................
MOTTO ..........................................................................................................
DECLARATION PAGE................................................................................
DEDICATION PAGE ....................................................................................
THESIS ADVISOR’S APPROVAL PAGE ................................................
THESIS EXAMINER’S APPROVAL PAGE ............................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................................
LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................................

LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................
ABSTRAK ......................................................................................................

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
xi
xii
xiii
xv

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1

Background of the Study ......................................................................
1.2
Problems of the Study ..........................................................................
1.3
Objectives of the Study ........................................................................
1.4
Significance of the Study .....................................................................
1.5
Scope and Limitation of the Study .......................................................
1.6
Operational Definition of Key Terms ..................................................

1
9
9
9
10
10

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1
The Function of Language ...................................................................
2.2
Types of Language ...............................................................................
2.2.1 Verbal Language ..................................................................................
2.2.2 Non Verbal Language ..........................................................................
2.3
Types of Language Function ................................................................
2.3.1 Referential Function .............................................................................
2.3.2 Emotive Function .................................................................................
2.3.3 Conative Function ................................................................................
2.3.4 Phatic Function .....................................................................................
2.3.5 Metalinguistic Function........................................................................
2.3.6 Poetic Function ....................................................................................
2.4
Social Media .........................................................................................

12
13
13

14
14
15
15
15
16
16
16
16

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2.5

Previous Studies ...................................................................................

17

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD
3.1
Research Design ..................................................................................
3.2
Instruments ..........................................................................................
3.3
Data Source .........................................................................................
3.4
Data Collection ....................................................................................
3.5
Data Analysis .......................................................................................

20
22
22
22
24

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Findings ................................................................................................
4.1.1 The Findings on the Kinds and the Meaning behind Language
Function in Ani Yudhoyono’s Instagram Captions .............................
4.1.1.1 Language Function as Emotive or Expressive Function and
the Meaning behind Language Function ..............................................
4.1.1.2 Language Function as Conative or Directive Function and
the Meaning behind Language Function ..............................................
4.1.1.3 Language Function as Referential Function and the Meaning behind
Language Function ...............................................................................
4.1.1.4 Language Function as Phatic Function and the Meaning behind
Language Function ...............................................................................
4.1.1.5 Language Function as Poetic Function and the Meaning behind
Language Function ...............................................................................
4.1.1.6 Language Function as Metalinguistic Function and the Meaning
behind Language Function ...................................................................
4.2
Discussion ............................................................................................

25
25
26
32
35
58
62
67
70

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1
Conclusion ...........................................................................................
5.2
Suggestion ...........................................................................................

74
76

REFERENCES ...............................................................................................
APPENDICES ................................................................................................

77
80

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, the writer presents background of the study that describes the
reason why she intends to conduct the research. On the basis of the reasons, problems
of the study, objectives of the study, significance of the study, and scope and
limitations of the study are formulated. Definition of key terms is also given so that
the readers are expected to have the same interpretation in understanding the present
study.
1.1

Background of the Study
In this era, people can use social media as the facility of communication to keep

in touch with family as well as new and old friends. By the existence of social media,
someone who cannot meet up and communicate with their family, new and old
friends will be easy to reconnect the relationship. Social media, such as facebook,
twitter, path, line, whatsapp, instagram, etc, can share information, file, photo, audio
and video, as well as what people are thinking about. Most of people share something
on their mind in those social media with the certain purposes, such as to tease
someone, to give information, to share their daily activities, to give an advice or
suggestion, and many others.

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2

In this study, among those social media, the writer chose instagram in which
people can share photos and short videos. Instagram is a mobile application that
allows users to upload and share their life through photos and videos. It was created
in October 2010 by Kevin Systrom, a computer programmer and internet
businessman (Rizky, 2013). He and his friend, Mike Krieger, created photo-sharing
application in which people can upload their photos and videos as well as apply
digital filter and share it to the other social media such as facebook and twitter. They
can choose a filter to edit the image perfectly. In uploading, they also can give the
captions based on the photos and videos.
The writer chose instagram as her subject in this research due to some reasons.
First, instagram is considered as the popular social media in this era proven by Rizky
(2013) stated that instagram has 10 million active users and in 2015 its users has
reached 400 million (Widiartanto, 2015). Second, it is the real account of someone
because there is no account with the same user name on instagram, so it will
minimize an opportunity of someone to make the fake account. Further, based on the
preliminary study conducted in State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya on
March 2016, it was found that the students prefer to see the pictures on instagram
than the captions, whereas the picture and the caption are related. They prefer to see
the pictures than read the captions because they are lazy to read the captions and they
believe that pictures are more interesting and entertaining than the captions.
Moreover, another result of the preliminary study is most of students created their

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3

instagram account because they want to share the best moments in their life, to trade,
to see their idol account and to follow the trend.
This present study is important to conduct because many people like to see the
pictures on instagram account of other people. Sometimes, they just see it without
reading the captions. The writer believes that the caption is important to read because
it is related to the pictures. We have to read the captions in order to know someone's
ideas towards the picture. As we know the function of language is to understand the
ideas from other people. So, in this study, the writer chose language function in social
media as the topic of this research because in the instagram there are many languages
or expressions which have function in which the readers have to know someone's
idea.
Since language function is introduced by Jakobson (1960), it is interesting to
conduct research about language function and for researchers in the previous
researches. A series of researches have been conducted by some researchers who
focus on language function. Some researchers have conducted the researches in
various subjects, such as in book (Puspita, 2013; Arisandy, 2015), in talk show
(Hidayat, 2014), in movie (Hasits, 2007; Yunita, 2013; Arista, 2014; Syafitri, 2014;
Arum, 2015; Machmudha, 2015), in television commercial (Supriyono, 2015) and in
human (Andayani, 2013). There is no researcher who analyzes language function in
the instagram. Instagram is something new, hence, in this present study, the writer
conducts a research on language function in instagram. Among the users of
instagram, there are several famous public figures that have the important role, such

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4

as Iriana Jokowidodo, Tri Risma Harini, Khofifah Indar Parawangsa, Rieke Diah
Pitaloka and many others. There are high officials who have instagram, one of them
is Ani Yudhoyono. Iriana Jokowidodo also has an instagram account, yet she is not as
active as Ani Yudhoyono in uploading the photos and short videos. Ani Yudhoyono
has hobby in photography, so that she is more active to upload the photos and videos
than Iriana. Thus, the writer is interested in Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram.
Another factor attracted the writer to conduct a study on Ani Yudhoyono’s
instagram, such as Ani Yudhoyono was the first lady in Indonesia (2004 - 2014). She
is a wife of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the sixth President of Indonesia. The
number of her followers achieved 4.2 millions in March 2016. In her instagram
account, she always gives a caption by using two languages, Indonesia and English. It
means that she writes a caption use Bahasa then she translates it into English. It can
be the writer's deliberation for choosing Ani Yudhoyono as her subject in this
research. From this research, the writer expected that the followers not only see the
pictures on Ani Yudhoyono's instagram but also read the captions so they will
understand the messages of pictures uploaded. In the writer's opinion, it is interesting
to analyze language functions of Ani Yudhoyono's instagram captions.
Ani Yudhoyono is a famous public figure in Indonesia. She is considered as the
active user in publishing photos and videos on social media namely instagram.
According to Yandi (2014), Ani Yudhoyono's instagram account is the most popular
account of politican category in the world. When the number of her photos compared
with the lady in the United States, Michelle Obama, Ani Yudhoyono has a lot of

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5

photos more than Michelle Obama’s photos. It can be proven from Yandi’s statement
that Ani Yudhoyono uploaded 724 photos, meanwhile Michelle 91 photos in January
22, 2014. In addition, someone who has instagram account name @aniyudhoyono is
not only actives in uploading photos and videos, but also in writing caption.
Along with the pictures uploaded, Ani Yudhoyono always gives the explanation
towards the pictures which is usually called the caption. The caption is the
explanation of the pictures or videos. She wrote the captions in two languages in
order to communicate with her followers who have different background so that all
people not only Indonesian but also abroad will be understood. Therefore, the writer
is curious with the kind of language function and the meaning behind language
functions that is used by Ani Yudhoyono on her captions because a picture means
thousand words. The captions that the writer analyzed are the captions which are
written by Ani Yudhoyono in 2015. Those captions are about her family, her
husband's activities abroad and nature such as describing flowers, animals, etc.
This present study used Jakobson theory of language function because the
theory of Jakobson gave a contribution in answering the problems of this study.
Jakobson's model of the functions of language distinguishes six elements or factors of
communication that are necessary for communication: context, addresser (sender),
addressee (receiver), contact, common code and message. Each factor is the focal
point of a relation or function that operates between the message and the factor. The
functions are the following: referential ("The Earth is round"), emotive ("Yuck!"),

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6

conative ("Come here"), phatic ("Hello?"), metalinguistic ("What do you mean by
'krill'?"), and poetic ("Smurf") (Hebert, 2011).
Researches on language function have been conducted by several researchers.
Hasits (2007) has conducted a research about language functions used by Marcus
Burnett – the characters of Bad Boys II film. He uses theories which have relation
with language function given by Holmes, Hymes, Pyles and John. Pyles and John
theory is used to explain the criteria to classify language functions and uses Holmes
theory to explain the background social factors and social dimensions in which be a
reason someone chose one certain language, supported by Hymes’ ethnographic that
make someone uses certain language. From the analysis, he found out that the
character uses informal language and tend to use an emotive function to show his
feelings. The language that is used by Marcus is influenced by participants, the place,
topic and function. He does not analyze the Jakobson’s six elements of
communication. Yunita (2013), analyzed language function in utterances produced by
Carl to Russel - the characters of movie Up. Based on the result of her analysis and
language function of Halliday's theory, it was found out that there are seven language
functions in the utterances produced by the characters of movie Up, inter alia
instrumental, regulatory, representational, interactional, personal, heuristic and
imaginative functions. She does not analyze the Jakobson’s six elements of
communication. Meanwhile Andayani (2013) analyzed language function in English
used by receptionist in Bali Brasco. Based on the language function of Van ek's
theory, she found the function of language: asking information, giving situation,

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7

denying something, offering something, certain or uncertain, permission, expressing
hope, repeating, suggestion, offering assistance, greeting and thanking, and she
implemented it into language teaching because she studied in the teacher education.
She does not analyze the Jakobson’s six elements of communication.
In 2014, a research on language function was also conducted by Syafitri and
Arista. Syafitri (2014) analyzed language function used by the main character in
Twilight movie and used Cook’s theory. From fifty utterances, she only found out
five language functions in Twilight movie: 7 emotive, 12 directive, 17 phatic, 21
referential and 8 poetic functions. Yet, she does not analyze the Jakobson’s six
elements of communication. Meanwhile, Arista (2014) analyzed kinds of language
function and the most dominant type of language function used by the main character
in Sherlock Holmes II: A Game of Shadows movie. She uses Jakobson’s theory of
language function to analyzed her research and found out 65 metalinguistic, 18
expressive, 22 directive, 57 referential, 6 phatic and 4 poetic functions. Yet, she does
not analyzed the Jakobson’s six elements of communication. Arum (2015) studied the
kind and aspect of language functions in Enchanted movie script, and she revealed
that the language function can help the reader in understanding the message. She
analyzed the Jakobson’s six elements of communication, yet she uses Cook theory of
language function. In the findings, she found out the Jakobson’s six elements of
communication namely addresser, context, message form, contact sign, code and
addressee as well as found out 23 emotive, 30 directive, 18 phatic, 20 poetic, 15
referential, 4 metalinguistic and 4 contextual functions. While Machmudha (2015)

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analyzed language function that is used by Alicia and dr.Rosen to John Nash who has
schizophrenia in A Beautiful Mind movie. In her research, she found out 45
referential, 24 conative, 18 phatic, 16 emotive, 2 metalingual functions. Yet, here, she
does not analyze the Jakobson’s six elements of communication.
Based on the previous researches, the writer found that seven researchers who
analyzed language function were only analyzed the kinds of language function and
the kind of language function mostly used, as well as she found that the previous
researchers mostly focused on spoken language as their object and they mostly
analyzed in fiction genre such as movie in which fiction is not natural or created
deliberately. Thus, based on the lack of the previous researches, the writer conducted
this present study with the aim at filling the gap namely she conducted a research of
language function in real life so that it is more natural as well as the subject is focused
on written and there is no researchers who analyze language function in instagram as
the subject. In addition, most of the previous researches only analyzed the kind of
language functions, yet they do not analyzed the Jakobson’s six elements of
communication, so the writer analyzed the kind of language function of Jakobson and
his six elements of communication.

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1.2

Problems of the Study
Related to the background of the study, the writer formulates some problems in

analyzing language function found in Ani Yudhoyono’s captions on instagram. Those
are:
1. What are language functions found in Ani Yudhoyono's captions in her
instagram?
2. What are the meaning behind language functions of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram
captions?
1.3

Objectives of the Study
Regarding the problems of the study formulated, the objectives of this current

study are:
1. To describe kind of language functions which are used by Ani Yudhoyono in her
instagram
2. To reveal the meaning behind language functions of Ani Yudhoyono
1.4

Significance of the Study
This research was conducted and expected to have several significance. The

result of research gave the readers a better understanding of language function as well
as can be beneficial for the readers who are interested in discourse analysis especially
in language function by using Jakobson's theory. Then, it could be a reference for
other researchers with the new object in language functions and it can be easily for

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them. In understanding language function of Ani Yudhoyono's instagram captions, it
will make her followers easier to get the idea of the captions.
1.5

Scope and Limitation of the Study
This research concerned on language function of Ani Yudhoyono's caption.

This study focused on written, namely the caption of Ani Yudhoyono's photos in
2015. She only chose the photos of Ani Yudhoyono’s instagram account in 2015
because of some reasons. First, Ani Yudhoyono’s husband still becomes the President
of Indonesia in 2004-2014, automatically, Ani Yudhoyono has less spare time, so she
uploaded the photos rarely. Yet, in 2015, she has more time to upload her family’s
activities on instagram as like she wrote on her instagram biography “Alhamdulillah,
now I have more time for my lovely family, photography and gardening”. Second, it
is impossible to always follow Ani Yudhoyono’s updates as her posts are increasing
day by day.
1.6

Operational Definition of the Key Terms
Related to the title of this thesis, the writer would like to give some definitions

of the key terms to avoid misunderstanding of the readers when reading this thesis.
Thus, the readers are expected to have the same interpretation and perception in
understanding this present study.
Language Function is a language which is delivered by someone and has a
specific purpose. Those purposes are apologizing, asking permission, expressing
something to fulfill our purposes.

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Caption is information, explanation and description towards photos or videos
on instagram. The captions will be taken from Ani Yudhoyono's instagram account
@aniyudhoyono as the explanation or description of the photos or videos which are
uploaded by Bu Ani Yudhoyono.
Instagram is photo-sharing application which allows users to share their
activities through photos and videos and apply filters to edit the photos perfectly.
There are many photos and videos which are uploaded by Ani Yudhoyono so that she
has 2.541 posts and 4.2 million followers in March 2016. Most of her photos and
videos are about her family, husband's activities abroad and nature such as flowers,
animals. Since Ani Yudhoyono’s husband was the former President of Indonesia, she
has many times to continue her hobby as a photographer and she becomes active user
in uploading photos and videos. Through instagram, she can share her works in
photography.

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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This chapter presents the result of reviewing some theories that are related to
the study. The study review consists of five parts: the function of language, types of
language, types of language function, social media, and previous studies.
2.1

The Function of Language
Brown and Yule (1983) approved only two terms to describe and explain the

primary functions of language. They assumed that a natural language utterance is
used to fulfill only one function, to the total exclusion of the other. That function
which language serves in the expression of content, they describe as transactional,
and that function involved in expressing social relations and personal attitudes they
describe as interactional. Linguists established general assumption that the most
important function of language is the communication of information. In Brown and
Yule (1983:2), Lyons observes that the assumption of communication is easily used
feelings, moods and attitudes. Meanwhile, Bennett remarks ‘it seems likely that
communication is primarily a matter of a speaker’s seeking either to inform a hearer
of something or forbid some action upon him’. The language which is used to deliver
factual or proportional information is called primarily transactional language. In

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primarily transactional language, Brown and Yule (1983) assumed that the speaker or
writer has the efficient transfer of information primarily in their mind.
Whereas linguists, philosophers of language and psycholinguists paid attention
to the use of language for the transmission of factual or proportional information,
sociologists and sociolinguists have been particularly concerned with the use of
language to establish and maintain social relationships. Conversational analysts have
been particularly concerned with the use of language to negotiate role-relationships,
peer-solidarity, the exchange of turns in a conversation, the saving of face of both the
speaker and hearer (Brown and Yule, 1983:3). It is clearly the case that a great deal of
everyday human interaction is characterized by the primarily interactional rather than
the primarily transactional use of language.
2.2

Types of Language
General definition of language is a system of verbal communication. In

communication, language can be classified into two types which are verbal and non
verbal language (Chand, 2015: 1).
2.2.1 Verbal Language
Verbal language is a form of communication which is delivered by the speaker
to hearer in written and spoken to express ideas, feelings, emotions and desires as
stated by Hanes (2015) that verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and
language to relay a message for ex pressing desires, ideas and concepts and as vital to
the processes of learning and teaching. It is one of the ways to communicate with

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others. Several of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words,
speaking and language.
2.2.2 Non Verbal Language
Happiness, sadness, fear and anxiety are universal emotion which is similar to
non verbal way of language. Non verbal language is expressing meaning or feeling
without words such as gesture, body language, eye contact, facial expression, space,
picture and painting. It can be said as the process of communication by sending and
receiving message without saying a word at all or wordless. Such wordless message
can be communicated through gestures, body language, facial expressions and
postures (Mikoluk, 2015:5). Other forms of nonverbal communication include dance
and music, as well as more directly representing and imitative arts such as miming,
drawing, painting, sculpture and architecture (Rosengren, 2000).
2.3

Types of Language Function
Jakobson's model of the functions of language distinguishes six elements or

factors of communication, that are necessary for communication; addresser (a sender,
speaker, writer); addressee (a receiver, hearer); contact: a physical channel and
psychological connection between an addresser and addressee; common code
(language); and message (Jakobson, 1985:143). As cited in Waugh (1980), Jakobson
said that the addresser send message to the addressee. The message requires a context
in order to be operative and needs the code which has a related common to the
addresser and addressee. Besides, a contact in which the addresser and addressee has

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15

a physical channel and psychological connection which is enabling to stay in
communication. Each factor is the focal point of a relation or function that operates
between the message and the factor (Hebert, 2011). The functions are the following:
2.3.1 Referential Function
Referential function, in a line with factor of context. It is an information carrier.
It could be describes a situation, object or mental state, such as:
"The Earth is round"
"The party is crowded"
2.3.2 Emotive Function
Emotive function is related to addresser. Language is used by the addresser to
her or his feelings. It focused on the addresser, aims a direct expression of the
speaker’s attitude toward what he or she is speaking about. It tends to produce an
impression of a certain emotion whether feigned or true (Jakobson, 1960:354). It is
best exemplified by interjections, such as:
"Oh no!"
"Wow!"
2.3.3 Conative Function
Conative function engages the addressee directly. It means that language is used
to ask the addressee (hearer) to act or do something. It is commonly found in
commands or requests. It is best illustrated by imperatives, such as:
"Come here"
"Open the door"

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2.3.4 Phatic Function
Phatic function is associated with the contact or channel factor such as greeting,
also to open communication. For example:
"Hello?"
"Good morning"
2.3.5 Metalingual Function
Metalingual function is the use of language to discuss or describe itself, to
clarify or renegotiate it. Metalinguistic is also commonly used in questions in which
the message needs clarification, such as:
"True love's kiss? It's the most powerful thing in the world"
"I cannot hear you, what do you say?"
2.3.6 Poetic Function
Poetic function is the operative function in poetry as well as slogans. It uses
rhyme, alliteration and assonance, such as:
"I like Ike"
In his book, Jakobson stated that its slogan, succinctly structured, consists of
three monosyllables and three dipthongs /ay/ (Jakobson, 1960:357). It is using poetic
features such as rhyming words and alliteration.
2.4

Social Media
The term "social media" refers to the wide range of Internet-based and mobile

services that allow users to participate in online exchanges, contribute user-created
contents or join online communities (Dewing, 2012: 1). There are several prominent

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17

examples of social media, such as facebook, twitter, google+, instagram and
wikipedia. Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows
registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep
in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Twitter is a free micro blogging service
that allows registered members to broadcast short posts called tweets and twitter
members can broadcast tweets and follow other users’ tweets. Google+ is designed to
replicate the way people interact offline more closely than is the case in other social
networking services. Instagram is mobile application that is used to share photos and
short videos. Wikipedia is a free, open content online encyclopedia created through
the collaborative effort of a community of users known as Wikipedians (Rouse,
2015:2).
2.5

Previous Studies
Previous study is given to show the similarities and differences between this

research and another research. The writer adopted seven previous studies from 2007,
2013, 2014 and 2015. Hasits (2007) in his research "An Analysis of Language
Function Used by Marcus Burnett in Bad Boys II film" tries to find out language
function interference in English language which is used by the main character. He
only found emotive function in this film. Yunita (2013) has conducted a research
about language function in utterances produced by Carl to Russel – the characters of
movie Up. She used the Halliday theory of language function and the result of her
analysis is she found seven language functions in the utterances produced by Carl to

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18

Russell in movie Up. Those are instrumental, regulatory, representational,
interactional, personal, heuristic and imaginative functions. While Andayani (2013)
analyzed language function in english used by receptionist in Bali Brasco. She used
the theory of Van ek and she found several functions of language: asking information,
giving situation, denying something, offering something, certain or uncertain,
permission, expressing hope, repeating, suggesting, offering assistance, greeting and
thanking. After she found those, then she implemented it into language teaching.
Other previous studies also come from Syafitri (2014) and Arista (2014).
Syafitri (2014) studied kinds of language function used by the main character in
Twilight movie. Her study focused on spoken utterance. The result of her study is she
found five language function: emotive, directive, phatic, referential and poetic
function. A similar research conducted by Arista (2014). She analyzed kinds of
language function and the most dominant type of language function used by the main
character in Sherlock Holmes II: A Game of Shadows movie. The data were the
dialogue of the main character in Sherlock Holmes movie. The findings show that
there are six types of language functions. Those are expressive, directive, referential,
metalinguistic, poetic and phatic. The most dominant type of language function in
that movie is metalinguistic.
In 2015, Arum (2015) analyzed kind of language functions as well as the
aspects of language in Enchanted movie script, and how can the language function
help the reader in understanding the message. Machmudha (2015) also analyzed the

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19

movie. She analyzed the kind of language function used by Alicia and dr. Rosen to
John Nash as well as the language function mostly used by them.
So, the similarities of the previous studies and this present study are all the
studies analyzed the kind of language functions, and the language function mostly
used. Meanwhile the differences between the previous studies and this present study
such as the subject, genre and theory.

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CHAPTER III
METHOD OF THE STUDY

In this chapter, the writer discussed method of the study. It describes research
design, instruments, data sources, data collection, and data analysis.
3.1

Research Design
The writer applied descriptive qualitative design since it deals with the language

data and its component. Hancock, Ockleford, & Windridge (2007:7) stated that
qualitative research is concerned with developing explanation of social phenomena.
In addition, it focuses on description and interpretation and might lead to
development of new concepts or theory. From the definition of qualitative research of
Hancock et al., it can be concluded that qualitative research is focused on reports of
data which cannot be adequately expressed numerically, yet descriptively and
interpretatively also. So, this study is included into descriptive in which the writer
become the main instrument in collecting data, describing data and analyzing the
findings to answer the problems of the study. It also was called as qualitative because
the writer investigated the data which are words, phrases or sentences related to
language function based on Jakobson’s theory which are found in Ani Yudhoyono's
captions taken from instagram. The writer investigated the data by analyzing and
interpreting the data directly so that she stays close to the data as stated by

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21

Sandelowski (2000:1) that researchers conducting qualitative descriptive studies stay
close to their data and to the surface of words and events, qualitative descriptive
designs typically are an eclectic but reasonable combination of sampling, data
collection, analysis, and re-presentation techniques. In other word, descriptive
qualitative research is analyzing the data in which the researchers stay close to their
data because the researcher was the main instrument in collecting and analyzing data.
In collecting the data, the writer conducted several steps which are selecting the Ani
Yudhoyono’s photos in 2015, printing the selected photos, underlining the words,
phrases or sentences which contain the Jakobson’s six language functions, classifying
data into the Jakobson’s six language functions and analyzing it.
As stated previously, the writer became the main instrument in this present
study in collecting and analyzing the data. Before collecting the data, the writer
collected the sample. She collected the sample in three steps. First, the writer opened
the instagram by using electronic media, namely computer. The writer chose
computer because she believes that computer gave a contribution in capturing the
photo and caption all at once, so the photo and the caption are clear. Second, she
chose Ani Yudhoyono’s photos randomly so that there is no particular tendency.
Third, the writer captured the photos as well as the captions then she prints it out
because it will be easier to be analyzed. It is better than she opens it by using mobile
phone and it will be wasting many quotas.

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22

3.2

Instruments
The assessor is the primary instrument for data collection and analysis

(Qualitative and Quantitative, 2012). The assessor means the researcher in this study.
Therefore, the writer is an instrument in this study. It means that the writer is
involved in collecting, describing and analyzing the findings.
3.3

Data Source
The data of the research are the words, phrases or sentences which contain six

language functions based on the Jakobson’s theory. The data source is Ani
Yudhoyono's captions which are taken from Ani Yudhoyono's instagram account
@aniyudhoyono in 2015. The writer chose the photos which are uploaded in 2015
because she believes that when Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was not being the
President of Indonesia, Ani Yudhoyono has more time in uploading photos, videos
and writing the captions. In 2015, the number of her post is 600s posts. It is
impossible to analyze 600s captions in a month. So, the writer only chose 36 captions
as the sample by choosing the photos randomly. She believes that 36 photos are
sufficient to conduct this present study.
3.4

Data Collection
The data were collected from Ani Yudhoyono's instagram. All of the data are

the words, phrases, even sentences which contain language functions based on the
Jakobson’s theory as found in Ani Yudhoyono's instagram captions. The necessary
steps of collecting the data are as follows:

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Selecting Ani’s photos

Analyzing Ani
Yudhoyono’s
captions based on
Jakobson’s theory



Printing out the
selected photos

Classifying data
into 6 language
functions of
Jakobson’s
theory



Underlining
words, phrases
or sentences
which contains
6 language
functions of
Jakobson’s
theory

Figure 3.1 Steps of Collecting Data

The writer has five steps in collecting the data. First, selecting the Ani
Yudhoyono’s photos randomly on April 2016. Second, printing it out directly. Third,
underlining the data namely the words, phrases or sentences of Ani Yudhoyono’s
instagram captions which are containing six language functions based on Jakobson's
theory (referential, emotive, conative, phatic, poetic and metalingual function) by
using different color of pen so that the writer is easy to classify it into kinds of
language function. Fourth, classifying the data which are underlined into kinds of
language function based on Jakobson's theory so that the writer is easy to analyze it.
Fifth, analyzing the data which are underlined and classified into kinds of language
function based on the Jakobson’s theory in order to