A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF REFUSALS PERFORMED BY THE CHARACTERS IN STEVE MCQUEEN’S 12 YEARS A SLAVE.

A THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Attainment of Sarjana Sastra Degree in English Language and Literature

Ananda Chastalia Asri (11211144004)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE STUDY PROGRAM ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND ARTS YOGYAKARTA STATE UNIVERSITY

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- QS Ash-Sharh (94): 6

―And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish‖

- QS Hud (11): 115

―You control your destiny –you don‘t need magic to do it. And there are no magical shortcuts to solving your problems‖

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for always embracing my imperfections, trusting my choices

and praying for my success.

To

mbak

Arum Handini,

for being the coolest sister on the planet and

being patient with her spoilt younger sister.

And to myself,

for enduring all the hardships

and completing the mission.

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All praises be to the Almighty Allah SWT, who always gives me mercy and blessing, without which I would never have finished this thesis. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all parties who have helped and supported me during the process of writing this thesis. I would like to thank:

1. Titik Sudartinah, M.A, my first supervisor, for her valuable time, advice, patience, help, guidance, and knowledge given during the process of writing this thesis;

2. Paulus Kurnianta, M.Hum, my second supervisor, for his advice, help, guidance, and positive criticism given during the process of writing thesis; 3. Drs. Asruddin Barori Tou, M.A, Ph.D, my academic consultant, for his

support and motivation in teaching and guiding me during the process of study;

4. all lecturers of the English Education Department who have taught and guided me during the years of my study;

5. my parents, for the never-ending love, support, patience, and prayer;

6. my partner in crime, mbak Arum, for being a loving sister by taking care of me and being my shoulder to cry on;

7. my incredible friends in English Language and Literature 2011 particularly SASING G, for every memorable and precious time we spent during our study;

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ... i

APPROVAL SHEET ... ii

RATIFICATION SHEET ... iii

PERNYATAAN ... iv

MOTTOS ... v

DEDICATIONS ... vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ix

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ... xii

ABSTRACT ... xiii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1

A.Background of the Research ... 1

B.Research Focus ... 6

C.Objectives of the Research ... 8

D.Significances of the Research ... 8

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ... 10

A.Literature Review... 10

1. Pragmatics ... 10

2. Speech Acts ... 11

3. Searle‘s Classification of Speech Acts ... 12

4. Speech Act of Refusals ... 15

a. Types of Refusals ... 15

1) Direct Type ... 15

a) Performative Statement ... 16

b) Non-performative Statement ... 16

2) Indirect Type ... 17

a) The Statement of an Alternative ... 17

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f) The Statement of a Principle/Philosophy ... 22

g) Set a Condition for Future or Past Acceptance ... 22

h) Wish ... 23

i) The Acceptance that Functions as a Refusal ... 23

3) Adjuncts to Refusals ... 24

a) The statement of Positive Opinion/feeling of Agreement ... 24

b) The Statement of Empathy ... 25

c) Pause Fillers ... 25

d) Gratitude/aprreciation ... 25

b. The Functions of Refusals ... 26

5. Movie ... 27

6. 12 Years a Slave ... 28

7. Previous Studies ... 30

B.Conceptual Framework ... 32

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD ... 35

A.Types of the Research ... 35

B.Forms, Contexts, and Sources of Data ... 35

C.Data Collecting Technique ... 36

D.Research Instruments ... 38

E. Data Analysis Techniques... 38

F. Trustworthiness ... 39

CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ... 41

A.Findings... 41

B.Discussion ... 45

1. Types and Realizations of Refusals Employed by the Characters in 12 Years a Slave ... 45

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3) Excuse/reason/explanation ... 55

4) The Attempt to Dissuade the Interlocutor ... 57

5) The Statement of a Principle/Philosophy ... 61

c. Adjuncts to Refusals ... 62

2. The Functions of Refusals in 12 Years a Slave ... 63

a. Direct Type ... 64

1) Showing a Determination in Refusing ... 64

2) Showing Unwillingness to Comply with the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Offer ... 66

b. Indirect Type ... 65

1) Negotiating the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Invitation .. 66

2) Avoiding a Conflict or Ending an Argument with the Refusee ... 66

3) Demanding Understanding from the Refusee ... 68

4) Mocking the Refusee or the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Invitation ... 70

5) Implying the Unfairness of the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Invitation ... 71

c. Adjuncts to Refusals ... 72

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS ... 75

A.Conclusion ... 75

B.Suggestions ... 78

REFERENCES ... 80

APPENDICES ... 83

A.The Data Sheet of Types, Realizations, and Functions of Refusals in 12 Years a Slave... 83

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Figure 2. Analytical Construct ... 34

Table 1. Sample of Data Sheet of the Types, Realizations, and Functions

of Refusals ... 37 Table 2. Data Findings of the Types, Realizations, and Functions of Refusals

xiii ABSTRACT

This research investigates refusals performed by the characters in Steve McQueen‘s 12 Years a Slave. The objectives of the research are to identify the types, to describe the realizations, and to analyze the functions of refusals.

The research applied descriptive-qualitative method. The data were in the form of utterances spoken by all characters in 12 Years a Slave, while the contexts of the data were the dialogues among the characters. The source of data was 12 Years a Slave movie. The data analysis was conducted by watching the movie; transferring the data into data sheet; identifying the data into the types, realizations, and functions of refusals; applying trustworthiness; and drawing conclusions. To enhance trustworthiness of the data, the data was triangulated by the researcher‘s supervisors and fellow linguistic students.

The results of the research are described as follows. First, there are three types of refusals which are performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave. The types of refusals are direct type, indirect type, and adjuncts to refusals. Indirect type becomes the main type of refusals which is performed by the characters. Second, each type of refusals has particular realizations. Direct type is realized in the form of non-performative statement. Meanwhile, indirect type is in the form of the statement of an alternative, avoidance, excuse/reason/explanation, the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor, and the statement of a principle/philosophy. Then, adjuncts to refusals are realized in the form of gratitude/appreciation. Third, there are eight functions of refusals found in 12 Years a Slave. The functions of refusals include (1) showing a determination in refusing; (2) showing unwillingness to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; (3) negotiating the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; (4) avoiding a conflict or ending an argument with the refusee; (5) demanding understanding from the refusee; (6) mocking the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; (7) implying the unfairness of the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; and (8) showing gratitude to the refusee.

1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Research

As the member of society, people are constantly communicating with one another in order to keep in touch with them and to gain as well as to give information. The form of communication is divided into two types. They are verbal communication and non-verbal communication. In verbal communication, the speaker transmits the messages to his interlocutor verbally. This type of communication is further divided into two, namely oral and written communication. In oral communication, a spoken language is used. Meanwhile, symbol or written signs are used in written communication. In the second type of communication, which is non-verbal communication, sign language and body language, such as gesture and facial expression, are employed by its speaker to communicate.

In this modern era where technology has evolved in almost every aspect of people‘s life, some inventions have helped people to ease their communication both in verbal and non-verbal communication. Any communication media such as electronic mail (email), video call, and short messages service (SMS) are the examples of how technology has helped people in term of communication. However, those media are not the primary media to communicate. They are only devices which help people to ease their communication with others living rather far away from them. However, people will never be separated from the

environment or the neighborhood they are living in because they are considered as social beings. Besides using media to communicate, they do interact with people around them, and in doing so, they conduct a face to face conversation.

In conducting a conversation, at least two participants are involved. The first participant acts as the speaker, while the other as the hearer. The speaker is in charge of delivering messages in a conversation; meanwhile, the hearer is the one who receives the messages. To make the conversation work, the participants can take a turn to deliver their messages. The purpose or the topic of conversation will vary, depending on to whom and where the participants conduct the conversation. Various linguistic expressions are used when people conduct a communication, specifically in face to face conversation. When the speaker says I’m sorry for coming late, he performs apologetic expression. His utterance is aimed to make an apology because the speaker has made the hearer waiting. Meanwhile, when the speaker says Congratulation! I heard that you have launched your own clothing products. I am so proud of you, he performs congratulating expression. He wants to congratulate the speaker for his success to launch his clothing products. Besides, refusals, agreements, and compliments are the other examples of expressions in a conversation.

In performing linguistic expression, the speaker will be influenced by the context. Context is the physical environment in which a word is used (Yule, 1996: 21). By comprehending the context, it is expected that the speaker can perform linguistic expression appropriately. In funeral, for example, it is not appropriate to congratulate someone for his loss of his beloved family. What the speaker must do

is delivering his sorrowful expression since the context in this example is in a sorrowful situation. In addition, it is also not appropriate if the speaker congratulate the hearer in apologetic expression as in ―I regret that you win this competition‖. Saying congratulating expression such as in “I’m very happy you could win this competition. Congratulation” is more appropriate in this context.

In linguistics, some approaches such as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and pragmatics can be employed to analyze a conversation, especially the language used by the speakers. In sociolinguistics, social factors are the prominent elements in analyzing the language used by the participants in a conversation. Meanwhile, in psycholinguistics, physiological factors take an important role when analyzing language. However, among the approaches, pragmatics is the most appropriate approach to analyze expressions in a conversation due to its focus on language in context.

Hence, analyzing language under the umbrella of pragmatics will be comprehensive in this research since this discipline studies words meaning and its context. Analyzing the literal meaning of the words can be explained by the knowledge about social and physical factors as well as where, when, and whom the participants are talking to. Therefore, when studying language through pragmatics, it is necessary to involve the interpretation of what people uttered in a particular context and the interpretation of how the context affects the speaker‘s utterances.

In pragmatics, people can perform an action through utterances. This is called speech acts. Yule (1996:47) states that in attempting to express themselves,

people do not only produce utterances containing grammatical structures and words, they perform actions via those utterances. Some linguists have distinguished speech acts into several types, one of which is commissive speech acts. Refusals, promises, and agreements are the examples of the expressions which are classified under commissive speech acts.

Refusals are very interesting to be studied because they happen in daily life. Wierzbicka in Phuong (2006: 16) states that refusals mean the speech acts of saying no, expressing the addressee‘s non-acceptance, and declining of or disagreeing with a request, an invitation, a suggestion or an offer. People will not accept other‘s suggestion, request, offer, or invitation all the time; however, they sometimes need to refuse them. They express their refusals by employing refusing expressions. In refusing, the refuser can simply say No in order to refuse something. According to Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss Welz (1990: 72-73) this style of refusals is called direct type of refusals. In addition, the refuser can also use indirect type to refuse the refusee. As the example, when the refuser says My mom is sick, he refuses the refusee by making a reason. The refuser can also prcede is refusals with an adjunct as in Thak you, but I have a plan for tonight. According to Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss Welz (1990: 72-73) this type of refusals is called adjunct of refusals.

Refusals can be seen not only in the real life, but also in a movie. Bordwell and Thompson (2008: 2) state that movies communicate information and ideas; movies show the audiences places and ways of life they might not otherwise know. In other words, movies are the depiction or real life since they bring a new

experience to the audiences by giving stories which engage their emotions and minds. Even though movies are the result of human creativity, they are means to portray the social realities which occur in daily life. Even, some movies are adapted from true stories. One of those movies is 12 Years of a Slave.

The choice of this movie is based on some considerations. First, the researcher is interested in analyzing the refusals performed by the characters whose social statuses are different from one another. The difference in social status between the masters and the slaves as well as the conflict among the slaves can cause some problems. The problems sometimes force the characters to perform refusals. For instance, there is a scene where Solomon refuses Patsey‘s request to kill her. The various contexts, however, will affect the characters in performing different refusals. Second, 12 Years a Slave is adapted from slave narrative memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. This memoir depicts the true story of Solomon Northup who is kidnapped and sold to be a slave. Third, this movie is considered as one of the best movies in 2013. It has received so many awards and nominated in several movie awards. In the 56th Academy Award, 12 Years a Slave earns 3 awards including the best picture and nominates in 9 nominations. Furthermore, it also has won in other awards such as British Academy Film Awards for Best Film, Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture, African-American Film Critics Association for Best film of the Years and in American Film Institute for Top 10 Movies of the Year.

B. Research Focus

Movie is the depiction of real life. Under linguistics, several researches can be conducted by examining people‘s utterances and languages in a movie. Pragmatic study is the study which concerns with analyzing language and its context. Leech (1983:10) states that pragmatics is the study of how utterances have meaning in situation. It means that in analyzing language through pragmatics, context cannot be analyzed separately since it will influence the language use. In 12 Years a Slave, the researcher found three problems which can be examined under pragmatics. They are adjacency pairs, politeness, and speech acts of the speaker.

The first problem is adjacency pairs. Adjacency pairs are the sequences of the speakers‘ utterances when they conduct a conversation. They always consist of a first part and a second part, produced by the different speaker (Yule, 1996: 77). The most frequently used adjacency pairs is a sequence of a question followed by an answer. Besides question-answer, greeting-greeting, congratulation-thanks, and apology-acceptance are the other types of adjacency pairs.

The second problem is politeness. Politeness is a system of interpersonal relations designed to facilitate interaction by minimizing the potential for conflict and confrontation inherent in human interchange (Yule, 1996: 106). In other words, it is a means to show awareness of others‘ face. Face is public self-image of a person which refers to that emotional and social sense of self that every person has and expects everyone else to recognize (Yule, 1996: 134). Further,

Brown and Levinson (in Wardhaugh, 2006: 276) distinguish face into two, namely positive face and negative face. Positive face is the need to be accepted. On the other hand, negative face is the need to be independent.

The third problem is speech acts. Yule (1996:47) states that in attempting to express themselves, people do not only produce utterances containing grammatical structures and words, they perform actions via those utterances. It means that by uttering certain utterances, the speaker can perform an action, such as promising, apologizing, and refusing. Some linguists have distinguished speech acts into several types. Austin (1962: 107) identifies three levels of action beyond the act of utterance, namely locutionary act, illocutionary act, and perlocutionary act. Meanwhile, Searle (1969: 23-24) classifies the illocutionary acts into five general functions: declarative, representative, expressive, directive, and commissive. Another classification comes from Leech (1983: 104). He categorizes speech act into 4 types. They are competitive, convivial, collaborative, and conflictive

However, this research only focuses on analyzing speech acts due to the limitation of the time and knowledge of the researcher. Since the classifications of speech acts are varied, the researcher focuses on analyzing refusals which are classified under commissive speech acts. In refusals, several problems can be analyzed. They are the types, the realizations, and the functions of refusals.

Based on the limitation of the study above, the formulation of problems in this research can be arranged as follows.

1. What are the types of refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave?

2. How refusals are realized by the characters?

3. What are the functions of refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave?

C. Objectives of the Research

In line with the research focus, the research objectives are:

1. to identify the types of refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave,

2. to describe the realizations of refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave, and

3. to analyze the functions of refusals in 12 Years a Slave.

D. Significances of the Research

This research is expected to give significant contributions both theoretically and practically. In term of theoretical contribution, this research might be useful for:

1. enriching the research in linguistic field, especially in speech acts which are under pragmatic study, particularly in term of refusals; and

2. serving as a bibliographical variation to the reader to give more knowledge in relation to language and refusals.

1. the students majoring in linguistics

The research finding can be used as an example of how to interpret language within context.

2. the other researchers

The research can be used as reference in conducting other pragmatic studies, especially which focus on analyzing refusals.

3. the lecturers

This research can be used as a supplement in teaching pragmatics, especially in the scope of speech acts.

10 CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

A. Literature Review 1. Pragmatics

Yule (1996: 47) states that pragmatics is concerned with the study of meaning as communicated by the speaker (or writer) and interpreted by the listener (or reader). In addition, Yule (1996: 47) mentions that pragmatics is more to do with the analysis of what people mean in their utterances than what the words or phrases in those utterances might mean by themselves. Moreover, Mey (2001: 6) suggests that pragmatics studies the use of language in human communication which is determined by social conditions. Pragmatics studies the users of a language and their linguistic and communicative means as determined by the society.

Leech (1983:10) states that pragmatics can be defined as the study of how utterances have meaning in situation. In studying language through pragmatics, people cannot ignore the situation or the context in which the utterances are uttered. The same utterances will have different meaning if they are spoken in the different context.

In short, pragmatics is the study on the use of language which is affected by context. The context around the language users becomes one of the consideration when using a language.

2. Speech Acts

Dijk (1977: 195) mentions that what is meant by speech acts are doing something when making an utterance. This means that people can perform an action by uttering an utterance. In line with him, Yule (1996:47) states that in attempt to express themselves, people also perform action via utterances, not only produces containing grammatical structures and words.

Analyzing speech acts cannot be separated from the other aspects of speaking activities, such as speech situation and speech event. Hymes in Fasold (1999: 42) defines speech situation as a speech which is associated with the situation and an event may consist of one or more speech acts. Meanwhile, Yule (1996: 135) defines speech event as a set of circumstances in which people interact in some conventional way to arrive at some outcome. In other words, the circumstances surrounding the speaker‘s utterance help the hearer to recognize the speaker‘s intention. Speech event also determines the interpretation of an utterance. It means that changing the circumstances of the utterance will be changing the meaning of that utterance.

The action performed by uttering an utterance consists of three related action. They are locutionary act, illocutionary act, and perlocutionary act. Locutionary act is roughly equivalent to uttering certain sentence sense and reference (Austin, 1962: 108). In other words, when the speaker performs locutionary act, he simply utters sentences. Illocutionary act is an utterance which has a certain force such as informing, ordering and warning (Austin, 162: 108).

Meanwhile, perlocutionary act is what the speaker brings about or achieves by saying something (Austin, 1962: 108).

Several linguists, such as Searle and Leech, also have distinguished speech acts into several classifications. However, only the classification of speech acts proposed by Searle which is used in this research since Searle clearly defines refusals as the part of speech acts.

3. Searle’s Classification of Speech Acts

Searle (1969: 23-24) starts with the notion that people perform three different acts when they speak. The three acts include utterance acts, propositional acts, and illocutionary acts. Utterance acts consist of uttering string of words. Meanwhile, propositional and illocutionary acts consist characteristically in uttering words in certain context, under certain condition, and with certain intention.

a. Assertives or Representatives

Assertives or representatives are speech acts which state what the speaker believes to be the case or not (Yule, 1996:53). By employing assertives or representatives, the speaker makes the words fit the world. Statements of fact, assertion, or conclusion are included in assertives. An example of assertives is presented in the statement The earth is flat. Through the statement, the speaker states his belief about the form of the earth. Meanwhile, in the statement Chomsky did not write about peanuts, the speaker states the fact that Chomsky‘s work is not about peanuts.

b. Directives

Searle (1976: 11) states that the illocutionary point of directives is to get the hearer to do something. In line with Searle, Yule (1996: 54) states that directives are those kinds of speech acts which the speaker uses to get someone else to do something. In other words, the speaker expresses what he wants and makes the world to fit the word. The verbs denoting the members of directives are ask, order, command, request, beg, plead, invite, permit, and advise. Buy me a cup of coffee and Please lend me a pen are the examples of directives. The speakers in the examples make someone (the hearer) to do certain action for them. The statement Buy me a cup of coffee shows that the speaker orders the hearer to buy him a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, the second statement shows the request of the speaker to the hearer. In the example, the speaker makes the hearer lending him a pen.

c. Commissives

Commissives are the illocutionary acts which purpose is to commit the speaker to some future course of action (Searle, 1976: 11). Yule (1996: 54) suggests that commisives are speech acts that the speakers use to commit themselves to some future action. Further, Kreidler (1998: 192) explains that commissive verbs are illustrated by agree, ask, offer, refuse, and swear. An example of commisives is the statement I refuse the invitation. The example shows the speaker who performs a speech act of refusal; he refuses to comply with the hearer‘s invitation. The speaker‘s statement indicates that he will not attend the invitation. Another example of commisives can be seen in the statement

I swear to pay my debt. The speaker‘s statement in the second example is considered as a commisive speech act because he commits himself to pay his debt. d. Expressives

Yule (1996: 53) defines expressives as the kinds of speech acts that state what the speaker feels. The function of expressive speech acts is to express the speaker‘s psychological states. Expressives can be statement of apology, compliment, pleasure, pain, like, dislike, or sorrow. An example of expressive speech acts can be seen in the statement I’m really sorry!. The utterance is stated by the speaker when he accidently hits someone. His statement shows that he feels sorry to the hearer for accidently hitting him. Another example is presented in the statement This is so beautiful. The statement is spoken by someone who is mesmerized by a painting. He expresses his admiration by saying a compliment such as This is so beautiful.

e. Declarations

Yule (1996: 53) simply defines declarations as the kinds of speech acts that change the world via utterances. Baptizing, declaring war, abdicating, resigning, and dismissing are the examples of declarations. Declarations will be valid if they are performed by appropriate people. For example, the statement I now pronounce you husband and wife is not valid if it is spoken by a ten year old child. This statement will be valid if it is spoken by a priest. Similarly, an umpire at a basketball match can cause a player to be out by uttering You’re out. On the other hand, the statement will be invalid if it is stated by a tennis umpire since the context is in the basketball match.

4. Speech Act of Refusals

Refusals are the negative response to acceptances and consents (Searle and Vandervken, 1985: 195). In addition, Searle in Felix-Brasdefer (2008: 42) explains that refusals belong to the category of commisives because they commit the refuser to perform an action. Wierzbicka in Phuong (2006: 16) states that refusals mean the speech acts of saying no, expressing the addressee‘s non -acceptance, and declining of or disagreeing with a request, an invitation, a suggestion or an offer.

Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss Welz (1990: 72-73) classify refusals into three types. They are direct type, indirect type, and adjuncts to refusals. In addition, Felix-Brasdefer in his book entitled Politeness in Mexico and United States: A Contrastive Study of The Realization and Perception of Refusals also states that linguistic expression employed in refusals may include direct strategies, indirect strategies, and adjuncts to refusals (2008: 42 - 43).

a. Types of Refusals

Bebee, Takahashi, and Uliss Welz (1990: 72 – 73) classify the types of refusals into three types. The types of refusals are direct type, indirect type, and adjuncts to refusals.

1) Direct Type

Direct type of refusals is performed by the refuser without reservation. The refuser states directly that he will not comply with the request, suggestion, offer, or invitation. The realizations of direct type include performative and non-performative statement.

a) Performative Statement

Meanwhile, performative verb refers to the act in which the speaker is involved at the moment of speech (Leech, 1983: 215). In refusals, performative statement is indicated by the statement I refuse and I decline. An example of performative statement can be seen in the statement I refuse to postpone the final exam. The speaker in the example is a teacher who will hold a final exam. However, his students request to postpone the final exam by next week. By uttering I refuse to postpone the final exam, he directly refuses to comply with his students‘ request.

b) Non-performative Statement

In the non-performative statement, there are two realizations which can be employed by the refuser. The realizations are no and negative willingness/ability.

i) No

The speaker will say No in refusing. Phuong (2006: 34) explains that saying No to someone is usually followed by language softener, except when people are extremely direct in refusing. An example is presented in the conversation below:

A: Go to bed. B: No!

The example shows how A directly refuses B‘s request. The refusal performed by B is considered an extreme direct refusal because B‘s refusal is not followed by language softener.

ii) Negative Willingness/ability

The statement of refusals contains any words which negate a proposition (Phuong, 2006: 35). The negotiation can be expressed by particle not.

A: Can I borrow your car? B: I will not lend you my car.

In the example above, A wants to borrow B‘s car. However, B refuses to lend A his car. In order to refuse A‘s request, B performs a negative willingness/ability refusal as indicated by particle not in I will not.

Another example of negative willingness/ability is the statement I can’t come to your party. The speaker shows his inability to comply with the hearer‘s invitation. Similar to the previous example, the speaker‘s statement contains particle not which is used to negate the proposition.

2) Indirect Type

Gudykunts and Ting-Toomey in Felix Brasdefer (2008: 74) state that indirect verbal style refers to verbal messages which camouflage and conceal the speakers‘ true intention in term of their wants, needs, and goals in the discourse situation. Therefore, indirect type is employed by the refuser if they want to indirectly refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Indirectness is usually performed by the refuser if he tries to be polite

a) The Statement of an Alternative

An alternative is suggested by the refuser when he cannot fulfill the refusee‘s request, invitation, suggestion or offer. Chen, Ye, and Zhang (1995: 133) state that an alternative is used to soften the threatening power of refusals. Moreover, it is used to avoid a direct argument or confrontation.

A: Why don‘t we go out for dinner tonight? B: How about tomorrow?

In the example above, B suggests an alternative in order to refuse A‘s suggestion to go out for dinner. B suggests A to have dinner at another time.

b) Avoidance

Non-verbal and verbal refusals are the realizations which can be employed by the refuser in avoidance.

i) Non-Verbal

In non-verbal, the refuser will refuse the request, suggestion, invitation, and offer by silence, hesitation, doing nothing, or physical departure. An example of non-verbal refusal is presented in the conversation below:

A: Instead of watching TV, why don‘t you clean your messy room? B: (still watching TV)

Even though A suggests B to clean his room, B still watches TV. B‘s response shows a non-verbal refusal. He chooses to do nothing in refusing.

ii) Verbal

In verbal refusals, the refuser perform refusals by using several strategies, such as using joke, using hedge, switching the topic, offer, suggestion, and invitation. The conversation below is an example of a verbal avoidance:

A: (offering cigarette)

B: I cannot buy cigarette from you. I could spend all my salary on cigarette since the seller is beautiful.

The refuser in the example above uses joke to refuse the refusee‘s cigarette offer. He jokes about the seller for being so beautiful that he can spend all his salary on cigarette. Another example of avoidance by using verbal strategies is presented in the conversation below:

B: Let’s decide what we will have for lunch.

B‘s refusal is the example of verbal-avoidance by switching the topic. He changes the topic of conversation in order to show A that he does not want to comply with the request.

c) Excuse/reason/explanation

Through this strategy, the refuser indirectly refuses the request by providing an excuse, reason, or explanation. The examples can be seen in the statements I have an important meeting tonight and My children are at home. The first statement, I have an important meeting tonight, is stated by an employee to refuse his friend‘s suggestion to watch a movie. Meanwhile, the statement My children at home is stated by a mother to refuse her neighbor‘s invitation to go on a trip for four days. Both of the refusers in the examples use an excuse/reason/explanation in order to refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. The first refuser uses his job to make an excuse in order to refuse the suggestion. On the other hand, the second speaker provides an explanation about her children to refuse the invitation. d) Promise to the Future Acceptance

The refuser refuses the refusee by promising that the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation will be performed later. For example, the statement I’ll do it next time is spoken by the refuser as a response to the refusee‘s request. The refuser refuses to perform the request at the time the refusee asks him. However, he might help the refusee later. Another example is the statement I’ll buy it for you on your next birthday. This statement is stated by a mother who refuses to buy

her son a new notebook for his birthday gift. However, she promises her son that she will buy him a new notebook on his next birthday.

e) The Attempt to Dissuade the Interlocutor

There are several strategies which can be employed by the refuse to refuse the request, invitation, suggestion or offer.

i) Threat or Statement of Negative Consequences to the Requester

The refuser tries to make some threat that may have negative impact to the refusee if the refuser agrees to perform the task (Phuong, 2006: 35). For example, the statement You could break up with your partner if I buy you a ring is stated by refuser to refuse the refusee‘s request to buy her a ring. The refuser states the negative consequence the refusee might get if he complies with the request.

ii) Guilt Trip

In guilt trip, the refusers point out things the refusee failed to do in the past (Chen, Ye, and Zhang, 1995: 129). For instance, when the refusee tries to borrow the refuser‘s calculator, the refuser says Yesterday I tried to borrow your notebook, why didn’t you lend it to me? The refuser in the example indirectly refuses the refusee‘s request by making the refusee feels guilty about the past. iii) Criticisms

The refuser can criticize the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, and invitation in order to show his refusals. In addition, the refuser can give a negative opinion in an attempt to refuse the request, invitation, offer, or suggestion. The examples can be seen in the conversations below:

A: You have to quit from your job. B: Who do you think you are?

The example shows the refuser who criticizes the refusee. B thinks that A does not have an authority to order him what he should do. The second example is presented in the conversation bellow:

A: It seems that going to the beach this weekend would be so nice. B: That’s a terrible idea.

The second example shows the refuser who criticizes the refusee‘s idea. He thinks that going to the beach during weekend is a terrible idea.

iv) Request for Help, Empathy, and Assistance by Dropping or Holding the Request

In this strategy, the refuser asks for empathy, help, or assistance from the refusee. For example, the statement I beg you to let me live here is stated when the refuser refuses to move out from his apartment. The example shows the refuser who asks for the landlord‘s empathy, so he does not need to move out.

v) Let the Interlocutor Off the Hook

The refuser will refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation by escaping the refusee from difficult situation. For example, the statement That’s okay or Never mind are stated by someone when he refuses the his friend‘s offer to pay for a pair of broken glasses.

vi) Self-defense

In this type, the refuser uses self-defense when he performs refusals. An example of self-defense is presented in the example below:

A: I can‘t accept it. Revise again your report. B: I’m doing my best.

B‘s response is the form of a self-defense. He defends himself that he has done his best in finishing the report in order to indirectly refuse the request from A. f) The Statement of a Principle/philosophy

In this category, the refuser will use his principle which he has followed for a long time. An example of statement of a principle is presented in the conversation below:

A: You will gain a lot of profits if you join my business. B: I never do business with friends.

A asks B to join his business. However, B does not want to join his friend business. In order to refuse A‘s offer, B states his principle about doing a business with friends.

In addition, the refuser can use a philosophy to indirectly refuse the refusee. For example, the statement of philosophy Things with shapes eventually break is stated by the refuser when he refuses to accept some money from a cleaning man for a broken vase.

g) Set a Condition for Future or Past Acceptance

Phuong (2006: 36) states that in a promise to the future or past acceptance the refusers aim to direct the refusals to situation when it is better if the requesters have asked in advance. An example of setting a condition for future or past acceptance can be seen in the statement I could help you if you have asked me earlier. The speaker of the statement is a part time worker. He is asked by his friend to exchange the shift. However, the speaker has to refuse his friend‘s request because he is too busy. In order to refuse the request, he makes hypothetical condition of the past. This strategy is indicated in If you have asked

me earlier. Another example is in the statement If your birthday party is held on weekend, I will come to your party. I have to go to my friend’s wedding this Tuesday. In this example, the refuser is invited to a birthday party. However, the refuser refuses the invitation because he has to attend his friend‘s wedding. He explains that he will come to the refusee‘s birthday party if it is held on weekend. Hence, in this example, the speaker refuses the request by setting a condition for future acceptance.

h) Wish

In this type, the refuser refuses the refusee by using any statements which indicate a wish. An example of this strategy is presented in the statement I wish I could help you finish this project. In the example, someone asks the refuser to help him finish his school project. However, the refuser has an assignment to be done. In refusing the request, the refuser shows his desire to help.

i) The Acceptance that Functions as a Refusal i) Unspecific or Indefinite Reply

By using an indefinite reply, the speaker‘s intentional message remains vague, uncertain, or undecided (Felix-Brasdefer, 2008: 75). An example of giving unspecific or indefinite reply can be seen in the conversation below:

A: You should join us in the next trip. B: I’m not sure if I can join it or not.

In the example above, B gives an uncertain or undecided answer to A. B‘s uncertainty is indicated in the expression I’m not sure.

ii) Lack of Enthusiasm

In refusing, the refuser will show his lack of enthusiasm towards the offer, suggestion, request, or invitation. An example of lack of enthusiasm can be seen in the conversation below:

A: This kind of t-shirt is very hot lately. You should buy one! B: I’m not interested in fashion.

The example above shows A who suggests B to buy a new t-shirt. In order to refuse A‘s suggestion, B shows his lack of enthusiasm about the latest fashion by saying I’m not interested in fashion.

3) Adjuncts to Refusals

Takahashi and Beebe (1987: 139) explain that adjunct is formula which, if standing alone, does not constitute a refusal. Adjunct must be combined with another refusing expression if the speaker intends to use it in performing refusals. Adjuncts to refusals are used in order to express the solidarity between the interlocutors.

a) The Statement of Positive Opinion/feeling of Agreement

The refuser gives statement of positive opinion such as That’s a good idea and I’d love to before refusing. The examples are in the conversation below:

A: (stating his idea)

B: That’s a good idea, but we have decided the concept for this project. The statement That’s a good idea indicates the statement of positive opinion. Meanwhile, the statement following the statement of positive opinion functions as a refusal.

b) The Statement of Empathy

Before refusing, the refuser shows his empathy to the refusee. An example of the statement of empathy is when the refuser says

A: (asking for help)

B: I realize you are in the difficult situation but I also need money to pay for my apartment rent.

The statement of the empathy is indicated in I realize you are in the difficult situation. Meanwhile, the refusing expression is shown in I also need money to pay rent for my apartment.

c) Pause Fillers

Pause fillers such as Oh…, Well…, and Uhm… can also be used to refuse the refusees‘ request if they are followed by refusing expression, for example:

A: Can I borrow your book?

B: Uhm…I don’t think I could lend you my book because I have an exam tomorrow.

In the example above, pause filler is indicated in Uhm. On the other hand, the statement I don’t think I could lend you my book because I have an exam tomorrow is the refusing expression.

d) Gratitude/appreciation

The statements indicating gratitude/appreciation are spoken before the main refusals. The examples of refusals by using gratitude/appreciation can be seen in the statement Thanks, but I have an important meeting today. The expression of gratitude is expressed in the statement Thanks. Meanwhile, the statement following the expression of gratitude is the refuser‘s main refusal. Statement I appreciate you for speaking up your idea, but your idea is against the company’s

policy is another example of refusing by showing gratitude. Statement I appreciate you for speaking up your idea shows the refuser‘s gratitude toward the refusee‘s idea. However, the idea opposes the company‘s policy. Hence, the refuser must refuse it. The statement following the expression of gratitude is used to refuse the suggestion.

b. The Functions of Refusals

Chen, Ye, and Zhang (1995: 121) state that refusals are responses to an initiating act and they are considered as speech acts by which a speaker fails to engage in an action proposed by the interlocutor. Edmonson in Amy Lynne VonCanon‘s Just Saying 'no': Refusing Requests in Spanish as a First and Second Language (2006: 9) also states that the action proposed by the interlocutor is called initiating act and it typically takes the form of one of the followings: request, invitation, offer, suggestion. Furthermore, Sadler and Eroz (2002: 56-68) mention that refusals are responses to refuse the request, invitation, suggestion, and offer. An example of initiating acts presented in the conversation below:

A: This bag is for you.

B: This is too expensive for me.

The conversation above is an example of an offer. A offers B a gift which he has bought. However, B thinks that she should not accept the gift because it is too expensive. Therefore, B‘s refusal is used to refuse an offer. Another example is in the following conversation:

A: Could you tell me where Jane is? B: I can‘t tell you where she is.

The conversation above is an example of a request for information/advice. In the example, A asks for information about Jane. However, B refuses to tell A where Jane is. Hence, B‘s refusal is used to refuse a request.

However, the functions of refusals have not been specifically mentioned by the previous research on refusals. Therefore, this research analyzes the functions of refusals. An example of the functions of refusals can be seen in the conversation below:

A: Please buy me a cup of coffee now

B: But, you just asked me to buy a bottle of juice.

B‘s response of A‘s request is classified as indirect type of refusals. He performs an indirect refusal in order to show an unfairness in A‘s request. B thinks that it is so unfair if A forces him to buy him a coffee since A already asked him to buy a bottle of juice.

5. Movie

Movie communicates the way people‘s life in other places. As stated by Bordwell and Thompson (2008: 2), movies communicate information and ideas. They portray the places and the ways of live which the audiences might not know. In analyzing a movie, the researcher has to comprehend the element of a movie. Pratista, (2008: 29) proposes five elements of a movie. The elements of movie include:

a. Scene : a section of a movie or film usually made up of a number of shots, which is unified by time, setting, character, etc.,

c. Character : an imaginary person in a movie or film,

d. Point of View : the angle of vision from which a story is narrate e. Conflict : a struggle between opposing force in a movie or film, usually resolved by the end of the story.

6. 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 narrative memoir based movie which is directed by Steve McQueen. The setting of the movie is in New Orleans during the 18th century. It is starred by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup (Platt), Lupita Nyong‘o as Patsey, Michael Fassbender as Epps, Benedict Cumberbatch as Ford, Brad Pitt as Bass, Paul Dano as Tibeats, and Sarah Paulson as Mary Epps.

Figure 1. The Official Poster of 12 Years a Slave The movie was about Solomon Northup‘s slavery. In 1841, a free African -American man named Solomon Northup was kidnapped from his hometown in Saratoga. He was forced to be a slave. Then, he was shipped to New Orleans and was given a new name, Platt.

Platt or Solomon was bought by William Ford. He managed to have a good relationship with him because of his cleverness and skill. He pleased Ford for his

success in transporting the logs through the swamp which cost more effective than manual transporting through the wood. Unfortunately, Platt was sold to Epps due to his conflict with Tibeats, Ford‘s plantation overseer. Platt told Ford that he was a free man in order to get his help. He asked Ford to save him. However, Ford refused Platt‘s request because he has debt to take care of. When Platt was sold to Epps, Ford also transferred his debt to Epps.

Unlike William Ford, Epps was crueler. He required all his slaves to pick cotton at least 200 pounds each day. All the slaves would be punished if they could not accomplish the target. A young female slave named Patsey became Epps‘s favorite slave because she managed to pick cotton as much as 500 pounds each day. However, Epps treated her rudely and even raped her. Mrs. Epps‘ jealousy made Patsey more suffered.

One day, Platt asked a former overseer, Armbsy, to send him a letter. However, Armbsy reneged on the deal he has made with Platt. He took Platt‘s money but he reported Platt to Epps. Platt managed to escape from Epps‘ punishment after ensuring Epps that he was innocent.

One day, Platt helped a Canadian worker named Bass to build a gazebo for Epps. He also asked Bass to send him a letter. Bass agreed to help him because he believed that every man has freedom.

When working in the field, Platt was called over by the local sheriff who arrived in a carriage with a man. The sheriff asked Northup or Platt a series of questions in order to confirm that he was Solomon Northup. Then, Platt recognized the sheriff's companion as a shopkeeper he knew from Saratoga.

Finally, after living as a slave for 12 years, Solomon Northup was freed and could reunite with his family.

7. Previous Studies

There have been many researches on the speech acts of refusals. One of the researches was A Contrastive Pragmatic Study on American English and Mandarin Refusal Strategies by Chao-chih Liao and Mary I. Bresnahan. Their research finding showed that Chinese people generally do not express positive opinions first because the expression of wo hen le-yi (‗I’d love to…‘) was not a formulaic expression in refusals. In contrast, most of Americans refused by stating their principle. Moreover, the most common mode of refusals in Chinese was an address form and apology followed by the reason of refusals. Otherwise, Americans would say I’d love to followed by the reasons of refusing.

A Pragmatic Analysis of Refusal Expressions Used by the Characters in Orphan Movie by Arum Sari was another research on refusals. The research focused on analyzing refusals performed by the family in Orphan. The first objective was to analyze the types of refusals. The finding revealed that there were two types of performed refusals, namely direct and indirect type. Indirect type, especially avoidance, had the highest frequency in the occurrence of refusals. Most of the family characters in the movie used avoidance in order to avoid the conflict with the interlocutor.

Arum Sari discussed the strategies of refusals in her second objectives. The finding revealed that the occurrence of negative politeness strategy was higher

than positive politeness, bald on-record, and off-record strategy. Indicating reluctance, being indirectness, using hedge, and using question were negative politeness strategies which were employed by the family members to express their refusals.

The last objective of Arum Sari‘s research was to describe the functions of refusals. The finding showed that refusals expressed by the family members had functions to refuse suggestion, request, and offer.

This research is different from Arum Sari‘s research. The difference lies on the second objective, the third objective, and the object of the research. The second objective of Arum Sari‘s research was to describe the strategies in refusals by employing politeness strategies proposed by Brown and Levinson. Meanwhile, the second objective in this research is to describe the realizations of refusals by using Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Weltz‘s classification of refusals.

The third objective in Arum Sari‘s research was to describe the functions of refusals. In analyzing the data, she employed a theory proposed by Edmonson. On the other hand, this research analyzes the functions of refusals by examining the contexts, the types, and the realizations of refusals.

The object of this research is a movie entitled 12 Years a Slave. Meanwhile, Arum Sari used Orphan as her research‘s object. Since both of the researches have different object, the findings will be different from one another.

B. Conceptual Framework

In this research, the researcher analyzes the character‘s utterances in Steve McQueen‘s 12 Years a Slave movie through pragmatic approach. Pragmatics is the most appropriate approach to support this research due to its concerns about the inseparable relationship between language and context. This research concerns with analyzing refusals within the domain of pragmatics. The researcher focuses on the types, realizations, and refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years A Slave.

Refusals are expressions which contradict the interlocutor‘s expectation. Searle in Felix-Brasdefer (2008: 42) explains that refusals belong to the category of commisives because they commit the refuser to perform an action. Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Welz (1990: 72-73) have classified refusals into 3 types. The types of refusals are direct type, indirect type, and adjuncts to refusals.

Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Welz (1990: 72-73) also distinguish the realizations of each type of refusals. Direct type can be realized in the form of performative and non-performative statement. Meanwhile, indirect type can be realized in the form of the statement of an alternative, avoidance, excuse/reason/explanation, promise to the future acceptance, the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor, the statement of a principle/philosophy, set a condition for future or past acceptance, wish, and the acceptance that functions as a refusal. Then, adjuncts to refusals are realized in the form of the statement of opinion/feeling of agreement, the statement of empathy, pause fillers, and gratitude/appreciation.

The researcher also analyzes the functions of refusals performed by the characters since every type of refusals has different functions. The functions of refusals include showing a determination in refusing; showing unwillingness to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; negotiating the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; avoiding a conflict or ending an argument with the refusee; demanding understanding from the refusee; mocking the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; implying the unfairness of the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation, and showing gratitude to the refusee.

Then, the researcher makes an analytical construct based on the explanation above. The analytical construct is made on the basis of the conceptual framework as shown in Figure 2.

35 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

A. Types of the Research

Descriptive-qualitative method was employed in this research. The method was used to describe the types, realizations, and functions of refusals. Wiersma (1995: 12) defines descriptive-qualitative research as a research that describes phenomenon in the form of word instead of number or measure. Moreover, Bogdan and Biklen (1982: 28) suggest that qualitative research is descriptive since the collected data is in the form of word or picture rather than number.

Furthermore, Vanderstoep and Johnson (2008: 7) state that qualitative research produces narrative or textual description of the phenomena under study. In other words, the finding in the qualitative research is presented in a narrative form or textual description rather than in a statistical from. Therefore, the result of data analysis in this research was presented in the form of word rather than number since descriptive-qualitative research provided a richer and deeper understanding of the object being analyzed.

B. Forms, Contexts, and Sources of Data

The data of this research were in the form of utterances which were uttered by the characters in 12 Years a Slave. Bungin (2007: 103) suggests that the data in the qualitative research are in the form of sentences, utterances, and short stories. The contexts of the data were the dialogues among the characters since the data

form of this research was the characters‘ utterances. Meanwhile, the source of data of this research was 12 Years a Slave movie.

C. Data Collecting Technique

The procedures of data collecting technique in this research took the following steps:

1. watching the movie which was used as the object of the research followed by downloading its transcript,

2. re-watching the movie and checking the accuracy of the transcript,

3. collecting the data found in the movie in accordance with the objectives of the research,

4. classifying all the collected data into the data sheet. The data sheet can be seen as follow:

Table 1. Sample of Data Sheet of the Types, Realizations, and Functions of Refusals

No Dialogue I II III Explanation

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O Burch: Come

on. Get yer blanket. Get up.

Eliza: No, please don't...

 (1)

Eliza‘s refusal is

categorized as direct type of refusals. Eliza performs an indirect refusal in order to make her refusal firmer and clearer. She also wants to make her refusal efficient.

Eliza‘s refusal is

realized in the form of non-performative statement by stating no. By saying no, Eliza shows an extreme direct refusal since she wants to show her determination not to go out from the dungeon.

Types of Refusals I : Direct refusals II : Indirect refusals III : Adjunct to refusals

Realizations Realizations’ Strategies

A : Performative Non-Performative

B : Non-performative 1 : No

C : Statement of alternative 2 : Negative willingness

D : Avoidance Avoidance:

E : Excuse/ reason/ explanation 3 : Non-Verbal

F : Promise 4 : Verbal

G : Attempt to dissuade interlocutor Attempt to dissuade interlocutor

H : Statement of principle/ philosophy 5 : Negative consequences statement I : Set condition of future or past acceptance 6 : Guilt trip

J : Wish 7 : Criticisms

K : Acceptance that function as refusal 8 : Request for help, empathy L : Statement of positive opinion 9 : Let the interlocutor off the hook

M : Statement of emphaty 10 : Self defense

N : Pause fillers Acceptance that function as refusal

O : Gratitude 11 : Unspecific reply

D. Research Instruments

The primary instrument of the research was the researcher since it employed descriptive-qualitative research. Bogdan and Biklen (1982: 27) state that a descriptive research has natural setting as the direct source and the researcher is the key instrument. In addition, Lincoln and Guba (1985: 198) mention that in the qualitative method, the researcher is the instrument. Therefore, the researcher in qualitative research played as a planner, a data collector, an analyst, a data interpreter, and a reporter of research results (Moleong, 2001:121).

The secondary instrument was the data sheet. The data sheet was used to note important information related to the objectives of the research which was found in the characters‘ utterances. The data sheet consisted of a table which was used to list the types, realizations and to explain the functions of refusals performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave. The transcript of the movie was taken from www.austinfilmfestival.com.

E. Data Analysis Techniques

The researcher conducted data analysis after the data were collected. Bogdan and Biklen (1982: 157) state that data analysis is the process that is systematically searching for and arranging the interview transcripts, field notes, and other materials that the researcher accumulates to increase the researcher‘s own understanding and to enable the researcher to present what he/she has discovered to others. In other words, the researcher processed the collected data

before drawing conclusions and presenting the findings. The processes of data analysis in this research were stated below.

1. The researcher watched the movie and reading the movie script retrieved via internet to check the suitability of the characters‘ utterances in the script and in the movie.

2. The researcher transferred the data into data sheet.

3. The researcher identified the types, realizations, and functions of refusals. 4. The researcher applied the trustworthiness of the data by asking friends and

supervisors to check the data and to support the analysis of the data. 5. The researcher drew conclusion based on the result of the research.

F. Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness was applied in order to establish reliability, credibility, and the truthfulness of the data. Vanderstoep and Johnson (2008: 179) state that triangulation method can be employed to establish the validity and reliability of the data. Meanwhile, Moleong (2001: 128) says that triangulation is a technique to check trustworthiness of the data by using something outside the data to verify the data or to compare them. Hence, the researcher employed triangulation technique to enhance trustworthiness.

Patton (2002: 556 – 562) identifies four main types of triangulation, namely method triangulation, data triangulation, multiple analysts, and theory triangulation. Triangulation through multiple analysts was used to support the finding of this research. Patton (2002: 560) explains that multiple analyst strategy

is having two or more persons who independently analyze the same qualitative data and compare the findings. Therefore, the researcher asked her peers to review and recheck the finding of the research by analyzing the researcher‘s data. In addition, the data were also reviewed by the researcher‘s supervisors.

41 CHAPTER IV

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

The objectives of this research are to identify the types, to describe the realizations, and to analyze the functions of refusals. This chapter consists of two parts, namely findings and discussion. The findings section is presented in the table of data findings which contains the types, realizations, and functions of refusals found in 12 Years a Slave. Meanwhile, the discussion section explains the analysis of the types, realizations, and functions of refusals found in the movie.

A. Findings

The findings of the types, realizations, and functions of refusals found in 12 Years a Slave are presented in the following table.

Table 2. Data Findings of the Types, Realizations, and Functions of Refusals in

12 Years a Slave

No. Types Realizations Functions Datum

1. Direct Type Non-performative statement

Showing a determination in refusing

2, 15, 24, 25, 30 Showing

unwillingness to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation

5, 11, 12, 16, 19

2. Indirect Type

The statement of an alternative Negotiating the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation 26

refusee since they are in the same social level. In addition, the characters have an intimate relationship with the refusee, so they are free to refuse directly. On Based on the table of data findings, there are three types of refusals which are performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave. The types of refusals found in the movie are direct, indirect, and adjuncts to refusals. The most dominant type of refusals is indirect type as the characters want to emphasize that the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation is impossible to be performed. Moreover, indirect type becomes the dominant type since some characters do not have a close relationship with the refusee. In addition, the characters try to avoid offending the refuse because they want to maintain their relationship with the refusee.

Each type of refusals is realized differently. There are two realizations of direct type. However, only one realization is found in the movie, i.e.

non-Avoidance

Avoiding a conflict or ending an argument with the refusee

13, 28, 30, 31

Excuse/ reason/

explanation Demanding

understanding from the refusee

3, 4, 8, 17, 20, 21, 23

The statement of a principle/philosophy

The attempt to dissuade the interlocutor

Mocking the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation

1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14

Implying the unfairness of the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation

13, 22, 27

3. Adjuncts to

refusals Gratitude/appreciation

Showing gratitude to the refusee

performative statement. Non-performative statement is mostly used to refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation from the refusee who has the same social level with the characters. They do not need to consider respect to the the other hand, the realization of direct type which is not found in the movie is performative statement. Performative statement is not performed because the characters prefer to state a flat no or show their unwillingness when directly refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Moreover, employing performative statement to refuse the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation in daily conversation sounds too direct. The refusee can be offended if the characters refuse the request, offer, suggestion, and invitation in a very direct way. Therefore, the characters in 12 Years a Slave only employ non-performative statement.

Meanwhile, indirect type is realized in five realizations. The realizations of indirect type are (1) the statement of an alternative, (2) avoidance, (3) excuse/reason/explanation, (4) the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor, and (5) the statement of a principle/philosophy. There are four realizations which are not found in 12 Years a Slave, namely promising to the future acceptance, setting a condition for future or past acceptance, stating a wish, and showing an acceptance that functions as a refusal. The four realizations are not found in the movie because all the characters make their refusals clear at the time the refusing statements are uttered. They state their refusals without indicating their desire or promise to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. By promising to the future acceptance, the characters commit themselves to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation at another time. Furthermore, setting a

condition for the future or past acceptance implies that the characters will fulfill the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation if the situation is possible. Stating a wish expresses the desire of the characters to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Then, an acceptance that functions as a refusal indicates the characters‘ vague response to the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. They neither accept nor refuse their refusee‘s request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Meanwhile, the most dominant realization of refusals is the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor. The characters from a higher or the same social level perform the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor when they want to ridicule the requester or the request, offer, suggestion, and invitation. In addition, the characters from a higher social level mostly perform the attempt to dissuade the interlocutor to show their superiority over the characters from the lower social level.

Adjuncts to refusals only occur in one datum because the characters rarely express their solidarity or respect. The conflict among the characters affects them to rarely show their solidarity or respect to the refuse.

Furthermore, there are eight functions for performing refusals found in the movie. The functions are classified under direct type, indirect type, and adjuncts to refusals. The functions of direct type emerged in the movie are (1) showing a determination in refusing and (2) showing unwillingness to comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Meanwhile, the functions of indirect type include (1) negotiating the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation; (2) avoiding a conflict or ending an argument with the refusee; (3) demanding understanding from the refusee; (4) mocking the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, or

invitation; and (5) implying the unfairness of the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. On the other hand, the function of adjuncts to refusals is showing gratitude to the refusee. Among all the functions of refusals, demanding understanding from the refusee is the dominant function since it lessens the negative impact of refusals. The characters ask their refusee to understand the reason why they cannot comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. Hence, the possibility of offending their refusee is lessened.

B. Discussion

In the discussion section, the researcher provides the explanation of the findings. Some utterances spoken by the characters in 12 Years a Slave are taken as examples. There are three types of refusals which are found in the movie. Each of the type contains several realizations and functions. All are discussed in the following parts.

1. Types and Realizations of Refusals Employed by the Characters in 12 Years a Slave

a. Direct Type

Direct type is employed by the characters when they directly refuse the request, invitation, suggestion, or offer. There are several reasons for performing direct type of refusals. First, the characters want to make their refusal firmer and more efficient. Second, the characters have a higher social level or they are in the same social level with the refusee.

There are two realizations of direct type. The realizations are performative and non-performative statement. However, only non-performative statement is performed by the characters in 12 Years a Slave. Non-performative statement can be performed by saying No or by using a negative willingness.

1) No

A flat no is used when the characters are extremely direct in refusing (Phuong, 2006: 34). The conversation below shows the use of No. The conversation occurred between Burch and Eliza. Burch asked Eliza to come out from the dungeon.

Burch : Come on. Get yer blanket. Get up. Eliza : No. Please don't...

(Datum 2)

In the middle of the night, Burch came to Eliza and Solomon‘s dungeon. He asked

Eliza to come out from the dungeon. However, Eliza sensed that something bad could happen. Therefore, she refused Burch‘s request by saying No.

In regard to this context, Eliza‘s refusal is categorized as direct type because she directly refuses Burch‘s request by saying No. Eliza performs a direct refusal

in order to refuse Burch‘s request because she wants to make her refusal firmer and clearer. Furthermore, a short direct refusal is more efficient to be performed since Eliza is in an urgent situation. In an urgent situation, refusing by employing direct type such as saying no is more efficient to be performed since the message

is clearly stated. Something bad might happen to her if she complies with Burch‘s

request. Thus, Eliza tries to make her refusal as clear as possible. The statement Please don’t… following Eliza‘s refusal is used to ask for Burch‘s empathy.

Burch is the owner of the dungeon, so she begs him not to do something bad to her and her children.

Another example of the use of No is in the conversation that occurred between Patsey and Solomon. Their conversation happened in the middle of the night. Patsey woke Solomon because she asked Solomon a favor. She wanted Solomon to end her life.

Patsey : I ask; end my life. Take my body to the margin of the swamp— Solomon: No.

(Datum 24) That night, Mrs. Epps asked his husband to beat Patsey because Patsey gave her an insolent look. However, Epps did nothing in response to his wife‘s request. Getting more furious, Mrs. Epps gashed Patsey‘s face with her nails. Seeing his wife‘s action, Epps finally agreed to beat Patsey. After that, Patsey came to Solomon. She asked Solomon to kill her because she could not handle her uncomfortable life as a slave anymore. However, he refused Patsey‘s request by saying No.

In reference to this context, Solomon‘s refusal is categorized as direct type because he directly refuses the request by saying No. He directly refuses the request because he wants to make his refusal firmer. In addition, Solomon can perform a straight no refusal since he and Patsey are in the same social level; both of them are slaves. Furthermore, they have a close relationship. In refusing, he does not need to try to be polite. Moreover, he is not afraid to offend Patsey since he thinks that Patsey‘s request is impossible to be performed. It is not possible for him, as a fellow slave, to kill Patsey with his own hand.

Another example of stating No in refusing can be seen in the conversation between Patsey and Solomon. The context is the same as the previous example. Patsey wanted Solomon to end her life.

Patsey : Take me by the throat. Hold me low in the water until I's still

'n without life. Bury me in a lonely place of dyin‘.

Solomon : No! I will do no such thing. The...the gory detail with which you speak

(Datum 25) Patsey told Solomon what he should do in order to end her life. She said that Solomon has to strangle and hold her low in the water until she died. However, Solomon still refused the request.

In relation to this context, Solomon‘s refusal is classified as direct type because he directly refuses the request by saying No.Solomon‘s refusal indicates that he is so determined in refusing the request. Moreover, his determination is reinforced with the statement I will do no such thing. The...the gory detail with which you speak. Solomon explains that he does not want to perform Patsey‘s request.

2) Negative Willingness/ability

Negative willingness/ability includes any refusing expressions which contain negations. Negations can be expressed by using particle not or using any words which convey a negative willingness or ability (VonCanon, 2006: 34).

The following conversation is an example of negative willingness/ability. The participants of the conversation were Ford and Freeman. The conversation occurred in Freeman‘s house where he sold all the slaves. William Ford, one of Freeman‘s buyers, planned to buy slaves. Then, he decided to buy Eliza and

Solomon. However, Eliza kept begging Ford to buy her as well as her children because she did not want to be separated from them. Finally, Ford asked Freeman to sell Eliza‘s children to him because he was touched by Eliza‘s distress of losing her children. However, Freeman refused the request.

Ford : How much for the little girl? You have no need for her. One so young will bring you no profit

Freeman : I cannot sell the girl. There's heaps 'n piles of money to be made off her. She is a beauty. One of the regular bloods. None of your thick-lipped, bullet headed, cotton picking niggers.

(Datum 5) Freeman refused Ford‘s request because he thought that Eliza‘s daughter was a special nigger. He explained to Ford that she was different from other slaves since she was beautiful. Furthermore, she could make a lot of money.

In regard to this context, Freeman‘s refusal is expressed through the employment of negative willingness/ability. Therefore, it is categorized as direct type. Solomon shows his unwillingness to comply with Ford‘s request by saying I cannot sell the girl. By saying I cannot sell the girl, Freeman tries to make his refusal firmer. Since Ford is his buyer, it sounds impolite if Freeman refuses Ford‘s request by saying No. Instead, he shows his unwillingness in order to make his direct refusal less extreme. Furthermore, Ford can be offended if Freeman refuses his request in an extreme way. Freeman also provides an explanation for his unwillingness to comply with Ford‘s request in order to ask for Ford‘s understanding.

The conversation between Tibeats and Solomon is another example of direct type by showing negative willingness/ability. The conversation occurred in Ford‘s weaving house.

Tibeats : Strip yer clothes. Strip. Solomon : I will not.

(Datum 11) When Solomon worked to build a weaving house for Ford, Tibeats came to observe his work. He actually tried to look for Solomon‘s fault since he disliked him. Then, Tibeats scolded Solomon for not following his instruction. However, Solomon explained to Tibeats that he has done everything as instructed. Solomon‘s explanation made Tibeats angry. He asked Solomon to strip his clothes because he wanted to whip him. However, Solomon refused Tibeats‘ request.

In reference to this context, negative willingness is indicated in the statement I will not. Hence, Solomon‘s refusal is classified as direct type. Solomon wants to explicitly show Tibeats that he does not want to comply with his request. In addition, he wants to make his refusal sounds firmer. However, Solomon does not provide any explanations. In other words, he does not try to ask for Tibeats‘ understanding of why he does not want to comply with the request. Solomon directly refuses the request because he thinks that it is necessary to fight against Tibeats‘ mistreatment. He wants to show Tibeats that he can fight back.

The next example of the use of negative willingness/ability is in the conversation between Solomon and Ford. Ford came back to his home and found Solomon was hung on a tree by Tibeats.

Solomon : (desperate, urgent) Master Ford, you must know; I am not a slave.

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Bass: No, no, no…

(1) performed by Bass because he

wants to explicitly refuse Epps‘ offer. Samuel Bass was a worker who worked with Epps. Epps offered him a drink when he worked. However, Bass refused the offer directly. His refusal is realized in the form of non-performative statement by stating No. Meanwhile, the function of his refusal is to show a determination in refusing. A direct refusal is chosen by Bass since he wants to explicitly show his determination not to drink while working.

30. Epps: Beat her. Give her the whip. Give it all to her!

Solomon: (does not move)

 (3)

Solomon‘s refusal is categorized as indirect type of refusals. He performs an indirect refusal since he is not sure about what he should do. Epps was furious because Patsey were not in his plantation. He accused her for running away. Patsey defended herself that she just asked for soap from Mrs. Shaw. Getting more furious for knowing that Patsey went to Mrs. Shaw‘s house, Epps decided to strike her. He ordered Solomon to whip Patsey. However, Solomon refused

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Epps‘ request. The realization of his refusal is in the form of avoidance. Solomon performs non-verbal avoidance which is indicated by his hesitation for whipping Patsey. Meanwhile, the function of Solomon‘s refusal is to avoid a conflict or end argument with the refusee. Epps can be more furious if Solomon clearly states his refusal, hence he shows his hesitation in order to refuse the request.

31. Epps: Comeback here, boy.

Solomon: (still walks toward Mr. Parker)

 (3)

Solomon‘s refusal is categorized as indirect type of refusals. An indirect refusal is performed by Solomon since he wants to avoid further conflict with Epps. A sheriff came to plantation to look for Solomon. He made sure that Solomon was the man whom he looked for. After confirming Solomon‘s identity, he telold him that he came with a man. The man was Mr. Parker, his acquaintance in Saratoga. Seeing Mr. Parker in the carriage, Solomon approached him. However, Epps asked him to comeback but Solomon refused Epps‘s request. The realization of Solomon‘s

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refusal is in the form of avoidance. In this datum, Solomon performs non-verbal avoidance which is indicated by his physical departure. Meanwhile, the function of his refusal is to avoid a conflict or end an argument with the refusee. Epps will dislike the fact that he is actually a freeman. Therefore, he ignores Epps‘ request and keeps walking to Mr. Parker in order to avoid a conflict with him.