CONVERSATIONAL MAXIM VIOLATIONS IN SATU INDONESIA TALK SHOW PROGRAM ON NET TV
A Thesis
Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora
BY:
DEWI SUHARTINI SINAGA REGISTRATION NUMBER: 8136111013
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
ABSTRACT
Sinaga, Dewi Suhartini. Conversational Maxim Violations in Satu Indonesia Talk Show. A Thesis. English Applied Linguistics Study Program. Post Graduate School. State University of Medan. 2016.
ABSTRAK
Sinaga, Dewi Suhartini. Pelanggaran Bidal Percakapan dalam Acara Satu Indonesia di Net TV. Tesis. Program Studi Linguistik Terapan Bahasa Inggris. Sekolah Pasca Sarjana. Universitas Negeri Medan. 2016.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The greatest thanks are given to The Almighty God, my savior Jesus
Christ for the entire great things He has done to the writer life in completing this
thesis. In the completion of this thesis, the writer wishes to acknowledge her
deepest gratitude for all generous guidance and assistence which has been given to
her by a lot of people.
The highest appreciation goes to her first adviser Prof. Dr. Sumarsih,
M. Pd. and her second adviser and Dr. I. Wayan Dirgayasa T, M .Hum for all of
their guidance through the completion of this thesis.
Her gratefulness also goes to the Head of English Applied Linguistics
Study Program, Dr.Rahmad Husein, M.Ed., and to Prof. Dr. H. Abdul Muin
Sibuea, M.Pd, the Director of Postgraduate School at State University of Medan.
who have assisted her in the requirement of administration process during the
study in the Post Graduate Program of State University of Medan.
The writer’s great thanks also goes to her reviewers or examiners, Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd., Prof. Amrin Saragih, M.A., Ph.D., and Dr. Siti
Aisah Ginting, M.Pd. for their suggestions, criticisms, opinions, and
improvements to this thesis. The writer also would like to express her thanks for
all lectures who teach her during the academic years of LTBI.
Her deepest gratitude and incredible appreciations are presented to her
beloved parents, Alm Drs. Kosben Sinaga and Salonta Sitorus, her beloved
brother, Tito Sardita Sinaga S. Kom, and also her beloved sisters, Mustika Sari
Sinaga, SE, and Lusiana Tifany Sinaga for their sincere prayers, love, and support
during her academic years in completing her study.
Then, her gratitude goes to her friends as well (Adinda, Decy, Eka
Rejeki, Eka Surya, and Vista), and all friends in LTBI A2 XXIII who had given
encouragement in writing this thesis. Her thank also dedicated to Bang Farid for
Finally, may this thesis be useful for everyone who needs it, and the
construction criticism are expected from the readers.
Medan, January 2016
The writer,
Dewi Suhartini Sinaga
and Natural Conversation ……… 31
2.1.8 Talk Show ... 33
2.1.9 Satu Indonesia Talk Show Program on Net TV ... 35
3.3 Technique and Instrument of Data Collection ... 43
3.4 Trustworthiness of the Study ... 43
3.6 Techniques of Data Analysis ... 46
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS, AND DICUSSIONS 49 4.1 Data Analysis ... 49
4.1.1 Types of Conversational maxim violations Occurred in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 50
4.1.1.1 Quality Maxim Violation Occurred in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 51
4.1.1.2. Quantity Maxim Violation Occurred in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 53
4.1.2.3 Realization of Manner Maxim
Violations ... 66
4.1.2.4 Realization of Relevance Maxim Violations ... 68
4.1.3 The Reason of Conversational maxim violations in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 73
4.1.3.1 To Hide the Truth ... 74
4.1.3.2 To Save Face ... 76
4.1.3.3 To Feel Jealous ... 77
4.1.3.4 To Build One’s Belief ... 77
4.1.3.5 To Convince the Hearer ... 78
4.2 Findings ... 81
4.3. Discussions ... 82
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS……….85
5.1 Conclusions ... 85
5.2 Suggestions ... 86
LIST OF TABLES
Pages
Table 2.1 Techniques for Establishing Trustworthiness ... 44
Table 4.1 The Percentage of types of Conversational Maxim Violations
in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 50
Table 4.2 The Realizations of Conversational Maxim Violations
in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ………...60
Table 4.3 The Reasons of Conversational Maxim Violations
in Satu Indonesia Talk Show ………73
LIST OF FIGURE
Pages
Figure 2.1 Conceptual Framework of the Study ... 41
LIST OF APPENDICES
Pages
Appendix 1: The Transcription of Satu Indonesia Talk Show ... 90
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1The Background of the Study
Conversation is one pivotal part of human communication that is used to
deliver information between speaker and listener and allowed them to synchronize
a wide range of action with others. It means that conversation allows us to share
information, express opinions, create and support social relationship, and persuade
others. For example, in workplace settings, conversation is used by employees to
make plans, exchange ideas, make decisions, and evaluate products. In school
settings, conversation is used for sharing, exposure to new information, and
stimulating creativity work (Rocci, 2008).
Conversation may also be mediated such as when electronic technology is
used for speech or text (Brennan, 2010). It means that conversation is not only
happened naturally but also can be mediated through some electronic technology
as media of communication such as television, radio, and etc. The greatest
medium that is widely used as the medium of communication and can be found
almost in all society is television.
Net TV is one of the latest private television stations which also broadcast
some talk show programs such as Ini Talk Show, Sarah Sechan, Tonight Show,
Satu Indonesia, etc.
Satu Indonesia is a talk show program which is aired on Sundays at11.30 p.m.
The talk show is chosen to be the source of data in this study due to some reasons.
First, the talk show is familiar and always discusses hot issues related to politics,
economics, and social. It is proved by winning Asian TV Awards. Second, the
guests who are invited in talk show are famous and professional in their field such
as politicians, practitioners, and academicians. Last, talk show is mostly viewed
by society in Indonesia.
In talk show, conversation also incorporates topic nomination, turn taking,
negotiation of meaning, etc (Markee & Kasper, 2004). In negotiation of meaning,
speaker and listener try to construct meaningful conversation. To be meaningful,
conversation is guided by a spirit of cooperation as what the language philosopher
H.P. Grice has termed as conversational maxims which consist of maxim of
quantity, quality, relevant, and manner. These conversational maxims are the
principles for speaker and listener to show their cooperation by giving appropriate
contribution in their conversation. When appropriate contributions are given in the
conversation, obedience of conversational maxim is occurred.
However, people do not always obey Grice maxims in their conversation. The
disobediences of Grice maxims are known as violations which is the condition
where the speakers do not purposefully fulfill certain maxims (Tupan & Natalia,
informative as required, violate the maxim of quality where they are not truthful,
violated maxim of relevance where they are become irrelevance, and violated
maxim of manner where they are become umbiguous. Violations of
conversational maxims contain implicature. Violations of conversational maxims
in politics, economics, and social topics can be seen in the examples below.
MA : Yang namanya pengabdian sebagai menteri ternyata ada umurnya juga pak. Kalo kita lihat misalnya pak GW. Beliau memilih mundur sebagai menteri dan fokus ikut konvensi demokrat. Bapak termasuk yang pro atau yang kontra?
‘What we call devotion as minister also has limit. We can see Mr. GW for example. He chooses to resign as minister and focus to participate in the convention of demokrat. You are in pro or contra?’
HR : Orang mempunyai pilihan –pilihan sebagaimana saya juga memiliki
pilihan. Barangkali untuk pak gita itu yang terbaik. Beda-beda mbak
dan bukan berarti dalam perbedaan itu ada yang salah ada yang benar. Ini soal prinsip.
‘People have choices as I also have choice. Perhaps for Mr. Gita, that is the best. It is different and it does not mean in the diference that is wrong or right. This is a matter of principle’
(episode:Net-HR)
In answering the question from the host (MA), the guest (HR) violate maxim of quality as HR conveys information with lack of evidence by using word
“barangkali” which is similar to “perhaps” or “ possibly” in English. It can be
seen that HR does not surely conveys whether he supports or refuses GW resign
from minister as one of the choices is not chosen by the guest. Quality maxim
violation is found in politic topics.
M :Tapi ada batas nggak pak Ci kira-kira? Habis kalo misalnya kita orang
‘But, is there any limit Mr. Ci? For example, for Jakarta people start from east, north, west, and central Jakarta are full of mall. Is there any limit when this is enough? If it is not, it will be overload.’
C :Prinsipnya market ekonomi. Market yg menentukan. Anda sekarang
berbelanja, anda kan mencari yang terbaik. Anda kan nggak bisa dipaksa. Harus ada keseimbanganlah. Dengan jalan keseimbangan itu kita bertumbuh bersama. Seperti begini, orang Indonesia berteriak perumahan rakyat tidak ada. Hanya bangunan mewah. Nah tugas perumahan rakyat itu tugas siapa?
‘The principle is market. It depends on market. You are now shopping, you will find the best. You cannot be forced. There must be balance. With this balance, we grow together. For example, Indonesian people shouts for having no public housing. Only Luxury residence. Who is responsible for public housing?’
(episode: Net-Ciputra)
In answering the question from the host (MA), the guest (C) violates maxim of relevance as he conveys information unmatched with the questions being asked. It
can be seen as C talks about public residence when he is asked about overload
supermarket building. Relevance maxims violation is found in economy topic.
MA :Ibu juga adalah salah satu orang yang nggak mau kota Surabaya
dibanjiri papan reklame sampai ada orang yang nggak senang sama ibu. Mungkin mereka dirugikan sampai akhirnya mereka mengatakan kita makzulkan aja ini si TR. Tanggapan ibu tentang papan reklame dan pemakzulan ini?
‘You are one of those who do not want Surabaya full of billboard that make some people dislike you. Perhaps, they felt disadvantage and they say we will depose TR. What is your response for this impeachment?’
TR :Sebetulnya saya melihat selama ini ada cost yang diterima seseorang.
‘Actually, I see there has been cost accepted by someone. It is from billboard, isn’t it? I want cost accepted by someone is returned to the government. Then, I can build. That’s what I mean. Second problem is the face of the city. If it is arranged tidily, billboard can be beautiful actually. If we can compromise to organize the city, I’m sure that it could be something beautiful’
(episode:Net- TR)
In answering the question from the host (MA), the guest (TR) violate maxim of manner as it is unclear who is “ seseorang” (someone who accept the cost).
Violation of manner maxim is found in social topics. Those phenomena above
have shown that conversational maxim violations potentially occurred in Satu
Indonesia talk show.
In regarding to the explanations above, this study is aimed at describing
the occurrence of conversational maxim violations in Satu Indonesia Talk Show
on Net TV.
1.2 The Problems of the Study
In line with the background of the study, the problems of the study are
formulated as the following.
(1) What types of conversational maxim violations occur in Satu
Indonesia Talk Show Program on Net TV?
(2) How are the conversational maxim violations realized in Satu
(3) Why are the conversational maxim violations realized in the way
they are?
1.3 The Objectives of the Study
The overall objectives of the study can be described as the following.
(1) To find out the types of conversational maxim violations occurred in
Satu Indonesia Talk Show Program on Net TV.
(2) To find out realization of conversational maxim violations in Satu
Indonesia Talk Show Program on Net TV.
(3) To find out the reasons for realization of conversational maxim
violations in Satu Indonesia Talk show Program on Net TV.
1.4 The Scope of the Study
With reference to previous explanation, conversational maxims not only
take place in daily conversation but also in the talk show on television. This study
attempts to investigate the conversational maxim violations in Satu Indonesia talk
show on Net TV which shown the conversation between host and guest. The
aspects will be observed are the occurrences of conversational maxim violations
in Satu Indonesia talk show on Net TV with conversational maxims proposed by
Grice (1975).
The findings of the study are expected to be useful and relevant
theoretically and practically. Theoretically, the results of this study are useful for
(1) the enrichment of linguistic knowledge in the field of pragmatics
especially in conversational maxims, and
(2) to widen horizon in the theory of pragmatics especially in
conversational maxims.
Practically, the results of this study are useful for
(1) as a reference for other researchers who are interested in conducting
researches or any further studies in pragmatics area especially
conversational maxims,
(2) speaker and listener in understanding implied meaning behind
conversational maxim violations in order to be successful in
exchanging information, building harmonious communication, and
creating good relationship in daily communication, and
(3) television talk shows to be selective in broadcasting programs
contained conversational maxims violations when discussing various
topics as talk shows are the most popular and influential forms of
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions
After analyzing the conversational maxim violations in Satu Indonesia talk
show, the conclusions can be drawn as the following:
1. All conversational maxim violations occurred in Satu Indonesia talk
show. They are quality maxim violation, quantity maxim violation,
manner maxim violation, and relevance maxim violation.
2. Conversational maxim violations were realized in form of contradiction,
sarcasm, metaphor, rhetorical question, overstatement, understatement,
vagueness, overgeneralization, associative clues, and presupposition,
synecdoche, analogy, and personification.
3. The reasons for conversational maxim violations were to hide the truth,
to save face, to feel jealous, to build one’s belief, and to convince the
hearer, to launch an attack, to highlight attention, and to avoid conflict.
5.2 Suggestions
Having seen the result of the study, the researcher would like to offer the
suggestions as the following:
1. It is suggested to other researchers who are taking pragmatics or
conducting research to find out more reason and realization of
2. It is advisable for speaker and listener in understanding implicature
conveying behind conversational maxim violations to build harmonious
communication
3. It is suggested politicians and practician to pay attention at the rules of
conversational maxim as they share information not only for academies
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