AN ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE STYLE USED BY THE
PRESENTER OF OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
THESIS
Written By:
ABDUL RASYID HARMAN 08360191
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
AN ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE STYLE USED BY THE
PRESENTER OF OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
THESIS
This thesis is submitted to fulfill one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education
Written By:
ABDUL RASYID HARMAN 08360191
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
“Read! In the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists).”
(Q.S. Al-Alaq: 1)
“Verily, with the hardship, there is relief.”
(Q.S. Al-Insyirah: 6)
“Conduct yourself in this world as if you are here to stay forever, and yet prepare for eternity as if you are to die tomorrow.”
(Prophet Muhammad SAW)
“It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain
silent, but silence is better than idle words.”
(Prophet Muhammad SAW)
“Marks will never define your intelligence and destiny!”
(Arasyid Harman)
“If you have a dream and you work and pray hard for it, God will make you achieve your dream.”
(Arasyid Harman)
This Thesis is dedicated to:
My forever “Sepasang Bidadari” (Mom & Dad)
My beloved sister
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Alhamdulillahirobbila’lamiin, all praises to Allah SWT, Shalawat and Salam
to Prophet Muhammad SAW, finally after the long a waited moment, this Thesis is
completely done. The researcher would like to express a great and endless gratitude
to his advisors, Mrs. Fardini Sabilah, M.Pd and Mrs. Riza Elfana, M.A, for all the
useful advices during the writing process of this thesis. And of course, the best
gratitude also goes to his “Sepasang Bidadari”, for their timeless pray and love.
The next great and endless thanks goes to my lovely classmates “Tralala &
Syalala” pals who unconditionally share almost anything in ups and downs and all
the moments in between : Yus, Roni, Ebi, Abe, Eko, Mamat, Aldy, Deny, Bertha,
Isna, Vivi, Melda, Nurul, Intan, Putri, Julia, Frist, & Heny. Thanks so much guys!
Lastly, the researcher also would like to thank all the lecturers of English
Department of UMM, for the knowledge and experience that have been shared not
only for the sake of lecturer-student relationship, but also for the sake of
ukhuwah-relationship. May Allah SWT reward all of us with the best reward both in this world
and later in hereafter. Amiiin.
Malang, July 26, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ... i
LEGALIZATION ... ii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION ... iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... iv
ABSTRACT ... v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vi
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION 1.1Background of the Study ... 1
1.2Statement of the Problems ... 5
1.3Purposes of the Study ... 5
1.4Significance of the Study ... 6
1.5Scope and Limitation ... 7
1.6Definition of Key Terms ... 7
CHAPTER II : REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1 Sociolinguistics ... 8
2.2 Language Variation ... 9
2.3 Language Style ... 11
2.3.1 Kinds of Language Style ... 13
2.3.1.1 Intimate Style ... 13
2.3.1.2 Casual Style ... 14
2.3.1.3 Consultative Style ... 15
2.3.1.4 Formal Style ... 16
2.4 Talk Show ... 18
2.5 Oprah Winfrey Show ... 19
CHAPTER III : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design ... 21
3.2 Research Object ... 23
3.3 Research Instrument ... 23
3.4 Data Collection ... 24
3.5 Data Analysis ... 24
CHAPTER IV : RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Findings ... 26
4.1.1 Kinds and Characteristics of language style used by the Presenter of Oprah Winfrey Show ... 26
4.1.1.1 Casual Style ... 27
4.1.1.2 Consultative Style ... 30
4.2 Discussion ... 33
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS 5.1 Conclusion ... 39
5.2 Suggestion ... 40
5.2.1 For Sociolinguistics Lecturers ... 40
5.2.2 For Students of English Department ... 40
5.2.3 For Further Researchers ... 41
REFERENCES
Ary, Donald at al. 2002. Introduction to Research in Education (6th edition). New York: Holt Rinehart and Wineston.
Ary, Donald at al. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education (10th edition). California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Bogdan, Robert C., and Sari Knopp Biklen. 2003. Qualitative Research for
Education: An Introduction to Theory and Methods (4th edition). Pearson Education Group, Inc.
Chaika, Elaine. Language the Social Mirror. 1982. Rowley Massachusetts: Newbury House Publishers.Inc.
Coupland, Nikolas. 2007. Style: Language Variation and Identity. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.
Creswell, John W. 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
Methods Approaches. California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Eckert, Penelope & John. R. Rickford. 2001. Style and Sociolinguistics Variation.
USA: Cambridge University Press.
Holmes, Janet. 1992. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (1st Published). London and New York: Longman.
Iktafa, Qisthin. 2013. An analysis of language style used by Mia Thermopolis in Meg
Cabot’s film “The Princess Diaries”. Unpublished Thesis. Malang: University of Muhammadiyah Malang.
Mesthrie, Rajend et al. 2000. Introducing Sociolinguistics (2nd edition). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Nadia. 2012. Language style used by the main characters of “The Sisterhood of the Traveling 2” Movie: An analysis on its casual types. Unpublished Thesis. Malang: University of Muhammadiyah Malang.
Nafsiyah, Khoirotun. 2011. An Analysis of language style used by English Club Debaters at International Language Forum (ILF) of University of
Muhammadiyah Malang. Unpublished Thesis. Malang: University of
Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary. 2008. (4th edition). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Stelter, Brian. 2010. Anderson Cooper to Host Daytime Talk Show. (Online), (www.NYTimes.com), retrieved on October 30, 2012.
Trask R.L. 1999. Key concepts in Language and Linguistics. London: Routledge.
Wardhaugh, Ronald. 2006. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (5th edition). Malden: Blackwell Publishing, Ltd.
Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia. (Online), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oprah Winfrey_Show), retrieved on October 30, 2012.
www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Ozs-Ultimate-Health-Checklist-Webcast-Transcript# ixzz2BRvi1SLX. (Online), retrieved on October 30, 2012.
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains some sections such as; background of the study,
statement of the problems, purposes of the study, significance of the study, scope and
limitation, and definition of key terms. Each section is presented as follows.
1.1. Background of the study
It is a fundamental fact that we as human being need to interact and
communicate each other and with our surroundings in order to survive and to
develop a well-structured society and civilization. We, therefore use such tools to
fulfill this need. One of them and really essential is language. As a tool of
communication, language has a very crucial role in our life. It furthermore
reflects the form of structure of our society. In addition it assists us in building
and sustaining personal and interpersonal relationship and participating in almost
all aspects of life.
According to Santrock (in Nafsiyah, 2011) language is a form of
communication, whether spoken or written, that is based on system of symbol. In
addition, language is not only a vehicle for the expression of thought, perception,
sentiments, and values characteristic of community; it also represents a
fundamental expression of social identity (Kilgour in Nafsiyah, 2011). It shows
that language is a social phenomenon which is closely related with the social
2
From the definitions stated above, we can infer that language is not only a
tool of communication that we use to interact and to share thoughts but also an
instrument that form the structure of our society. In short, language and society
are two things that cannot be separated in which one cannot exist without
another.
In line with the relation of language and society, we have to know about a
discipline of science that study about it, namely Sociolinguistics. According to
Wardhaugh (2006) Sociolinguistics is the study of language in its social context
and the study of social life through linguistics. It investigates the relationship
between language and society with a goal of better understanding of the structure
of the language and how the language functions in communication. In addition,
Holmes (1992) stated that Sociolinguistics explains why we speak differently in
different social contexts, and it concerns with identifying the social functions of
language and the ways it is used to convey social meaning. Therefore, we cannot
separate language and society because language is what the member of particular
society use for communication.
Dealing with Sociolinguistics, there are some aspects of language and its
relationships with the society. One of them is language varieties that show
variation of language use in society particularly in such speech community.
Language varieties, in addition, are created by the society in order to make the
language more interesting and unique. As the result, the language is continually
3
by its society where the language is used. As the language continually used, the
society created many kinds of language variations. One of them is language style.
Language style is a variation in speech from more formal to informal one
(Marjohan in Nadia, 2012). Moreover, Coupland (2007) stated that language
style refers to ways of speaking; how speakers use the resource of language
variation to make the meaning in social encounters. From these statements, it is
clear that language style is language variation that a speaker uses from more
formal to informal one to make the meaning in social encounters. In addition,
language style will vary depends on the situation or social context where the
language is being used or a conversation takes place. A more formal style will be
used in formal discussions, state ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, and other
formal occasions, while a more casual style will be more appropriate for
conversation with friends, peers, or family and relatives.
Dealing with language style, Nafsiyah (2011) who investigated language
style used by the English Club’s debaters at International Language Forum of
University of Muhammadiyah Malang found that there were two kinds of
language style used by the English Club’s debaters. They were formal and
consultative style. In addition, Nadia (2012) who analyzed the casual language
style used by the main characters of “The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants 2” movie
found that the casual styles used by the characters were mostly in short sentences
4
I’m sorry I’m late), slang word (boom box, ala-fricking-bama), and the use of
first name or nickname (Lena, Carmen,) in addressing one another.
This research, however, focuses on the language style used by the presenter
in Oprah Winfrey Show program in which the language use is employed in
different social context compared to the previous studies. Furthermore, based on
the writer’s observation, the language style in Oprah Winfrey Show program is
produced in different styles reflecting its social context.
There are a couple of reasons why the researcher is interested in conducting
this research. First of all, Oprah Winfrey Show is a popular talk show program in
the United States and the world. It is also the highest-rated talk show in American
television history which has ran nationally since 1986 and has received 47
Daytime Emmy Awards. Second of all, Oprah Winfrey, the presenter of the
show, used the show as a platform to teach and inspire, providing viewers with a
positive, spiritually uplifting experience by featuring book clubs, compelling
interviews, self-improvement segments, and philanthropic forays into world
events. Furthermore, she can easily interact and adjust her language style with the
audiences so that the atmosphere of the show becomes alive and interesting. In
addition, the guests and audiences of the show are from different social
backgrounds which affect the language style used during the show especially
5
Having observed those phenomenons, it is necessary for the researcher to
conduct this research since it is important to know and understand the language
use in society particularly the language style used by a presenter in a talk show
program. In this case the Oprah Winfrey Show, as a part of language studies as a
means of communication and its relationship with the society. Moreover, by
understanding the language style, we will be able to communicate with others
using the appropriate style in such different occasion.
1.2. Statement of the Problems
Based on the background of the study, the problems in this research are
formulated as follows:
1. What kinds of language styles used by the presenter of Oprah Winfrey Show?
2. What are the characteristics of language styles used by the presenter of Oprah
Winfrey Show?
1.3. Purposes of the study
In line with the statement of the problems, this research is intended to:
1. To know the kinds of language styles used by the presenter of Oprah Winfrey
Show.
2. To describe the characteristics of language styles used by the presenter of
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1.4. Significance of the Study
a. Theoretically
This research is expected to give clear description about language styles
used by the presenter of Oprah Winfrey Show to the readers in order to
make them easy to adapt the language with their community and gives the
contribution to the teachers and students who want to study about
language style.
b. Practically
The practical results of the study are expected to provide useful
information for the following readers:
Students. This research can increase their knowledge of language
styles as one of language variation in society. They can see and learn
about language styles from phenomenon that happens in society.
Lecturers. This research can be used as an additional reference of
material in studying and teaching Sociolinguistics subject since the
findings are much related with the topic of language varieties.
Moreover, the findings can also be used for teaching and material
development.
Future researchers. The result of this study can be used as a reference
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1.5. Scope and Limitation
This study is focused on the language styles and its characteristics used by
the Presenter of Oprah Winfrey Show during the talk show. There are some
points of view in which the language style can be analyzed. In this study, the
analysis is based on the utterances produced by Oprah as the presenter of Oprah
Winfrey Show. Moreover, this study is limited to one episode of the show
entitled “Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Checklist” which is one of Oprah’s Best Life
Webcast show and was broadcasted in January 13, 2009.
1.6. Definition of Key Terms
In order to avoid misunderstanding, it is necessary to give definition of key
terms, they are as follows:
1. Language style refers to ways of speaking; how speakers use the resource of
language variation to make the meaning in social encounters.(Coupland,
2007)
2. Presenter is a person who introduces the different sections of a radio or
television program (Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary, 2008.)
3. Oprah Winfrey is the presenter or host of Oprah Winfrey Show.
4. Oprah Winfrey Show is the highest-rated talk show in American television
history which produced and hosted by its namesake, Oprah Winfrey.
