SPEECH ACTS BY GOVERNOR CANDIDATES OF NORTH SUMATERA IN TELEVISED POLITICAL DEBATES.

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SPEECH ACTS BY THE GOVERNOR CANDIDATES OF

NORTH SUMATERA IN TELEVISED POLITICAL

DEBATES

A Thesis

Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Magister Humaniora

By:

VIDYA DWI AMALIA ZATI Registration Number: 8116111022

ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL

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SPEECH ACTS BY THE GOVERNOR CANDIDATES OF

NORTH SUMATERA IN TELEVISED POLITICAL

DEBATES

A Thesis

Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Magister Humaniora

By:

VIDYA DWI AMALIA ZATI Registration Number: 8116111022

ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL

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ABSTRACT

Dwi Amalia Zati, Vidya. Speech Acts by the Governor Candidates of North Sumatera in Televised Political Debates. English Applied Linguistics Study Program. Postgraduate School. State University of Medan. 2014

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ABSTRAK

Dwi Amalia Zati, Vidya. Speech Acts by the Governor Candidates of North Sumatera in Televised Political Debates. English Applied Linguistics Study Program. Postgraduate School. State University of Medan. 2014

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillah, all the praise, honor and power belong to Allah SWT, for

giving the writer blessing, mercy and endless love, especially in the process of

accomplishing this thesis. In writing this thesis, the writer was helped by many

beloved people and therefore the writer would like to express her greatest

gratitude to :

1. Prof. Dr. Sumarsih, M.Pd, her first thesis advisor and Prof. Dr. Lince

Sihombing, M.Pd, her second thesis advisor for their guidance, advices,

suggestions, affection and patience in supervising and guiding the writer to

finish this thesis.

2. Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd., the Head of English Applied Linguistics

Study Program and Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., the secretary of English

Applied Linguistics Study Program for the assistance in providing the

academic administration while the writer studied in the faculty, especially

in the process of completing this thesis.

3. Her thesis examiners, Prof.Amrin Saragih, M.A, Ph.D, Prof.Dr. Busmin

Gurning, M.Pd and Dr. Anni Holila Pulungan, M.Hum for the valuable

advices and suggestions.

4. All of her lecturers in English Applied Linguistics Study Program who

have taught and guided her during the academic year at the faculty.

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the writer to conduct the research on TV One and helping her in the

administration.

6. Her beloved parents, her mother Hj. Chairul Yaumiah Aman, S.E, her

father Prof. Dr. H. Zainuddin, M.Pd and her beloved brothers Muhammad

Rizqi Zati S.E, S.Pd, M.Si and Muhammad Nugraha Zati for their prayers,

attention, support, affection and unconditional love. It means a lot for the

writer.

7. Her extended family, H.R.Ahmad Aman family, (Almh) Hj. Choribah

Aman, dr. Hj. Chairul Bariah Aman, dr. Lindayanti, Wardatul Fuadi, S.Pd,

S.Sos.i and Fahmi Marzuki S.Pd.i for the support, prayers, help and love.

8. Her beloved friends, Khairun Niswa, S.Pd., M.Hum., Sutarsih, S.Pd., Ika

Lestari, S.S., M.Hum., Febrika Dwi Lestari, S.S., M.Hum., Cynthia

H.Meylinda, S.S., and Mirna Handani, S.Pd. and her classmates, English

Applied Linguistics XX-A for the prayer, support, love, laughs and

friendship.

9. Bang Farid, who has helped her in providing the academic administration.

10. Those whose name cannot be mentioned one by one for their help and

support. Thanks for everything. May Allah bless us. Amin.

Medan, 12 Maret 2014

Vidya Dwi Amalia Zati

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LIST OF TABLES

Page Table 4.1. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidates of North

Sumatera number 1 Gus Irawan Pasaribu in Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera Utara ... 36 Table 4.2. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 1 Gus Irawan Pasaribu in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 39 Table 4.3. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 2 Effendi Simbolon in Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera number 2 Effendi Simbolon in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 43 Table 4.5. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 3 Chairuman Harahap in Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera number 3 Chairuman Harahap in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 47 Table 4.7. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 4 Amri Tambunan in Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera number 5 Gatot Pujo Nugroho in Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera number 5 Gatot Pujo Nugroho in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 54 Table 4.10. Speech acts used by all governor candidates of North Sumatera

in Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara ... 56 Table 4.11. Speech acts used by all governor candidates of North

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2.4.5. Eipressives... ... 19

2.5. The Way of Performing Speech Acts ... 20

2.5.1 Direct Speech Acts ... 21

2.5.2 Indirect Speech Acts ... 21

2.6. Public Speaking ... 22

2.6.1. Debate ... 23

2.7. TvOne ……….. ... 25

2.8. The Previous Study ... 26

2.9. Conceptual Framework ... 28

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLONY ... 30

3.1. Research Design ... 30

3.2. The Source of Data and Data ... 30

3.3. The Technique for Collecting Data ... 31

3.4. The Technique for Analyzing Data ... 31

3.5. Trustworthiness ... 32

CHAPTER IV DATA, DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINNS ... 35

4.1. The Data and Data Analysis ... 35

4.2. Findings ... 59

4.3. Discussions ... 60

CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUNNESTIONS ... 63

5.1. Conclusions ... 63

5.2. Suggestions ... 64

REFERENCES ... 65

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LIST OF TABLES

Page Table 4.1. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidates of North

Sumatera number 1 Gus Irawan Pasaribu in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 39 Table 4.3. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 2 Effendi Simbolon in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 43 Table 4.5. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 3 Chairuman Harahap in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 47 Table 4.7. Types of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 5 Gatot Pujo Nugroho in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 54 Table 4.10. Speech acts used by all governor candidates of North

Sumatera in Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara ... 56 Table 4.11. Speech acts used by all governor candidates of North

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LIST OF NRAPHICS

Page Graphic 4.1. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera Utara ... 36 Graphic 4.2. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 1 Gus Irawan Pasaribu in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 39 Graphic 4.3. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 2 Effendi Simbolon in Uji Publik Cagub dan

Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 44 Graphic 4.5. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 3 Chairuman Harahap in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 48 Graphic 4.7. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Page Appendii 1. Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara on TVOne ... 69

Appendii 2. Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara on TVOne ... 104

Appendii 3. The Profile of governor and vice governor candidates

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Page Appendix 1. Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara on TVOne ... 69

Appendix 2. Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara on TVOne ... 104

Appendix 3. The Profile of governor and vice governor candidates

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LIST OF GRAPHICS

Page Graphic 4.1. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 1 Gus Irawan Pasaribu in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 39 Graphic 4.3. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 2 Effendi Simbolon in Uji Publik Cagub dan

Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 44 Graphic 4.5. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

Sumatera number 3 Chairuman Harahap in Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara ... 48 Graphic 4.7. The percentage of Speech Acts used by governor candidate of North

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CHAPTER I

INTRODECTION

1.1 The Background of the Study

The primary function of language is for communication. Cobley (2001:5)

elaborates communication as a form of semiosis which is concerned with the

exchange of any messages whatsoever; from the molecular code and the

immunological properties of cells all the way through to vocal sentences.

Communication deals with the process of exchanging information, ideas,

thoughts, feelings and emotions through conversation, speech, debate, signals,

writing or behavior. In communication process, a sender (encoder) encodes a

message and then using a medium or channel sends it to the receiver (decoder)

who decodes the message.

Language is used in many aspects of communication; one of them is in

politics. Beard (2000:2) states study the language of politics is important because

it helps the language users to understand how language is used by those who wish

to gain power, those who wish to exercise power and those who wish to keep

power. Moreover, language has been a powerful tool in the hands of political

leaders. They manipulate this language becomes the tool to suit their purposes.

Since politics is basically about struggling to control power, it is only through

language that such could be accomplished, thereby making language a very strong

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Language of politics is essential in the implementation of successful

democratic rule in any country. Ayeomoni and Akinkuolere (2012:461) observes

that language is the conveyer belt of power, it moves people to vote, debate or

revolt and it is therefore a central explanation of political stability or polarization.

Language is essential to politicians. Beard (2000:3) elaborates that politician is a

practitioner of the art of politics, essential to the working of human society. The

language of politics provides the opportunity for politicians to explore the

resources available through language to manipulate words to suit their intentions.

Hence, language could be regarded as the vehicle of politics. The candidates of

governor and vice governor are also politicians, because politics is the practice to

influence other people to achieve and exercise positions of governance. Most

activities performed by the politicians are done through the language, such as

speech, debate, campaign, inauguration, governance, rally, election, etc.

In recent years, political debates between candidates of governor and vice

governor become one of the interesting television programs in several private

television station in Indonesia, such as TV One. These program are also used as a

venue for campaigning by the candidates of governor and vice governor to inform

the work plans they will do for the next five years if they win the election. Each

couple of candidates is given the opportunity to deliver the political speech about

the visions and missions if they are elected become the next governor and vice

governor. The primary purposes of political debates are to influence, educate,

inform, persuade, incite or entertain people. Making an argumentation in debating

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to agree with it. Several speeches and debates are made to address the people to

pre-election especially at campaign for general election.

The general election of governor and vice governor is a part of democratic

systems where people elect the future leaders directly since Indonesia is also a

democratic country, it applies this system of election. North Sumatra, one of the

provinces of Indonesia had just held the election of new governor and vice

governor for the next five years on 7th_{March 2013. There were five couples}

candidates of governor and vice governor of North Sumatera fought to win for this

position at that time, they were (1) Gus Irawan Pasaribu and Soekirman, (2)

Effendi MS Simbolon and Jumiran Abdi, (3) Chairuman Harahap and Fadly

Nurzal, (4) Amri Tambunan and Rustam Effendy Nainggolan, (5) Gatot Pujo

Nugroho and Tengku Erry Nuradi. Those five couples are equally compete in

gaining public support to vote them in order to get a position as governor and vice

governor. The support that citizens have for the candidates will be determined by

what they say and how they say it for success to be achieved whether in

campaign, candidacy, programmes or policies. One of the ways to gain public

support is by informing the visions and missions to public. Every candidate may

have different point of view about another candidates’ visions and missions,

through debate they can tell what they feel about another candidates’ work plans.

Nowadays television becomes one of the media to introduce the candidates’

visions and missions to public through their television program. The citizens can

determine and evaluate the candidates by watching their performance in debating

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Abuya (2012:8) emphasizes the fact that no matter how good a candidate’s

manifesto is, no matter how superior political thoughts and ideologies of a

political party may be, these can only be expressed and further translated into

social actions for social change and social continuity through the facilities

provided by language. Therefore, no matter what is achieved in politics, whether

to convince, persuade, entertain, promise, enlighten or inform the people about the

political messages, language serves as the link to people’s hearts in politicking to

increase the number of votes. Most politicians are unaware of the fact that there is

a link between what is said, what is meant, and the action conveyed by what is

said in speech. Actually political leaders even ordinary people need to learn about

what power used behind this language, especially language of politics, which in

turn leads them to gain the position of leader. One of theory that can support

language user to understand about it is speech acts.

Josiah and Johnson (2012:262) states that speech acts is a process in which

a person uses an utterance to perform an act such as stating a fact, stating an

opinion, confirming or denying something, making a prediction or a request,

asking a question, issuing an order, giving a permission, giving a piece of advice,

making an offer, making a promise, thanking somebody or condoling somebody.

The choice of speech acts theory as the linguistic framework for the analysis of

governor candidates of North Sumatera’s televised political debates is premised

on the fact that candidates perform various actions through the use of words and

when utterances are made, a particular act is performed as well.

Indeed, speech act theory concerns the pragmatics of human language, i.e.

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a speaker performs when making an utterance. Ayeomoni and Akinkuolere

(2012:463) say that speech acts fall into three classes, which are locutionary,

illocutionary and perlocutionary acts. A locutionary act is an act of saying

something that is the act of producing an utterance. The illocutionary act is the

statement made or uttered, it refers to the social act performed by the speaker

while the perlocutionary act is the effect of the speaker’s utterance on the hearer.

It brings about an effect upon the beliefs, attitudes or behaviors of the addressee.

So by using speech acts in analyzing the candidates’ televised political

debates, people will know comprehensively about what is actually the meaning of

candidates’ utterances in debating, by analyzing the types of speech acts they use,

such as state what the speakers believe (assertives), express what the speaker

wants (directives), express what the speaker intends by committing themselves to

do some future actions (commissives), express the psychological states that the

speaker feels, such as statements of pleasure, pain, likes, dislikes, joy or sorrow

(expressive) and a declaration (declarative).

1.2 The Problems of the Study

The study is based on the following research questions:

1. What types of speech acts are used in televised political debates of

governor candidates of North Sumatera?

2. What is the dominant type of speech acts used in televised political

debates of governor candidates of North Sumatera?

3. How do the governor candidates of North Sumatera use speech acts in

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1.3 The Objectives of the Study

In relation of the problems, the objectives of study are:

1. to describe the types of speech acts used in televised political debates of

governor candidates of North Sumatera.

2. to derive the dominant type of speech acts used in televised political

debates of governor candidates of North Sumatera.

3. to elaborate the way of the governor candidates of North Sumatera use

speech acts in televised political debates.

1.4 The Scope of the Study

This study will investigate speech acts used by the governor candidates of

North Sumatera in televised political debates on TvOne. The main aspects will be

observed is the types of speech acts, those are assertives, directives, commissives,

expressives and declarative and the way of the governor candidates of North

Sumatera use speech acts in televised political debates.

1.5 The Significance of the Study

The findings of this study are expected to be useful theoretically and

practically:

1. Theoretically, this research is expected to be able to give contribution for

the sociolinguistics research through speech acts about how to use

locutionary act in communication that can lead to have the intended

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2. Practically, the findings of the study are expected to be able to use as a

model to identify the successful speech acts used for social interaction in

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

5.1. Conclusions

This study was concerned on speech acts used in televised political debates

of governor candidates of North Sumatera, Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara

and Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara. It was aimed at describing

the types of speech acts, the most dominant type and the way of the governor

candidates of North Sumatera use speech acts in televised political debates. After

analyzing the data, some conclusions can be stated as the following:

1. There are only four types of speech acts were used in televised political

debates of governor candidates of North Sumatera, Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera Utara and Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara on TV

One, those are assertives, directives, commissives and expressives.

2. Assertive is the dominant type of speech acts used in televised political

debates of governor candidates of North Sumatera, Debat Pemilukada

Sumatera Utara and Uji Publik Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara on TV

One. The percentage of assertive in Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara is

51,6% while in Uji Publik Cagub and Cawagub Sumatera Utara is 41,37%.

3. The way of governor candidates of North Sumatera use speech acts in both

televised political debates, Debat Pemilukada Sumatera Utara and Uji Publik

Cagub dan Cawagub Sumatera Utara on TV One is in direct speech acts. The

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they want their utterances can be understood clearly by other governor

candidates and audiences.

5.2. Suggestions

The suggestions are as the following:

1. It is suggested for other researchers to study about the language of politics

used in debates, speeches or campaign to analyze the utterance of the

politicians.

2. It is suggested for other researchers who want to elaborate the study about

speech acts to do research in other research fields, such as law, teaching

and learning and so on.

3. It is suggested for the students who want to study about the theory of

speech acts in utterances or social interaction to apply in other fields, such

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