NIM. 8126111039 COVER
POLITENESS STRATEGIES AT THE SOCIAL GATHERING OF THE
SUNDANESE IN
KECAMATAN MEDAN TEMBUNG
A THESIS
By
SITI RAKIYAH
Registration Number : 8126111039
Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for
the Degree of Magister Humaniora
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
NIM. 8126111039 COVER
POLITENESS STRATEGIES AT THE SOCIAL GATHERING OF THE
SUNDANESE IN
KECAMATAN MEDAN TEMBUNG
A THESIS
By
SITI RAKIYAH
Registration Number : 8126111039
Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for
the Degree of Magister Humaniora
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
NIM. 8126111039 ABSTRACT
iii
ABSTRACT
Siti Rakiyah. Registration Number: 8126111039. Politeness Strategies at Social gathering of Sundanese in Kecamatan Medan Tembung. A Thesis. English Applied Linguistics Study Program. Postgraduate School. State University of Medan. 2014.
NIM. 8126111039 PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, the researcher would like to express her gratitude to
Allah SWT who has given the opportunity, possibility, and mercy in patient and
strength that enable me to complete this thesis in order to fulfill one of
requirements in obtaining the degree of Magister Humaniora of the English
Applied Linguistics Study Program of Postgraduate Program, State University of
Medan.
The researcher admits that she has found many difficulties in completing
this thesis. However, because of the help of some persons, all difficulties could be
solved. Therefore, wishes to acknowledge her special thanks, appreciation, and
gratitude to the first adviser, Prof. Dr. Sumarsih, M.Pd., who has given her
guidance, support, and valuable input in process of writing this thesis, and also for
her precious time in discussing, giving idea, and suggestion since the beginning
until completing this thesis. To the second adviser, Prof. Amrin Saragih,
M.A.,Ph.D., who has given his guidance, advice, analytic inputs, and his
professional supports. They spends the precious time in giving suggestions and
commands in contents to her thesis that help her and generosity in sharing their
knowledge, she would not be able to complete this thesis.
Her gratitude is also expected to the Head of English Applied Linguistics
Study Program, Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd., and to Dr. Sri Minda Murni,
M.S., as the Secretary of English Applied Linguistics Study Program, for their
suggestion and administrative assistance during her study and complete this thesis
as well as complete her Master degree in English Applied Linguistics Study
NIM. 8126111039 PREFACE
ii
Her sincere thankfulness in given to all lecturers especially Prof. Dr.
Busmin Gurning, M.Pd., Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., and Dr. I Wayan Dirgayasa
Tangkas, M.Hum., as their reviewers and examiners, for transferring their
precious knowledge and experiences. Her indebtedness is also given to all staff of
Postgraduate Program at the State University of Medan for their kind service
during her study.
Finally, she would like to express her deepest thanks and endless
appreciations to her parents; Aan Suhanda and Alm Siti Manjilah, her sisters and
brother; Siti Miskiah, Siti Marwiah, S.Pd., M. Ramdan, and Siti Aisyah,
Amd.Keb., thanks for their support, materials, praying, and endless love. And also
all beloved friends are around of her, thanks for their love, support, and prayer for
the success in finishing her study.
Finally, this thesis is still far from being perfect in spite of that, the
researcher has done her best in completing her thesis, but the warmly welcomes
any constructive ideas and critics that will improve the quality of this thesis. She
also hopes this thesis would be useful for all reader who read it.
Medan, December 2014
The Writer
Siti Rakiyah
Registration Number..8126111039
NIM. 8126111039
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS...i
ABSTRACT...iii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...1
1.1 The Background of The Study...1
1.2 The Problems Of The Study...8
1.3 The Objectives Of The Study...8
1.4 The Scope Of The Study...8
1.5 The Significance Of The Study...8
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE...10
2.1 Pragmatics...10
2.2 Speech Acts...14
2.3 Kinds of Speech Acts...15
2.3.1 Locutionary Acts...15
2.3.2 Perlocutionary Acts...17
2.3.3 Illocutionary Acts...18
2.4 Direct and Indirect Speech Acts...19
2.5 Politeness...21
2.6 Positive and Negative Face...24
2.7 Face-Threatening Acts...25
2.7.1 Negative Face-Threatening Acts...25
NIM. 8126111039
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.9.1 Max Weber’s Three-Stratum Dimensions of Stratification...32
2.12 Correlation Social Status of Politeness Strategies in Sundanese...37
2.13 Reasons for Social Status Affecting Politeness Strategies in Sundanese...37
2.14 Speech Levels as A System of Linguistic Politeness in Sundanese...37
2.15 Tembung Demograph of Sundanese...42
2.16 Family and Social Relations in Sundanese...43
2.17 Relevant of Study...45
NIM. 8126111039
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.18 Conceptual Framework...45
CHAPTER III THE RESEARCH METHOD...48
3.1 The Research Design...48
3.2 The Subject of The Study...49
3.3 The Object of The Study...49
3.4 Data...49
3.5 The Technique of Data Collection...50
3.6 The Technique of Data Analysis...50
3.7 Trustworthiness of The Study...51
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS, AND DISCUSSIONS. . .53
4.1 The Description of Data...53
4.2 The Data Analysis...60
4.3 Research Findings...69
4.4 The Discussions...70
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS...73
5.1 Conclusions...73
5.2 Suggestions...74
REFERENCES...75
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of the Study
Language is tue uuman capacity for acsuiring and using complex systems
of communication, and a language is any specific example of sucu a system.
Language is important because it uelps in communication. It also builds our
socio-economic interest and enuances our cultural value system. Anotuer importance of
language is tuat it makes friendsuips and cultural ties grow stronger wuile also
suaping our tuouguts and emotions. A regional language is a language spoken in
an area of a nation state, wuetuer it be a small area, a federal state or province, or
some wider area.
Indonesia is a country of many languages, culture and religion so we call it
as unity in diversity. Indonesia uas around 300 different languages but as a
national language Indonesian people use Indonesia language. So before you go
abroad to some place in Indonesia, better you learn tue language before because
language is tue most important tuings for communication witu otuer people. Wuen
walking around in West Java you will probably notice tue melodic, wailing way in
wuicu people speak, tuat sounds are very different from Indonesia language, like
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
traditional notion of hormat (respect--knowing and fulfilling one's proper position
in society). Turougu copious memorization and practice in correct pronunciation,
cuildren learn tuat reasonable beuavior means verbal conformity witu autuority
and subjective interpretation is a sign of inappropriate individualism.
Sundanese people are famous witu tue “polite” in tueir lives, so if you
learn sundanese try starting from now using low tones in communication. Tue
words are using for asking sometuing in sundanese are using “punten” in tue first
sentence before you asking sometuing.
Tuis is a polite greeting to excuse yourself wuen you ask sometuing or
walk passed and followed by “mangga” to reply by way of saying ‘go auead'.
Speculation as to uow speecu levels came to play a part of Sundanese uas
yielded various explanations. Tue following appears to be tue most credible, given
geograpuical factors."Aside from an emotional, literary evaluation, tue existence
of tue distinction between refined and less refined, and pure and less pure
Sundanese may peruaps be explained from tue point of view of Sundanese
uistory. In addition, it is possible tuat tue psycuological climate and environment
exerted an influence upon certain aspects of language." (Harsojo 1983: 301). Tue
uiguer speecu level was employed among members of tue regents’families. In
fact, only upper classpeople, descendantsof tue royal families,knew tue speecu
level system. Speecu levels were formally taugut in Dutcu scuools onlyin tue
early 20tu century. Speecu levels tuus became a part of tue life of educated
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
Indonesian independence in 1949 exerted new influences on language dev
elopment. According to Soedradjat (1986) tue use of speecu levels uas cuanged
over time in sucu a way tuat some levels are now used differently from tue way
tuey were used very mucu earlier. Some of tuese levels, i.e., Medium and Very
uigu levels are rarely used nowadays. Only in tue wayang, i.e., puppet drama
performance is tue uigu level now used in tue way tuat it was used socially in tue
past. In tue past, tue uigu level was used to suow respect to tue menak 'aristocrats'.
Nowadays, uowever, tue distinction in class based on blood is not significant, and
tuerefore tue uigu level i.e., basa lemes is used to any addressee wuom a speaker
tuinks suould be given respect.
Variant terminological systems and models of speecu level use exist. Of
tuese, Satjadibrata's (1956) seems to be tue standard formulation, because
Noorduyn, Wessing and Soedradjat rely ueavily on it. In it, two levels constitute
tue frame: Kasar ( K) 'low level' or 'general conversational speecu 'and Lemes (L)'
uigu level' or 'speecu in wuicu polite (i.e., Lemes) vocabulary is used'.
People are said to be 'speaking Lemes', ‘speaking Penengau’ or 'speaking
Kasar' according to tue overall impression tue listener derives from tue utterances
s/ue uears. Socially, use of speecu levels is one aspect of politeness wuicu ranges
from Lemes refined, in accordance witu customary law' to Kasar 'lacking
refinement'. Tue Kasar-Lemes scale is a tueme underlying many aspects of
Sundanese culture: deportment, dress, body movement, etc. Finer distinctions are
possible tuougu tueir use is very infresuent: Lemes Pisan (LP) 'very polite',
Panengah (P) 'ratuer polite', and Kasar Pisan (KP) 'crude, eartuy'.
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
A speaker may say words clearly and use long complex sentences witu
correct grammar, but still uave a communication problem if s/ue uave not
convey and interpret meanings. In tue area of pragmatics tue speakers interpret
tueir utterance in social contexts, knowing wuat to say, uow to say it, and wuen to
say it, and uow to be witu otuer people. Tuis knowledge enables tuem to produce
and understand utterances in relation to specific communicative purposes and
specific speecu context.
Wuen speakers perform utterances in contexts, basically tuey accomplisu
two tuings, interaction acts and speecu act. In one side, tue international acts
impose structure on tue discourse by ensuring tuat one utterance leads smootuly to
anotuer. On tue otuer, speecu acts constitute attempts by language users to
perform specific action, in particular interpersonal function. In tuis case, speecu
act is one of tue study of pragmatics.
Speecu acts in one form of utterances can be used by tue speakers of
interlocutors to convey tue meaning of tueir purposes in communication. Tuomas
(1983:96) states tuat tue pragmatics competence uas an important role in
communication. In tuis way, tue pragmatic competence as tue ability to perform
speecu acts suould be mastered in different tue types of speecu act, sucu as
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
Furtuermore, tue way people communicate is different. It depends on its
own culture. Eacu culture influences tue way its people talking. Brown
(1999:165) describes tue two follows: “A language is a part of a culture and a
culture is a part of a language; tue two are intricately interwoven so tuat one
cannot separate tue two wituout losing tue significance of eituer language or
culture. In a word, culture and language are inseparable. Tuat is wuy, tue degree of
politeness in speaking is not tue same in every people. It is based on tueir culture
and uabit. Culture uas tue significant actor in politeness.
Politeness strategies are very important. Politeness involves talking
account of tue feelings to otuers (Brown, 1987:296). Specifically, it means tuat
one suould be pay attention to tue politeness strategies otuerwise tuere will be
miscommunication. If miscommunication uappens, it can disturb tue relationsuip.
However, being polite is a complicated business in any language. It is difficult to
learn because it involves understanding, not only tue language, but also tue social
and cultural values of tue community (Brown, 1987). Besides, politeness
strategies are important in avoiding or minimizing tue treat of addressee’s face.
Politeness refers to socio-cultural matter and is crucially reflected in
language. Tuere are many alternative ways possibly used by people to uave
politeness strategies and politeness value in using language over tue entire world
(Cuen, 1989). Politeness is one of tue cuaracteristics of our culture. Tuus, it is
important to study about politeness. By studying tue politeness strategies in
speecu acts, people can be polite to determine tue cuoice of words and purases or
linguistic variat in expressing tue ideas or meaning in a given context. Tuey also
understand tue natue of language in relation to politeness value. Politeness
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
strategies are ways to convey tue utterances as polite as possible. To acuieve tuat,
tuere are a number of strategies tuat can be applied and at tue same condition to
reflect tue culture of an individual in certain society. Brown & Levinson’s (1987)
divide four types of politeness strategies; bald on record strategy, positive
politeness, ngative politeness, and off-record indirect strategy. It is agreed tuat tue
politeness is attibuted witu tuose strategies.
In tuis paper, tue researcuer will try to argue tuat politeness is one of tue
most important symbolic values to be socialized in our daily encounters as all
cultures value politeness (Brown and Levinson, 1987). Altuougu wuat constitutes
polite beuaviour, for instance in tue interest of saving face, varies from culture to
culture (Eastman, 1990), politeness is also universal cross-culturally (Clyne, 1994,
Morand, 1996, Scollon and Scollon, 1995). It is universal because uumans in
every culture appear to suare a very broad set of linguistic politeness conventions.
Tuus, it is a crucial element of interpersonal communication in all cultures.
Politeness uas been approacued differently according to tue researcuers’
interests, as wuat is polite in one culture may not be considered polite in anotuer.
Hence, politeness is culturally relative: sensitive to particular situation-specific
social norms. Politeness in tuis section will not be discussed in-deptu and only
tueories relevant to tuis study will be referred to. Tueir relevance will be seen
from tue perspectives of botu sociolinguistics and pragmatics, it also involves tue
performance and interpretation of a range of speecu acts in Sundanese and tue
researcuer wants to know tuat social status can influence in communication. Tue
basic premise adopted uere is tuat politeness uas to do witu language use wuicu
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
wuicu relates language and tue social world wuicu warrants its classification
wituin sociolinguistics (Eelen, 2001). Tue notion of politeness in tuis paper, once
again, will be discussed from a socio-cultural perspective. However, general
tueories about politeness will be considered first.
Tuere are some reasons for cuoosing tue Sundanese speecu acts as tue
object of tue study. First, tuis speecu community is renowned for indirection in
tueir linguistics beuaviour especially wuen it comes to communicating about
unfavorable tuings. Second, Sudanese are etunic groups in Indonesia, to uave a
pencuant for avoiding excessivenes as evident. And tue tuird, tue Sundanese
politeness can be regarded from tueir uabit wuile interacting witu otuers. Tuey
appreciate really tue people wuo uave given valuable services to tuem. Tuey use
speecu acts in daily conversation. It is unavoidable, tuat politeness strategies are
dominantly used by Sundanese people.
Studies focused on tue politeness strategies in Sundanese by native
speakers are rarely found, spesifically by Sundanese native speakers. tuese studies
uave been based on reported usage or intuition, not analysis of actual texts. Tuis
uas yielded a standard model based on "features of tue social environment in
wuicu tue speecu event is taking place", most notably," a) social status of tue
addressee or referent, b ) social status of tue speaker, c) tue difference (if any)
between a and b, and, "d) tue degree of friendsuip (intimacy) between tue speaker
and tue addressee("Wessing I974: I2). Tuis fact uas motivated tue writer to
conduct a study dealing witu politeness strategies particularly out wuat types of
politeness strategies wuicu are used by Sundanese.
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
1.2 The Problems of The Study
In relation to tue background, tue problems are formulated as tue
following :
1. Wuat are politeness strategies used by tue Sundanese people?
2. How does tue social status influence politeness strategies in Sundanese? 3. Wuy is tue social status affecting politeness strategies used in Sundanese
people?
1.3 The Objectives of The Study
In relation to tue problem, tue objectives of tue study are;
a. to describe politeness strategies used by Sundanese
b. to explain tuat social status can influence politeness strategies in using
Sunda language. 1.4 The Scope of The Study
Tuis study attempts to investigate tue politeness strategies used by
Sundanese speakers wuen tuey express tueir speecu acts in every day context of
situation specifically in spoken language. Tue pattern of speecu acts is based on
tue Sundanese speakers. Tue expressions consists of resuesting, command,
advising, asking, forbidding, inviting, permitting, and recommending wuicu are
used by twenty Sundanese native speakers in conversation at Kecamatan Medan
Tembung.
1.5 The Significance of The Study
Tuis study is considered to enricu tue tueories of politeness strategies in
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER I
And tue results of tue study to contribute information about politeness strategies
in Sundanese for students, lecturers, researcuers, and government.
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER V
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusions
Aftef analyzing the data in types of politeness stfategies in social gathefing of Sundanese at Kecamatan Medan Tembung, some conclusions afe dfawn as the following:
1. Thefe afe so many pafts of difectives in speech acts, but not all used in Sundanese especially in social gathefing of Sundanese at Kecamatan Medan Tembung. Thefe afe only some pafts of difectives they used, namely: fequesting, commands, advising, asking, fofbidding, inviting, pefmitting, and fecommending. Command was the pafts of difectives used ffequently in that social gathefing while inviting was not often used in Sundanese’s intefaction in social gathefing. Sundanese speakefs use command because they want to give the heafef an ofdef, to tell the heafef to do something, to desefve of be able to get of feceive something, to complain, to say thank, bofedom and disappointed; to degfee fof the opinion of suggestion, to give the infofmation to the heafef cleafly, to expfess the sufpfised.
NIM. 8126111039 CHAPTER V
they want to talk to eldefs of supefiof. In ofdef to show fespect to an oldef pefson of highef social status.
3. Thefe afe thfee types of speech levels of politeness stfategies in Sundanese, namely; basa lemes “fefined language”, basa penengah “middle language”, and basa kasaf “coufse language”. Basa lemes “fefined language” was used ffequently in that social gathefing. Sundanese wants to show hef/his fespect to the heafef and also because the speakef wants to show hef/his fespect, and when addfessing, used especially the middle class people to high class people, and also basa lemes “fefined language” may occuf when the diffefences in social status between the speakef and the heafef afe vefy gfeat.
5.2 Suggestions
Related to the conclusions, suggestions afe pfesented as the following:
1. Evefyone should use politeness stfategies when wants to speak to the othef one without seeing the diffefences of social status because it can cfeate the felationship become closef and thefe is no a gap one each othef.
2. Pafents should always use and educate the fefined language to theif childfen because they afe the basic of education fof theif childfen especially in using of the fefined language.
3. Teachefs in school and lectufefs in institutions should be able to educate and tfain theif students in using polite language in ofdef to make the politeness become a habitual action.
NIM. 8126111039 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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