Politeness Strategies in Karonese Language
“Cabur Bulung”
A THESIS
By:
Elita Modesta Br. Sembiring
Registration number: 8106111008
Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
vii ABSTRACT
ELITA MODESTA BR SEMBIRING. Politeness Strategies in Karonese Language “Cabur Bulung”. Thesis. Medan. Postgraduate School of the State University of Medan, 2012.
The aim of this study was to find out the politeness strategies of Karonese
language in pre marital party or “Cabur Bulung” party. The subjects were taken
from the participants of the cabur bulung party. There are five participants involved in the party, namely kalimbubu, anak beru, the representative of
kalimbubu, the representative of anak beru, and penetua adat karo. The
techniques of collecting data were observing and recording the speeches of the participants in the cabur bulung party then interviewing „penetua adat karo’ . The research observed the subject closely and interviewed them to certify the trusworthiness of this research. This study investigated the politeness strategies in Karonese language, such as the using of kinship form, the repetion, the pronoun, indirect speech, greeting, and some phrases such as „uga’ and „uga ninta’. Then, the type of politeness strategies found in that party are positive politeness strategy, negative politeness strategy, and off record strategy. Compared to negative politeness strategy and off record strategy, positive politeness strategy is dominantly used by the speakers. The reason for applying this dominant type of politeness is caused by the speakers who are involved in that party tried to save
the hearer‟s face by getting closer to the hearer. As there is rebu or the prohibition
to talk directly, the speaker tries to avoid the recklesness in the party. Thus, it minimizes the distance between speaker and hearer by getting closer each other.
Key word:
politeness strategies
positive politeness staretgy
negative politeness strategy
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The writer’s endless gratitude is primarily expressed to Jesus, the Lord of
the universe, for giving the writer strength to finish this thesis during her study in Post Graduate of the State University of Medan.
The writer would like to express her deep and sincere gratitude of advisers, Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd, and Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S. Their knowledge and logical way of thinking have been a great value for the writer. The understanding, encouraging, and personal guidance have provided the writer good basis during her study and completion of this thesis.
Her sincere thanks also to all examiners Prof. Dr. Lince Sihombing,
M.Pd, Prof. Amrin saragih, M.A, Ph.D, and Dr. Didik Santoso, M.Pd, for their
suggestion to the improvement during the research. All of heir suggestions and logical ways of research have given the encouragement to finish this thesis. Her gratitude is also due to Head and Secretary of English Applied Linguistics Study Program, Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd, and Dr. Anni Holila Pulungan,
M.Hum who have been like a father and mother for the writer. They have given
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Then, a very special debt of gratitude is directed to her beloved father
Anwar Sembiring and her beloved mother Sada Ukur Br Tarigan, for their
love, prayers, care, spirit, and financially support. Then, to her beloved sister
Rehmalemna Br Sembiring, S.Pd and her beloved brothers, Parlindungan
Sembiring and Salpyanus Sembiring Amd, for their love, spirit, care and
prayers. Sspecial thanks faced to her beloved Pratu Benni Ginting for his full love, support, care, and prayers during study until the completion this study.
Finally, a special debt of gratitude is addressed to all of her beloved best friends Srisofian Sianturi, S.S. M. Hum, Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, S.S, Martha
Oktavia Togatorop, S.Pd and all her classmates LTBI A2 for their close
friendship and encouragement in finishing this thesis.
The last but not the least, the writer realizes this thesis is still far from being perfect. Therefore, any criticisms, suggestions, and comments will be highly appreciated.
May God Bless Us!
Medan, September, 6th, 2012 The Writer,
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1.6 The Significance of the Study ... 8
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 Theoritical Description ... 9
2.1.1 Politeness ... 13
2.1.2 Politeness Strategies ... 14
2.1.3 Types of Politeness Strategies ... 25
2.1.4 Karonese Language ... 27
2.1.5 Politeness in Karo Language ... 28
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3.4 The Technique of Data Collection ... 39
3.5 The Technique of Data Analysis ... 40
3.6 The Trusworthiness of the Study ... 42
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 4.1 The Data and data Analysis ... 46
4.1.1 Politeness Strategies in Karo Language ... 46
4.1.1.1 Using Kinship Forms ... 46
4.1.1.2 Using Pronoun ... 48
4.1.1.3 Using Indirect Speech ... 49
4.1.1.4 Using Repetion ... 50
4.1.1.5 Using the Phrases ... 51
4.1.1.6 Using the Greeting ... 53
4.1.2 Types of Politeness Strategies by the Speakers in Cabur Bulung .. 55
4.1.2.1 Positive Politeness Strategies ... 57
4.1.2.2 Negative Politeness Strategies ... 63
4.1.2.3 Off Record Strategy ... 65
4.1.3 The Reason for Applying the Dominant Type ... 66
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LIST OF TABLE
Table 4.1 The Number of Types of Politeness Strategies ... 55
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LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1. Possible strategies for doing FTAs (Brown & Levinson 1987: 69) ... 15
Figure 2. Communication Strategy (Brown and Levinson in Yule 1996: 66) ... 17
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of the Study
The relationship between culture and politeness has been studied by the researcher. Culture is part of human being. It is considered to be group-specific behavior that is acquired, at least in part, from social influences. It is created and transmitted to others in a society. Cultures are not the product of lone individuals. They are the continuously evolving products of people interacting with each other. Cultural patterns such as language and politics make no sense except in terms of the interaction of people. Because culture is the result of the interaction among people (Kraft and Geluykens , 2007: 9).
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our image or face in the hearer point of view. One can be impolite if he/she cannot
identify the hearer‟s culture and the contexts of the situation. Different tribes have
different way to say something. It is based on the hearer‟s culture and context. For example, in Batak Toba tribe, the speakers tend to answer a question by using
„inna hamu‟. This phrase makes the utterance more polite. While in other cultures do not have it or may use different way. That is why the way people communication is different. It depends on its culture. Each culture influences the way its people talking. Brown (1999:165) describes a language is a part of a culture and a culture is a part of language; the two are intricately interwoven so that one cannot separate the two without losing the significance of either language or culture. In a word, culture and language are inseparable. That is why, the degree of politeness in speaking is not the same in every person. It is based on their culture and habit. Culture has significant actor in politeness.
Brown and Levinson (1987) stated that politeness is the term used to describe the extent to which actions, such the way we say something. When we are speaking, the utterances we produce are our action to show the politeness. The
utterances should be able to save the hearer‟s and feeling enjoyable. The
utterances through the language we use will be a judgement whether we are polite or not. Brown and Levinson formulated that there are four types of politeness strategies that can save the hearer‟s face. The strategies formulated by these two
theorists were focus on saving the hearer‟s face by saying something as polite as
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positive politeness strategy, negative politeness strategy, and off record strategy.
Bald on record strategy is used to minimize the threat of the hearer‟s face. It
seems that the speaker in this strategy makes the hearer feels uncomfortable when they are speaking. It shocks the hearer. In contrast, positive politeness strategy is used to minimize the threat to the hearer‟s positive face. It is a strategy of speaking which uses a metaphorical extension of intimacy to imply common ground or sharing of wants to be a limited extent. It is used to make the hearer feel good about himself, his interests or possessions. It is most usually used in situations where the audience knows each other very well. Positive politeness also includes the statements of friendship, solidarity, and compliments. It usually attempts to minimize the distance between the speaker and the hearer. The speaker
respects the hearer‟ need to be liked and understood. While, negative politeness
strategy is oriented towards the hearer‟s negative face and emphasize avoidance of imposition on the hearer. This strategy presumes that the speaker will be imposing on the listener. It has higher potential for awkwardness or embarrassment than in bald on record strategy and positive politeness strategies. The last but not the least is off record strategy which uses indirect language and removes the speaker from the potential to be imposing. It is also called as indirect way of saving something which may cause a face damaging interpretation. It is usually in the form of declarative sentence.
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that human societies use communication strategies to avoid or minimize conflict, and increase comfortable and understood. Speaking politely with other speakers is conducted to maintain the harmony of relationship and to avoid conflict. The harmony in an interaction between the speaker and the hearer is kept in order to share information, willingness and build interaction also avoid misunderstanding
among them. Politeness can be apllied by the utterances with consider the hearer‟s
culture.
Karonese is one of several numbers of etnic groups in Indonesia which is known as etnic group that uses politeness in communication. Karonese uses its language in daily life. In making communication to interact, Karonese is familiar to be polite or in Karonese language calls mehamat. To be polite is vey important because politeness is the way to avoid conflict in communication.
To be polite in Karonese language are related to the action that is taboo to do and to say. It is called „rebu‟ (pantang). The way to talk to someone who is honored will be different when they speaking to others. For example, when speaking to kalimbubu (the group of people which is very honored in Karonese culture), anak beru is not free to talk.
Past time ago as there is something taboo to do and to say „rebu‟ Karonese
has the phrase to call kalimbubu. The politeness is expressed by the utterance
“Mehamat man Kalimbubu” means being polite to Kalimbubu and “Kalimbubu
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will be called as „si la meteh adat” means someone who does not know the
custom or impolite person (Prints, Darwin 2004)
Nowdays, practically this phrase has been changed. It can be seen that religion has changed this culture. The strategy to use the phrase such “Dibata si
idah” which is faced to kalimbubu is not maintained. It is caused by people have
believed that there is only one God who created us. They do not use the phrase to praise their Kalimbubu. Culturally, it has broken the culture of Karonese which maintain the politeness but it is not being problem and everyone has done the change. The strategy to use the phrase of being polite has not being used not only in daily life but also in some cultural parties. The strategy has been changed into the use of indirect speech and the use of phrase „uga ninta‟ means what we say rather than to use the phrase or utterance to praise someone who is very honored. It shows that in Karonese culture, the indicator of being polite has been changed.
Furthermore, Ginting (2005) stated that being polite in Karo language can be expressed through the use of pronouns, greetings, and indirect speech. The use of these elements in communication show the relationship between the speaker and the listener. In order to be polite to speak, they use the strategy. For example, when speaking to someone who is very honored, Karonese tends to use indirect speech. Karonese never speak directly because it is not polite strategy. Then by
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In addition, Ginting explain that politeness in Karo language is determined by their relationship. For example, Kalimbubu is a group of people which is very honored. Thus, Anak beru can not talk freely to their Kalimbubu and Anak beru always keep politeness in communication.
Related to Cabur Bulung party as a kind of wedding ceremony, the relatives or group of people from the woman or bride are called Kalimbubu to the relatives of the man or bridegroom called anak beru. Therefore, anak beru tries to be polite as good as possible in wedding ceremony where the oral communication happens during this party. For this reason, it is better to know the politeness expressed in pre marital party or Cabur Bulung party .
1.2 The Focus of the Study
Based on explanation above, this study focused on politeness strategies and the sub focuses are the four types of politeness strategies and the realization of types of politeness strategies in Cabur Bulung party.
1.3 The Problems of the Study
The problems of the study are formulated as the following.
1. How are the politeness strategies expressed by Karonese in Cabur Bulung party?
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3. What type of politeness strategy is dominantly used by Karonese in Cabur
Bulung party?
4. Why is the type dominantly used by Karonese in that party?
1.4 The Objectives of the Study
In relation to the problems, the objectives of the study are:
1) to describe the politeness strategies expressed by Karonese in Cabur Bulung party,
2) to elaborate the types of politeness strategies applied by Karonese in Cabur
Bulung party
3) to elaborate the dominant type of politeness strategy used by Karonese in
Cabur Bulung party and,
4) to explain the reason for using the dominant type of politeness strategy in that party.
1.5The Scope of the Study
The main aspect of this study is to see the politeness strategies used by
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1.6 The Significance of the Study
The findings of this study are expected to be significantly relevant
theoritically and practically. Theoritically, the research findings are expected to enrich the theories of linguistic politeness strategies, specifically the spoken language is spoken medium by certain community, mainly the Karonese society. This study considered being useful initially to provide the information of what politeness strategies used by Karonese native speakers when they express their oral communication in cultural party context of situation. Consequently, it will give better understanding and new insight of how politeness strategies are related to the aspect of pragmatic study. This contribution will in turn give tentative framework for a comprehensive analysis of politeness.
Practically, since the research focuses on Karonese native speakers in
Cabur Bulung party, hopefully it is useful for teachers and lecturers of
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusions
This thesis is about the politeness strategies in Karonese language, in the context of cultural party “Cabur Bulung”. There are six strategies used by
Karonese people in order to be polite in the party. They are the using the use of kinship, pronoun, repetion, indirect speech, greetings, and some phrases such
“uga” (how), and uga ninta (what do we say). The types of politeness strategies
are positive politeness strategy, negative politeness strategy, and off record strategy. In analysis the type of politeness strategies, there are some useful insights on the dominant type of politeness strategy used by the speaker of Karonese language in the party. There are some points to be exposed in relation to the types of politeness strategies.
1. Karonese people have different ways to express politeness in communication.
2. The type of politeness strategy which is dominantly used by Karonese people in the party is positive politeness strategy. The reason for applying positive politeness strategy as the dominanlty type used by Karonese people in cabur bulung party is speakers who are involved in that party try
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the prohibition to talk directly, the speaker tries to avoid the recklessness in the party.
3. Something which is polite in one culture can be perceived as impolite in another culture. Althought, there will be the tendency that every culture also has the similarity of using politeness strategy.
5.2 Suggestions
It is suggested to those who concerned with Karo language to learn about politeness strategy.
1. It is suggested to Karo native speakers to get involved in the party as language is used by using politeness strategies because politeness strategies help people especially Karo native speakers as the language users to communicate well in daily communication and in cultural parties.
2. It is also suggested to all parents especially Karo native speakers as the real model of good educator to use and to teach their children from the beginning to use politeness strategies in order to be polite in communicating to other. 3. It is suggested to the lecturers who play an important role in teaching
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