Journal of Pragmatics Research

Metaphorical Euphemisms in Dholuo Marriage Conflict Resolution Program ‘Dak Man Gi Ndhadhu’ on Radio Nam Lolwe

Felix Owino, Bernard Mudogo, Gervasio Miriti — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper investigates the Marriage Conflict Resolution (MCR) discourse among Dholuo speakers, which is full of taboo words, particularly those with sexual connotations and other obscenities. The purpose is to examine the use of metaphorical euphemisms by interlocutors to enhance the comprehension of ideas and to politely avoid taboos for culturally acceptable communicative purposes. The study employs a cognitive linguistics approach to analyze these metaphorical euphemisms. Using a descriptive research design, data are collected through Key Informant Interviews and a digital corpus from the Dholuo marriage conflict resolution program Dak Man Gi Ndhadhu on Radio Nam Lolwe, a vernacular station for Dholuo speakers broadcasting in Kisumu County, Kenya. The Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU) is employed to interrogate whether the expressions and lexical items identified are metaphorical. The items are then transcribed and translated into English.The study findings show that MCR metaphorical euphemisms are conceptualized through the interlocutors’ experiences, such as actions, organisms, food, body parts, journeys, objects, human beings, and nature. The findings indicate that Dholuo speakers effectively apply their understanding of these concepts to enhance their comprehension of marital issues. The study focuses solely on the cognitive-linguistic processes underlying metaphorical euphemism and not on gender-based perspectives. The study concludes that Dholuo speakers conceptualize MCR issues through metaphorical euphemisms to avoid taboo language.

Technology-Assisted Informal Pragmatic Learning Among EFL Learners: Awareness, Speech Acts, And AI Tools

Dewi Cahyaningrum, Sri Haryati — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In today’s digitally connected world, developing pragmatic competence is essential for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. This competence encompasses both pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic abilities, which are critical for using language appropriately across diverse contexts. This study explores how EFL learners informally develop pragmatic competence through digital and AI-assisted learning outside formal classroom settings. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected from 20 purposively selected Indonesian EFL learners through questionnaires and interviews. The study investigates three dimensions: learners’ pragmatic awareness and practices, types of speech acts acquired informally, and the digital tools they employ. Findings reveal that learners show a notable awareness of context-sensitive and polite language use, which is often shaped by repeated exposure to digital content. Commonly acquired speech acts include polite requests, expressions of gratitude, and compliments—frequently encountered in online media. In contrast, more complex acts such as refusals and complaints were less frequently acquired, suggesting limited exposure and the need for deeper sociopragmatic engagement. Learners demonstrated proactive engagement with digital platforms, highlighting the mediating role of technology in informal pragmatic development. Tools such as ChatGPT were valued for their dialogic simulation and personalized feedback, while Grammarly assisted with tone adjustment in written communication. Although digital tools enhance pragmatic awareness, their effectiveness in fostering sociocultural sensitivity appears limited without reflective guidance. This study underscores the need for pedagogical scaffolding to complement informal, AI-assisted learning environments.

Understanding Social Status through Social Deixis and Politeness Strategy in German Series Maxton Hall: The World Between Us

Cattleya Ismi Arafah — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Using Brown and Levinson's (1987) approach, this study examines how politeness and social deixis are used in the German television series Maxton Hall: The World Between Us. The study uses a qualitative descriptive methodology, collecting, classifying, and analyzing data according to the model developed by Miles and Huberman. The analysis finds 196 social deixis, including 35 politeness strategies and relational and absolute forms. Relational social deixis, which mainly expresses intimacy between speakers, seems to occur far more frequently than absolute deixis. The characters' attempts to maintain their dignity and negotiate hierarchical relationships in the affluent setting of Maxton Hall are also evident in the prevalence of Negative Politeness and Off-record strategies. The results imply that politeness strategies and social deixis serve as linguistic instruments for communicating familiarity, controlling social distance, and resolving power dynamics. All things considered, this study shows how Maxton Hall language reflects larger societal trends in German communication, where deixis and politeness are used to strike a balance between authority and intimacy in intricate social structures.

A Pragmatic Analysis of Muharikah’s Novel Sayang yang Tak Terungkap (2023)

Muhammad Danial, Ayu Melati Ningsih, Vera Kristiana — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research examined the politeness strategies employed by the protagonist, Iman Syahirah, in Sayang yang Tak Terungkap (2023), a Malaysian Islamic novel written by Muharikah. Using Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory through a pragmatic analysis, the study identifies and interprets the characters' expressions within diverse social and professional settings. Using a qualitative descriptive method along with documentation and content analysis techniques, the research identifies and interprets the character's expressions within diverse social and professional settings. The results indicate that Iman Syahirah utilizes all four categories of politeness strategies—positive politeness, negative politeness, bald on-record, and off-record. Positive politeness fosters solidarity and empathy among patients and colleagues, whereas negative politeness indicates caution, respect, and an understanding of social distance. The bald-on-record approach emphasizes professional confidence and ethical power, while off-record reflects delicate communication consistent with cultural and religious awareness. These results suggest that politeness in this Islamic novel serves not merely as a linguistic tactic but also as a representation of gender beliefs, power dynamics, and Islamic principles in the Malay-Islamic community. As a result, this research adds to the domain of literary pragmatics by combining linguistic examination with social context and religious identity in depicting a professional Muslim woman.

An Excerpt-based Approach to Thematic Identification and Patterns in Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born

Yemisi M. Famakinwa — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, literary works have enjoyed global recognition, especially among scholars who are interested in both the language use and literary devices therein. Literary works thus have varying ideas and experiences which shape the outcome of the literary work or piece, and talk more about the background of the writer. Hence, African writers in their literature reflect their culture and experiences. Data for this study are sourced from three thematic statements that capture succinctly the three central themes in Armah’s “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born.” It is worth knowing that the three thematic statements are the same as the three selected sentence excerpts in the novel. With insight drawn from postcolonialism(literature) and Systemic Functional linguistics(grammar), the study avers that themes in both language/grammar and literature provide information. Findings show that thematic statements or sentence excerpts contain certain lexical items that, coincidentally, serve as yardsticks in determining the location of themes in grammar. This is the point of convergence between the theme in language/grammar and literature. The study concludes that themes in both language and literature are partly determined by the occurrences of certain lexical items, which may be thematised, especially in thematic statements/sentence excerpts that capture the literary themes to basically infer meaning.

Discursive Sovereignty: How China Constructs Hong Kong as an “Internal Affair”

Ka Hang Wong — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the discursive construction of sovereignty in Hong Kong through a critical discourse analysis of political speeches, legal documents, and press releases spanning from the 1984 Sino-British negotiations to the post-2020 National Security Law era. The research aims to investigate how the totalitarian party-state in China legitimizes its authority over Hong Kong while simultaneously ignoring forms of British nationality held by Hongkongers, and how democratic states, particularly the United Kingdom, respond through visa and asylum pathways. Using a qualitative methodology grounded in Critical Discourse Analysis, the study traces the historical and ideological roots of the narrative of “internal affairs” as constructed through key state discourses and examines how these discourses intersect with concepts of self-determination, civic participation, and legal frameworks. The findings reveal that China employs a combination of hegemonic persuasion and institutional control to frame Hongkongers’ political aspirations as illegitimate, while international responses reflect broader tensions between democratic protection and authoritarian compliance. The research highlights the ongoing contestation of norms surrounding sovereignty, rights, and freedom, illustrating how Hong Kong has become a frontline in the global struggle between democratic and authoritarian discourses. The study concludes that understanding these dynamics provides insight into the mechanisms through which states assert power, control narratives, and shape transnational perceptions of legitimacy, with implications for both international relations and civic activism.

Attitudinal Lexemes in Diplomatic Discourse: An Appraisal Analysis of President Prabowo Subianto’s 2025 UNGA Speech

Evi Endarti — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines how attitudinal lexemes shape Indonesia’s diplomatic stance in President Prabowo Subianto’s 2025 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Drawing on Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics (1994) and Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Framework, the analysis examines evaluative patterns across Affect, Judgment, and Appreciation. A total of 60 attitudinal lexemes were identified: 18 Affect lexemes expressing empathy, collective resolve, and shared humanity; 17 Judgment lexemes articulating moral evaluation and leadership expectations; and 25 Appreciation lexemes assessing international institutions, achievements, and global challenges. While the predominance of positive evaluation aligns with UNGA genre conventions, the findings suggest that such positivity also serves a strategic purpose, legitimizing diplomatic authority, reinforcing moral credibility, and preempting dissent through the normalization of consensus-oriented values. This evaluative pattern contributes to the construction of a moralized international identity that implicitly constrains alternative or oppositional perspectives within global governance discourse. By foregrounding linguistic choices rather than political ideology, the study demonstrates how evaluative language operates as a subtle mechanism of diplomatic legitimation on the global stage.

Error Analysis in Using Passive Voice among University Students: Comparative Taxonomy

Fadlia Azahra, Nur Sehang Thamrin, Afrillia Anggreni, Rofiqoh — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Passive voice remains a key grammatical structure for English learners, particularly in academic writing, yet many students struggle to use it accurately. This study analyzes the types of passive voice errors made by 19 fifth-semester students in the English Education Study Program at Tadulako University. Specifically, it addresses two questions: (1) How do classroom interaction patterns such as teacher-centered grammar instruction, limited student negotiation of meaning, or feedback practices shape students’ understanding and use of passive voice, and to what extent might these dynamics contribute to the dominance of developmental errors? (2) In what ways do students’ sociocultural backgrounds, prior educational experiences, and exposure to English outside the classroom influence their difficulties with auxiliary verbs and tense agreement, and how do these factors mediate tensions between Indonesian linguistic norms and English academic writing conventions? A quantitative design was employed, with a test focusing on passive constructions in present continuous, past continuous, and past perfect tenses. Students’ responses were categorized using Dulay et al.'s (1982) comparative taxonomy of developmental and interlingual errors. Results revealed developmental errors as the most prevalent (89.9%), mainly involving incorrect auxiliary verbs (is, am, are, being, been), past participle formation, and tense agreement. These findings highlight the need for targeted grammar instruction on auxiliary patterns and participles, alongside enhanced practice, corrective feedback, and adjustments to classroom interactions and sociocultural considerations to boost accuracy.

An Analysis of Violations of The Theory of Maxims of Quality in Speech at Bocah-Bocah Kosong (BBK) x Indy Barends

Dina Wulansari, Syihabuddin Syihabuddin, Mahardhika Zifana — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to examine violations of the Maxim of Quality in discussions featured on the YouTube program Bocah-Bocah Kosong X Indy Barends based on Grice’s Maxim Theory (1975). The analysis focuses on utterances that lack evidential support and those that are hyperbolic, metaphorical, imaginative, or fantastical in nature. Adopting a qualitative pragmatic approach, the data were analyzed through content analysis, supported by the calculation of intercoder reliability using Krippendorff’s alpha and multimodal triangulation. The findings reveal that the most dominant forms of violation are hyperbolic humor (38%), absurd metaphors (22%), false identity claims (18%), and supernatural or fantasy-related statements (12%). These results indicate that violations of the Maxim of Quality do not merely represent communicative errors; rather, they function as performative strategies employed by Generation Z to construct humor, social solidarity, and creative, imaginative speaker identities within digital spaces. Theoretically, this study contributes to contemporary pragmatic scholarship by positioning maxim violations as meaningful communicative practices in digital culture. Nevertheless, the study is limited by the narrow scope of data, which is confined to a single episode with a relatively small number of utterances, as well as by the potential for performativity bias due to the entertainment-oriented nature of the content. Accordingly, future research is recommended to expand the data corpus, compare diverse contexts of Generation Z digital communication, and develop cross-maxim analyses of Grice’s framework in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the pragmatic strategies of the digital generation.

Presuppositions in Descriptive Utterances on Kawula-Gusti of the Song Ingsun as Alternative Learning Materials for Javanese Language in Junior High Schools

Angelica Wahyu Kartika Budiarti, Sugeng Adipitoyo, Ahmad Rizky Wahyudi — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Presupposition in descriptive utterances functions as an effective linguistic strategy for subtly instilling philosophical and theological assumptions, as manifested in the contemporary song "Ingsun" by Sujiwo Tejo. This study aims to examine the forms and functions of presupposition that construct the concept of Kawula-Gusti (Servant-God relationship) in the song's lyrics, and to analyze its relevance as Javanese language teaching material in Junior High Schools. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques utilizing listening and note-taking, based on the synthesis of presupposition theories by Stalnaker, Karttunen, and Yule, combined with Austin's locutionary acts and Keraf’s descriptive theory. The findings indicate that the lyrics are dominated by lexical and existential presuppositions which implicitly instill a profound understanding of Dununge (Position), Kuwasane (Authority), and Nuju Gambuhe (Union) of the Kawula-Gusti. The descriptive utterances require the listener's cognitive accommodation to accept theological truths as background facts without rigid indoctrination. These findings have strong pedagogical relevance for Javanese Language learning at the JHS Phase D level within the Merdeka Curriculum framework, particularly for training students' interpretive abilities toward implicit meaning and strengthening character based on the Pancasila Student Profile. However, acknowledging that the reliance on a single culturally and theologically dense text limits generalizability across diverse learner backgrounds, this study recommends extending the analytical framework to multiple Javanese texts of varying genres and difficulty levels to ensure broader applicability and instructional flexibility.

Defamatory Speech Acts on Social Media: A Forensic Pragmatics Analysis

Mu'aliyah Hi Asnawi Asnawi — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to analyze defamatory speech acts on social media from a forensic pragmatics perspective using a documentation study method. The research is grounded in the growing number of cases involving utterances that damage the reputation of individuals or groups through digital platforms such as Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, and YouTube. The research data were obtained from digital documentation in the form of posts, comments, and screenshots, supported by scholarly literature and relevant legal decisions. The analysis was conducted by identifying types of speech acts (locutionary, illocutionary, perlocutionary), communication contexts, and reputational effects based on Austin and Searle’s speech act theory. The findings indicate that the most dominant forms of speech acts in defamation cases are illocutionary assertives (43.34%) and expressive acts (40%), typically manifested as accusations, insults, or insinuations that harm a person’s reputation. However, given the complex and multimodal nature of online discourse often infused with cultural implicatures, irony, and digital semiotics the classical speech act framework may not be sufficient to capture the full pragmatic meaning. Therefore, integrating complementary approaches such as the appraisal system, stance analysis, or multimodal pragmatics can provide a more nuanced understanding of evaluative positioning, affective stance, and meaning construction in social media interactions. The forensic pragmatics analysis also reveals that indirect speech acts often carry the same legal consequences as explicit utterances, depending on the context, speaker's intention, and public perception. Digital traces (screenshots, metadata, comments, and reposts) are shown to function as linguistic forensic evidence in legal proceedings. The study concludes that the forensic pragmatics approach is effective for analyzing defamatory utterances, as it enables the simultaneous assessment of linguistic, contextual, and legal dimensions. The study recommends collaboration among linguists, law enforcement, and policymakers in developing guidelines for addressing defamation cases on social media.

A Pragmatic Analysis of Young Children’s Speech Acts During Shared Book Reading Interactions

Indira Fitri Apriani, Syihabuddin Syihabuddin, Mahardhika Zifana — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines young children’s speech acts during shared book reading within a natural family setting. The data consist of 151 naturally occurring utterances produced by two children aged 5 and 7 years (RA and NH) while reading several storybooks with their mother. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the study employed recording, transcription, utterance unit identification, and coding based on Searle’s classification of speech acts and Austin’s concept of illocutionary functions. The findings reveal that representative acts dominate the children’s utterances (81), followed by directives (31), expressives (30), and commissives (9). Declarative acts were absent, as young children do not yet possess the social authority required to perform linguistically transformative actions. The analysis also shows distinct pragmatic patterns between the two children: NH produced more representative and inferential utterances, whereas RA tended to use expressive and directive acts when responding to the story and illustrations. These results demonstrate that shared book reading provides a rich context for eliciting diverse speech acts and highlights developmental differences in the pragmatic abilities of children aged 5–7. This study contributes to the field by presenting naturalistic data from an Indonesian family context and by emphasizing the role of shared book reading interactions in shaping early pragmatic development.

Subtitling Strategies of Colloquial Expressions in Madame Web (2024) on Netflix

Zefanya Yacub, Nur Utami Sari’at Kurniati, Jordy Satria Widodo — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Colloquial language frequently appears in contemporary films, making it challenging for translators to convey natural meaning and contextual implications across different languages and cultures. This study examines the subtitling strategies employed to translate colloquial expressions in Madame Web (2024), available on Netflix. The research focuses on identifying the types of colloquial expressions produced by the main female characters and analyzing the strategies employed by the translator in transferring meaning from English into Indonesian. A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted, drawing upon Gottlieb’s (1992) subtitling strategy framework and Partridge’s (1954) classification of colloquial forms. The data were collected through observation and note-taking, examining the utterances of the main characters in both the source language and their translated subtitles. Among the fifty-four colloquial expressions identified, seven out of Gottlieb’s ten strategies were observed, with paraphrasing used most frequently. The findings suggest that the translator tends to adapt the meaning to ensure the message remains natural and easily comprehensible to the target-language audience. Furthermore, the most frequent colloquial forms found were phrasal verbs and single words, reflecting a conversational style typical of native speakers in informal contexts. Overall, the findings suggest that the translator strives to maintain language appropriateness and clear meaning when translating expressions that lack direct Indonesian equivalents.

Investigating Language and Power Dynamics in Obama's Farewell Speech: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Cut Ade Sukma, Fadhlur Rahman — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Every word spoken, every sentence constructed, and every discourse contains ideological weight that reflects the power structures within society. In the political landscape of the United States, presidential speeches hold a special position as a genre of discourse that not only reflects the individual vision of a leader, but also represents the aspirations, values, and identity of the nation. This phenomenon becomes even more significant when analyzed through the lens of critical discourse analysis, which allows researchers to uncover layers of meaning hidden behind linguistic constructions. This study uses critical discourse analysis to examine Barack Obama's farewell speech as a complex discourse practice that reflects and shapes contemporary American socio-political reality. Using Fairclough's three-dimensional analytical framework, this study analyzes the speech in terms of its textual, discursive, and sociocultural dimensions during the contentious transition to the Trump administration. Textual analysis reveals the strategic use of language with carefully chosen vocabulary and grammatical constructions, reinforcing the themes of unity and democracy. At the discourse practice level, the speech employs effective rhetorical strategies, including personal addresses and compelling narratives to build emotional connections with the audience. Sociocultural analysis shows deep integration with the American institutional context, evidenced by the strategic choice of location in Chicago, acknowledgment of racial challenges, and calls to overcome intensifying political polarization. Findings indicate that Obama's farewell speech illustrates how political discourse functions as an instrument for maintaining and transforming democratic values during critical political transitions. The speech's power stems from its sophisticated linguistic construction and its capacity to respond to the broader sociopolitical context with profound nuance.