AN ANALYSIS OF POLITENESS STRATEGY BETWEEN ELLEN...
Transcript of AN ANALYSIS OF POLITENESS STRATEGY BETWEEN ELLEN...
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AN ANALYSIS OF POLITENESS STRATEGY BETWEEN
ELLEN DEGENERES AND BARRACK OBAMA IN
THE ELLEN SHOW
A Thesis
Submitted to Faculty of Adab and Humanities
In partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
The Degree of Strata One (S1)
GADING AYU KUSUMA LISTY
1112026000003
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ADAB AND HUMANITIES
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
JAKARTA
2016
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ABSTRACT
Gading Ayu Kusuma Listy, An Analysis of Politeness Strategy between Ellen
DeGeneres and Barrack Obama in The Ellen Show. Thesis. Jakarta: English
Letters Department, Letters and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University
(UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, August 2016.
This research is on pragmatics politeness of an interview between Ellen
DeGeneres and the United States President, Barrack Obama in Ellen DeGeneres
show episode 12 February 2016. It is a qualitative research that used Brown and
Levinson‟s politeness strategy (1978), supported by J.L. Austin‟s speech act
theory (1962). By applying the theories, the writer found that Both Ellen and
Obama were observed politeness strategy. In Ellen‟s utterance, the writer found
two Brown and Levinson‟s strategies which are positive and negative politeness.
Meanwhile, in Obama‟s utterance, the writer found one Brown and Levinson‟s
strategy which is positive politeness. The choices of strategy from the participants
are influenced by varied payoffs and sociological factors. The payoffs factors are
„save and satisfy‟ guest‟s face, „save and satisfy‟ host‟s face, and „save and
satisfy‟ viewers‟ face. Meanwhile, the sociological factors are the social distance
between speaker and hearer and the relative power of speaker and hearer.
Keywords: Pragmatics, Politeness, Positive strategy, and Negative strategy.
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by
another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the
award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institutes of higher
learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text.
Jakarta, August 28th
2016
Gading Ayu Kusuma Listy
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
All praises be to Allah SWT. The real writer‟s guide, who amazingly and
mysteriously guides and helps her in the process of making this thesis. Peace and
salutation be upon the greatest prophet Muhammad SAW, his family,
companions, and adherents.
The writer wants to say many thanks to her family: her mother (Mrs. Lilis
Mawati) and father (Mr. Erlangga Wijaya Kusuma) who have taken care the
writer and always support her much morally and materially, their merits and
sacrifice will never be paid, and her beloved sisters (Anindita and Sajida) who
have given her supports and kindness. The writer also wants to give her gratitude
to Mrs. Alfi Syahriyani, M.Hum as the thesis advisor for her time, guidance, and
contribution in correcting and helping the writer in finishing this thesis, so, the
writer can complete the research. She thanks for all of her advices that have been
delivered to her; and may Allah SWT bless her and her family.
In writing this thesis, the writer would like to express her deepest gratitude
to the following persons:
1. Prof. Dr. Syukran Kamil, M.Ag. as the Dean of Faculty of Letters and
Humanities.
2. Drs. Saefudin, M.Pd as the Head of English Letters Department.
3. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum, as the Secretary of English Letters Department.
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4. All lectures of English Letters Department, who have taught and educated the
writer very well during her study at State Islamic University Syarif Hidatullah
Jakarta.
5. Finally, the writer would like to thank everybody, all friends who are important
to the successful realization of the thesis, as well as expressing her apology that
the writer could not mention personally one by one. Thanks for being good
friends. The writer also thanks to Abrar Alifian Epsa, her beloved who always
support, strengthen, help, and motivate the writer.
May Allah, the all-Hearer, and all-Knower gives his blesses to us and gives
them more that what they have been given to the writer. Ameen.
Jakarta, August 28th
, 2016
The Writer
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ i
APPROVEMENT ................................................................................................... ii
LEGALIZATION .................................................................................................. iii
DECLARATION ................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................... v
TABLE OF CONTENS ........................................................................................ vii
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF DIAGRAM .............................................................................................. x
LIST OF ABBREVIATION .................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1. Background of the Study ...................................................................... 1
2. Focus of the Study ................................................................................ 5
3. Research Question ................................................................................ 6
4. Objectives of the Study ......................................................................... 6
5. Significances of the Study .................................................................... 7
6. Research Methodology ......................................................................... 8
6.1. Method of Research .................................................................... 8
6.2. Unit of Analysis .......................................................................... 9
6.3. Technique of Data Collecting & Processing ............................... 9
6.4. Technique of Data Analysis ...................................................... 10
7. Conceptual Framework ....................................................................... 11
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CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................. 12
1. Previous research ................................................................................ 12
2. Pragmatics ........................................................................................... 14
3. Speech Act .......................................................................................... 17
4. Politeness Strategy .............................................................................. 21
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDING ................................................................ 31
1. Data Description ................................................................................. 31
2. Data Analysis ...................................................................................... 32
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTION ...................................... 60
1. Conclusions ......................................................................................... 60
2. Suggestions ......................................................................................... 62
WORKS CITED ................................................................................................... 63
APPENDIC ........................................................................................................... 66
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 The five general function of speech act ................................................ 19
Table 3.1. Politeness strategies in corpus data ...................................................... 31
Table 3.2. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 1 ................................ 34
Table 3.3 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 2 ................................. 37
Table 3.4 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 3 ................................. 39
Table 3.5 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 4 ................................. 40
Table 3.6 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 5 ................................. 42
Table 3.7 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 6 ................................. 44
Table 3.8 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 7 ................................. 46
Table 3.9 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 8 ................................. 47
Table 3.10 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 9 ............................... 50
Table 3.11 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 10 ............................. 52
Table 3.12 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 11 ............................. 54
Table 3.13 The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 12 ............................. 57
Table 3.14. Politeness strategies used by Ellen .................................................... 58
Table 3.15. Politeness strategies used by Obama ................................................ 59
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LIST OF DIAGRAM
Diagram 1.1. Conceptual Framework................................................................... 11
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation Explanation
S Speaker
H Hearer
X Situation
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1. Background of Study
One of the best human‟s treasures which cannot be found in animals or
other creatures is their languages skill (Dardjowodjojo 189). Human‟s languages
skill can help them communicate and exchange information with others,
verbally or not. Communication is a process where somebody or some people,
group, organization, and society created and use information in order to be
connected with the environment and others (Stewart 4). The aim of
communication is to share knowledge or experience through spoken language,
written, movement, and broadcasting.
The greatest benefit from communication according to Stewart and Brent
is to build the social network and nothing more important than the relationship
with the others, family ties, friendship, and colleague. (Stewart 5) The process
can be done through interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication
is the communication between one person and another or others. It is often
referred to as face-to-face communication between two or more people. Both
verbal and nonverbal communication and body language, play a part in how one
person understands another. In verbal interpersonal communication, there are
two types of messages being sent: a content message and a relational message.
(Trenholm and Jensen 360)
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Content messages are messages about the topic at hand and relational
messages are messages about the relationship itself. This means that relational
messages come across in how one says something and it demonstrates a person‟s
feelings, whether positive or negative, towards the individual they are talking to,
indicating not only how they feel about the topic at hand, but also how they feel
about their relationship with the other individual (Trenholm and Jensen 360)
Sometimes when people do a communication, they can be possibly
uttering words that can hurt their interlocutor‟s feeling, so it is very important to
keep the interlocutor‟s feeling while having a conversation in order to avoid a
possible gap in the relationship with the others. Communication process can be
done privately or watched by the public, for example, is the communication
process in the talk show. The talk show is a television programming or radio
programming genre in which one person or group of people discusses various
topics put forth by a talk show host. (Niven, Lichter and Amundson 118)
Usually, guests consist of a group of people who are learned or who have great
experience in relation to whatever issue is being discussed on the show for that
episode.
One of the most successful talk show is Ellen DeGeneres Show. It is an
American television talk show hosted by comedian / actress Ellen DeGeneres.
Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs
in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal, (When It's On–The
Ellen DeGeneres Show) in the United States and Canada. The program
combines comedy, celebrity, musical guests and human-interest stories. Other
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non-celebrities have been featured in an attempt by DeGeneres to give them 15
minutes of fame. Guests in this role have included intelligent children, small
business owners, etc. The program often features audience participation games
where prizes are awarded. In Indonesia, Ellen DeGeneres Show is available in
Life Time Asia Channel.
The show has won 38 Daytime Emmy Awards, including four
for Outstanding Talk Show (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) and three for Outstanding
Talk Show Entertainment (2010, 2011, 2013). DeGeneres herself has won
the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host four times
(2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). The show has also won Emmys for numerous writing
and technical categories. It won the Genesis Award for "Best Talk Show" in
2010 and 2012. DeGeneres has won the People's Choice Award for "Favorite
Daytime TV Host" 14 times. The show averages around 3.9 million viewers per
episode, according to daytime television ratings, making it a highly viewed
daytime show. (Seidman)
Ellen DeGeneres, as the successful talk show host who has won many
awards and got millions viewers for her talk show has a responsibility to take
care of her talk show‟s value. Ellen has to maintain her utterance in order to save
her dignity as a speaker and to respect the guest‟s feeling as an interlocutor. In
the episode, February 12, 2016, the guest who attended the show is Mr. Barrack
Obama, President of United Stated. Ellen not only has a responsible to save Mr.
Obama‟s feeling, but also to save his dignity as President since their
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communication was watched by millions of people. Beside Ellen, Mr. Obama
also needs to maintain his utterance in order to save his dignity as President.
It is attracted writer to do a research on this talk show, because writer
identifies the application of politeness strategy in the dialogue of the talk show
which the speaker must rationally assess the possible face-threatening nature or
utterances that can hurt hearer‟s feeling which speaker is about to make and then
decide either to avoid it entirely, or at least to soften or minimize it by choosing
an appropriate linguistic strategies.
Politeness Strategy is a theory by Brown and Levinson. In the spirit of
Grice, Brown and Levinson posit a Model Person (MP) with the ability to
rationalize from communicative goals to the optimal means of achieving those
goals. In doing so, the MP has to assess the dangers of threatening other
participants‟ (and hence her/his own) face and to choose the appropriate
strategies in order to minimize any face threats that might be involved in
carrying out the goal-directed activity. In contrast to Leech‟s model, therefore,
Brown and Levinson‟s model can be seen as an attempt to formulate a theory of
how individuals produce linguistic politeness, i.e. it is a production model.
(Watts 85)
Face in Brown and Levinson‟s model is a theoretical construct which The
MP, with the ability to rationalize from communicative goals to the optimal
means of achieving those goals, seems to fit well with their redefinition of face,
but it is questionable whether the phenomenon of politeness can be reduced to
forms of rational means--goals behavior. They claim they have taken from the
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work of Erving Goffman. (Gunarwan 261) The MP in Brown and Levinson‟s
model refers to the „speaker‟, and the only reason the addressee is brought into
the picture is in order that the MP can assess which the most appropriate
politeness strategy to use in the circumstances. No mention is made of the ways
in which the addressee may react to the politeness strategy produced. Focus in
Brown and Levinson‟s model is thus on the speaker, whereas in Leech‟s model
it is on the hearer. (Watts 85)
Based on that background, the writer is attracted to do a research to find
out the politeness strategy that is implied in the dialogue of the talk show.
Research is a series of activities that are arranged in a systematic and procedural
to find the truth, to prove theories or assumptions that have been discovered, or
solve a problem (Farkhan 2). To analyze and assess the strategies used on Ellen
DeGeneres talk show, the writer uses Politeness Strategy Theory by Brown and
Levinson.
2. Focus of the Study
According to the background of the study which has been described
above, the writer considers the need to focus on the main problem. The writer
limits the research only on the application of politeness strategy between Ellen
and Obama in Ellen DeGeneres talk show episode February 12, 2016, which is
viewed from Brown and Levinson‟s politeness strategy theory.
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3. Research Questions
Based on the main problem of this research that has been outlined earlier,
the writer has formulated the questions as follow:
3.1. What kinds of politeness strategies used by Ellen as the host of Ellen
DeGeneres Show when communicate with the guest of the talk show
which implied to save the speaker‟s and interlocutor‟s face from Face
Threatening Act (FTA) caused by her speech?
3.2. What kinds of politeness strategies used by the guest of the show, Mr.
Barrack Obama when communicate with Ellen DeGeneres which
implied to save the speaker‟s and interlocutor‟s face from Face
Threatening Act (FTA) caused by his speech?
3.3. What are the factors influencing speaker to choose kinds of politeness
strategies in the dialogue?
4. Objectives of Study
In general, this research aims to describe the application of politeness
strategy in Ellen DeGeneres talk show episode 12 February 2016 which is
viewed from Brown and Levinson‟s politeness strategy theory. In particular, this
research aims to:
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4.1. Describe kinds of politeness strategies used by Ellen as the host of Ellen
DeGeneres Show when communicate with the guest of the talk show
which implied to save the speaker‟s and interlocutor‟s face from Face
Threatening Act (FTA) caused by her speech.
4.2. Describe kinds of politeness strategies used by the guest of the show,
Mr. Barrack Obama when communicate with Ellen DeGeneres which
implied to save the speaker‟s and interlocutor‟s face from Face
Threatening Act (FTA) caused by his speech.
4.3. Know the factors influencing speaker to choose kinds of politeness
strategies in the dialogue.
5. Significances of the Study
This research of politeness strategy in Ellen DeGeneres Show is expected to
give benefits theoretically and practically. Theoretically, this research can enrich
the previous research on politeness strategy and speech act. Practically, this
research becomes one of useful reference materials for the readers who are
interested in politeness strategies in Ellen DeGeneres talk show. Besides, it can
give recommendations for readers in choosing communication strategy and give
advantageous for practitioners in the communication field.
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6. Research Methodology
“Research methodology is a set of principles which is essential for the
research process.” (Farkhan 52) In this research, the research methodology is
divided into some parts as follow:
6.1. Method of Research
This research is in the pragmatics field and conducted by using
qualitative research method. The qualitative data refers to types of
information that are non-countable or not expressed numerically. This
information includes elements that are termed intangible or
immeasurable because they express qualities, values, the state of
mind, and ideas. (Franklin 17). According to the analysis, this research
applies descriptive analysis that “involves gathering data that describe
events and then organizes, tabulates, depicts, and describes the data
collection” (The Association for Educational Communications and
Technology)
The reason of using qualitative research is because this research
uses a transcript data from a talk show‟s dialogue which is a verbal
and not numerical data and the data will focus on the state of mind and
ideas of the speakers.
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6.2. Unit of Analysis
The unit of analysis in this research is the politeness strategies in
Ellen DeGeneres talk show episode February 12, 2016. The data is a
transcription from the dialogue in the talk show which contains
politeness strategy. The source of the data is from YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLHo6uyICVk
6.3. Technique of Data Collecting & Processing
According to Ed. Subroto, key element for the qualitative
research method is the writer (Subroto 4). The writer does some
steps to collect and process the data as follow:
1. Identifying the problem by watching Ellen DeGeneres talk
show video, listens carefully to the dialogue, makes a
transcription of the dialogue, reads the whole dialogue
transcription.
2. Justifying the main problem of the research by picking the
dialogue of the host and guest of the talk show which
assumed contain politeness strategy.
3. Reducing the dialogue that is not accordance with the
research problem.
4. Coding the dialogues which contain politeness strategy by
numbering the transcription.
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6.4. Technique of Data Analysis
In this research, the writer does some steps in analyzing data, such
as:
6.4.1. Classifying politeness strategy that implied Face Saving
Act (FSA) of the speaker and interlocutor based on the
context, illocutionary act, and kind of politeness strategy.
6.4.2. Analyzing speech act sentences using Brown and
Levinson‟s politeness strategy theory and J.L.
Austin‟s speech act theory which are used as the
main theories in this research.
6.4.3. Explaining politeness strategy that implied Face
Saving Act (FSA) of the speaker and interlocutor
to avoid Face Threatening Act (FTA).
6.4.4. Drawing a conclusion about linguistic phenomena
based on the data that has been analyzed.
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7. Conceptual Framework
The data of the research is from dialogue in Ellen DeGeneres Show
episode February 12, 2016, which contain politeness strategy. Next, the data
processed by classifying politeness strategy that implied Face Saving Act (FSA)
of the speaker and interlocutor and analyzes speech act sentences using Brown
and Levinson‟s politeness strategy theory and J.L. Austin‟s speech act theory.
The output of this research is to explain the application of politeness strategy on it
and the Factors influencing the choice of strategy
Diagram 1.1. Conceptual Framework
Input
•The dialogue in Ellen Degeneres talk show episode Februari 12, 2016 which contains politeness strategy
Process
•Classifying politeness strategy that implied Face Saving Act (FSA) of the speaker and interlocutor based on the context, illocutionary act, and kind of politeness strategy.
•Analyzing speech act sentences using Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategy theory and J.L. Austin’s speech act theory.
Output
•Kinds of politeness strategies used by Ellen as the host of talk show which implied to save the speaker’s and interlocutor’s face from Face
•Kinds of politeness strategies used by guest of the show, Mr. Barrack Obama
• Factors influencing the choice of strategy
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CHAPTER II
THEORICAL FRAMEWORK
1. Previous Research
The writer has observed some previous researches which correspond with
this research in some aspects. The aim of reviewing previous research is to know
other researches in the same subject area which applied similar theory or corpus.
The previous research can be one of the important references in making a
research; it can help the writer to enrich the theories that used in the research.
Here are some previous researches in the form of journals that related to this
research:
The first previous research was titled “Redressive Strategies for FTA in
Oprah Winfrey‟s Talk Show”. This research analyzed the application of PP
(Politeness Principle) from the pragmatics perspective. It employed two theories,
the PP and its redressive strategies (especially redressive strategies). The analytical
data for the present study are collected from Oprah Winfrey‟s Talk Show. This
paper analyzed and investigated Oprah Winfrey‟s Talk Show from different
perspectives by means of qualitative approach. The purpose of this study is the
application of these two theories in the daily talk, and the analysis of how they do
FTAs (Face-Threatening Acts). (Xiao-yan 7)
Overall, the first previous research was blameless, it analyzed the dialogue
very well; described the dialogue‟s context, the speaker‟s reason for using
politeness strategy, and how speaker‟s utterance counted as politeness strategy.
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This research also mentioned what kinds of the strategy used by the speaker, it
explained the kinds of politeness, negative or positive and the strategies which
implied to save speaker‟s and hearer‟s face. The correlation with this first previous
research is it applied politeness strategy theory in some episodes of Oprah Winfey
talk show, differently here the writer analyzes Ellen DeGeneres the talk show in
only one episode, the writer also analyzes it based on the illocutionary act of the
utterances. Another difference is the writer‟s research not only focus on the
politeness strategies used by the host of the show but it also put attention to the
politeness strategy used by the guess of the show.
The second previous research was titled “Politeness in E-mails of Arab
Students in Malaysia”. This study analyzed the politeness strategies found in Arab
postgraduate students‟ e-mails to their supervisors during their period of study at
Malaysian universities. This research used quantitative and qualitative approaches
to analyze eighteen e-mails that were sent by six Arab postgraduate students to
their supervisors. The politeness strategies were analyzed according to Brown and
Levinson‟s (1987) politeness theory, and the degrees of directness were
categorized according to Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Pattern
(CCSARP) Blum-Kulka and Olshtain (1984) coding scheme. (Zena Moayad
Najeeb 21)
It gave a great description of the theory that used on the research; its
finding and discussion also gave a clear explanation for certain dialogues and
discovered the percentage of every strategy. This research also applied politeness
strategy theory, differently this research analyzes written communication and
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focused on the directness which categorized according to Cross-Cultural Speech
Act Realization Pattern (CCSARP). While writer‟s research here analyze spoken
communication in the form of a dialogue transcription and only focus on the
strategy used by speakers.
2. Pragmatics
Modern use and current practice of pragmatics are credited to the influence of
the American philosophical doctrine of pragmatism. The pragmatic interpretation
of semiotics and verbal communication studies in Foundations of the Theory of
Signs by Charles Morris in 1938, for instance, helped neatly develop the
differences of mainstream enterprises in semiotics and linguistics. (Levinson 3)
According to Yule, “pragmatics is the study of the relationship between
linguistic form and the users of those forms.” (4) There are four areas that
pragmatics is concern with, as follow:
1. “Pragmatics is study of speaker meaning.” Pragmatics concern
with the study of meaning uttered by the speaker or written by
writer and interpreted by listener or reader.
2. “Pragmatics is the study of contextual meaning.” It includes the
relationship of what people mean in a specific context and how the
context effect what is said.
3. “Pragmatics is the study of how more gets communicated than is
said”. This approach also explores how the listener can interpret
what the speaker‟s proposed meaning. This type of study discovers
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how a great deal of what is unsaid is predictable as part of what is
communicated.
4. “Pragmatics is the study of the expression of relative distance.”
The choice between said and unsaid was determined by the notion
of distance. Closeness, whether it is physical, social, or conceptual,
implies shared experience. On the supposition of how close or
distance the listener is, speaker decide how much needs to be said.
(3)
“The central topics of linguistic pragmatics are those aspects of meaning
which are dependent on context.” (Cruse 3) Context can be interpreted as the
immediately preceding discourse and the situation of the participants. (Black 3)
There are some clues which can help listener in a communication to determine the
meaning of an utterance; the first one is tone of voice or intonation which is an
important contextualize of meaning. On occasions, it may even enable hearer to
reverse the apparent sense of something. (Finch 154)
The second clue is the thematic force. This kind of force is concerned
with the way the speaker to announce to the audience what it is that the speaker is
principally concerned about; it is often reflected in the syntactic organization of
the communication. Putting an item first in a sentence, for example, is a good way
of drawing attention to it and let listener or reader know what it is that speaker or
writer wishes to focus on. (Finch 155)
According to Cruse, there are two important particulars in pragmatics; the
first type is conversational implicature. This refers to meanings which a speaker
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intends to convey but does not explicitly express. The second type of context-
dependent meaning concerns expressions which designate different things,
places, or times in the world, in different contexts: this table, over there, last
night. (3)
2.1. Implicature
The word „implicature‟ is derived from the verb „to imply‟, as it cognate
„implication‟. Originally, to imply mean to fold something into something else;
hence that which is implied is folded in, and has to be unfolded to be understood.
A conversational implicature is, therefore, something which is implied in
conversation, that is, something which is left implicit in actual language use. (Mey
45)
To get the meaning of what someone said, interlocutors have to interpret
what they say. But interpretation is a tricky affair; misunderstandings are always
possible, and sometimes seem to be a rule rather than an exception. (Mey 47) As
Leech remarks, “interpreting an utterance is ultimately a matter of guesswork, or
(to use the more dignified term) hypothesis formation” (Leech 30)
2.2. Context
Context is a dynamic, not a static concept: it is to be assumed as the
repeatedly changing surroundings, in the widest sense, that enable the participants
in communication process to interact, and in which the linguistic expression of
their interaction become understandable. (Mey 39) Context is more than just a
reference.
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Context is action. Context is about understanding what things are for; it is
also what provides speaker‟s utterances their true pragmatics meaning and let
them be counted as true pragmatic acts. It is absolutely important not only in
conveying the proper values to reference and implicature but also in dealing with
other pragmatics issues. (Mey 41)
An important part of the language in use, and therefore of pragmatics, is
what people are essentially doing with language when they state; whether they are
informing, criticizing, blaming, warning, congratulating, christening a baby, and
so on. This is the topic of speech acts. Other topics covered by pragmatics are
politeness as expressed linguistically and conversational analysis, which deals
with the way conversations are structured. (Cruse 4)
3. Speech Act
Speech act theory originated from the works of the Oxford philosopher of
ordinary language John Langshaw Austin (1911–1960). Austin first presented
the main tenets of his theory in the lectures he gave at Oxford in the years 1952–
1954 under the title “Words and deeds”, and subsequently in the William James
Lectures he delivered at Harvard University in 1955. In 1969 one of Austin‟s
pupils, the American philosopher John R. Searle, published his own version of
the theory. Searle‟s systematization and development of Austin‟s ideas has been
very influential, to the point that Searle‟s interpretation of the theory is at times
taken as the definitive view of speech acts. (De Gruyter Mouton, Wolfram
Bublitz, Neal R. Norrick)
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Definition of speech acts based on A Glossary of Semantics and Pragmatics
by Cruse, “are the acts which crucially involve the production of language. It is
usual to recognize three basic types: locutionary acts, illocutionary acts and
perlocutionary acts.” (167) While according to Yule speech acts are utterance
actions which commonly given more spesific labels, such as apology, complaint,
compliment, invitation, promise, or request. (47) The central tenet of speech act
theory is that the uttering of a sentence is, or is part of, an action within the
framework of social institutions and conventions. (Huang 93)
Austin said that “to utter the sentence (in, of course, the appropriate
circumstances) is not to describe my doing of what I should be said in so uttering
to be doing or to state that I am doing it: it is to do it.”(6) According to Austin,
saying something amounts to simultaneously performing three types of acts:
i) A Locutionary act, which is the stating of a sentence with sense and
reference. The locutionary act can be separated into a phonetic act (the
act of uttering certain noises), a phatic act (the act of uttering sounds
that have sense and reference), and a rhetic act (the act of uttering
noises that belong to a certain language vocabulary and grammar).
i) An Illocutionary act, which is the action performed by virtue of the
force associated with a given linguistic expression. This level of action
depends on the social conventions that allow us verbally to carry out
clearly recognizable actions. The illocutionary force of an utterance
can be isolated by asking in which sense we were using a given
utterance. (99)
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ii) A Perlocutionary act, which is the production of a consequence by
the utterance. Contrary to what occurs at the illocutionary level,
perlocutions are not directly achieved by the conventional force of an
utterance. Also, perlocutions occur at a further level, as the
interlocutor‟s actual reaction to the speech act. (101)
3.1. Classification of Illocutionary Acts
Speech acts may be appropriately categorized by their illocutionary type,
such as asserting, requesting, promising, and apologizing, for which we have
familiar verbs (Bach 200) Yule who following Searle said in his book that there
are five general functions of speech acts:
Table 2.1. The five general function of speech act (55)
Speech act type Direction of fit S= speaker
X= situation
Declaration Words change the world S cause X
Representatives Make words fit the world S believes X
Expressive Make words fit the world S feels X
Directives Make the world fit words S wants X
Commissives Make the world fit words S intends X
According to Leech, Searle‟s illocutionary acts‟ classification is based on diverse
criteria, wich are defined as follow:
1. Assertives
Assertives commit speaker to the truth of the expressed proposition,
such as stating, suggesting, boasting, complaining, claiming, and
reporting.. (105)
20
2. Directives
Directives intended to produce some effect through action by the
hearer, for examples are ordering, commanding, requesting, advising,
and recommending. They frequently belong to the competitive
category, and therefore comprise a category of illocutions in which
negative politeness is important.
3. Commissive
Commissives commit the speaker to some future action to a greater or
lesser degree, promising, vowing, and offering are the examples. These
tend to be convivial, being performed in the interests of someone other
than the speaker.
4. Expressives
Expressives have an expressing function or making known, the
speaker‟s psychological attitude towards a state of affairs which the
illocution presupposes, such as thanking, congratulating, pardoning,
blaming, praising, condoling, etc. They tend to be convivial, and
therefore intrinsically polite. The reverse is true, however, of such
expressives as blaming and accusing. (106)
5. Declaration
Declarations are illocutions whose successful performance bring about
the correspondence between the propositional content and reality, for
examples are resigning, dismissing, christening, naming,
excommunicating, appointing, sentencing, etc. (Leech 107)
21
4. Politeness Theory
This theory was presented by Goffman (1963) and from the English folk
term, which ties face up with notions of being embarrassed or “losing face”.
(Brown & Levinson 61) In this theory, two main types of face that are
universally recognized in human cultures are the positive and negative faces.
Negative face is the want of every competent adult member that his actions be
unimpeded by others. Positive face is the want of every member that his wants
be desirable to at least some other. (Brown & Levinson 62) Politeness theory was
formulated by Brown and Levinson. It addresses the affront to face posed by
face-threatening acts to addresses.
Ferguson defines politeness as formulas in terms of “interpersonal rituals”
(138). Politeness “helps us to achieve effective social living” (Watts, T. J, &
Ehlich, K. 2). Politeness is a pervasive phenomenon in all communities. It
became the major component of a “dominant ideological discourse in Britain in
the eighteenth century” (Watts 40). Fraser sees politeness as “a property
associated with an utterance in which, according to the hearer, the speaker has
neither exceeded any rights nor failed to fulfill any obligations” (13). The social
relationships outlined through history in near Eastern and later European
societies show the manner in which the forms of politeness gradually evolved in
specific conditions (R. Watts & K. Ehilch)
22
4.1. Face Threatening Acts
Face-Threatening Acts (FTA) can be defined as acts that inherently
damage the face of the addressee or the speaker by acting in opposition to the
wants and desires of the other (Brown & Levinson 26). For negative Face
Threatening Acts, Brown and Levinson (1978) state that negative face is
threatened when an individual does not avoid or intends to avoid the obstructions
of his interlocutor's freedom of action. Because of the negative face, the speaker
or hearer will have trouble in communication which results in the submission of
will to the other and the construction of communication. When a negative face is
threatened on the hearer and the speaker, as explained in the section that follows,
freedom of choice and action is obstructed.
a) Damage to the Hearer: Through the form of orders, requests, suggestions,
advice, threats.
b) Damage to the Speaker: An act or communication that shows the speaker is
under the power of the hearer; expressing compliments and thanks, accepting
thanks or saying „excuse me‟.
In the case of positive Face Threatening Acts, the speaker or hearer does
not care about the other person‟s needs or feelings. Damage to the hearer or
speaker could result from positive face threatening acts. Therefore, when a person
is obligated to be apart from a group of people, their well-being is dealt with less
care and threatens positive face.
23
a) Damage to the Hearer: An act that shows the speakers‟ expressions toward the
hearer‟s positive face. The speaker expresses his willingness to disregard the
emotion of well-being to the hearer.
b) Damage to the Speaker: An act that shows the speaker is unable to control
himself and that would call for the need of apology and regret for doing an act.
(Zena Moayad Najeeb 130)
4.2. Politeness Strategy
According to Brown and Levinson, politeness strategies are used to save
the hearer‟s face when face-threatening acts are desired or necessary (68). These
strategies are:
A. Bald On-record: doing act baldly, involves doing it in the most direct, clear,
unambiguous and concise way possible. It is mostly used where the danger to
H‟s face is very small, as in offers, requests, and suggestions (e.g. come in or
do sit down). Another example can be seen in instances of urgency: „Watch
out!‟ or „Be careful!‟ In instances of efficiency: „come in‟.(69)
B. Positive Politeness: oriented to reduce a threat to the hearer‟s positive face
and to ensure that the hearer is comfortable, such as: prevent disagreement
and jokes, be optimistic, use of solidarity, make a promise, listen and attend
to the hearers‟ needs and wants. (70)
Strategy 1: Notice, attend to H (her/his interests, wants, needs, goods, etc.
Example: Jim, you‟re really good at solving computer problems.
24
Strategy 2: Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy with H). Example:
Good old Jim. Just the man I wanted to see. I knew I‟d find you here.
Strategy 3: Intensify interest to the hearer in the speaker’s contribution.
Example: You m never guess what Fred told me last night. This is right up
your street. →(FTA) [begins a narrative]
Strategy 4: Use in-group identity markers in speech. Example: Here‟s my
old mate Fred. How are you doing today, mate?
Strategy 5: Seek agreement in safe topics. Example: I agree. Right.
Manchester United played really badly last night, didn‟t they?
Strategy 6: Avoid disagreement. Example: Well, in a way, I suppose you‟re
sort of right. But look at it like this…
Strategy 7: Presuppose, raise, and assert common ground. Example:
People like me and you, Bill, don‟t like being pushed around like that, do we?
Strategy 8: Joke to put the hearer at ease. Example: Great summer we‟re
having. It‟s only rained five times a week on average.
Strategy 9: Assert or presuppose knowledge of and concern for hearer’s
wants. Example: I know you like marshmallows, so I‟ve brought you home a
whole box of them.
Strategy 10: Offer, promise. Example: I‟ll take you out to dinner on
Saturday.
25
Strategy 11: Be optimistic that the hearer wants what the speaker wants,
i.e. that the FTA is slight: I know you‟re always glad to get a tip or two on
gardening, Fred.
Strategy 12 Include both S and H in the activity. Example: I‟m feeling
really hungry. Let‟s stop for a bite.
Strategy 13 Give or ask for reasons: I think you‟ve had a bit too much to
drink, Jim.
Strategy 14 Assert reciprocal exchange. For example: I‟ll mow the lawn
after school tomorrow. → (FTA) if you help me with my math homework.
Strategy 15 Give gifts to H (goods, sympathy, understanding, and
cooperation). Example:
A: Have a glass of malt whiskey, Dick.
B: Terrific! Thanks.
A: Not at all. (Watts 89-90)
C. Negative Politeness: This is usually oriented from the hearer‟s negative face.
Negative face is the desire to remain autonomous so the speaker is more
appropriate to include an out for the listener, through distancing styles like
apologize (Mills, 2003).
Strategy 1: Be conventionally indirect. Example: Could you tell me the
time, please?
26
Strategy 2: Do not assume willingness to comply. Question, hedge.
Example: I wonder whether I could just sort of ask you a little question.
Strategy 3: Be pessimistic about ability or willingness to comply. Use the
subjunctive. Example: If you had a little time to spare for me this afternoon,
I‟d like to talk about my paper.
Strategy 4: Minimise the imposition. Example: Could I talk to you for just a
minute?
Strategy 5: Give deference. Example: (to a police constable) Excuse me,
officer. I think I might have parked in the wrong place.
Strategy 6: Apologise. Example: Sorry to bother you,but...
Strategy 7: Impersonalise the speaker and the hearer. Example:
A: That car‟s parked in a no-parking area.
B: It‟s mine, officer.
A: Well, it‟ll have to have a parking ticket.
Strategy 8: State the FTA as an instance of a general rule. Example:
Parking on the double yellow lines is illegal → (FTA) I‟m going to have to
give you a fine.
Strategy 9: Nominalise to distance the actor and add formality. Example:
Participation in an illegal demonstration is punishable by law. → (FTA)
Could I have your name and address, madam?
27
Strategy 10: Go on record as incurring a debt, or as not indebting H.
Example: I‟ll buy you a beer at lunchtime. → (FTA) If you could just sort out
a problem I‟ve got with my formatting. (Watts 90-91)
D. Off record: This strategy includes metaphor and irony rhetorical questions,
understatement, tautologies, and uses connotations instead of direct requests.
For example, a speaker might say „my home is too far from here‟, which
would imply to the listener to take an action, such as drive the speaker home
or let the speaker stay in hearer‟s place, without directly asking him/her to do
so. (Brown & Levinson 69)
Strategy 1: give hints. Example: it‟s cold here (shut the window)
Strategy 2: give association clues. The act of implied something associated
with S-H‟s mutual knowledge irrespective of their interactional experience.
Strategy 3: presuppose. An utterance of this strategy can be almost wholly
relevant in context.
Strategy 4: understate. Example:
A: what a beautiful house B: oh I don‟t know it‟s a house
Strategy 5: overstate. Example: I have seen it thousand times, but she‟s not
there.
Strategy 6: use tautologies. Example: if I won‟t say it, I won‟t.
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Strategy 7: use contradictions. Example: so happy that my teacher doesn‟t
care about be.
Strategy 8: be ironic. Example: Abrar‟s a real genius (after he just done
stupid things)
Strategy 9: use metaphor. Example: Abrar‟s real fish (He drinks/ swims
like a fish)
Strategy 10: use rhetorical questions. Example: how many times do I have
to tell you about that?
Strategy 11: be ambiguous. Example: Frank‟s a pretty smooth cookie.
Strategy 12: be vague. Example: I‟m going to you-know-where.
Strategy 13: over-generalize. Example: people who live in glass houses
shouldn‟t throw stones
Strategy 14: displace H. Example: he never comes here for a long time.
Strategy 15: be incomplete, use ellipsis. Example: well, I didn‟t see you in
class this morning. (Brown & Levinson)
E. Do not do FTA or zero strategy: if the speaker decides that degree of the
FTA is too great, he may decide to avoid offending H at all with this
particular FTA, or he prefers to say nothing verbally or non-verbally. (Leech
72)
29
4.3. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategies:
1. The payoffs: a priori considerations. Here is the list of the payoff associated
with each of the strategies, derived on a priori grounds.
a) Bald on record payoffs: Efficiency, Clarity, perspicuous, Demonstrable
non manipulativenes. Example: yes you may enter the room. By uttering
that, the speaker can get the advantage of getting the acclaim of honesty,
for indicating that he trusts the addressee. (Brown & Levinson 71)
b) Positive politeness payoffs: To satisfy H‟s positive face, in some respect.
Example: what a beautiful house, it just like a princess’ castle. The
speaker can reduce FTA by declaring the hearer that he considers himself
to be „of the same kind‟.(71)
c) Negative politeness payoffs: To satisfy H‟s negative face, in some degree.
Example: “Can you possibly help me with this?” (189) the speaker can
thereby avoid incurring a future debt.(72)
d) Off record payoffs: speaker can satisfy negative face to a degree greater
than that afforded by the negative politeness strategy. The speaker can
avoid the inescapable accountability, the responsibility for his action, that
on record strategies entail. Example: I can’t open this jar. The speaker can
avoid the potential threat of ordering the hearer to help him open the
jar.(72)
e) Do not do the FTA payoffs: speaker avoids offending hearer at all. (72)
30
2. The Circumsance: Sociological factor. Brown and Levinson argue that the
assessment of the seriousness involves the following factors in many and perhaps
all culture:
a) The social distance (D) of S and H (a symmetric relation). Example:
1. “Excuse me, would you by any chance have the time?”
2. “Got the time, mate?” (80)
Where speaker and hearer are strangers, speaker could use (1) and where
speaker and hearer are close, speaker could use (2). The distance of the
speaker and hearer is the variable that changes (1) to (2) and vice versa.
b) The relative power (P) of S and H (an asymmetric relation). Example:
1. Excuse me sir, would it be all right if I take it?
2. Mind if I take it?
In the same situation, (1) might be said by an employee to his boss, while
(2) might be said by the boss to the employee. Power of the hearer which
greater than speaker is the only variable that changes (2) to (1) and vice
versa
c) The absolute ranking (Rx) of imposition in particular culture. Example:
1. Look, I‟m terribly sorry to bother but would there be any chance of
your borrowing me your phone? I must have lost my phone and I can‟t
go home without calling my husband.
2. Hey, can I use your phone?
Both might be said in the airport by a traveler to a stranger. The only
variable is R, and it must because the value of R is lower in (6) that the
language applicable to a low FTA value is employed there. (80-81)
3. The integration of assessment of payoff and weighting of risk in the choice
of strategies. If it is empirically the case that FTA danger is assessed by
estimating P, D, and R values. Then the speaker will choose a higher numbered
strategy as the threat increase. (84)
31
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS
1. Data Description
The data for this research was collected from an interview between Ellen
DeGeneres and Barrack Obama. The interview held on February 12, 2016 has
duration 21 minutes 49 seconds and broadcasted for Ellen DeGeneres Talk Show.
The data is from Ellen‟s and Obama‟s utterance which contain politeness strategy
and transcript into a script form. Below are the corpus data the writer has
obtained:
Table 3.1. politeness strategies in corpus data
No. Politeness Strategies Observance of Politeness Strategies
1 Bald on record -
2 Positive politeness 17
3 Negative politeness 4
4 Off record -
5 Do not do the FTA -
Total 21
Ellen as the host of talk show and Obama as the guest made utterances in
the form of question and statement. Through their words the writer analyzed
strategies employed by them. The analysis is divided into three parts the first one
is Ellen‟s politeness strategy, the second is Obama‟s politeness strategy, and the
last is the speaker‟s factors of for using some kinds of strategies. The theories
31
32
used for analyzed for the data are politeness strategy by Brown and Levinson, and
speech act by Austin.
2. Data Analysis
In this part, the analysis has been divided into 12 dialogues which contain
politeness strategy. Every dialogue has been analyzed based on the context of
utterance, illocution act, FTA, and the factors influencing the choice of strategy.
Dialogue 1
(1) 0:12
Ellen: When I was a little girl growing up in New Orleans I never dreamed
that have my own show and I certainly never thought I'd be able to say
these words. Please welcome the President of the United States Barack
Obama (audiences clapping)
(2) 0:51
Obama: Can I just say I was watching some of the dance moves on
that stage. You guys don’t forget? I like it
(3) 1:00
Ellen: Yap the gentlemen they were on the floor touch falling very well
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 1
In datum (1) Ellen used negative politeness in strategy 2 which is hedge by
mentioning word “Please” before she uttered a direction. Here Ellen asked her
audiences to welcome Mr. President while he was entering the talk show stage.
The illocution used here is directive, where S want X or speaker wanted situation.
In this case, the situation that is wanted by Ellen as speaker was her audiences in
the studio were welcoming Mr. President. This action could be threatening
33
negative face of her audiences because it predicted some future act of hearer and
in so doing put some pressure on hearer to do the act.
In the meantime, Obama used positive politeness in strategy 9 in datum (2)
which is assert or presuppose speaker’s knowledge of and concern for hearer’s
wants. This is the first utterances Obama uttered after he entered the talk show
stage. Obama ever saw the dance on talk show stage several times ago in his
previous interview with Ellen. The illocution used by Obama was assertive
because he was reporting something.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 1
1. Payoff to Use Politeness Strategies
Ellen‟s payoff in datum (1) for using negative politeness in strategy 2 is to
save the audience‟s negative face. By using this strategy, Ellen could give a
direction to her interlocutors without threatening their negative face. This strategy
could redress audiences‟ negative face by carefully avoiding presuming or
assuming that anything involved in the FTA is desired by them.
Meanwhile, Obama‟s payoff in datum (2) for using positive politeness in
strategy 9 is to satisfy his interlocutor‟s face. It derives from the want to convey
that the speaker and the addressee are cooperatively involved in the relevant
activity. He wanted to show that he had been familiar with the stage because he
had come there before.
34
2. Sociological value
The social distance factor in datum (1) has a great value for the FTA
weightiness. The social distance between Ellen and her audience was great based
on an assessment of the frequency of the interaction.
Table 3.2. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 1
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
1 Ellen Request
negative
politeness in
strategy 2; hedge
save the
audience‟s
negative face
Distance
2 Obama No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 9; assert
or presuppose
speaker‟s
knowledge of and
concern for
hearer‟s wants
satisfy
audience‟s face
-
Dialogue 2
(9) 1:18
Ellen: the last time you were here you are running for president and now
you're leaving I feel like I have something to do with this both. An
obvious question but what how do you feel now compared to when you
were here before?
(10) 1:32
Obama: older
(11) 1:35
Ellen: yes you can say that. Tired?
35
(12) 1:37
Obama: you know over the interesting thing is actually I feel really
energetic. The first time I came, there was a lot of possibilities out there
but also uncertain and you know. You're young you're eager to get
started but you don't know what you don't know and now after
having served for seven years, and having got a lot done seen the
progress that we've made. Seeing the incredible resilience the
American people in fighting back from recession and more in some
ways. The fear drops away you feel confident but America's going to
do well you know the job better or more relaxed than and just as
enthusiastic as I was the first NASCAR
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 2
As seen in (9), Ellen used negative politeness in strategy 6; apologize.
Here Ellen was asked to Obama what it was felt like become someone who‟s
going to leave his tenure. Now Obama is in the end of his period as a President of
U.S. and will be an ex-President. That‟s mean Obama is going to become
someone who‟s not powerful as he used to be. The illocution used in Ellen‟s
utterance is directive where the S want X or speaker wanted situation. Here Ellen
as speaker wanted to get information from her interlocutor, but the information
which Ellen needed to know could threat Obama‟s negative face and her positive
face for impinging.
In utterance (12) Obama was using two strategies, first is positive
politeness in strategy 7 which is presuppose common ground in the point-of-view
operation strategy. Obama uttered this when he was answering Ellen‟s question of
how it feels like when he became President in the beginning of period. The
illocution used here is assertive where S believes X or speaker believes situation.
36
In this case, Obama believed what he uttered because that was his own
experience.
The second strategy is positive politeness in strategy 3 which is intensify
interest to H. This talk show was produced and broadcasted in America (and other
countries). The hearer in this utterance is not just Ellen, but also American people
who watched this talk show. Obama praised America people for being struggle
with their country‟s condition.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 2
1. Payoff
Ellen‟s payoff for using negative politeness is to save Obama‟s negative face.
She was using hedge before uttering her question. She described Obama‟s current
condition implied in her utterance when she said that Obama ever come to her
show before. Then Ellen used negative politeness in strategy 6 to communicate
she wanted to not impinge on Obama. Ellen could indicate her reluctance to
impinge on her interlocutor‟s negative face and thereby partially redress that
impingement. She admitted that she was impinging on Obama‟s face by using
hedge “an obvious question but...” before uttering the question. This strategy is
implied that Ellen as speaker was indirectly apologizing for doing FTA.
Positive politeness in strategy 7 is approach-based in datum (12), Obama
taking the role of Ellen in order to reduce the distance between his and Ellen‟s
point of view by using personal-center switch, speaker to hearer. The payoff of
this act is to satisfy Ellen‟s positive face. He spoke as if Ellen was him by using
37
word you instead of I. He told about his experience to Ellen but he talked like
Ellen did that experience.
The payoff of using the second strategy which is positive politeness in strategy
3 is to satisfy hearers who are viewers of the show, whether in the home or studio.
Obama intensified his interest to the hearers who are America people. He making
a good story that seeing America people are struggling from country collapse was
pleased him a lot.
2. Sociological value
The power P factor in (9) was more considerable in this utterance, where hearer
has greater power over the speaker and this again lessens of FTA weightiness
which provided Ellen with the reason for her choice of strategy.
Table 3.3. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 2
No.
Data Speaker FTA Politeness strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
9 Ellen
Request
forpersonal
information
negative politeness
in strategy 6;
apologize
Save
Obama‟s
negative face
Power
12
Obama
No FTA
positive politeness
in strategy 7;
presuppose
common ground in
the point-of-view
operation strategy
Satisfy
Ellen‟s
positive face
-
12 Obama No FTA positive politeness
in strategy 3
Satisfy
viewer‟s
positive face
-
38
Dialogue 3
(20) 4:22
Ellen: ... I think we have people that we all have one thing in
common which we just want a good quality of life and then we
have these people that feel one way and if someone feels another
way we tend to hate them and it's just you know
(21) 4:48
Obama: it's not helpful
(22) 4:50
Ellen: no. it's not helpful
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 3
From this dialogue, it (22) can be seen that Ellen used positive politeness
strategy in strategy 5 which is seek agreement. They were talking about the civil
who hates other who have different choice for the later U.S. election. Ellen said
that it was not helpful to hate other since they all live in the same country and
Obama agree with her by repeating Obama‟s utterance. The illocution used here is
assertive where Ellen as speaker stated her agreement with her interlocutor.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 3
1. Payoff
The payoff for using positive politeness in strategy 5 is to save Obama's positive
face. The disagreement could be a threatened for the hearer that's why Ellen used
seek agreement strategy in order to avoid FTA. In this part of dialogue, Ellen was
agreed with what Obama said which means Ellen claimed common perspective
with Obama.
39
2. Sociological value
Obama as addressee has greater power over the speaker and this again lessens of
FTA weightiness which provided speaker with the reason for her choice of
strategy.
Table 3.4. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 3
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
22 Ellen Contradiction
Positive
politeness
strategy in
strategy 5
which is seek
agreement.
save
addressee‟s
negative face
Power
Obama - - - -
Dialogue 4
(29) 6:37
Obama: she go down pretty far
(30) 6:38
Ellen: no no no. not as far as down as me
(31) 6:42
Obama: I mean those include you have good form
(32) 6:47
Ellen: I have better form than her
(33) 6:50
Obama: you have a good form
40
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 4
It seen in (33) that Obama used positive politeness in strategy 6 which is
avoid disagreement. Obama uttered it after they saw Michelle and Ellen's push up
battle video. Ellen said that she has a better form than Michelle. Obama indirectly
disagreed with her. Illocution used here was assertive when speaker commits to
the truth.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 4
1. Payoff to Use Politeness Strategies
Obama‟s payoff for using positive politeness in strategy 6 is to save Ellen‟s
positive face. He could threat Ellen‟s face if he showed his disagreement. The
sub-strategy used by speaker is token agreement where Obama pretend to agree
with Ellen in order to hide his disagreement.
2. Sociological value
Speaker considered the FTA‟s weightiness was measured by his interlocutor‟s
power. Ellen as host of the talk show has greater power over Obama in the talk
show stage.
Table 3.5. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 4
No. Speaker FTA Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
Ellen - - - -
33 Obama Disagreement
Positive
politeness
strategy in
save
addressee‟s
negative face
Power
41
strategy 5
which is seek
agreement.
Dialogue 5
(34) 6:54
Ellen: We do have to break but before we‟re gonna break we have had a
little bit of fun with you over the years and I wanna...
(35) 7:00
Obama: notice I heard about this I will be watching every day
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 5
It could be detected in this part of dialogue (35) that Obama used positive
politeness in strategy 9 which is assert or presuppose speaker’s knowledge of and
concern for hearer’s wants. Obama was implying his knowledge of Ellen‟s
wants. Obama said that he was familiar already with her show because he always
watched Ellen‟s show. The illocution used here is assertive which commit the
speaker to the truth of the expressed proposition.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 5
1. The payoffs
The payoff in using positive politeness in strategy 9 is to satisfy his interlocutor‟s
positive face. Obama tried to concern what Ellen wants, he conveyed that they are
cooperators. In this case Obama help Ellen in increasing the rating of her talk
show. Ellen as host of the show would absolutely want to get many viewers for
her show.
42
Table 3.6. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 5
No.
Data Speaker FTA Politeness strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
Ellen - - - -
35 Obama No FTA
assert or presuppose
speaker‟s knowledge
of and concern for
hearer‟s wants
satisfy his
interlocutor‟s
positive face
-
Dialogue 6
(36) 7:03
Ellen: I don't know if you watch every day
(37) 7:06
Obama: you know when I'm in the Situation Room and we’re talking
about counter-terrorism strategy, then I say you know what? we got a
break for Ellen
(38) 7:20
Ellen: that‟s why I like you come here
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 6
In this utterance (36) Ellen used negative politeness in strategy 3 which is
be pessimistic. She uttered this utterance in replying to Obama‟s statement that he
watched Ellen‟s talk show every day. Ellen as the host of the show must be very
happy if her show watched by a lot of people, and it such an honor if Obama as
President make a time to watch her talk show. The illocution used is assertive
when S believes X, in this case Ellen did not believe that Obama watched her
43
show every day. She could threat her interlocutor‟s face if she said directly if she
did not believe him and asked for future fact.
In (37) Obama used positive politeness in strategy 1 which is notice,
attend to hearer. After Obama said that he been watched Ellen talk show every
day, he strength his statement by mentioned that he even watched it in his meeting
time. Ellen as the host of talk show must be feel honored her show was got more
attention from The President. The illocution used here is assertive, because
Obama as speaker reported something.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 6
1. The payoffs
Ellen‟s payoff for using negative politeness in strategy 3 is to save
Obama‟s negative face. Ellen was indirectly arguing Obama that he watched it
every day since Ellen knew that Obama as President must be has a limit time. By
being pessimistic Ellen not directly ask Obama if his statement was true or not.
This strategy gives redress to Obama‟s negative face by explicitly expressing
doubt that the conditions for the appropriateness of speaker‟s speech act obtain.
Obama‟s payoff of using positive politeness in strategy 1 is to satisfy Ellen‟s
positive face. Obama made Ellen talk show considered as something important.
As the host of talk show she needed appreciation from the viewers in every
element, especially Obama the Mr. President who took time just to watch it.
Obama claimed common ground with his interlocutor by showing that he loved
the talk show.
44
2. Sociological value
The reason for choosing strategy 3 is because Ellen as speaker asserted that hearer
is relatively more powerful than her, she indicated that the weight of FTA was
assessed crucially on values of power.
Table 3.7. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 6
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
36 Ellen
Blatant non-
cooperation
in activity
negative
politeness in
strategy 3 which
is be pessimistic
Save Obama‟s
negative face Power
37 Obama No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 1 which
is notice, attend
to hearer
- -
Dialogue 7
(55) 10:02
Obama: I don‟t miss plane commercial. Take your shoes off
(56) 10:09
Ellen: ouch. It’s stinky
(57) 10:10
Ellen: not yours. Not yours
(58) 10:14
Obama: I wear clean stuff I don‟t know about you
(59) 10:21
Ellen: with the other people take their shoes off
45
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 7
In (56, 57, 59) Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 8 which is joke.
In this dialogue Ellen uttered something ambiguity. She said that it’s stinky and
make Obama though that it was for him but what Ellen means was not Obama‟s
shoes are stinky but other people‟s shoes are stinky. She aimed to be hilarious and
having a fun conversation. The illocution used here is assertive which has a
function of collaborative where the illocution goal is indifferent with the social
goal.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 7
1. Payoff
Ellen‟s payoff for using positive politeness in strategy 8 is to warm the situation
and invite hearer to laugh. Ellen as speaker saved Obama‟s positive face by
uttered with people take their shoes off which implicated that Obama‟s shoes are
clean and he was not threatened. When speaker and hearer were laughing together
they could warm the atmosphere which aimed to make closer the relationship of
them. The social goal Ellen achieved here she considered for being funny and
succeed entertain her interlocutor.
2. Sociological value
The distance value was the factor in choosing the joke strategy. The act of giving
positive politeness is reflecting the social closeness between Ellen and Obama.
Since Obama ever came to the show several times before, they have a lot of
frequency of interaction. Both of them are realized each other‟s great humor
sense.
46
Table 3.8. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 7
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
36 Ellen No FTA
Positive
politeness in
strategy 8 which
is joke
Satisfy
Obama‟s
positive face
Distance
37 Obama - - - -
Dialogue 8
(74) 11:56
Ellen: we have to take another break. We‟ll be back
(75) 12:46
Ellen: We‟re back with Mr. President Barrack Obama and I mention in the
monolog but I can‟t tell you and thank you enough for what you’ve
done for the gay communities.
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 8
As seen in (75), Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 2; exaggerate.
She uttered this utterance in the beginning of the talk show after its commercial
break. She noticed the kindness of Mr. Obama for what he had done for gay
community, Obama as President has built a legacy on gay right. Ellen also invited
the audience and viewers at home to notice Obama's kindness. The illocution used
here is expressive where S feels X or speaker feels situation. In this case, Ellen as
speaker felt what happened to gay community in U.S. and also felt what her
interlocutor's needs; approval and interest.
47
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 8
1. Payoff
The speaker's payoff in datum (75) for using positive politeness in strategy 2
is to save her interlocutor's positive face. Ellen indicated that she and Obama both
belong to some set of person who shared specific wants, including goals and
values. Since Ellen is a lesbian and part of LGBT it must be assured that she
support every good thing that happened to gay community. She saved Obama's
positive face by showing her approval and interest for what he was done and
thanked him.
Table 3.9. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 8
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
75 Ellen No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 2;
exaggerate
Satisfy
Obama‟s
positive face
Distance
Obama - - - -
Dialogue 9
(76) 13:02
Obama: That‟s one thing I promise them. because my Don‟t Ask Don‟t
Tell cautious based on the idea that we constantly want to include people
in that explosion how we bring more and more people into opportunity and
success and feeling hopeful about their lives and but I will say we were
driving over Tuesday night I met this guy said it to my staff I said as much
as we've done with laws and ending Don't Ask Don't Tell etcetera
changing hearts and minds. I don't think anybody even more influential
48
than you are that I really think. you’re courage and you're just really
likable and so to claim who you were then suddenly empowers other
people and then something it's your brother is here on call let's hear
your best friend it's your co-workers and and and then attitudes shift
and the loss followed but it started with folks like you
(77) 14:26
Ellen: a lot of that. Well, thank you
(78) 14:36
Ellen: I’m not really gay
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 9
In (76) Obama observed positive politeness in strategy 15 which is give gift to
hearer. Obama told Ellen that she has an amazing personality; she was given great
influence for the other LGBT to be fearless. Since people who love their own
gender were bullied by other but Ellen who claimed herself as lesbian could live
happily and feel free. She could reach success instead of being sad of her
condition. Illocution used here is assertive where Obama as speaker give a
compliment to his interlocutor.
It (77) could be detected that Ellen used negative politeness in strategy 4
which is minimize the imposition. She uttered this utterance after Obama
compliment her. The illocution used here is expressive where S feels X or speaker
feels situation. In this situation Ellen felt that Obama could threat his negative
face for over complimenting her, which means Obama as speaker is under power
of the hearer. Ellen wanted to stop Obama for complimenting her and thanked for
his compliment.
In (78) Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 8 which is joke. Ellen
said that she was not a gay when Obama appreciate her for became a fearless
lesbian and inspiring people. Ellen has won great popularity as a lesbian and she
49
said that she was not a gay and made audiences in the studio were falling into
laughter because they knew that Ellen is a lesbian. She used assertive illocution
which commits speaker to the truth of the expressed proposition.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 9
1. Payoff
In datum (76) Obama used positive politeness strategy in strategy 15 in
order to satisfy Ellen's positive face wants. He did a gift-giving action, he gave a
compliment to Ellen and make Ellen felt admired, Obama said that he proud of
Ellen with her role, Ellen as a Lesbian could empower other people and become
so influential and Obama really appreciated it. That could fulfill Ellen's human-
relations wants to be accepted, liked, and understood.
The payoff in datum (77) of using negative politeness in strategy 4 for this
case is to save Obama's negative face and Ellen's positive face. Ellen may feel
constrained when Obama give a compliment because it could threaten to the
Obama himself, for being under power of the interlocutor. Ellen wanted to stop
Obama being under her power using negative politeness in strategy 4. By
minimizing the imposition to prevent Obama from giving compliment to her,
Ellen could save Obama's negative face.
Positive politeness in strategy 8 is approach-based in (78), so the host
approaches the guest by means of employing joke and notice. The aim in using
joke strategy is to satisfy Obama‟s positive face. Being interested in a person‟s
50
jokes and falling into laughter can greatly save one‟s face because everyone likes
to be considered humorous.
2. Sociological value
In datum (77) Ellen considered the Power of Obama when Obama complimenting
her, she felt constrained to denigrate the object of Obama's prior compliment, thus
damaging his own face. Obama's power value also measured when she stop
Obama for complimenting her.
Table 3.10. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 9
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
76 Obama No FTA
Positive
politeness in
strategy 15 which
is give gift to
hearer
Satisfy Ellen‟s
positive face -
77 Ellen Accepting
compliment
negative
politeness in
strategy 4 which
is minimize the
imposition
Save Obama‟s
negative face
and Ellen‟s
positive face
Power
78 Ellen No FTA
Positive
politeness in
strategy 8 which
is joke
Satisfy
Obama‟s
positive face
-
51
Dialogue 10
(82) 15:04
Obama: it‟s hard. As Michelle reminds me our job is to prepare them not
to meet us and both my daughters are wonderful people... they really are
just solid kids they don't have an attitude there courteous and kind to
everybody and they work hard they don't feel like they're entitled
anything
(83) 16:00
Ellen: they have great parents and I both you and Michelle are really
really amazing Michelle is such a strong and wonderful role model for
all women and I you know she's been a great first lady
(84) 16:23
Obama: I agree. That‟s I agree
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 10
In (82) the speaker used positive politeness in strategy 15 which is give
gift. In this dialogue Obama was talking about his daughter, he so glad about their
attitude. Since the show aired in America and won great popularity, there's a big
possibility that his daughters watched the show. The illocution used here is
assertive where speaker believes situation.
As seen in (83), Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 1 that is notice,
attend to hearer. Ellen is praising Obama‟s family when they are talking about his
daughters. Illocution used here is expressive which have the function of
expressing, or making known, the speaker‟s psychological attitude towards a state
of affairs which the illocution presuppose. In this case Ellen wanted to express her
attentiveness towards Obama‟s family.
52
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 10
1. Payoff
The payoff in datum (82) for using positive politeness in strategy 15 is to
satisfy hearer's face. The hearer who satisfied by Obama is this dialogue is his
daughters. A gift that Obama gave is human-relation wants which is to be cared
about. He wanted to show to them that he really thankful for having daughters like
them.
To satisfy Obama's positive face for being admirable and interesting is the
purpose of using positive politeness in strategy 1 in datum (83). As a family-man
who loves to show off his family, Obama must be happy if somebody noticed the
good things about them. By praising his daughter's and wife, Ellen could satisfy
Obama's wants, for having a perfect family.
Table 3.11. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 10
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
82 Obama No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 15
which is give
gift to hearer
Satisfy hearer‟s
face -
83 Ellen No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 1 that is
notice, attend to
hearer
Save Obama‟s
positive face
53
Dialogue 11
(85) 16:31
Ellen: and you’ve been a great president and just like what you said
people can say things over and over and over again about unemployment
or the economy or anything else I can but if if you really if you listen to
that you're gonna believe it if you look at and in looking into it and
see what the facts are it's just not the truth
(86) 16:47
Obama: we're better off now than we were when I came
(87) 16:49
Ellen: you’ve done amazing job
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 11
In (85&87) Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 15 which is give gift
to hearer. In this dialogue Ellen praised Obama for what he had done for the
country, he had done amazing job and gave his best dedication for U.S. She
praised him for stay on his own principle in leading the country. Again the
speaker used expressive illocution where Ellen as the speaker an also the civil felt
the impact of Obama‟s dedication. She also felt the need of her interlocutor to get
praise for what he had done after having served for seven years.
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 11
1. Payoff
The speaker's purpose of using this strategy is to satisfy her interlocutor's
positive face. Ellen was satisfied Obama's positive face wants by gave gift of
human relations wants, which is a compliment and admitted that he had become a
great President. The gift gave by Ellen is the Obama's desires as a President who
54
had chance to lead U.S. for two eras and now he is at the end of it. He must be so
proud if his civil was happy and satisfied with his dedication all this time.
Table 3.12. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 11
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
85,87 Ellen No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 15
which is give a
gift
Save Obama‟s
positive face -
Obama - - - -
Dialogue 12
(94) 18:10
Ellen: I have something to give you then.
(95) 18:11
Obama: you do? Ok. Let‟s see
(96) 18:14
Ellen: so it‟s a charm and it's my picture and your picture
(97) 18:20
Obama: oh yeah look at that. This is so sweet. Thank you
(98) 18:29
Ellen: so that‟s for you to keep it all time
(99) 18:31
Obama: I will
(100) 18:33
Ellen: all right
(101) 18:34
Obama: yap
55
a. Politeness Strategy in Dialogue 12
In (94) Ellen used positive politeness in strategy 15 which is give a gift to
hearer. The gift gave by Ellen here is tangible gift that is a heart-shaped charm
contained Ellen and Obama‟s pictures inside. She gave the gift right before they
ended the interview. The illocution used by Ellen is commissive which is offer,
where the illocution act commit speaker to do future action. The future action
after Ellen said that she will give Obama something is she give a charm to him.
In (97) it is clearly seen that Obama observed positive politeness strategy
in strategy 2 which is exaggerate. Obama uttered this after he got a heart-shaped
charm from Ellen and he used exaggerate intonation to show he loved the gift
from his interlocutor. The illocution used by the speaker was expressive because
he gave a compliment to the gift which just an ordinary charm.
In (99) Obama used positive politeness in strategy 10 which is promise. After
Ellen gave him a gift and asked him to keep it, Obama promise to Ellen that he
will keep the gift. The illocution used by speaker here is commissive because
Obama promise to Ellen to keep the gift that she gave. The future action Obama
do after uttered that illocution act is never let the gift lost.
56
b. Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategy in Dialogue 12
1. Payoff
The payoff in datum (94) for using positive politeness in strategy 15 is to
satisfy Obama's positive face. Ellen wanted to please Obama by gave him
something before he leaves the talk show stage. She fulfilled Obama's wants since
she knew that he loved to collect charm from people. The picture inside is aimed
to close their human relation.
Datum (97)'s payoff for using positive politeness in strategy 2 is to save
his interlocutor's positive face. Obama could hurt Ellen who has given him a gift
by refused it. He accepted the charm and gave a compliment to it in order to praise
someone who has been kind to him by gave him a gift.
The speaker‟s payoff in datum (99) for using positive politeness in
strategy 10 is to save Ellen‟s positive face. He could threat Ellen‟s face if he reject
Ellen‟s offer for keeping the gift from her. The strategy 10 was chosen in order to
redress the potential threat; Obama may choose to stress his cooperation in
claiming Ellen‟s want which is the wants for Obama keep the gift.
2. Sociological value
The sociological value in datum (99) is power. As the talk show host, Ellen
has greater power than Obama in the talk show stage. Obama maintain Ellen‟s
positive face by did not reject the gift from Ellen
57
Table 3.13. The analysis of politeness strategy in dialogue 12
No.
Data Speaker FTA
Politeness
strategy
Factor the Choice of Strategy
Payoff Sociological
94 Ellen No FTA
positive
politeness in
strategy 15
which is give a
gift to hearer
Satisfy
Obama‟s
positive face
-
97 Obama No FTA
positive
politeness
strategy in
strategy 2 which
is exaggerate
Satisfy Ellen‟s
positive face -
99 Obama Reject
positive
politeness in
strategy 10
which is
promise
Save Ellen‟s
positive face Power
58
Both Ellen as the talk show host and Mr. President Obama as the guest of
it used politeness strategy. In Ellen‟s utterance, writer found two Brown and
Levinson‟s strategy; they are positive and negative politeness. The data will show
into table below:
Table 3.14. Politeness strategies used by Ellen
Kind of Politeness Strategies Frequency
Positive politeness
Sub-strategies:
- Strategy 5 (seek agreement)
- Strategy 8 (joke)
- Strategy 2 (exaggerate)
- strategy 1 (notice, attend to
hearer)
- strategy 15 (give gift to hearer)
1
2
1
1
2
Negative politeness
Sub-strategies:
- Strategy 2 (hedge)
- Strategy 6 (apologize)
- Strategy 3 (be pessimistic)
- Strategy 4 (minimize the
imposition)
1
1
1
1
Total 11
59
As seen in table 4.1 above, the most often politeness strategy which Ellen
as host of talk show used is positive politeness. The sub strategy used more is
strategy 15 which is give a gift to hearer. While in Obama‟s utterance, writer
found one Brown and Levinson‟s strategy; that is positive politeness. The data
will show into table below:
Table 1.15. Politeness strategies used by Obama
Kind of Politeness Strategies Frequency
Positive politeness
Sub-strategies:
- strategy 9 (concern for hearer‟s wants)
- strategy 7 (presuppose common ground)
- strategy 3 ( intensify interest to hearer)
- strategy 1 (notice, attend to hearer)
- strategy 6 (avoid disagreement)
- strategy 15 (give gift to hearer)
- strategy 2 (exaggerate)
- strategy 10 (promise)
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Total 10
As shown in the tables above, can be conclude that the most frequent
politeness strategy used by Ellen as the host and Obama as the guest is positive
politeness strategy.
60
CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
1. Conclusions
After analyzing the application of politeness strategies in the dialogues of
Ellen DeGeneres talk show episode 12 February 2016 between Ellen and Obama,
writer can draw some conclusions as follow:
First, both of speakers observed politeness strategy. The politeness
strategies used are positive and negative politeness strategy. From 12 dialogues
analyzed there are 17 positive strategies and 7 negative strategies. Furthermore,
there is no off record politeness strategy, bald on record politeness strategy, and
do not do FTA politeness strategy.
Ellen DeGeneres as the host observed more politeness strategy, positive
and negative politeness. As the famous host, she always maintains her utterance in
order to save her face and her interlocutor‟s face. She not only saved her talk
show guest, considered she also communicate with the viewers, Ellen also
maintain her utterance through the viewers, even though she has greater power
than them.
Second, Obama as the guest was polite in the talk show. Obama applied
only positive politeness strategy. His utterance was well maintained in order to
save his face and his interlocutor‟s face. He not only saved the host‟s face, but
also viewers in studio and in the house who watch the broadcasted show.
60
61
Positive politeness strategy used in the interaction between Ellen and
Obama applied in some ways, such as seek agreement, joke, exaggerate, attend to
hearer, give gift to hearer, concern for hearer‟s wants, presuppose common
ground, intensify interest to hearer, avoid disagreement, and make a promise.
While negative politeness observes in some strategies like using hedge, apologize,
be pessimistic, and minimize the imposition. The factor influencing the choice of
strategy considered by the payoff factor was more frequent than the sociological
value factor.
The most often sub strategy used by both speaker is strategy 15 in positive
politeness strategy which is give gift to hearer. Speakers observe positive
politeness strategy in give gift strategy was aimed to strengthen relationship. The
factor influencing the choice of that strategy is the payoff that is to satisfy
interlocutor‟s positive face. By using positive politeness strategy, a speaker can
minimize the face-threatening aspects of an act by assuring the addressee that
speaker considers himself to be of the same kind, that he likes him and wants his
wants.
Third, factors influencing the choice of strategy are payoff and
sociological factor. There are varied payoffs in every strategy, such as save and
satisfy guest‟s face, and save and satisfy host‟s face, and save and satisfy viewers‟
face. The sociological factors influencing the choice of strategy are social distance
of speaker and hearer and relative power of speaker and hearer. There is no
absolute ranking of impositions in the particular culture factor which influencing
speakers observe the strategy.
62
2. Suggestions
The writer suggests to further researcher on the politeness strategy on a
TV program or any kind of verbal communication to use varied object of research,
not only one episode. It is also suggested to analyze the natural dialogues,
specifically dialogues that are not broadcasted in media. By using natural
communication as the object, the researcher can find the real politeness strategy
used by the participants.
63
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66
APPENDIC
Transcript Ellen DeGeneres Talk Show
Episode February 12, 2016
Host: Ellen DeGeneres
Guest: Barrack Obama
(1) 0:12
Ellen: When I was a little girl growing up in New Orleans I never dreamed that have my
own show and I certainly never thought I'd be able to say these words. Please welcome
the president of the United States Barack Obama
(2) 0:51
Obama: Can I say I was watching some of the dance moves on that stage. You guys
don’t forget? I like it
(3) 1:00
Ellen: Yap the gentlemen they were on the floor touch falling very well
(4) 1:06
Obama: I though they hurt themselves
(5) 1:08
Ellen: you felt you didn't want to compete without coming out?
(6) 1:11
Obama: I couldn't they said the bar too high
(7) 1:14
Ellen: you're not gonna do it
(8) 1:15
66
67
Obama: no
(9) 1:18
Ellen: the last time you were here you are running for president and now you're leaving I
feel like I have something to do with this both. An obvious question but what how do
you feel now compared to when you were here before?
(10) 1:32
Obama: older
(11) 1:35
Ellen: yes you can say that. Tired?
(12) 1:37
Obama: you know over the interesting thing is actually I feel really energetic. The first
time I came, there was a lot of possibilities out there but also uncertain and you know.
You're young you're eager to get started but you don't know what you don't know
and now after having served for seven years, and having got a lot done seen the
progress that we've made. Seeing the incredible resilience the American people in
fighting back from recession and more in some ways. The fear drops away you feel
confident but America's going to do well you know the job better or more relaxed
than and just as enthusiastic as I was the first NASCAR
(13) 2:28
Ellen: do you look at what's going on now and the campaigning and do you miss it in any
way and do you look at them and you're making big mistakes
(14) 2:39
Obama: I don't miss it it's always good to get out of Washington which can sometimes be
a little depressing
(15) 2:50
Ellen: what will? to get out of Washington or to take part as President?
68
(16) 2:55
Obama: well Washington
(17) 2:57
Ellen: ok. That‟s what I just think so
(18) 3:08
Ellen: what surprise for you when you became president?
(19) 3:17
Obama: most of the time if something reaches my desk it means it's really hard which is
why they bumped it up to me because nobody else could trigger that and you know when
I came in the economy was collapsing we're about to go into the great depression we had
to make a whole bunch of decisions about saving the auto industry or making sure that
your business is got back on their feet or housing market would recover and you're you're
having to make big bets with incomplete information you're not sure that everything's
going to work and I think that part of what's happened in this Instagram Twitter culture is
that we expect quick answers without sacrifice without having to make choices and
politicians play internet but the truth matters in the world is a is a big complicated place
the good news is that you're generally going in the right direction my hope is that will
continue to do so
(20) 4:22
Ellen: that's that's ours. Everybody's hope I but let's talk about me. I feel like don't you
think if more people danced and just have fun instead of everyone takes everything so
seriously and I think that we have these you know people that all in the same kind of
kidding there obviously but but I think we have people that we all have one thing in
common which we just want a good quality of life and then we have these people that feel
one way and if someone feels another way we tend to hate them and it's just you know
(21) 4:48
Obama: it's not helpful
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(22) 4:50
Ellen: no. it's not helpful
(23) 4:52
Obama: the amount of stuff that is just put out there on the internet or on sometimes
news broadcast that are just factually inaccurate is surprising and really hard to catch up
since I came in office we reduce the deficit by twitter but if you ask the average person
they're sure that spending his shot and the reason is because they're a bunch of folks who
say that were wildly over spending even though we are and and that's just one small
example but it happens all the time and and that's something we have to fix partly by
people paying more attention to what's going on every single day and it's hard to keep
dropping off their kids they're working they're trying to figure out how to get some
exercise do some pushups and
(24) 5:47
Ellen: speaking of her. What do you and Michelle disagree on? Like what you fight
about?
(25) 5:56
Obama: after about 15 years I finally figured out that she's always right. So surprisingly
we just stopped fighting
(26) 6:10
Ellen: there‟s no more fighting. Well she's a cheater you know that when you talk about
the pushups. I'm not gonna argue about it anymore but she's a cheater. Look how far
down I went
(27) 6:22
Obama: you're so upset about that
(28) 6:24
Ellen: I am so because she didn't go down all the way in she claims had longer arms and
so she's listen it was very impressive but she kept going but she didn't go down as far as
me
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(29) 6:37
Obama: she don‟t go very far
(30) 6:38
Ellen: no no no. no as far as down as me
(31) 6:42
Obama: I mean those include you have good form
(32) 6:47
Ellen: I have better form than her
(33) 6:50
Obama: you have a good form
(34) 6:54
Ellen: We do have to break but before we‟re gonna break we have had a little bit of fun
with you over the years and I wanna
(35) 7:00
Obama: notice I heard about this I will be watching every day
(36) 7:03
Ellen: I don't know if you watch every day
(37) 7:06
Obama: you know when I'm in the Situation Room and were talking about counter-
terrorism strategy we got a break for Ellen
(38) 7:20
Ellen: that‟s why I like you come here
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(39) 8:15
Ellen: we‟ll be back
(40) 8:50
Ellen: we‟re back with the 44th president of United States Barrack Obama. So what will
you miss about being in white house being a president? What it is one thing you thinking
this is gonna suck?
(41) 9:06
Obama: well air force one is really nice
(42) 9:10
Ellen: I just seeing house of cards is it like the plane on house of cards?
(43) 9:14
Obama: that's better
(44) 9:13
Ellen: is it? That‟s a good looking plane
(45) 9:15
Obama: that‟s a nice plane and marine one helicopter to land the plane than it is getting
the helicopter so pretty good deal
(46) 9:24
Ellen: so you don't get to do any of those anymore?
(47) 9:25
Obama: no I was told a while back that I just wanna million miles on Air Force One and
I asked is there a frequent flyer. It will make sense expert I mean their understand their
black-out dates
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(48) 9:45
Ellen: right
(49) 9:47
Obama: but the new person wasn't using it
(50) 9:51
Ellen: exactly. they're just sitting there
(51) 9:51
Obama: they're just sitting there. That‟s my point
(52) 9:55
Ellen: so you fly commercial from now on no
(53) 9:56
Obama: no
(54) 10:00
Ellen: but I mean that is something you missed
(55) 10:02
Obama: I don‟t miss plane commercial. Take your shoes off
(56) 10:09
Ellen: ouch. It’s stinky
(57) 10:10
Ellen: not yours. Not yours
(58) 10:14
Obama: I wear clean stuff I don‟t know about you
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(59) 10:21
Ellen: with the other people take their shoes off
(60) 10:26
Ellen: but if you want to prove me take your shoes off right now
(61) 10:34
Ellen: Is there's like a barber shop and everything in the white house?
(62) 10:37
Obama: yeah I got my hair cut. it's all self-contained and the great thing is that you don't
have to go anywhere to get stuff done if you don't have to run to the dry cleaners you
don't have to shop for phone the bad part about it is that it's a bubble and and you don't
you don't leave yet or if you do then it follows the bubble follows you everywhere and
that's something you never get used to and what it also means is you're not havin so the
spontaneous interactions with people that do on a Saturday morning you put on some
sweats they don't shave you go to the Starbucks and you run into somebody have a nice
conversation that kind of stuff or just take a walk which is the thing that probably most
about being president just a nice day
(63) 11:31
Ellen: can you drive?
(64) 11:35
Obama: I know how to drive
(65) 11:36
Ellen: but will you be able to drive?
(66) 11:38
Obama: I continued a secret service but
(67) 11:41
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Ellen: can they be in the back seat
(68) 11:42
Obama: That‟s my point. We‟re going to negotiate
(69) 11:44
Ellen: ok
(70) 11:44
Obama: on a nice name they can convertible
(71) 11:46
Ellen: I know
(72) 11:50
Obama: maybe they can just tell me. Yeah that's my hope
(73) 11:52
Ellen: run. They can run right behind you
(74) 11:56
Ellen: we have to take another break. We‟ll be back
(75) 12:46
Ellen: We‟re back with Mr. President Barrack Obama and I mention in the monolog but I
can‟t tell you and thank you enough for what you’ve done for the gay communities.
(76) 13:02
Obama: That‟s one thing I promise them. because my Don‟t Ask Don‟t Tell cautious
based on the idea that we constantly want to include people in that explosion how we
bring more and more people into opportunity and success and feeling hopeful about their
lives and but I will say we were driving over Tuesday night I met this guy said it to my
staff I said as much as we've done with laws and ending Don't Ask Don't Tell etcetera
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changing hearts and minds. I don't think anybody even more influential than you are
that I really think. you’re courage and you're just really likable and so to claim who
you were then suddenly empowers other people and then something it's your
brother is here on call let's hear your best friend it's your co-workers and and and
then attitudes shift and the loss followed but it started with folks like you
(77) 14:26
Ellen: a lot of that. Well, thank you
(78) 14:36
Ellen: I’m not really gay
(79) 14:40
Obama: you claimed it on TV
(80) 14:46
Ellen: I did a good work and I had to stick with people responded
(81) 14:55
Ellen: alright so let's get back to you so this is Melia is going off to college and that's
gotta be..
(82) 15:04
Obama: it‟s hard. As Michelle reminds me our job is to prepare them not to meet us and
both my daughters are wonderful people and Meilia‟s more than ready to leave but I'm
not ready for her to leave and I was asked if I would speak of her graduation I said
absolutely not because I'm gonna be sitting there with dark glasses lobbing yeah she's one
of my best friends and it's it's going to be hard for for me not to have her around all the
time but she's ready to go so you can tell she's just a really smart capable person and she's
she's ready to make her own way and they're on their wonderful girls and I and Michelle
gets all the credit may be an assist from my mother-in-law but they really are just solid
kids they don't have an attitude there courteous and kind to everybody and they
work hard they don't feel like they're entitled anything
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(83) 16:00
Ellen: they have great parents and I both you and Michelle are really really amazing
michelle is such a strong and wonderful role model for all women and I you know
she's been a great first lady
(84) 16:23
Obama: I agree. That I agree
(85) 16:31
Ellen: and you’ve been a great president and just like what you said people can say
things over and over and over again about unemployment or the economy or anything
else I can but if if you really if you listen to that you're gonna believe it if you look at
and in looking into it and see what the facts are it's just not the truth
(86) 16:47
Obama: we're better off now than we were when I came
(87) 16:49
Ellen: you’ve done amazing job
(88) 17:42
Ellen: we‟re back with President Barrack Obama. So I heard you carry a charm or
something
(89) 17:50
Obama: yeah I carry charm
(90) 17:51
Ellen: people give you things
(91) 17:52
Obama: yeah they give me things when I on the way back to the campaign and they give
me stuff and I started getting this big collection of all charms crosses and lucky coins are
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(92) 18:05
Ellen: and you keep a different one and…
(93) 18:09
Obama: yeah. I just put a bunch in my pocket
(94) 18:10
Ellen: I have something to give you then.
(95) 18:11
Obama: you do? Ok. Let‟s see
(96) 18:14
Ellen: so it‟s a charm and it's my picture and your picture
(97) 18:20
Obama: oh yeah look at that. This is so sweet. Thank you
(98) 18:29
Ellen: so that‟s for you to keep it all time
(99) 18:31
Obama: I will
(100) 18:33
Ellen: all right
(101) 18:34
Obama: yap
(102) 18:35
Ellen: and then we have a surprise for you because this is Valentine‟s Day. So we have a
surprise for you. Take a look
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(103) 18:47
Michelle: surprise! I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine‟s Day their last one that
was in the white house in an honor that Valentine's Day poem that I wanted to shoot roses
are red violets are blue you were the president and I am your boo. I was doing a hundred
pushups this morning you should try it Ellen. You are the only person I'd share my
husband with on Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine‟s Day to you and Porsche and happy
Valentine's Day to everyone. And barrack I know that you see candy out there so bring
me something chocolate back. You know what you need to do.
(104) 19:41
Ellen: so I thought I would help you out because you didn't know she‟s gonna do that. So
I was set a little setting
(105) 19:52
Obama: I got something prepared
(106) 19:54
Ellen: wow. I have served it
(107) 19:56
Obama: I got something prepared in person but I would do on that set
(108) 19:59
Ellen: alright all right. So I‟m gonna set the mood
(109) 20:11
Obama: ok all right somebody called the situation room because things are about to get
hacked. This valentine‟s day I'm going to treat you right make you some zucchini bread
spread out some veggies on a plate just the way you like them then I'm gonna give you a
massage while you watch Ellen design challenge on HGTV. Michelle I‟ve made great
decisions as president the best decision I ever made was choosing you thanks for putting
up with me I love you and the Ballantine's