Language Politeness: Pragmatic-Sociocultural Perspective

Rika Ningsih

, Endry Boeriswati

, Liliana Muliastuti

Doctoral Student of Language Education, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

Language Education, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

Keywords: Pragmatic-Sociocultural Perspective, Language Politeness, Contextual Utterances, Different Culture,

Speech Acts

Abstract: This study is aimed to explain the perspective of language politeness in terms of the sociocultural

background of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program students at the Universitas

Islam Riau (UIR). By applying the Phenomenology approach, data was collected through interviews with 44

students about language politeness which was then analyzed by applying the Miles & Huberman’s analysis

techniques. The results of the study showed that someone is said to be polite when s/he does not offend

other people’s hearts (the other person) in speaking, speaking in a soft tone, speaking based on contexts;

who is the interlocutors, where the conversation takes place, whether in a serious or relaxed atmosphere,

what topics are being discussed, and consider the norms in speaking. It can be concluded that the students

are polite in speaking based on their respective cultural backgrounds with regard to contexts. The results of

this study imply everyone with different cultural backgrounds has different language politeness.

1 INTRODUCTION

Language is a tool which used by humans to

communicate. Humans will not be separated from

the process of using language in everyday life.

Language plays an important role in life, because

language has a role as a messenger from one human

to another. In communication, language users must

also be able to choose the language used in

interacting to avoid conflicts between speakers and

recipients. This is related to the choice of language

in its using. One aspect of language that is very

important is politeness, because politeness can also

facilitate interaction among individuals in

communication.

The language politeness is reflected in the

procedures to communicate through verbal signs or

language procedures. Language rules are very

important for speech participants to smooth

communication. The method of communication

concerns the politeness of the speaker in uttering his

speech. The more polite in use language, the more

someone masters how to communicate with others.

Manaf (2010) said that various languages has

language politeness, but the way to express

politeness is typical for each language. The way to

express politeness that is owned by the community

is used as a guideline to speak politely and is also

used by the people of the language concerned to

assess the politeness of the speech of others. For

that, language politeness must be mastered by all

levels of society who want to use language in

communication, especially people who are involved

in the world of education such as students.

As a student, the principle of politeness in

language use certainly needs to be considered.

When the researcher interviewed several students

from different cultural backgrounds, it was found

that each person had their own perspective on

politeness. A quite flashy perspective is the

politeness of the language of Malay, Minang,

Javanese, and Batak students. Sometimes politeness

in certain tribes is not necessarily polite in other

tribes. It can be seen from the contradiction

perspectives between Malay, Minang and Javanese

students with students from the Batak tribe. For

students from the Malay, Minang and Javanese

tribes, someone is said to be polite if he starts

speaking with small talk with a low tone of voice.

On the contrary, for students from the Batak tribe,

small talk is not needed in speaking. According to

them if you want to convey something to the other

person, just speak directly. Likewise in terms of

tone of voice, for them the high or low tone of

426

Ningsih, R., Boeriswati, E. and Muliastuti, L.

Language Politeness: Pragmatic-Sociocultural Perspective.

DOI: 10.5220/0008999904260431

In Proceedings of the International Conference on Education, Language and Society (ICELS 2019), pages 426-431

ISBN: 978-989-758-405-3

speech does not become a benchmark of polite or

not of language. Based on the data in the field, this

research needs to be done to see the various

perspectives of politeness of students from various

ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The theory used in this study as a reference is a

pragmatic theory especially politeness theory.

Geoffrey N Leech, (1993) says that pragmatics is

how to use language in communication. Mey (2001)

says that pragmatics is the science of language that

studies the use of language which is determined by

the context of the speech situation in the community

and the accommodating and background cultural

vehicle. Pragmatics deals with issues that are

fundamentally philosophical which have

consequences for both theoretical linguistics and

language users. Furthermore, Crystal in (Kathleen

Bardovi-Harlig, 2012) says that pragmatics is the

study of language from the user’s point of view,

especially the choices they make, the obstacles they

face in using language in social interactions and the

effect of using language on other participants in

communication .

Related to politeness theory (Brown and

Levinson, 1987) says that politeness is a language as

a speech system that is applied in interactions to

maintain self-image both positive and negative face.

Maintaining here is that self-image doesn’t get

threatened, lose face or be humiliated.

Correspondingly, Leech (2014) also said that

politeness leads to an increase in face, for example

in offering, praising, or extending sympathy,

especially doing facial enhancement actions

(sometimes better described as facial care acting) or

not threatening actions . The increase of face means

that the speaker does not embarrass the partner with

his speech. This can be done by praising, increasing

the sympathy of the speaker to the other person

when communicating so that there is a harmonious

and intimate relationship.

According to Leech (1995) politeness is a

strategy used by speakers of a language to obtain

various objectives, such as building and maintaining

harmonious relationships. In line with the opinion of

Leech Mislikhah, (2014) in his article said that

politeness is a rule that is determined and agreed by

certain communities so that politeness becomes a

prerequisite approved by the social behavior.

Furthermore, according to (Wardhaugh and Fuller,

2015) politeness of conversation regarding

solidarity, power, familiarity, relationship status

between participants, and appreciation. Politeness is

also determined by awareness of social habits. In

line with Wardaugh’s opinion, (Adriana, 2014) in

his article said politeness is a human communication

activity that is inseparable from the social and

cultural values that develop in society.

The concept of politeness can be formulated in

the form of rules which called the principles of

politeness. Leech (2014) says there are ten

politeness maxims which give a high value to desire

of O (Generosity maxim), give a low value to desire

of S (tact maxim), give a high value on the quality

of O (approbation maxim), give a low value on

quality of S (modesty maxim), give a high value to

the obligation of S to O (Obligation of S to O

maxim), give a low value to the O obligation to S

(Obligation of O to S maxim), give a high value to

the opinion of O (agreement maxim), give a low

value to the opinion of S (opinion-reticence maxim),

give a high value to feeling of O (sympathy maxim),

give a low value to feeling of S (feeling-reticence

maxim). The first maxim is to give a high value to

desire of O (Generosity maxim) in this maxim there

are two key words that need to be considered,

namely to make your own profit as small as possible

and make your own losses as much as possible. The

second maxim gives a low value to the wishes of S

(tact maxim) there are two key words that need to

be considered, namely making the losses of others

as small as possible and making other people’s

profits as much as possible. The third maxim gives a

high value to the quality of O (approbation maxim),

in this maxim there are two key words that need to

be considered, namely criticizing others as little as

possible and praise others as much as possible. In

the fourth place, give a low value to the quality of S

(modesty maxim) in this maxim. There are also two

key words to note, namely praise yourself as little as

possible and criticize yourself as much as possible.

The fifth maxim gives a high value to the obligation

of S to O (Obligation of S to O maxim) in this

maxim if the speaker commits a violation of the

opponent’s speech so he apologizes and if the

opponent does something (helps) the speaker will

thanks.

Furthermore, the sixth maxim is to give a low

value to the obligation O to S (Obligation of O to S

maxim) in this maxim versus the speech is intended

to give a response to the speaker when the speaker

apologizes and if the opponent says giving a

response to the speaker when the speaker thanks.

The seventh maxim is to give a high value to the

opinion of O (agreement maxim), in this maxim

Language Politeness: Pragmatic-Sociocultural Perspective

427

there are two key words that need to be understood,

that is, try to make the agreement between yourself

and others as little as possible and try to make as

much agreement as possible. Maxim the eighth

gives a low value to the opinion of S (opinion-

reticence maxim) that is if the speaker expresses his

opinion to the opponent of his speech by using

propositions such as: which I think, I think, I do not

expect, maybe so. Ninth maxim gives a high value

to feeling of O (sympathy maxim) in this maxim

there are two key words that need to be considered,

namely reducing the sense of antipathy between

oneself and others to the smallest possible extent

and increasing sympathy as much as possible

between themselves and others. The tenth maxim

gives a low value to the feeling of S (feeling-

reticence maxim) that is if the attitude of sympathy

of the speaker to the opponent of speech occurs as

much as possible and if the speaker in the activity

speaks to avoid the imposition directly to the

opponent he said.

3 RESEARCH METHOD

This study uses a qualitative approach with

phenomenology methods. According to Moleong,

(2007) qualitative research is study that is

experienced by research subjects such as behavior,

perceptions, motivations, actions and others

holistically and by way of description in the form of

words and language in a special natural context and

by utilizing various scientific methods. Furthermore,

related to the phenomenology method, Yusuf (2014:

351) says that phenomenology as a form of

qualitative research grows and develops in the field

of sociology, making the subject matter a

phenomenon that appears as the subject of research,

but free from the suspicion of researchers’

subjectivity.

The data sources in this study were 44 students

of the Indonesian Language and Literature

Education Study Program at Universitas Islam Riau

(UIR). The data in this study are the results of

recording interviews conducted of 44 of these

students. Data collection techniques are the most

strategic steps in research, because the main purpose

of the research is to obtain data. To collect these

data there are several techniques used in this study,

namely: observation techniques, interviews,

recordings and field notes.

The analysis technique of data in this study is

based on interactive techniques Miles and

Huberman (1992) through this model, data analysis

activities are carried out with the following

techniques, namely: (1) data analysis is performed

at the time of collection and after the data is

collected. Then, the data is transcribed from spoken

language to written language; (2) the stage of data

reduction is the stage which includes identifying,

classifying, and coding the politeness of language.

The data analysis activity in this study begins with

the data reduction stage. At this stage the process of

identifying, classifying, sequencing and coding data

is carried out. The identification process is carried

out on the results of interviews conducted with

students; (3) data display includes reduced

arrangements. The organized data is presented in

tables according to the sub-focus of the problem of

study; and (4) conclusions or verification are made

on the interpretation of the data after it is presented.

4 RESULTS AND FINDINGS

Based on interviews conducted of 44 students of the

Indonesian Language and Literature Education

Program at Universitas Islam Riau (UIR) who came

from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds such

as: Malay, Minang, Javanese, Batak, Bugis, Banjar

and Nias it was found that someone said polite when

in speaking does not offend the hearts of others

(interlocutors), when speaking in a gentle tone,

when speaking attention to the context; (who is the

other person, where the conversation takes place,

whether in a serious or relaxed atmosphere, what

topics are discussed and consider the norms of

speaking).

4.1 Student perspectives of Malay

ethnic background

Based on the data obtained in the field, there were

16 students from the Malay tribe with various

perspectives on language politeness. According to

them, someone is said to be polite when speaking

does not offend the other, if in speaking the person

has good language behavior such as hospitality,

speech that is delivered softly and smiling, speaking

was not in an arrogant, focusing on the other person,

pay attention to the context and not interrupt the

conversation of others.

First, someone is said to be polite in speaking

when s/he does not offend others. According to

them, politeness is seen from the extent to which

speakers can guard the hearts of interlocutors in

speech. Second, if in speaking the person has good

language behavior such as hospitality. For Malays,

ICELS 2019 - International Conference on Education, Language, and Society

428

friendly behavior in language is also one measure of

politeness in language. If someone speaks

ignorantly to others it shows that the person is

impolite. Third, the speech delivered softly and

smiling. According to Malays when someone speaks

in a soft tone and followed by a smile that indicates

the person is polite in language. The smile meaning

here is not a cynical smile that shows arrogance.

Fourth, speaking is not in an arrogant and

arrogant style. In addition to internal factors such as

language, external factors in the form of expressions

and expressions can also show language politeness.

If someone speaks in a gentle tone but is supported

by a style that is arrogant, it still shows someone’s

impoliteness in language. Fifth, focus on the other

person. According to the informant, if someone does

not focus on his interlocutor, he can also be

categorized as someone who is not polite. For

example, when someone speaks and his interlocutor

is busy in using a cellphone or busy with other

activities then the person is said to be impolite.

Sixth, pay attention to the context. A person is said

to be polite if he is able to put himself and his

language well. When someone speaking must be

considered to who is the interlocutor, where he

talks, what is the purpose of the conversation and

how the tone when he speaks. Seventh, do not

interrupt the conversation of others. A person can be

said to be polite when does not interrupt the

conversation of others. This means that speakers

pay attention to ethics in speaking and waiting for

their turn to speak without taking the opportunity

for others to speak.

4.2 Student perspectives of Minang

ethnic background

Based on the data obtained in the field there are 8

students from the Minang tribe. According to them,

someone is said to be polite when starting a

conversation with small talk, being able to put the

conversation in the right context, using words in a

low tone, not interrupting the other person and not

offending the other person.

First, someone is said to be polite when someone

starts a conversation with small talk. For them,

someone is said to be polite when starting a

conversation with small talk such as asking news

and not directly discussing the main issues to be

conveyed. Second, should being able to put the

conversation in the right context. The context

referred here is who the interlocutor, where the

conversation take place and when the conversation

take place. In the Minang tribe there are four things

that become signs in language, namely kato

mandaki, kato manurun, kato mandata, kato

malereang, these four signs are called kato nan

ampek. Kato nan ampek are terms in the Minang

language which means the rules in talking about

how someone should talk to others. When to speak

softly, when to speak firmly and so on, it is arranged

in kato nan ampek.

Third, use words in a soft tone. Similarly, people

from the Malay tribe, according to people from the

Minang also said that using words smoothly is also

a characteristic of someone’s politeness. When

someone uses words with a soft tone that indicates

the person is polite. Fourth, do not interrupt the

other person. A person can be said to be polite when

not cutting the conversation of others. This means

that speakers pay attention to ethics in speaking and

waiting for their turn to speak without taking the

others opportunity to speak. Fourth, do not offend

the other person. In accordance with the Malays,

they argued that the polite can be seen from the

extent to which the speaker can guard the heart of

the interlocutors. When the other person is not

offended by someone’s words, the person is said to

be polite.

4.3 Students perspective with Javanese

background

Based on the data obtained there are 14 students

from the Javanese tribe in the field. According to

students from the Javanese tribe, someone is said to

be polite when speaking in a low tone, talking to the

context, if speaking in a subtle language and

responding to other people’s conversations, if it

does not offend other people, attitude in speaking

also affects politeness such as focusing on people

who is talking and looking into the other person’s

eyes, someone is also said to be polite when not

arrogant when talking.

First, speak in a low tone. According to them,

the tone of speech is important to determine whether

or not someone is polite in speaking. The voice tone

of the speaker is lower than the interlocutor, the

person is considered polite. Otherwise, someone to

speak in a high tone for the Javanese signifies

impoliteness because the tone of voice is one of the

measures of polite speech for the Javanese. Second,

talk about the context. Similar to other tribes, for the

Javanese, a person is said to be polite if he is able to

put his conversation in the right context as to who

the other person is talking to, where the

conversation takes place, when the conversation

takes place.

Language Politeness: Pragmatic-Sociocultural Perspective

429

Third, speaking in a polite language and be able

to respond to the others' speaking. According to

them, when talking to fellow Javanese, especially

when speaking at home, they use fine Javanese

language that shows politeness. Furthermore,

politeness is also marked by someone’s response

when others speak. It means that when someone

talks to someone else don’t ignore the speaker so

that it will be considered polite. Fourth, if it does

not offend other people’s hearts. In accordance with

the Malays and Minang, according to them

politeness is seen from the extent to which speakers

can guard the hearts of the interlocutors. When the

other person is not offended by someone’s words,

the person is said to be polite. Fifth, attitude in

speaking also influences politeness such as focusing

on the person who is talking and looking into the

other person’s eyes. According to them, besides

language, the attitude at the time of the conversation

is also an indicator of politeness such as focusing on

the person who is talking and looking into the other

person’s eyes. Sixth, someone is also said to be

polite when does not arrogant in talking. Beside

internal factors such as language, external factors in

the form of expressions can also show language

politeness. If someone speaks in a low tone but is

supported by an arrogant, for the Javanese, it still

shows someone’s impoliteness in speaking.

4.3 Students perspective with Batak

background

Based on the data obtained there are 3 students from

the Batak in the field. According to students from

the Batak tribe, someone is said to be polite when

using ethics and speech rules in communication.

According to them, in speaking someone must pay

attention to ethics in communicating such as not to

offend others, not to cut the conversation of others

and pay attention to the context in speaking. One

aspect of context is intonation. Even though

Bataknese do not take into account the high and low

tone of speech, they also keep an eye on who the

interlocutor is and when the conversation takes

place. For Batak people, the high or low tone does

not become a benchmark for the politeness of a

person's language.

4.4 Students perspective with Bugis

background

Based on the data obtained in the field, there is 1

student from the Bugis tribe. According to students

from the Bugis tribe, someone is said to be polite if

his speech does not offend others and good

cooperation is established between speakers and

interlocutors. First, it does not offend the other

person. It same with the other tribes, according to

them polite is seen from the extent to which

speakers can guard the hearts of interlocutors. When

the other person is not offended by someone's

words, the person is said to be polite. Second, there

is good cooperation between speakers and

interlocutor. Good cooperation is between speakers

and interlocutor interrelationships and responses to

each other.

4.5 Students perspective with Banjar

background

Based on data obtained in the field, there is 1

student from the Banjar tribe. According to students

from the Banjar tribe, someone is said to be polite if

the speech does not offend others and pay attention

to the context. First, it does not offend the other

person. Similar to other tribes, students from the

Banjar tribe also say that whether someone is polite

or not can be seen from the extent to which the

speaker can guard the interlocutor in speech. When

the other person is not offended by someone's

words, the person is said to be polite. Second, talk

about the context. Similar to other tribes, for Banjar

people that someone is said to be polite if he is able

to put his conversation in the right context as; who

the other person is talking to, where the

conversation takes place, and when the conversation

takes place.

4.6 Students perspective with Nias

background

Based on data obtained in the field, there is 1

student from the Nias tribe. According to students

from the Nias tribe that someone is said to be polite

in taking care of the context (see who the other

person is speaking to, whether it's the same age or

older). Similar to other tribes, for Nias people that

someone is said to be polite if he is able to put his

conversation in the right context as to who the other

person is, whether the person is older than himself

or the same age, where the conversation take place,

and when the conversation take place.

ICELS 2019 - International Conference on Education, Language, and Society

430

5 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results and findings in this study, it can

be concluded that Indonesian Language and

Literature Education Study Program FKIP UIR

students have different perspectives in language

politeness. This is based on their ethnic background

and culture. According to students from Malay, a

person is said to be polite when speaking does not

offend others, if in speaking the person has good

language behavior such as hospitality, speech that is

conveyed softly and smiles, speaks not in a proud

and arrogant style, focus on the interlocutor, pay

attention to the context and not cut off others. Not

much different from the view of students from the

Malay tribe, students from the Minang tribe also

looked at the politeness of various things such as

someone said to be polite when starting a

conversation with small talk, being able to put the

conversation in the right context, using words in a

low tone, does not cut off the other person and does

not offend the other person.

According to students from the Javanese tribe,

someone is said to be polite when speaking in a low

tone, talking to the context, if speaking in a subtle

language and responding to other people's

conversations, if it does not offend other people,

attitude in speaking also affects politeness such as

focusing on people who is talking and looking into

the other person's eyes, someone is also said to be

polite when not arrogant when talking. Meanwhile,

according to students from the Batak ethnic,

someone is said to be polite when using ethics and

speech rules in communication. According to

students who are from the Bugis tribe, someone is

said to be polite if his speech does not offend other

people and there is good cooperation between

speakers and interlocutor. According to students

from the Banjar tribe, someone is said to be polite if

the speech does not offend others and pay attention

to the context. According to students from the Nias

tribe, someone is said to be polite in taking care of

the context (see who the other person is speaking to,

whether it's the same age or older). The results of

this study imply that everyone with different

cultural backgrounds has different language

politeness.

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