Unspoken evaluation of impoliteness: The Javanese linguistic interaction example

Unspoken evaluation of impoliteness: The Javanese linguistic interaction example
Norwanto Norwanto | Universitas Islam Negeri Salatiga

This study aims at examining the evaluation of impoliteness not manifested in utterances or actions. The focus is on how speaker-hearers conceal their negative evaluation and the reasons underlying their behavior. The data were collected from a WhatsApp group conversation, from a Focus Group discussion with WhatsApp group members, and through questionnaires. The study approaches the data using relational work and rapport management theories. The study shows that hearers conceal the evaluation of impoliteness by affiliating with the topics evaluated positively instead of negatively evaluated utterances. The behavior can cause contested meanings of unmarked utterances between the hearers and the speakers. Although speakers perceive their utterances as politic or appropriate, the hearers observe them negatively. Furthermore, the Focus Group discussion showed that the WhatsApp Group members conducted the unspoken evaluation of impoliteness to maintain the equanimity of social relationships. The questionnaires indicated that concealing negative evaluation is a recurrent action of native speakers of Javanese.

Keywords: unmarked utterances/actions, relational work, im/politeness, rapport management, Javanese language

Politeness and Camaraderie: How Types of Form Matter in Indonesian Context

 Politeness and Camaraderie: How Types of Form Matter in Indonesian Context

Jumanto

Abstract

This article is about politeness and camaraderie through pragmatic viewpoints within Indonesian context. A language, the writer argues, should be directed to politeness (distant language) and camaraderie (close language), the two varieties of language use in some diglossic speech situation. The writer’s arguments are, among others, that distant language is formal, indirect, and non-literal, and that close language is informal, direct, and literal. Distant language is spoken to hearers with power factor, while close language is spoken to hearers with solidarity factor. Ignorance or incompetence of this may cause impoliteness, i.e. rude situations or awkward situations in interpersonal interactions. This tendency elaborates pragmatic viewpointsfrom Goffman’spositive and negative face [1], Brown and Levinson’s positive and negative politeness strategies[2], Renkema’s solidarity and respect politeness[3],Jumanto’s friendship and politeness[4],[5], and types of hearer elaborated by Brown and Gilman[6]and advocated by Jumanto[5]. Examples in the Indonesian language, based on a simple emic research, are given to support the everyday-use-of-Indonesian-language arguments. 

Keywords: Politeness; camaraderie; impoliteness; distant language; close language; rude situation; awkward situation

Full Text:

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Downloadable G-Drive file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VlcZXnaiQ2B-07FUdr-lYsK-jjwUqMRb/view

References

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Papers in the Journal of Pragmatics Research Vol 7 no. 1 (2025).

Dear all,

This is the newly published paper in the Journal of Pragmatics Research Vol 7 no. 1 (2025).

Articles
Learning by Gaming: Extramural English Gaming Effect on Indonesian Senior High Students' Pragmatic Competence
Muh Ilham Dirwan, Ni Wayan Sartini, Muhammad Zulfadhli
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The Role of Technology in Facilitating the Acquisition of Pragmatic Competence in Online English Language Learning
Mezia Kemala Sari, Efri Yoni, Sri Ariani, Erlinda Syam, Fadila Rasyida
21-33 PDF
Abstract View: 69, PDF Download: 44

Social Semiotics "Masako Package”: Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective
Nancy Natalia Dharmawan, I Ketut Suardana, Yoga Putra Semadi
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Abstract View: 83, PDF Download: 32

Code Switching and Code Mixing in Denny Sumargo’s Podcast on Toxic Relationships
Karisma Tarigan, Yesika T. Girsang
54-85 PDF
Abstract View: 73, PDF Download: 72

Linguistic Reflections of Cultural Ethics: Social Assistance Discourse in Surakarta
Teisar Arkida, Fitri Anekawati, Wakit Abdullah Rais, 86-106 PDF
Abstract View: 43, PDF Download: 13

Strengthening Spiritual Representation Through Charles Sanders Peirce's Semiotic Analysis In The Song Gala Bunga Matahari
Rahma Fatiya, Dewi Kusumaningsih, Muhlis Fajar Wicaksana, Sri Wahono Saptomo, Hanisah Hanafi
107-131 PDF (Bahasa Indonesia)
Abstract View: 58, PDF (Bahasa Indonesia) Download: 22

The Analysis of Emojis and Identities In The Comments Section on Instagram @Ussfeed: From Semiotics to Cyberpragmatics
Muhamad Hilal, Ribut Wahyudi, 132-156

Maharani, F., Firdaus, D., & Sariyati, I. (2025). Turn-Taking Strategies in Happy Sad Confused: Crafting an Interactive and Engaging Talk Show Experience. Journal of Pragmatics Research, 7(1), 157–181. https://ejournal.uinsalatiga.ac.id/index.php/jopr/article/view/3737 

Tren Penelitian Terbaru Kajian Linguistik Pragmatik

 

Teori *impoliteness* oleh Jonathan Culpeper memang merupakan antitesis dari teori *politeness* dan *Cooperative Principle* yang didasarkan pada prinsip Gricean. Namun, relevansi teori ini dalam perkembangan linguistik pragmatik saat ini bergantung pada konteks penggunaannya dan fokus penelitian.

### **Teori Politeness dan Cooperative Principle**

- Teori *politeness* dan *Cooperative Principle* Grice (1975) telah menjadi dasar dalam studi pragmatik komunikasi. Prinsip ini berfokus pada efektivitas komunikasi melalui empat kategori maksim: kualitas, kuantitas, relevansi, dan cara[1][3].

- Teori *politeness* oleh Brown dan Levinson (1987) serta model oleh Leech (1983) memperluas prinsip Grice dengan menambahkan dimensi sosial seperti kesopanan dan strategi komunikasi untuk menghindari pelanggaran sosial[1][3].

- Dalam konteks budaya tertentu, seperti Indonesia, penerapan prinsip Grice sering kali disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan harmoni dan nilai budaya lokal[3].

### **Teori Impoliteness oleh Jonathan Culpeper**

- Culpeper memperkenalkan teori *impoliteness* sebagai cara untuk memahami pelanggaran norma kesopanan dalam komunikasi. Teori ini berfokus pada bagaimana ketidaksopanan digunakan secara strategis untuk mencapai tujuan tertentu, seperti mengekspresikan ketidaksetujuan atau konflik[1].

- Teori ini relevan dalam situasi komunikasi yang tidak kooperatif atau konflik sosial, di mana pelanggaran norma kesopanan menjadi alat komunikasi yang efektif.

### **Relevansi dan Perkembangan**