THE USE OF HEDGES IN THE FIRST CLINTON-TRUMP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Dina Mentari

Abstract


Abstract

This research investigated the use of hedges in the first Clinton-Trump presidential debate in 2016. The objectives of this research were 1) to identify the linguistic features of hedges, and 2) to scrutinize the functions of hedges. Since this research is explanatory in nature, the qualitative method is applied. The results revealed that seven linguistic features of hedges, i.e. modal auxiliary verb; modal lexical verb; adjectival, adverbial, and nominal modal phrases; approximators of degree, quantity, frequency and time; introductory phrase; “if” clause; and compound hedges were employed by both candidates. In addition, all of the five pragmatic functions of hedges, i.e. mitigating claims by showing some kind of uncertainty, expressing a lack of full commitment, searching for acceptance as well as expressing  politeness,  avoiding  direct  criticism  especially  when  predicting  future  events  or  consequences,  and requesting the listeners’ involvement were manifested.

 

Keywords: pragmatics, hedge, presidential debate

 

Abstrak

Penelitian ini menganalisis penggunaan hedges dalam debat kepresidenan pertama antara Clinton dan Trump pada tahun 2016. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah 1) untuk mengidentifikasi ciri linguistik penggunaan hedges, dan 2) untuk menginvestigasi fungsi penggunaan hedges. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tujuh macam ciri linguistik penggunaan hedges yaitu kata kerja bantu modal; kata kerja leksikal modal; perkiraan derajat, kuantitas, frekuensi, dan waktu; frasa modal ajektiva, adverbia, dan nominasi; frasa pengantar; klausa if; dan gabungan hedges. Semua fungsi pragmatis penggunaan hedges juga ditemukan dalam penelitian ini. Fungsi-fungsi tersebut adalah memitigasi klaim dengan menunjukkan ketidakpastian, menyatakan kurangnya komitmen, mencari persetujuan dari pendengar dan untuk menyatakan kesopanan, menghindari kritik langsung terutama ketika memprediksi kejadian atau konsekuensi di masa mendatang, dan meminta keterlibatan pendengar.

 

Kata kunci: pragmatik, hedges, debat kepresidenan

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References


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