THE SPEECH ACT OF REQUEST AND POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN ELIZABETH ALLEN’S RAMOONA AND BEEZUS

Abstract

Abstract

This research aims (1) to reveal the types of request strategies and (2) to describe the politeness strategies used by the characters in making request in Ramona and Beezus movie. This research used descriptive qualitative approach. However, quantitative method was also employed in this research to obtain the frequency of the data occurrences in order to support the qualitative interpretation. The data were in the form of utterances containing request uttered by the characters in Ramona and Beezus movie. The context of the data was the dialogues between the characters in Ramona and Beezus movie. The sources of the data were a movie entitled Ramona and Beezus and its dialogue transcript. The researcher was the main instrument of this research, and she was supported by the data sheet as the secondary instrument. The data were collected and analyzed by categorizing the utterances containing request into the data sheet based on the classification of the objectives of the research. The trustworthiness of the data was gained through triangulation. The results of the research show two points. First, there are eight types of request strategies in Ramona and Beezus movie. The strategies are hints strategy, hearer’s ability willingness  strategy,  suggestory formulae  strategy,  speaker’s  wishes  and  desire,  speaker’s  need  and demands, obligation and necessity strategy, performatives strategy, and imperatives strategy. The most dominant type is imperative request strategy. It shows intimacy and closeness between the characters which  allow  them  to  express  their request  imperatively.  Second,  there are four types  of politeness strategies; they are bald on strategy, off record strategy, positive politeness strategy, and negative politeness strategy. Bald on record strategy places the highest rank because the characters prefer to choose direct way in delivering their request and to make clear what they want and need from each other.

Keywords: pragmatics, request, politeness strategies, Ramona and Beezus