EXPRESSIVE SPEECH ACTS IN THE FILM HAIKYUU!!: GOMI SUTEBA NO KESSEN BY HARUICHI FURUDATE (A PRAGMATIC STUDY)

Abstract

Pragmatic studies view language as a form of social action that cannot be separated from its contextual and situational use. One important area within pragmatics is expressive speech acts, which reflect the speaker’s psychological attitudes toward particular situations. Films provide a relevant medium for pragmatic analysis because they present natural and contextualized language use through character interactions. This study aims to describe the functions of expressive speech acts based on Searle’s theory and to identify their forms based on Wijana’s classification in the film Haikyuu!! Gomi Suteba no Kessen. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, with data sourced from dialogues among characters in the film. Data were collected using observation and note-taking techniques combined with documentation, and analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, which consists of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing.

The results show that 39 expressive speech acts were identified, encompassing six functions: thanking,congratulating,praising,apologizing, complaining, and critizing . Among these functions praising is the most dominant, indicating the strong presence of appreciation, encouragement, and emotional support in character interactions. In terms of form, the expressive speech acts are realized through direct literal, direct non-literal, indirect literal, and indirect non-literal forms, with direct literal speech acts occurring most frequently. These findings suggest that expressive speech acts in the film reflect social relationships, situational contexts, and cultural values such as sportsmanship, solidarity, and mutual respect among the characters.

Keywords: pragmatics, expressive speech acts, Haikyuu!! Gomi Suteba no Kessen film, speech act functions, speech act forms