A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY: THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE USE OF GIFU DIALECT IN THE FILM KIMI NO NA WA

Abstract

Regional dialect is a form of language variation that reflects regional identity and serves social functions in communication. This study aims to describe the use of the Gifu dialect and analyze its social functions in interactions among characters in Makoto Shinkai's film Kimi no Na wa. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method. The data consist of characters' utterances containing elements of the Gifu dialect. Data were collected through observation and note-taking techniques and analyzed based on dialect theory and language function theory. The results reveal that 49 utterances containing Gifu dialect features were identified, including lexical and grammatical variations, as well as the use of copulas, particles, and negative forms. The social functions identified include interpersonal, referential, personal, and directive functions, with the interpersonal function being the most dominant. Therefore, the use of the Gifu dialect in Kimi no Na wa not only represents linguistic variation but also plays an important role in supporting social functions in interactions among the characters.

Keywords: sociolinguistics, Gifu dialect, social functions, Kimi no Na wa