An Analysis of Expressive Speech Acts in the Anime Kimi no Nawa by Makoto Shinkai

Abstract

Abstract

Humans use language not only to convey information but also to reveal psychological attitudes, including gratitude, complaint, blame, admiration, and regret. Speech acts that carry out this function are known as expressive speech acts. This study aims to (1) identify the types of expressive speech acts and (2) describe the functions of expressive speech acts found in the anime Kimi no Na wa by Makoto Shinkai. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected through observation and note-taking techniques while repeatedly watching the anime and its dialogue script. The type of expressive speech act was analyzed using Searle's (1979) theory, while its function was analyzed using Yule's (2006) pragmatic theory, and the data were processed following Miles and Huberman's (1994) interactive analysis model. The results show that 32 data of expressive speech acts were found, consisting of five types: expressions of gratitude (2 data), complaints (9 data), blaming (4 data), compliments (7 data), and apologies (10 data). Apology was the most dominant type, reflecting the characters' tendency to maintain interpersonal harmony. Functionally, these expressive speech acts serve to convey the speakers' psychological states—such as gratitude, regret, admiration, disappointment, and criticism—while also supporting characterization and the progression of the storyline.

Keywords: expressive speech acts, pragmatics, Kimi no Na wa, Searle, Yule.