TINDAK TUTUR EKSPRESIF MENGELUH DALAM ANIME JOSEE TO TORA TO SAKANA-TACHI PRODUKSI STUDIO BONES: KAJIAN PRAGMATIK

Abstract

This study examines the pragmatic context and strategies of expressive speech acts of complaining in the anime Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi, produced by Studio BONES and adapted from the short story by Seiko Tanabe. The background of this research stems from the observation that Japanese speakers tend to express complaints implicitly, influenced by the deeply rooted cultural values of tatemae and honne, which prioritize the maintenance of social harmony, so that the meaning of a complaint can often only be understood through its speech context. Accordingly, both the pragmatic context and the strategies used in expressing complaints are significant aspects for investigation. This study employs Leech's (1983) aspects of speech situation to analyze pragmatic context, along with Searle's (1969) illocutionary speech act theory, which classifies expressive speech acts as manifestations of the speaker's psychological attitude. The classification of complaining strategies follows Anna Trosborg's (1995) framework, comprising four categories: Non-Explicit Reproach, Expression of Disapproval, Accusation, and Blaming. The method employed is descriptive qualitative, utilizing non-participatory observation (simak bebas libat cakap) and note-taking techniques. Data were sourced from the anime's dialogue scripts, set in Osaka Prefecture and characterized by the use of the Kansai dialect (Kansai-ben). The analysis yielded 25 instances of expressive speech acts of complaining. In terms of pragmatic context, the findings show that the meaning of complaints is strongly shaped by the social relationship between speaker and hearer, the situational setting, and the speaker's communicative purpose. In terms of strategy, all four Trosborg categories were found along with their respective sub-strategies. This study concludes that the diversity of complaining strategies employed by the characters is shaped by personality traits, interpersonal social relations, and the situational context of each conversation, consistent with Japanese cultural values that emphasize politeness in communication.