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This study examines the politeness strategies used in interactions among sisters in Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women. Using Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory as an analytical framework, this study identifies and classifies the forms of politeness strategies that emerge in the conversations of the four main characters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. The research data consists of dialogic utterances purposively selected from the novel’s text. The results indicate that all four politeness strategies on record, positive politeness, negative politeness, and off record are present in the interactions among the sisters, with positive politeness being the most dominant. The dominance of this strategy reflects the closeness of their relationship, solidarity, and mutual respect among the characters. Additionally, the choice of politeness strategies is also influenced by factors such as social distance, age differences, and situational context. This study contributes to the understanding of language use in a literary context, particularly in depicting the dynamics of family relationships through character interactions.

This community service program is an international initiative aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of language politeness in environmental campaigns, particularly in efforts to reduce plastic waste. The program was carried out through collaboration between Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Politeknik Besut Terengganu Malaysia, and the Geng Plastik Ija Terengganu community. The activities were conducted at Bukit Keluang Beach using a participatory approach that actively involved community members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages of the program. The activities included training on polite communication, simulations of persuasive language use in environmental campaigns, and direct practice of plastic waste reduction campaigns for the surrounding community. Through these activities, participants gained a better understanding of the importance of using polite and effective language in delivering environmental messages to society. The results showed an improvement in participants’ communication skills in environmental advocacy, increased public awareness regarding plastic waste reduction, and greater community participation in maintaining environmental cleanliness. Furthermore, this international collaboration also strengthened cross-cultural communication competencies and institutional cooperation in implementing community service activities oriented toward environmental sustainability.

This study examines the use of politeness principles in netizens’ comments on the Instagram account of Prabowo Subianto. The focus of the research is on utterances that reflect the six maxims of politeness proposed by Leech, namely the tact maxim, generosity maxim, approbation maxim, modesty maxim, agreement maxim, and sympathy maxim. This research employed a qualitative method with a content analysis approach. The data were collected through digital documentation, listening, and note-taking techniques from netizens’ comments on Prabowo Subianto’s Instagram post dated April 13, 2026. The findings show that five politeness maxims were identified in the data, namely the tact maxim with 78 utterances, the approbation maxim with 145 utterances, the modesty maxim with 4 utterances, the agreement maxim with 190 utterances, and the sympathy maxim with 33 utterances. Meanwhile, the generosity maxim was not found in the data. These findings indicate that the comments on the post generally express polite, appreciative, and supportive attitudes toward Prabowo Subianto.

Politeness in language use is a crucial aspect that has become an integral part of Indonesian culture. Politeness norms almost always serve as a reference in every speech act. Since politeness is culturally embedded, what is considered polite in one society may not be perceived the same in another. The YouTube channel Gromore Studio Series presents Central Javanese folktales with dialogic narration rich in linguistic expressions; however, it has not been widely analyzed from the perspective of language politeness. This study aims to analyze language politeness in six folktale videos on the channel using a descriptive qualitative method with content analysis techniques. The data were analyzed based on Leech’s (1983) six maxims of politeness. The results show that most dialogues adhere to the principles of politeness, with 106 data conforming and 38 violating them. The most frequently observed maxim is the Agreement Maxim (28 instances), followed by the Approbation Maxim (26 instances), while the least frequent is the Obligation of O to S Maxim (8 instances). The application of language politeness in these folktales emphasizes harmony, respect, and solidarity among characters, while violations occur less frequently. This study provides valuable insights for research in pragmatic linguistics, the development of culturally based educational content, and the understanding of language politeness in digital media contexts.  

This study examines the use of keigo (honorific speech) by the character Togo Nitta in the Japanese drama Ousama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi. The research focuses on identifying the forms of keigo employed by the main character in his communicative interactions. The method applied is the observational note-taking technique, which involves carefully watching the drama, transcribing all utterances containing keigo and subsequently conducting a qualitative analysis. The data analyses employ Tsujimura’s (1991) framework of keigo, which classifies honorific expressions into three primary categories. These categories are sonkeigo (respectful language), kenjogo (humble language) and teineigo (polite language). The finding indicates that teineigo dominates Togo Nitta’s use of keigo. This form is consistently utilized to refine conversation and express politeness between the speaker and interlocutor, irrespective of relative social status. Specifically, the study identifies four lexemes realized in teineigo form and three lexemes in kenjogo form. The use of kenjogo generally occurs in contexts where Togo Nitta needs to humble himself or his in group (uchi) towards an interlocutor of higher status. These findings suggest that the character’s politeness and adapting to social norms across various situasions, as represented within the drama’s narrative.

This study examines Indonesian as a pillar of academic identity and the urgency of revitalizing students' language attitudes and ethics in the digital era. The rapid development of digital communication has influenced students' language practices in academic contexts, which tend to lead to the use of informal, impolite language that does not reflect academic ethics. This study aims to describe students' language attitudes, academic communication patterns, and the level of awareness of language ethics in the use of Indonesian in higher education. This study used a qualitative approach with participatory observation techniques and in-depth interviews with students. The results show that students basically have normative knowledge of good and correct Indonesian, but this knowledge has not been consistently internalized in academic communication practices, especially in the digital space. The dominant digital communication culture has weakened students' sensitivity to politeness, ethics, and language professionalism. Furthermore, Indonesian language learning in higher education is still more oriented towards the technical aspects of writing than the formation of academic attitudes and identities. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of revitalizing Indonesian language learning that is contextual, reflective, and oriented towards strengthening students' attitudes, ethics, and academic identities in the digital era.

This study aims to explore Generation Z's adaptation to traditional values, particularly the Balinese language sor singgih in Catur Wangsa, amid social changes driven by globalization and technological advancements, from the perspective of interpersonal communication. The phenomenological approach in qualitative research is the research method used, with three data collection techniques: participant observation, unstructured interviews, and documentation. This study also uses source and technique triangulation as a data validity technique. The research informants are members of Generation Z from the five castes in Bali: Brahmana, Ksatria, Weisya, and Sudra. Research conducted across eight districts and cities in Bali indicates that Generation Z is beginning to shift its interpersonal communication patterns. Although they still uphold traditional values of politeness and social norms, Generation Z emphasizes equality and openness in their daily interactions. The generation Z that continues to use the Balinese language is segmented by social context, emotional closeness, and communication situations, rather than solely by caste differences. Furthermore, this study's findings show that the caste system is seen more as a cultural identity than a social boundary. The implications of this research emphasize the importance of preserving the values of Balinese local wisdom in the form of adaptive, egalitarian communication that is relevant to the development of the younger generation in the digital age.

This study analyzes the application of politeness principles in Raditya Dika’s YouTube series Cerita Cintaku using a descriptive qualitative approach within a pragmatic framework. The data consist of 53 utterances collected from four videos, representing Leech’s politeness maxims, including tact, generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement, and sympathy. The findings show that the generosity and modesty maxims are the most dominant, indicating Dika’s consistent effort to maintain ethical and respectful communication by prioritizing audience comfort and feelings. His style reflects empathy, humility, and sensitivity, even when delivering humor in a stand-up storytelling format. These results highlight that entertaining digital content can still uphold politeness values effectively. The study provides useful insights for students, educators, and language researchers in understanding the application of politeness strategies in modern communication contexts. In addition, it offers practical guidance for content creators and public figures to balance engaging content with respectful interaction to build positive and sustainable relationships with audiences in digital platforms today.

This study discusses the role of prayer in shaping character and daily ethics as one of the main pillars of Islamic teachings. Prayer is not merely a ritual act of worship but also serves as a means of spiritual and moral education and shapes the overall personality of Muslims. This study uses a literature review method by examining various sources such as books, journals, and scientific articles relevant to Google Scholar from 2020 to 2025, sourced from 20 Indonesian-language journals and 5 English-language journals. Based on this background, prayer plays an important role in instilling values of discipline, responsibility, sincerity, patience, and self-reflection, which contribute to the formation of an individual's character and integrity. In addition, prayer also serves as the foundation of social ethics by fostering honesty, justice, empathy, politeness, and solidarity in social interactions. There is also congregational prayer, which, when performed, can strengthen the values of togetherness, brotherhood, and social concern, which are the foundations of a harmonious social life. Research shows that consistent and solemn prayer practices can control desires, prevent immoral and evil deeds, and provide mental and spiritual balance for the practitioner. Thus, prayer is an important instrument in the moral and spiritual development of Muslims and is relevant in facing modern challenges such as stress and social ethical degradation.

This community service program aimed to improve students’ understanding and awareness of digital media ethics, particularly language politeness in social media communication. The activity was conducted at a junior high school in Islamic Boarding School Al Falah. The program was designed using participatory and interactive approaches, including lectures, group discussions, role-play simulations, and pre-test and post-test evaluations. The initial findings from the pre-test indicated that most students lacked adequate understanding of ethical digital communication and tended to perceive social media as a free space without rules. After the training, the post-test results showed a significant improvement in students’ comprehension of responsible and polite communication practices in digital environments. Students demonstrated better awareness of the impacts of hate speech, cyberbullying, and misinformation. They were also able to propose constructive and ethical responses to various social media scenarios. The activity resulted in increased digital awareness, positive behavioral changes, and personal commitments from students to promote respectful communication online. This program contributes to strengthening digital literacy and character education among adolescents in rural areas.

This study aims to describe the forms and social functions of code-switching and code-mixing in the film Hujan Bulan Juni and to explain how language choice represents identity and social differences among the characters. The film was chosen because it portrays interactions between characters from different cultural backgrounds Javanese and Manadonese which allows for complex patterns of language contact. The study employed a descriptive qualitative method using observation and note-taking techniques on dialogues containing Indonesian, Javanese, and Manadonese linguistic elements. The data were analyzed using the sociolinguistic frameworks of Gumperz (1982) and Wardhaugh (2015) to uncover the social functions and identity meanings reflected in the speakers’ language choices.The findings reveal that code-switching from Indonesian to Manadonese serves to reinforce ethnic solidarity, emotional closeness, and cultural pride, while switching from Indonesian to Javanese reflects politeness, intimacy, and social hierarchy. Meanwhile, code-mixing between Indonesian and Manadonese marks distinctive speech styles and expresses regional identity, whereas code-mixing between Indonesian and Javanese functions to soften utterances and portray the speakers’ courteous demeanor. Overall, language choice in Hujan Bulan Juni is not merely a communicative tool but also a representation of identity and social differentiation within Indonesia’s multilingual society.

Indonesia, as a multicultural nation, demands that Christian Religious Education (PAK) practices focus not only on doctrinal teaching but also on character development for students, enabling them to live within cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. Language is a crucial element in realizing inclusive education, as the use of impolite or offensive language can trigger prejudice, intolerance, and even bullying, as seen in the forced hijab case in Bantul. This study uses a literature review method to examine the role of language, politeness, and communication strategies in developing students who value pluralism and multiculturalism. The discussion demonstrates that politeness is the foundation of character development and reflects a person's moral values. Through strategies such as integrating Christian values ​​into the curriculum, inclusive teaching methods, creating a school environment that supports diversity, and a holistic communication approach, Christian Religious Education can be a means of transformation that fosters tolerance and harmony. The results confirm that the use of polite and non-offensive language is a key aspect in developing students with character, who are inclusive, and capable of becoming agents of peace in a pluralistic society.

This research explores the use of person deixis in the Balinese language, with a particular focus on the honorific system as a form of social interaction. Person deixis not only reflects the relationship between the speaker and the interlocutor but also serves as a key mechanism for expressing social status, age, and emotional closeness. This research addresses the question: Does the choice of deictic forms involve specific cognitive processes, such as the assessment of social status, politeness, and situational context?  Beside that, this research also discuss what factors most influence the choice of personal pronouns used in dialogue? Employing a descriptive-qualitative approach and analyzing data from Balinese narrative texts, this article examines how the selection of deictic expressions engages complex cognitive mechanisms. The findings reveal that the use of honorifics is not merely a linguistic practice but also influences speakers’ patterns of thought in interpreting and evaluating social relationships. These results support the notion that language and thought are closely interconnected, and that the structure of the Balinese language cultivates a high degree of social sensitivity in its speakers from an early age.

Animated cartoons transcend mere entertainment, offering a rich linguistic landscape that mirrors real-world interactions. This study investigates the pragmatics of directive speech acts, focusing on command strategies in Hey Arnold!, a series celebrated for its realistic portrayal of childhood social dynamics. The episode "Full Moon" serves as a case study, capturing relatable scenarios of peer influence, authority, and moral dilemmas frequently encountered in communities. Using frameworks from Leech (1983), Brown and Levinson (1987), and Blum-Kulka (1987), commands are categorised into direct, indirect, politeness-enhanced, and justification-driven forms. Results reveal that institutional figures employ bald-on-record commands to assert dominance, while peer interactions favour indirect and mitigated directives. Justification-based strategies emerge as tools for subtle persuasion, reinforcing Blum-Kulka’s claim that rationalisation fosters compliance. This research underscores that animated cartoons are not simplistic; they act as linguistic laboratories reflecting real-world discourse. By decoding how commands function in fictional dialogue, we gain deeper insights into the nuanced mechanics of directive speech act strategies in everyday communication. Hey Arnold! exemplifies how language shapes social hierarchies and power dynamics, offering valuable perspectives on the interplay between speech acts and social behaviour.

Language plays a crucial role not only as a means of communication but also as a reflection of the values and character of society. In the context of youth mosque da'wah, the use of polite language is crucial because it influences the effectiveness of conveying religious messages and shaping the morals of listeners. This study aims to examine the application of the principles of polite language in youth mosque da'wah in Karanganyar Regency and efforts to improve it through training activities. The method used was a qualitative approach with observation techniques, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. Data analysis was carried out in three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions interactively. The results of the activity showed a significant increase in the participants' understanding and practice of polite language after attending the training. Based on the questionnaire results, participants' post-test scores increased compared to the pre-test, indicating the effectiveness of the training in strengthening their understanding of the concept of polite speech. Furthermore, observations of da'wah practices showed positive changes in the use of more polite, structured, and empathetic language. This activity not only improved participants' communication skills but also raised awareness of the importance of language ethics in da'wah. Thus, this language politeness training contributes to the character development of mosque youth, helping them become moral, communicative, and civilized young preachers. It is hoped that similar activities can be developed to a more advanced level in the future to strengthen the application of politeness in religious communication among youth.

One of the factors that determine the success of a character-based language learning process is the interaction between teachers and students. Polite language from students can show that they have the expected character, in addition to showing that teachers have helped students behave with polite language. Classes often do not meet expectations. Many students are still unable to pronounce good words. In the last two decades, there has been a significant decline in the implementation of polite language originating from Brebes Regency. Children believe that using impolite language is acceptable to their friends and following trends in their environment because of the abundance of impolite language in society. This causes people to use Indonesian less. The purpose of this study is to determine the politeness of Indonesian language students in interacting with teachers in grade IV SDN 1 Karangdempel. This study uses a qualitative research type. The approach used in this study is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. The location of this research is SDN 1 Karangdempel, Losari District, Brebes Regency, Central Java, Indonesia 52212. Based on research that has been done on the analysis of the form of politeness in Indonesian language in interacting with teachers in the learning process is polite. Because, in the implementation of the learning process can include several maxims including: Maxim of wisdom/wisdom, maxim of generosity, maxim of praise/appreciation, maxim of humility/simplicity, maxim of agreement/agreement, and maxim of sympathy. From several existing maxims it can be concluded that the maxim of humility/simplicity is the one most frequently found in the data of politeness in Indonesian language in class IV SDN 1 Karangdempel, Brebes Regency, because that maxim is the one that occurs most often in learning activities.

This research analyzes the speech acts used by the student community at Universitas Negeri Medan in both academic and social interactions. Speech acts are the smallest components in communication that determine the meaning or intention of an utterance as conveyed by the speaker in accordance with a specific context or condition. The communication context consists of social contexts, which refer to the relationship between the speaker and the interlocutor. The purpose of this study is to identify the forms, principles, implicatures, deixis, and how various communication contexts influence the choice of speech acts and linguistic politeness. The methodology employed in this study combines methodological and theoretical approaches. The methodological approach is descriptive qualitative, while the theoretical approach applies pragmatic perspectives supported by literature review. The research methods include observation, interviews, audio recordings, transcription, and literature study by analyzing relevant sources. The findings reveal that in social interactions, students more frequently employ expressive and commissive speech acts to build and express emotions. Factors influencing this include situational context, the impact of media and technology, relationships with interlocutors, and cultural background. The study concludes that understanding speech acts is crucial for improving communication effectiveness among students in both academic and social settings. The implications of this research can be applied to the development of better communication strategies in educational environments and to enhance students’ awareness of polite and contextually appropriate language use.

This corpus-based study explores the acquisition patterns of English modal verbs by Indonesian EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners through a comprehensive analysis of learner language data. The study utilizes a specialized learner corpus consisting of 2.5 million words drawn from both written and spoken productions of 450 Indonesian learners, covering various proficiency levels. The research focuses on examining the frequency patterns, semantic distributions, and error types associated with modal verb usage across the learner corpus. The study employs a combination of quantitative corpus linguistic methods and qualitative error analysis to uncover developmental trends and persistent difficulties in acquiring English modals. The findings highlight a significant underuse of epistemic modality, which expresses degrees of certainty, and an overreliance on core modals like "can," "will," and "must." Additionally, learners systematically avoid more complex modal constructions that are semantically nuanced and less frequent in their linguistic output. The analysis also reveals notable cross-linguistic influences from Indonesian, particularly in the areas of politeness marking and the expression of certainty. These interference patterns suggest that Indonesian learners may transfer modal expressions from their native language, leading to specific errors in the usage of English modals. Based on the findings, the study proposes a usage-based pedagogical framework that integrates corpus-informed instruction with explicit semantic mapping of modal meanings. This framework encourages teachers to address modal verb acquisition by emphasizing frequency-based approaches, contrastive semantic analysis, and corpus-driven awareness-raising activities. The research suggests that by focusing on the form-meaning-function relationships of modals in authentic contexts, learners can better understand and produce English modals accurately and appropriately. The findings have significant implications for enhancing modal verb instruction in EFL classrooms, especially for Indonesian learners.

This study discusses the use of interrogative sentences in the learning process in the afternoon class A of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program at Universitas PGRI Pontianak. Interrogative sentences play an important role in verbal interaction as they are used to obtain information and create effective communication. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach aimed at describing the forms, types, functions, and politeness aspects of interrogative sentences used by students. The results show that students use interrogative sentences in both total forms (expecting yes or no answers) and partial forms (using question words such as what, who, when, where, why, and how). In addition, the aspect of politeness in questioning is also considered important within the learning context. This study is expected to contribute to the development of communication competence and support more effective and polite Indonesian language learning.

This study aims to analyze the function of imperative sentences in everyday life on the campus of Universitas PGRI Pontianak, specifically among students of PBSI Class A Afternoon Semester 4. This study uses a pragmatic approach to understand how imperative sentences are used in the context of campus communication. The results show that imperative sentences are used in various language functions, such as giving instructions, asking for help, and showing politeness. This study also finds that the use of imperative sentences can affect social relationships and communication between individuals on campus. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the use of imperative sentences in the context of campus communication and can serve as a reference for further research on pragmatics and communication.