S E M A N T I C S

AN ANALYSIS OF ILLOCUTION ACT IN SEVEN RED LINES; THE EXPERT

SERIES MOVIE; PERSPECTIVE OF SEMANTICS
By QOMARIYAH (160511100006)

A. INTRODUCTION

a.1 Background of study

Language or linguistic is a tool of human interaction. It is to communicate with others.

Also the communication can connect two people things or more in order to understand
what they mean. People or language users as speakers usually feel more comfortable and
enjoyable to talk to someone who can respond to what they say. Via the language, the
speaker deliver the intended information to addressee where the addressee will receive and
respond according to the information requested. In fact, there are some branch which
developing in linguistics, mainly semantics.

Semantics is concerned with the study of literal meaning. It means that semantics is a
study about meaning in natural languages. Semantics has a lot of subvision, one of the
most interesting theory in semantics is speech act. Speech act is action or intent that a
speaker accomplishes when using a language, the meaning of which is inferred by hearer
(Fromkin, 2003). The speaker uses language through spoken to the hearer than the hearer
interprets the speaker’s utterances.

In addition, the concept needs to be translated and several terms in the semantics that
will be used to study it. First, speech is basically an act. In the discussion of speech acts,
Hurford (1996) explains, "... the distinction between action and speech is a false
oversimplification. We will show how, broadly, speech is an action, and language can
actually be used to do something. "

The term ‘speech act’ is derived from the work of John Langshaw Austin. He was a
British philosopher of language and leading proponent of ordinary language philosophy,
perhaps best known for developing the theory of speech acts in the book entitled How to
Do Things with Words in 1962. He says that the action performed when utterance is
produced can be analysis on the three different levels. These are Locutionary act,

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Illocutionary act, and Perlocutionary act. The illocutionary act is part of speech act that
becomes the basic of analysis.

Illocutionary act is the action to be achieved by the speaker at the time of telling
something and can be an action states, promises, apologies, and so for. In addition, Searle
(1969) states that illocutionary act is the act perform a function of act. Illocution act is
divided into two: direct illocution and indirect illocution. Direct illocution is an action
contained in accordance with the meaning of speech that is understood directly, while
indirect illocution is another action that can be understood implicitly.

Direct utterance is important in daily conversation. The direct illocution of an utterance

is the illocution most directly indicated by a literal reading of the grammatical form and
vocabulary of the sentence uttered. Direct utterance uses to talk directly. A communication
will be successful when there is no misinterpretation. Knowing the form of direct utterance
will be useful to make a good communication. When a person speaks to another, the
speaker must be aware what is being talked. Kreidler states that the form of direct utterance
is divided into three (Kreidler 1998:176). The form of direct utterance is declarative
utterance, interrogative utterance and imperative utterance. Some direct utterances are used
transcrib of movie.

One of movie is seven red lines; the expert series. Seven red lines; the expert series
movie is a sketch comedy movie, which directed and co-produced by Austin sketch. This
movie has been watched by around 22 million people on YouTube. Moreover there many
characters there are Justine’s boss, Justine, The vendor lead, Walter and Anderson the
Expert’s boss. Each characters in this movie has a different utterance to convey meaning to
others like illocution act.

Based on background above, this research analyses seven red lines; the expert series
movie. In this movie there are many utterances that have natural meaning the uttered by the
characters. From this movie the writer can learn how to understand and to use illocutionary
act correctly. In the following,the writer gives an example of illocutionary act occured in
seven red lines; the expert series movie.

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Example of illocutionary act in seven red lines; the expert series:

Justin’s boss: “In pursuit of these objectives, we’ve started a new project which will
require Seven Red Lines. I understand your company can help us in this matter?”.

The form of direct is interrogative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because when justin’s boss says “In pursuit of these objectives, we’ve started a new project
which will require Seven Red Lines. I understand your company can help us in this
matter?”. Justin’s boss as speaker requests, he requests other company to help his
company. Also the speaker already known and understand that other company can help to
increase his company with the cooperative it.

The writer do this research is find out illocutionary act in this movie. And also the
writer interested to take this movie to be analyzed. The writer wants to explore those
utterances or illocutionary act which uttered by all of the main characters in seven red
lines; the expert series. The writer chooses this movie as the subject of the research
because the conversation of the main characters represents the daily conversation. In each
conversation certains each types of illocutionary act. And also the writer wants to analyze
the conversation and the clasify each utterance to the type of illocutionary act appeared in
seven red lines; the expert series movie.

From the background of the study presented above, it can be formulated problems of
this research as follows what is form of direct illocution and types of illocution act find in
seven red lines; the expert series. Alright, objectives of the study is find the form of direct
illocution and explaint types of illocution act in seven red lines; the expert series. This
study is expected to give both theoretical and practical contributions. Theoretically, this
study is expected to give a contribution to further writer and gives a better understanding
of illocution act especially the types of illocution act in perspective semantics. Practically,
the writer hopes that the result of this study can be useful for people. Therefore this study
would give benefits to the readers who interested in this field to obtain a deeper
understanding of speech act especially illocution act.

However, the scope of this study is focus on illocution act which find in seven red
lines; the expert series. The form of direct illocution and types of illocution act is proposed
by Kreidler (1998) and Searle (1969). The limit is the utterance of conversation that

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contain illocution act used by the main characters in seven red lines; the expert series
movie.

B. DISCUSSION

Speech action or speech act is one of the analysis that examines language with its
actual aspects of use. Speech act theory (SAT) believes in identifying utterances and turns
as actual actions. This theory not only considers language used by the speaker but studies
change in the state of behavior of the speaker as well as the listener at the time of
communication.

b.1 Theoritical Review

b.1.1 Form Of Direct Sentence Of Kreidler

The form of direct illocution are divided three, there are declarative, interrogative, and
imperative (Kreidler, 1998). It is presented as follow:

(a) Declarative is usually uses to inform another. Declarative sentences use the first
speaker to inform the second speaker about something. The uses of declarative
sentences found in data source. All of declarative sentences has function to
informing. Example: Jan is a student.
(b) Interrogative is remarked with unique characteristic. It is clear distinction between
declarative form and interrogative form. Interrogative sentences also use question
mark. It is also different with the other form.Example: What is your name?
(c) Imperative gives a command, makes a request, or express a wish. Example: Go to
your room. (an order) or Please lend me your pen. (a request)
(d) )Exclamatory expresses sudden and strong feelings, such as surprise, wonder, pity,
sympathy, happiness or gratitude. Example: Oh! What a shame!

b.1.2 Illocution Act Of Searle

Besides Austin, John Searle contributed a lot to the speech act theory. Searle develops
and extends the speech act theory that Austin introduced. Searle focuses on
the illocutionary acts performed by the speaker.

Broadly speaking, the types of the illocutionary speech acts (Searle, 1969) are as
follows:

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(a) Assertives are an illocutionary speech act that binds speakers to the truth of the
propositions expressed such as stating, suggesting, boasting, claiming and
complaining. For example: “You must hard work to become successful”. It is one of
assertive namely suggesting.
(b) Directives are an illocutionary speech acts aimed at raises several effects through
the actions of the listener such as orderin, commanding, requesting, advising, and
recommending. For example: “May you help me?”. It is one of directive namely
requesting.
(c) Commissives are an illocutionary speech acts that involve speaker on several
upcoming actions such as promising, vowing, offering. This type of speech act
tends to function pleasantly rather than competitively, carried out in a way that fills
a person's interests more than the speaker. For example: “Do you want a coffee?”.
It is one of commissive namely offering.
(d) Expressives are an illocutionary speech act which serves to express or express the
psychological attitude of the speaker towards a statement estimated by ilocution,
for example thanking, congratulating, pardoning, blambing, praising, and
condoling. For example: “Thank you for help me”. It is one of expressive namely
thanking.
(e) Declarations are an illocutionary speech act which if its performance is successful
will cause good correspondence between content proportional to reality such as
resigning, dismissing, chistening, naming, appointing, excommicating, and
sentencing. For example: “I punish you to clean this room”. It is one of declaration
namely sentencing.

b.2 Methodology

This study uses qualitative research. This study describes and explains the information
about form of direct and types of illocution act. Qualitative research has the natural setting
as the direct source of data. the data is take from dialogue of seven red lines; the expert
series movie. In this study, the writer is take from the utterance which is speak by the main
character in seven red lines; the expert series movie. The writer only focuses the utterance
which contain illocution act. The key instrument of this study is the writer itself. The writer
spends a lot of time for watching and trying to understand in seven red lines; the expert
series movie. There are step to collect the data such as searching, downloading, watching,

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transcribing, taking notes, and collecting the utterances which belong to form of direct and
types of illocution act.

b.3 Finding

Data 1

Justin’s boss: “In pursuit of these objectives, we’ve started a new project which will
require Seven Red Lines. I understand your company can help us in this matter?”.
(00:13)

The form of direct is interrogative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because when justin’s boss says “In pursuit of these objectives, we’ve started a new project
which will require Seven Red Lines. I understand your company can help us in this
matter?”. Justin’s boss as speaker requests, he requests other company to help his
company. Also the speaker already known and understand that other company can help to
increase his company with the cooperative it.

Data 2

The vendor lead: “Of course, Walter here will be the project manager, Walter, we can
do this, can’t we?”. (00:20)

The form of direct is interrogative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because when The vendor lead says “ Of course, Walter here will be the project manager,
Walter, we can do this, can’t we?”. The vendor lead as speaker requests Walter to do
something so that the client can believe that he has ability it. And the vendor lead gives
stress in utterance like “can’n we?” thatt it means refer affirmation in commanding
someone to do something.

Data 3

Walter: “Yes, of course. Anderson here is our expert in all matters related to drawing
red lines. We brought him along today to share his professional opinion”. (00: 30)

The form of direct is declarative sentence but the types of illocution act is assertive
because when Walter says “Yes, of course. Anderson here is our expert in all matters
related to drawing red lines. We brought him along today to share his professional

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opinion”. The Walter as speaker states that Aderson have ability; expert in drawing lines
to fulfill the wishes of his clients. And he is expert and professional man who are willing to
share knowledge and experience with his clients. Also then his expert can recommand to
other client who wants to use his skill.

Data 4

Walter: “Let’s not rush into any hasty answers, Anderson! The task and needs to be
carried out. At the end of the day, you are an expert”. (00: 48)

The form of direct is declarative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because when Walter says “Let’s not rush into any hasty answers, Anderson! The task and
needs to be carried out. At the end of the day, you are an expert.”. The Walter as speaker
suggests that Aderson not to rush to make a decision because he is an expert. He can
recommend Aderson’s skill as expert to other clients.

Data 5

Aderson: “But I am quite sure that the target audience of your project does not
consists solely of such people”. (1:04)

The form of direct is declarative sentence but the types of illocution act is expressive
because when Aderson says “But I am quite sure that the target audience of your project
does not consists solely of such people”. He as speaker praises that the new project can be
successful to reach big target. And then he hopes that the new project can recommend to
cooperative.

Data 6

Aderson: “It still won’t work. If you use blue ink, you will get blue lines. And what
exactly did you mean, when you talked about the transparent ink? “. (1:30)

The form of direct is interrogative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because When Aderson says “It still won’t work. If you use blue ink, you will get blue
lines. And what exactly did you mean, when you talked about the transparent ink?“.
The Aderson as speaker requests the vendor lead that he is not know about it. Aderson
confuses with his client talked so that he complains about what the client really wants.

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Data 7

Aderson: “Alright, let’s leave aside the colour for the moment. You had something
there also relating to perpendicularity?”. (2:13)

The form of direct is interrogative sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
because when Aderson says “Alright, let’s leave aside the colour for the moment. You had
something there also relating to perpendicularity?”. The Aderson as speaker requests the
vendor lead to move the topic but the Aderson gives opportunity to recommend the oher
ideas so that the new project can accept to other clients.

Data 8

Walter: “Exactly. Suggest a solution! Any fool can criticize, no offence, but you’re an
expert, you should know better!”. (5:01)

The form of direct is exclamatory sentence but the types of illocution act is directive
when Walter says “Exactly. Suggest a solution! Any fool can criticize, no offence, but
you’re an expert, you should know better!”. The Walter as speaker advises Aderson as the
expert is more know about it. And then he is give complaining if the Aderson is an expert
so that he must be more better than him.

Data 9

The vendor lead: “Excellent. Organise a business trip, we’ll cover the expenses, go
over to their location, inflate the balloon. Well this was very productive, thank you all!”.
(6:43)

The form of direct is exclamatory sentence but the types of illocution act is expressive
when The vendor lead says “Excellent. Organise a business trip, we’ll cover the
expenses, go over to their location, inflate the balloon. Well this was very productive,
thank you all!”. He as speaker states thanking to Aderson as the expert. He can belive to
arise new project.

Data 10

Aderson: “Of course I can! I can do anything, I can do absolutely anything. I’m an
“expert!”. (7:16)

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The form of direct is exclamatory sentence but the types of illocution act is assertive
when Aderson says “Of course I can! I can do anything, I can do absolutely anything.
I’m an “expert!”. He as speaker states that he has ability as the expert. He can do anything
with profesional skill. And then his skill can recommend to use in raising his company.

C. CONCLUSION

Well the speech act is an act that a speaker performs when making an utterance. In
other words, the speech act is an action performed in saying something. However Searle
sees speech acts based on the listener which is how the listener responds to the utterance
and how the speaker purposes of using certain utterances, which focuses on
the illocutionary acts. Searle (1969) states that illocutionary act is the act perform a
function of act. Illocution act is divided into two: direct illocution and indirect illocution.
The form of direct utterance is declarative utterance, interrogative utterance and imperative
utterance. And also there are five types of the illocutionary acts such as assertives,
directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations. And the seven red lines; the expert
series movie already find that ten datas have different form of direct and types of illocution
act. In the form of direct, there are four interrogative sentence, three declarative sentence,
and three exclamatory sentence. While the types of illocution act, there are six directive,
two assertive, and two expressive.

References :

Austin, J. L. (1962). How To Do Things With Words. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.
1
Fromkin, V. (2003). An introduction to language (7th ed.). Boston: Heinl
Hunford, J. 1996. Semantics: a Course book. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Jerry L., eds, Syntax and Semantics 3: Speech Acts (New York: Academic Press),
41–58.
Keidler, W. 1998. Introducing English Semantics. London and New York: Routledge.
Levinson, S. C. (1983). Pragmatics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Searle, J. R. (1969). Speech acts: An essay in the philosophy of
language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.