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Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page.

165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

ASSERTIVE UTTERANCE USED IN READERS’ FORUM ON


JAKARTA POST NEWSPAPER
Hajjah Zulianti1), Febriyanti2)
1
STKIP PGRI Bandar Lampung
email: hazaulie@gmail.com
2
STKIP PGRI Bandar Lampung
email: febriyanti.pascaunila@gmail.com

Abstract

This research aims to describe the forms, the types and the focus of assertive utterance used in
readers’ forum on Jakarta post newspaper. This research is descriptive qualitative research. In
collecting assertive utterances, the researcher uses observation method combined with noting
technique. In analyzing the data, the researcher uses descriptive qualitative method. The result of
analysis shows there are two forms of assertive namely direct and indirect assertive. The types of
assertive are categorized into five; asserting, reporting, explaining, showing something, and
suggesting. They focus on information, truth-value of utterance, speaker’s commitment in what is
reported, and focus on aspect.

Keywords: Assertive utterance, readers’ forum, pragmatic, readers’ forum.

1. INTRODUCTION other about the condition, but to


In delivering information, inform them about the condition.
people may use kinds of The form of utterance such as the
sentences such as declarative to example above relates to the
tell something, imperative to speaker intentions about what
request action, and interrogative they say. According to Hatch
to ask something. Those kinds of (1992:260) when someone
sentence are categorized based listens to a speech, usually he
on the form of sentence. In this tries to understand the meaning
case, actual utterances can have of the words and he also tries to
various functions that are understand what a speaker
independent from those forms. means. The study of what
The use of interrogative sentence speaker means to convey when
does not always mean to ask he/she uses a particular structure
something to someone else; it in context is called pragmatics.
can be to inform something to Pragmatics is the study of the
someone else. For example: “do relation of signs to interpreters
you know, it is raining?” this (Morris in Mey, 2001:4). It
utterance may mean not to ask focuses on the process of
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

producing language and on its acceptable grammar and


producers, not just in the end- structure, but also produce kinds
product, language (Mey, 2001:5). of action via the utterances.
Pragmatics can also mean the In particular, Searle (1975:
study of the way in which 344), expanding upon work in
language is used to express or Austin (1962) and Crystal (2008:
interpret real intentions in 446) create another level of
particular situation, especially categorization, termed
when the actual words that are "illocutionary points". They split
used to mean something different all utterances into some
(Hornby, 1995:905). Leech categories, one of them is
(1993: 6) says that pragmatics is assertive utterance which states
the study of meaning in relation something the speaker thinks, is
to speech situation. To true or false (to some degree).
understand the meaning of Assertive is types of speech
someone’s utterances, it is act which commit the speaker to
important to have the same the truth of the expressed
comprehension between the proposition (Levinson, 1983:
speakers and the listener or the 240). It is the type of speech act
writers and the readers, so the in which the speaker asserts ‘a
meaning of utterances or proposition to be true, using such
sentences can be reached. Austin verbs as affirm, believe,
classified the utterance as the conclude, report, deny, etc
speech act which occurs in (Searle,1998: 148). They include
everything we say. allege, announce, agree, report,
Speech act theory provides remind, predict, and protest
this research with a mean of the (Kreidler, 1998: 184). For
acts performed by the speaker example, the utterance “the
through the words (Yule, weather is very hot today” shows
1996:47). In delivering idea, that the writer is proud of
feeling, and message through him/herself and that is true. As
utterances, people do not only Kreidler (1998:183) says that in
produce utterances with the assertive function speakers
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

and writers use language to tell communication. The result of


what they know or believe; analysis can be used as an
assertive language is concerned additional teaching material of
with facts. The main objective of pragmatic especially on assertive
assertive utterance is people speech act. Moreover, the
should be able to deliver analysis may increase readers’
information concerned with understanding about intended
facts. Hopefully they are capable meaning from what others say
of how to understand something through observing the context of
that is commanded by the writers the utterance.
or speakers.
2. RESEARCH METHODS
In this research, the researcher
This research is a pragmatic
analyzed the discourse used by
analysis. The data in this
the reader in readers’ forum on
research are in the form of
Jakarta post. To study discourse
sentences taken from readers’
means to investigate the
forum on Jakarta Post
relationship between forms and
Newspaper. The object of this
function in verbal
study is assertive utterances used
communication (Renkema, 2004:
in readers’ forum on Jakarta Post
1). Moreover Paltridge (2006:
Newspaper. The writer analyzes
53) adds that an understanding of
the sentences which contain
how language functions in
pragmatic meaning. In collecting
context is central to an
the data, the writer uses
understanding of the relationship
observation method. The
between what is said and what is
observation method here is
understood in spoken and written
combined with writing technique
discourse. The writer takes the
or noting technique. It is the
written information in
continuation technique which
Newspaper (Jakarta Post)
applies the observation method.
especially in reader’s forum as
In this research, the researcher
the data to be analyzed and
uses descriptive qualitative
described in area of assertive
method to analyze the data.
utterance in written
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

Basically, the purpose of Assertive


analyzing the data is to help the 2. Direct 3 2.31
Assertive
researcher to get the data into TOTAL 130 100
their shape and suggest how to
interpret them. 3.1.1 Indirect Assertive Utterance
In indirect assertive utterance,
3. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
the speaker communicates to the
Based on the data analysis,
hearer more than he actually says
the researcher found 130
by way of relying on their
assertive utterances uttered by
mutually shared background
the reader from 24 issues in
information. According to the
readers’ forum on Jakarta post.
result of the analysis, the
For the explanation detail of each
researcher found 127 assertive
finding, the researcher will
utterances which include in
explain the data in the following
indirect assertive act. Here are
section.
some examples of the data:
3.1 Form of Assertive Utterance
(1) It’s getting real tiring hearing about
According to the result of
these bribery cases. What is there to
analysis, the researcher found
think, really?
both of the forms of assertive
(2) They are more handy making their
utterance, direct and indirect
own oplosan (blended liquor) and
assertive utterance. From 130
killing themselves.
assertive utterances, the
Datum (1) is taken from
researcher found 3 data of direct
readers’ forum on April 07 2016
assertive utterance and 127 data
about “bribery in reclamation
of indirect assertive utterance.
project”. In utterance (1) the
Here are the percentage of
speaker said that “It’s getting
occurrence and explanations of
real tiring hearing about these
each category:
bribery cases. What is there to
Table 1: The Percentage of Assertive
think, really?” This assertive
Utterance Form in Readers’ Forum
utterance may function as a
No Form of Number of Perce
protest to the news about bribery.
Assertive Occurrence ntage
1. Indirect 127 97.7 The speaker tended to say it
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

indirectly. He means more than agreed with Papuan Governor


what he said. The speaker did not Lukas Enembe’s policy to ban
mean that it was really tiring to the distribution of alcoholic
hearing that case but he meant beverages in the province.
that the cases should be Agreeing statement by the
immediately resolved. In speaker in the first utterance
utterance (2), the speaker said actually is not an agreement
“Power tends to corrupt. Good because he continued his
people focus on their job.” What utterance by saying and killing
he uttered means that he themselves. It is impossible for
reminded the readers or people to someone who agrees with
be said as good people, people something that can kill people’s
should focus on their jobs not on life. So, the researcher could
their powers. Through his conclude that, in the case of
utterance, what he meant was datum (4), the speaker has
more than what he said. He indirectly conveyed more
hoped that people need to information than what he said
concentrate on their jobs and through his utterance.
they do not devote themselves to 3.1.2 Direct Assertive Utterance
power. According to the result of
Meanwhile, in datum (2), the analysis, the researcher found 3
speaker uttered They are more direct assertive utterances in
handy making their own oplosan reader forum on Jakarta post
(blended liquor) and killing newspaper. Here are some of the
themselves. The speaker was data:
denying the third utterance (3) On Indonesian-Chinese bilateral ties
through his utterance. In the I absolute agree with Prof.
beginning of his utterance he Christopher Roberts about
agreed with the third utterance Indonesia’s dispute-settlement
but in the end of his utterance, he capacity on issues surrounding
said and killing themselves. In maritime borders and resources.
this case, through the speaker’s Pak Jokowi , you’ve been under the
utterance, he means that he
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

thumb of the Chinese since day one the comment. In this case, the
of your presidency. speaker conveyed his
(4) It also says kill the unbelievers disagreement of the previous
wherever you find them. These utterance about killing
monsters find justification for their unbelievers. Through his
evil actions in the Holy Koran and utterance, the speaker expresses
the Hadiths. You or I may not his meaning directly and it has
agree with their interpretation, but literal meaning that is
that is what they do.  disagreement of other
According to the data above, interpretation about killing
the speakers used direct assertive innocent persons.
utterance in giving their 3.2 Type of Assertive utterance
comments in readers’ forum. From the data analysis, the
Utterance (3) is taken from researcher found five types of
readers’ forum on Wednesday, assertive utterance namely
6th April 2016 on the issue of asserting, reporting, explaining,
“Indonesia-Chinese bilateral showing something, and
ties”. The speaker I (Eduard suggesting. The researcher did
Iseli) asserted that he agreed with not find the type of refusing in
prof. Christopher Roberts about readers’ forum on Jakarta post.
Indonesia’s dispute-settlement The highest number of
capacity on issues surrounding occurrence for the type of
maritime borders and resources. assertive utterance is asserting
The utterance has literal meaning followed by suggesting,
telling about the truth condition reporting, showing something
of the speaker that he agreed and the least occurrence is
with someone’s statement. explaining. For the explanation
Datum (4) is direct assertive detail of each type, the researcher
utterance by Cash in readers’ will show the percentage of
forum on the issue of “Taliban occurrence and describe them in
claims Lahore bombing” (Friday, the following section:
1st April 2016. The speaker used
the words You or I in delivering
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

defines that asserting is the act of


Table 2: The Percentage of Assertive conveying information about the
Utterance Type in Readers’ Forum truth and fact. According to the
No Type of Number Perce result of analysis, the researcher
Assertive of ntage classified asserting into eight
Occurren
categories such as stating,
ce
1. Ass 84 64.6 claiming, affirming, alleging,
ertin agreeing, reminding, predicting,
g
2. Rep 10 7.69 and protesting. The analysis of
ortin asserting act found in readers’
g forum is presented below:
3. Exp 5 3.85
laini (5) There is no problem and the most
ng important thing is that the
4. Showing 8 6.15
cooperation is expected to boost ties
Something
5. Sug 23 17.7 between the two countries.
gesti Examples (5) asserting
ng
utterance taken from readers’
6. Ref 0 0
usin forum on April 15, 201 on the
g issue of “how to make China-RI
TOTAL 130 100
railway co-op work”. The form

3.2.1 Asserting of asserting on those utterances

Asserting is a term used in is stating. Stating means

pragmatics and semantics not expressing something definitely

only in its ordinary sense of or clearly in speech or writing. In

presenting information as true, the utterance (5) the speaker

but also more technically for that expresses his opinion about

portion of the information China-RI cooperation work

encoded in a sentence which is clearly by adding the expectation

presented by the speaker as true, in the end of his utterance.

as opposed to that portion which (6) It seems to be like taking candy

is merely presupposed (Crystal, from a never-emptying candy jar.

2008: 39). As Hornby 1995:61) Utterances (6) asserting


utterance taken from readers’
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

forum on April 06 and April 07, Utterance (7) is taken from


2016 on the issue of “Indonesia- the issue of “Papua bans alcohol
Chinese bilateral ties” and consumption” on April 13, 2016.
“bribery in the reclamation In this utterance, the speaker
project”. The asserting utterance uttered that a ban will only
in that example include in strengthen the unregulated
claiming something. Claiming moonshine scene and deliver
means stating or asserting even worse social outcomes.
something is the case, typically Through his utterance, the
without providing evidence or speaker affirmed that prohibition
proof. In that utterance, the alcohol in Papua will only give a
speaker has claimed that the worse impact in a society.
news about bribery is like taking Through his utterance, he
candy from a never-emptying implied that this issue becomes a
candy jar. Through her utterance, serious problem and should be
the speaker intended to inform considered again.
that the case about bribery has (8) She was forced to disembark the
never done. Moreover, according aircraft by the cabin crew.
to the context of her utterance, Meaning, she passed the on-ground
she expected that corruption crew checks. Meaning, she had
eradication commission (KPK) already informed them of her
could resolve the problem soon. condition beforehand. Just my
(7) It is a very difficult problem. There common sense. 
are social harms and this has a lot Utterance (8) is taken from
to do with the physiological reality the issue of “Etihad apologizes
that Melanesians don’t have the for denying service to disabled
thousands of years of alcohol Indonesian woman” on Tuesday,
conditioning that other ethnicities 12th April 2016. Utterance (8) is
do, but a ban will only strengthen the response of previous
the unregulated moonshine scene comment in readers forum that is
and deliver even worse social “Did she (or the ticket agent if
outcomes. she was using one) inform the
airline of her condition when she
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

booked the ticket?” Through his governor should ban alcohol in


response, he tended to allege his order not to kill future
statement by using words just my generations.
common sense. In this case, the (10) Buildings can be sealed by
speaker actually did not have any thoughtless officials, but they
authentic data to prove his cannot seal the hearts of people of
utterance. He only used his sense faith. No matter what faith that is.
to analyze the situation. Through Utterance (10) is taken from
his utterance, he implied the issue of “Govt must reopen
indirectly that he agreed with the churches in Bekasi, Bogor” on
reader in the first comment that Saturday, 2nd April 2106.
the passengers should not inform Through his utterance, the
their physical condition to the speaker reminded the
airline services. government indirectly that the
(9) Alcohol kills the future generation hearts of people of faith can be
and banning the consumption as sealed as they sealed the
well as the production is a very building. He intends that the
good idea. government only does a wasteful
Utterance (9) is taken from work because believers will
the reader forum on April 13, remain faithful even if they are in
2016 on the issue of “Papua bans trouble with their places of
alcohol production”. That worship.
utterance is asserting in the form (11) They might call it an “enhanced
of agreeing with something. interrogation technique”. Of course
Agree means consent to do it’s torture and every year at least a
something that has been couple of news stories come
suggested by another person. through in which suspects suddenly
Utterance (9) is an agreement die of “heart attacks” or for
form of the speaker which is “unknown reasons” during
uttered indirectly. Through his interrogation. I wonder though how
statement, he agreed with the many really die — surely more than
governor of Papua to ban just a couple.
alcohol. He implied that the
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
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Datum (11) is taken from the Papers” on April 15, 2016. In


issue of “Siyono’s death from this utterance, the speaker
torture” on Thursday, 14th April asserted some questions and
2016. The speaker indirectly statements in his utterance. The
asserted the utterance in form of questions uttered actually were
predicting. Predict means saying not questions to be answered.
or estimating that (a specified Through the questions and
thing) will happen in the future statements, the speaker tended to
or will be a consequence of protest about BPK chairman.
something. In statement (11), the Protest is a statement or action
speaker predicted that by expressing disapproval of or
applying that interrogation objection to something. In this
technique, there will be more case, the speaker protests that
than just a couple deaths. how can BPK can have an
Through his prediction, the account in an offshore bank. The
speaker implied that the speaker thought that it did not
interrogation techniques needed make sense because BPK
to be questioned to reduce chairman is not a businessman.
mortality. Through his utterance, he
(12) How come a public official like the implied that BPK chairman
BPK chairman has an account in an should have worked in
offshore bank? What does this accordance with their respective
mean? If he is a businessman it portions.
would make sense. A state official is 3.2.2 Reporting
depositing his money in a country Reporting is one of the
known as a tax haven? I am just functions of assertive
curious about whether he also has illocutionary act that aims to
bank accounts in Switzerland, inform something that has been
Cayman Islands, Singapore and done (Hornby, 1995:993). The
other places. speaker tries to embrace the
Utterance (12) is taken from hearer to know about something
the issue of “Jokowi summons that happens in speaker’s life.
BPK chairman over Panama According to the research
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

finding, the researcher found 14 things that caused negative


assertive utterances in the form reaction from certain circles.
of reporting. Here is the 3.2.3 Suggesting
example: Suggesting is the act to say
(13) Yes, I live in Medan and PLN cut that something to be chosen. In
the power from 8:30 a.m. to 10: 45 this type of assertive, the speaker
a.m. When I phoned PLN they said usually conveys an idea or a plan
a transformer had to be checked. It to be considered by the hearer
is an insult to all church-going (Hornby, 1995: 1195). In this
Indonesian people on this special research, the researcher found 20
day of the Easter celebration. No, I data of suggesting uttered by the
don’t visit any church, but find this speakers in readers forum. Here
action as a complete negative is the example:
reaction to suppress all religions (14) The President has to order the
other than their own. immigration office, the police and
Datum (13) is assertive the Manpower Ministry to heighten
utterance in form of reporting supervision at all international
taken from the issue of airports, seaports and illegal gates
“government must reopen along the Malacca Straits and the
churches in Bekasi, Bogor” on Indonesia-Malaysia border areas in
April 05, 2016. In this utterance, Kalimantan. Human and child
the speaker tried to report what trafficking is rampant in the border
he had done when the power was areas.
cut by PLN. He reported PLN’s Data (14) is taken from the
response towards his question. issue of “authorities could stop
Through his utterance, the human trafficking” on April 01,
speaker tended to criticize the 2016. In accordance to the data,
government performance in the speakers tended to give
serving the community primarily suggestions to the president and
power cutting on Easter immigration officers. In
celebration. In the end of his utterance (14), the speaker
utterance, he intended indirectly suggested the president to order
that the government did not do the immigration office, the
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

police, and the Manpower In the Christian Bible, Jesus said,


Ministry to heighten supervision “Whenever two or three of you are
at all international airports, gathered together in my name, I will
seaports, and illegal gates long be there.” They don’t need a permit
the Malacca Straits and the from the mayor or his mates in the
Indonesia-Malaysia border areas Islam Defenders Front (FPI) for
in Kalimantan. The speaker that.
might think that it becomes a Utterance (15) is taken from
serious problem. Therefore the issue of “government must
through this utterance; the reopen churches in Bekasi,
speaker intended to request Bogor”. In this utterance, the
someone to do something. speaker explained clearly about
3.2.4 Explaining what faith mean to parishioners
Explaining is the way to tell who do not understand about
something in detail (Hornby, faith. Through his utterance, the
1995:405). The speaker usually speaker intended indirectly to ask
utters long sentences to describe parishioner to understand that
something. It is the way to make faith did not need a building. In
something clear enough to be this case, he impliedly asked the
understood by the hearer. In this parishioner not to hold Easter
research, the researcher found 5 services in front of the state
assertive utterances in the form palace as a protest.
of explaining. Here is the 3.2.5 Showing Something
example: Showing something is the
(15) What the parishioners don’t way how the speaker indicates
understand is that faith is in the something (Hornby, 1995:1093).
heart and does not need buildings. Usually the speaker informs,
Just like the Muslims in France do gives a sign or points out on
not need burqas to be Muslims, the something to be clear. In this
Christians in Bogor will still be research, the writer found 8
Christians with or without a assertive utterances in the form
physical church. of showing something. Here is
the example:
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(16) In the Koran Allah says that suicide commitment or involvement in


in any form is haram, and not what is reported, and on aspect.
forgivable. Another verse says, “If For the detail information about
you kill one innocent person, it is the focus of assertive utterance,
equal to killing the whole of the researcher explains in
humanity.” Clearly, Islam forbids following section:
such atrocities, but commentators
3.3.1 Focus on information
prefer to ignore this, and try to tar
Based on the data analysis,
the whole of Islam with the same
the researcher found some of the
brush.
data which focus on information.
Utterance (16) is taken from
Information is facts provided or
the issue of “Taliban claims
learned about something or
Lahore bombing” on April 01,
someone. In readers’ forum on
2016. In this utterance, the
Jakarta post, some data are the
speaker showed that Allah says
facts about something such as
about suicide in any form is
corruption, bribery, alcohol,
haram, and not forgivable. The
taxes, and about someone such as
speaker’s reason in uttering that
the president, immigrant officer,
utterance is because there are
minister, tobacco farmer, police,
still many bombing incidents that
and so forth. In relation to the
hurt many parties. By uttering
focus of assertive utterance
that utterance, the speaker
especially on information, the
intends to affirm that killing
researcher found that the
innocent person is forbidden as
speakers in readers’ forum
showed in the Koran mention in
convey their information via
the previous explanation.
assertive utterance. For the detail
3.3 Focus of Assertive Utterance explanation, the researcher
In this research, the researcher provides some of the data of
found four focuses of assertive assertive utterance which focus
utterance; those are focus on on information. Here is the
information, on truth-value of example:
utterance, on speaker’s
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(17) Iceland brings down its own to a proposition in respect of its


president for tax evasion. President truth or falsehood, which in
Jokowi says he doesn’t really care classical logic has only two
if a government member is involved. possible values (true or false). In
Different cultures, different values, this case, the speakers believe
different morals. their utterances have the truth-
Looking at the datum of value based on their beliefs. Here
assertive utterance above, it can is the example of assertive
be seen that speakers in readers’ utterance uttered by the speakers
forum were focusing their which focus on truth-value of
utterance on information. They utterance:
give some information which (18) Sure, China makes high-quality
they believed is true according products, and can make products
their knowledge. Datum or better than many other countries.
utterance (17) is taken from the These days, Chinese companies and
issue of “Jokowi summons BPK several foreign companies, like
chairman over Panama Papers” Foxconn, have 66 percent of shares
on April 15, 2016. The assertive of Sharp (Japan), Skyworth bought
utterance above focuses on Toshiba TV (Japan) and Haier
information about the dismissal bought HA.
of Iceland president and each Datum or utterance (18) is
nation which has different taken from the issue about “how
culture, values, and morals. The to make China-RI railway co-op
speaker tried to explain an event work” (April 15, 2016). The
that had occurred in other assertive utterance here focuses
countries to describe the on the truth-value of utterance.
differences between countries The speaker believed that some
with each other. products made by China had
high-quality and were better than
3.3.2 Focus on truth-value of
products from other countries.
utterance
The truth-value of utterance
here means the attribute assigned
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3.3.3 Focus on speaker’s Through his utterance, he


commitment or involvement in believed that if Muslims globally
what is reported were not committing massive
In relation to the analysis of murder on innocents or if they
assertive utterance, the were not forcing others to do
researcher found some data what they say or die, then all
which focus on speaker’s would be fine. The speaker’s
commitment in what they idea is reported to argue the
reported or said. Commitment is previous statement from another
a strong belief in an idea or speaker.
system. It means the speakers
3.3.4 Focus on aspect
have strong belief in what they
Based on the analysis, some
said or in some ideas of people.
data of assertive utterance focus
Here is the example:
on aspect. Aspect is a foresight
(19) Oh stop your apologist nonsense. If
or a view of how the future will
Muslims globally were not
be. Moreover, Kreidler mentions
committing massive murder on
that utterance focusing on aspect
innocents, or if they were not
means the utterance is about
forcing others to do what they say
future events and previous
or die, then all would be fine. I truly
events. Here is the example of
don’t give a hoot what you do to
assertive utterance which focuses
yourself or what you believe; all I
on aspect:
ask is that you leave the rest of us
(20) Alcohol is a serious issue in Papua.
alone while you do it.
They are quite good at making their
Datum (19) is taken from the
own alcoholic drinks from local
issue of “Taliban claims Lahore
ingredients. I think this action by
bombing” (Friday, 1st April
the government coupled with
2016). By observing the
awareness education would work
utterance above, the speaker tried
well.
to respond another speaker’s
Looking at the datum above,
statement or previous comment.
the speakers focused the
In this case, the speaker had
utterance on the aspect that is
strong belief in what he said.
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

how the future events will be opinions or comments implicitly.


according to their beliefs. As stated by Yule, (1996: 55), in
Utterance (20) is a comment on indirect speech act, there will be
the issue of “Papua bans Alcohol an indirect relationship between
consumption”. In this comment, the structure of utterance and its
the speaker agreed with Papuan function. According to Yule’s
governor to ban alcohol, and he statement, to understand the
predicted that prohibition of implicit meaning of speakers’
alcohol would be successful if utterances in readers’ forum, the
the governor coupled it with readers or people need to observe
education awareness. not only the form but also the
function of the utterance itself.
4. CONCLUSION In referring to the function of
In referring to the analysis utterance, the researcher found
above, it is known that the some types of assertive
speakers in readers’ forum often utterance. The types of assertive
used indirect assertive utterance. utterance used by the speakers in
As stated by Kreidler readers’ forum are to respond the
(1998:183), in indirect assertive news provided includes the
utterance, the speakers writer of Jakarta post and
communicate more than what someone or something is being
they say. In this case, what talked in the news. Besides that,
actually said by the speakers assertive utterance is also used to
cannot be interpreted literally by respond other commentators
looking at the form of utterance towards their arguments or
itself but it should be interpreted comments. Assertive utterances
through the understanding of the in readers’ forum focus on four
context of the utterance such as categories namely focus on
the issue is being talked and the information, focus on truth-value
comment of other commentators of utterance, focus on speakers’
in readers forum. Indirect commitment in what they
assertive utterances were used by reported, and focus on aspect.
the speaker to convey their
Jurnal SMART , Volume 4, No 1 (2018), Page. 165-179
ISSN Cetak : 2356-2048
ISSN Online : 2356-203X

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Crystal, David. 2008. A Dictionary of
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Hatch, Evelyn. 1992. Discourse and
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Hornby, A.S. 1995. Oxford Advanced


Learner’s Dictionary of Current
English. Oxford: Oxford University
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Kreidler, Charles W. 1998. Introducing


English Semantics. London:
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Levinson, Stephen C. 1983. Pragmatics.


Cambridge: Cambridge University
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Leech, Geoffrey N. 1993. The


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Mey, Jacob L. 2001. Pragmatics an


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Paltridge, Brian. 2006. Discourse


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Renkema, Jan. 2004. Introduction to


Discourse Studies. Amsterdam: John
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Searle. J. 1975. A Taxonomy of


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