Speech Functions Used by Margaret and Andrew in The Proposal Movie

Abstract

The conversation in a movie may reflect the use of different speech functions by people with different status. This research is aimed to find the types of speech function used by Margaret and Andrew in The Proposal movie, and to identify the role relationship created by Margaret and Andrew. The data analysis in the research was done qualitatively, that is, by describing the speech functions and role relationship in Margaret and Andrew’s utterances used Gerot and Wignell theory (1994:22) and the theory of Eggins (1994:151). Of 546 moves, the researchers found statement (38.8%), question (19.9%), offer (0.2%), command (11.9%), acknowledgement (3.7%), contradiction (2.9%), answer (16.2%), disclaimer (1.2%), rejection (0.2%), compliance (3.8%), and refusal (1.2%). The role relationship created by Andrew is that he is an informant mainly when he is at work, because he produced the highest speech function “statement”. This situation happens because Andrew is Margaret’s assistant, every time and every day he always gives information and news about Margaret’s activities. On the other hand, the role relationship created by Margaret is that she is a demanding person as can be seen in the dominant speech function “question”. This situation happens because Margaret is a boss, and she always asks Andrew for information or news in the workplace. This study suggests that although people are in the same workplace, they can use different language because of their status in there. They also use different style when communication outside workplace.