Explanation of the situation

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 65 views

Illocution Acts of Apology and Complaints in Indonesian: A Case Study of Students of the English Language Study Program D3 USU Faculty of Literature

Introduction

Effective communication is a crucial aspect of human interaction, and it is essential to understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts. In Indonesian, illocutionary acts of apology and complaints are common expressions that convey politeness and respect. However, the ways in which these acts are performed can vary greatly depending on the social context and the language competencies of the speakers. This study aims to describe the illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian, as well as the expressions of politeness that accompany these actions.

Methodology

This study was conducted with a sample of 50 students of the D3 English Language Study Program Faculty of Literature at the University of North Sumatra who speak Indonesian as their mother tongue. The data was collected through an open questionnaire that presented eight situations for apologies and eight situations for complaints. The questionnaire was designed to elicit the students' responses to different scenarios, and the data was analyzed to identify the semantic strategies and formulas commonly used in both illocutionary acts.

Results

The results of the study revealed that the illocutionary acts of apology (TIPM) and complaints (ICT) in Indonesian are expressed with ten strategies each. The strategies used in TIPM include:

Greetings: A formal greeting is often used to initiate an apology, such as "Selamat pagi" (good morning) or "Selamat siang" (good afternoon).
Greetings: A more informal greeting may be used in a more familiar context, such as "Halo" (hello) or "Apa kabar?" (how are you?).
Expression of apology: The speaker expresses regret or apology for their actions, such as "Maaf" (sorry) or "Saya minta maaf" (I apologize).
Introduction or Opening: The speaker introduces themselves or the situation, such as "Saya ingin meminta maaf" (I want to apologize).
Explanation of the situation: The speaker explains the circumstances surrounding the apology, such as "Saya tidak sengaja" (I didn't mean to).
Statement of accountability: The speaker takes responsibility for their actions, such as "Saya salah" (I was wrong).
Repair offer: The speaker offers to make amends or repair the situation, such as "Saya akan memperbaiki" (I will fix it).
Promise not to repeat mistakes: The speaker promises not to repeat the same mistake, such as "Saya tidak akan melakukannya lagi" (I won't do it again).
Expression of entertainment: The speaker expresses regret or apology in a more lighthearted way, such as "Saya minta maaf, saya tidak sengaja" (I apologize, I didn't mean to).
Closing: The speaker concludes the apology with a closing remark, such as "Terima kasih" (thank you).

The strategies used in ICT include:

Greetings: A formal greeting is often used to initiate a complaint, such as "Selamat pagi" (good morning) or "Selamat siang" (good afternoon).
Greetings: A more informal greeting may be used in a more familiar context, such as "Halo" (hello) or "Apa kabar?" (how are you?).
Expression of apology: The speaker expresses regret or apology for their actions, such as "Maaf" (sorry) or "Saya minta maaf" (I apologize).
Explanation or introduction: The speaker explains the situation or introduces themselves, such as "Saya ingin mengeluh" (I want to complain).
Complaints: The speaker expresses their complaint or grievance, such as "Saya tidak puas" (I'm not satisfied).
Justification: The speaker justifies their complaint, such as "Saya tidak bisa menerima" (I couldn't accept).
Criticism: The speaker criticizes the situation or the person responsible, such as "Saya tidak setuju" (I don't agree).
Demand solution: The speaker demands a solution or resolution, such as "Saya ingin solusi" (I want a solution).
Request not to be repeated: The speaker requests that the situation not be repeated, such as "Saya tidak ingin melihatnya lagi" (I don't want to see it again).
Threat: The speaker threatens to take action or consequences, such as "Saya akan mengambil tindakan" (I will take action).

Discussion

The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian. The selection of strategies used in these acts is very dependent on the social context and the language competencies of the speakers. In formal situations, such as between superiors and subordinates, speakers tend to use almost all existing strategies to show politeness. On the other hand, in a more familiar context where there is no difference in social status, speakers can be simpler in their expressions, and even ignore some elements such as greetings or introduction.

In a formal context, the expression of politeness when submitting complaints also requires speakers to give greetings, greetings, and explanations first before conveying their complaints. Conversely, in a more familiar context, speakers tend to directly submit complaints without much pleasantries, showing that social closeness can affect the way of communication.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of understanding the illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian, especially in the context of different social and cultural communication. This not only enriches linguistic insight but also provides a deeper understanding of the importance of politeness in daily interaction. Along with the increase in globalization, awareness of variations in communicating and adapting to different social contexts is increasingly important for the younger generation, especially for those who learn foreign languages.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Language education: Language education programs should include modules on illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian to help learners understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts.
Cultural awareness: Cultural awareness programs should be implemented to help learners understand the importance of politeness in different social and cultural contexts.
Communication skills: Communication skills training programs should be implemented to help learners develop effective communication skills in different social and cultural contexts.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The sample size of 50 students may not be representative of the larger population.
Context: The study was conducted in a specific context, and the findings may not be generalizable to other contexts.
Language: The study was conducted in Indonesian, and the findings may not be applicable to other languages.

Future Research

Future research should focus on:

Illocutionary acts in other languages: Illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in other languages should be studied to compare and contrast with the findings of this study.
Cultural differences: Cultural differences in illocutionary acts of apology and complaints should be studied to understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts.
Language education: Language education programs should be developed to include modules on illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian to help learners understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts.
Q&A: Illocution Acts of Apology and Complaints in Indonesian

Q: What are illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian?

A: Illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian refer to the ways in which speakers express regret, apology, or complaint in a specific social and cultural context. These acts are crucial in effective communication and are influenced by the language competencies and social context of the speakers.

Q: What are the strategies used in illocutionary acts of apology in Indonesian?

A: The strategies used in illocutionary acts of apology in Indonesian include:

Greetings: A formal greeting is often used to initiate an apology, such as "Selamat pagi" (good morning) or "Selamat siang" (good afternoon).
Greetings: A more informal greeting may be used in a more familiar context, such as "Halo" (hello) or "Apa kabar?" (how are you?).
Expression of apology: The speaker expresses regret or apology for their actions, such as "Maaf" (sorry) or "Saya minta maaf" (I apologize).
Introduction or Opening: The speaker introduces themselves or the situation, such as "Saya ingin meminta maaf" (I want to apologize).
Explanation of the situation: The speaker explains the circumstances surrounding the apology, such as "Saya tidak sengaja" (I didn't mean to).
Statement of accountability: The speaker takes responsibility for their actions, such as "Saya salah" (I was wrong).
Repair offer: The speaker offers to make amends or repair the situation, such as "Saya akan memperbaiki" (I will fix it).
Promise not to repeat mistakes: The speaker promises not to repeat the same mistake, such as "Saya tidak akan melakukannya lagi" (I won't do it again).
Expression of entertainment: The speaker expresses regret or apology in a more lighthearted way, such as "Saya minta maaf, saya tidak sengaja" (I apologize, I didn't mean to).
Closing: The speaker concludes the apology with a closing remark, such as "Terima kasih" (thank you).

Q: What are the strategies used in illocutionary acts of complaints in Indonesian?

A: The strategies used in illocutionary acts of complaints in Indonesian include:

Greetings: A formal greeting is often used to initiate a complaint, such as "Selamat pagi" (good morning) or "Selamat siang" (good afternoon).
Greetings: A more informal greeting may be used in a more familiar context, such as "Halo" (hello) or "Apa kabar?" (how are you?).
Expression of apology: The speaker expresses regret or apology for their actions, such as "Maaf" (sorry) or "Saya minta maaf" (I apologize).
Explanation or introduction: The speaker explains the situation or introduces themselves, such as "Saya ingin mengeluh" (I want to complain).
Complaints: The speaker expresses their complaint or grievance, such as "Saya tidak puas" (I'm not satisfied).
Justification: The speaker justifies their complaint, such as "Saya tidak bisa menerima" (I couldn't accept).
Criticism: The speaker criticizes the situation or the person responsible, such as "Saya tidak setuju" (I don't agree).
Demand solution: The speaker demands a solution or resolution, such as "Saya ingin solusi" (I want a solution).
Request not to be repeated: The speaker requests that the situation not be repeated, such as "Saya tidak ingin melihatnya lagi" (I don't want to see it again).
Threat: The speaker threatens to take action or consequences, such as "Saya akan mengambil tindakan" (I will take action).

Q: How do social context and language competencies influence illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian?

A: Social context and language competencies play a crucial role in influencing illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian. In formal situations, such as between superiors and subordinates, speakers tend to use almost all existing strategies to show politeness. On the other hand, in a more familiar context where there is no difference in social status, speakers can be simpler in their expressions, and even ignore some elements such as greetings or introduction.

Q: What are the implications of this study for language education and cultural awareness?

A: This study highlights the importance of understanding illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian, especially in the context of different social and cultural communication. Language education programs should include modules on illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian to help learners understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts. Cultural awareness programs should also be implemented to help learners understand the importance of politeness in different social and cultural contexts.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The sample size of 50 students may not be representative of the larger population.
Context: The study was conducted in a specific context, and the findings may not be generalizable to other contexts.
Language: The study was conducted in Indonesian, and the findings may not be applicable to other languages.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should focus on:

Illocutionary acts in other languages: Illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in other languages should be studied to compare and contrast with the findings of this study.
Cultural differences: Cultural differences in illocutionary acts of apology and complaints should be studied to understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts.
Language education: Language education programs should be developed to include modules on illocutionary acts of apology and complaints in Indonesian to help learners understand the nuances of language use in different social and cultural contexts.