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Speech Acts in the Lyrics of 'About You' by The 1975: A Semantic Study Novemty Tampubolon; Bernike Anggita Ristia Damanik
Jurnal Bersama Ilmu Pendidikan (DIDIK) Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Mei 2026
Publisher : Yayasan Literasi Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55123/didik.v2i2.584

Abstract

This study examines the types and illocutionary forces of speech acts in the song "About You" by The 1975 using John Searle's taxonomy (assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, declarations). A qualitative descriptive method was applied to the lyrical text. The analysis reveals that the 18 lines contain 20 illocutionary occurrences. Expressives dominate with 45%, conveying longing, regret, and nostalgia. Assertives account for 35%, providing narrative context about past relationships and the speaker's emotional state. Directives and commissives each constitute 10%; directives appear exclusively as rhetorical questions expressing anxiety rather than seeking information, while commissives include conditional promises and metaphorical commitments. Declaratives are absent, as expected in lyrical discourse. Hybrid speech acts where one line performs multiple illocutionary functions are identified as a distinctive feature. Linguistic devices such as repetition, parallelism, rhetorical questions, metaphor, and ellipsis enhance illocutionary force, transforming the lyrics into a performance of remembrance. The findings are compared with previous research on emotionally charged lyrics, showing consistency with expressive-dominant songs. This study contributes to literary pragmatics, the semantics-pragmatics interface, and the discourse analysis of music, offering a replicable framework for analyzing speech acts in song lyrics.
Denotative and Connotative Meanings in the Religious Song “Angel” by Libera: A Semantic Perspective Angel Lamtama Sihaloho; Bernike Anggita Ristia Damanik
JURNAL ILMIAH NUSANTARA Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): Mei
Publisher : CV. KAMPUS AKADEMIK PUBLISING

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61722/jinu.v3i3.10053

Abstract

This study explores the song Angel by Libera through a semantic perspective. The main aim of this research is to identify and explain the denotative and connotative meanings found in the lyrics. Semantics is used as the main theory to understand how meaning is formed in language, especially in song lyrics. The data used in this study come from the lyrics of the song Angel. The analysis shows that the lyrics contain both literal meanings (denotative) and implied meanings (connotative). The denotative meanings refer to words like angel, light, voice, and wings in their direct sense, while the connotative meanings reflect deeper ideas such as protection, hope, spiritual guidance, peace, and emotional comfort. The findings indicate that the song does not only communicate simple messages through words, but also conveys emotional and spiritual meanings that can be interpreted in different ways by listeners. Therefore, semantic analysis helps uncover the hidden meanings behind the lyrics and shows how language is used to express human feelings and spiritual values.