Devi Hellystia
English Literature, Faculty of Letters and Cultures, Gunadarma University, Indonesia

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Assertive and Directive Illocutionary Acts and Politeness Strategies in Reacher Season 1: A Pragmatic Analysis Yohanes Darrel Tumbur Pardomuan; Devi Hellystia
Journal of linguistics, culture and communication Vol 4 No 1 (2026): Journal of Linguistics, Culture, and Communication
Publisher : CV. Rustam

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61320/jolcc.v4i1.178-196

Abstract

This study investigates how authority and dominance are linguistically constructed through illocutionary acts in Reacher Season 1. Focusing exclusively on the main character’s utterances, the research examines the use of Assertive and Directive speech acts alongside politeness strategies in high-pressure contexts such as interrogations, threats, and negotiations. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach grounded in Searle’s classification of illocutionary acts and Brown and Levinson’s politeness framework, the study analyzes 252 utterances extracted from the official subtitles of all eight episodes. The findings reveal a clear dominance of Assertive acts (183 occurrences) over Directives (69 occurrences), indicating that Reacher primarily exerts authority by controlling information rather than by issuing commands. Informing and Stating emerge as the most frequent subtypes, reinforcing his role as a strategist who shapes events through reasoning and factual control. Although Directives appear less frequently, Commanding functions as a decisive tool in urgent situations. Across both categories, Bald on Record strategy overwhelmingly dominates, reflecting efficiency and urgency in high-stakes interactions. However, the selective use of Positive and Negative Politeness demonstrates situational adaptability. The study argues that Reacher’s authority is constructed not merely through overt dominance but through calculated communicative choices that balance assertiveness, efficiency, and contextual sensitivity.
Analyzing Zuko’s Redemption Arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender Through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Sekarayu Sang Kinasih; Devi Hellystia
Journal of linguistics, culture and communication Vol 3 No 2 (2025): Journal of Linguistics, Culture, and Communication
Publisher : CV. Rustam

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61320/jolcc.v3i2.300-320

Abstract

Character development in fiction often mirrors fundamental psychological struggles, making it a compelling area for analysis. Although previous studies have explored Avatar: The Last Airbender from literary and cultural viewpoints, there has been limited focus on Zuko’s redemption arc through the framework of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This study aims to analyze Zuko’s transformation from conflict to redemption, exploring not only Maslow’s stages of physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization but also the impact of sociocultural influences and family pressures on his development. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, data were gathered from selected episodes of the series and analyzed through Maslow’s framework, supplemented by triangulation of theories to enhance the understanding of Zuko’s character. The findings indicate that Zuko’s journey through the hierarchy reflects both his internal conflicts and the evolving dynamics of his relationships, particularly with his father and Uncle Iroh, which play pivotal roles in his transformation. This study highlights how the fulfillment of human needs, alongside external sociocultural factors, shapes a character’s redemption arc, thereby fostering a deeper dialogue between psychology and narrative studies.