Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 2 Documents
Search

Soft Rejection As A Politeness Strategy: A Sociolinguistic Analysis Of Gen Z’s Indirect Refusals In Whatsapp Communication Pinta Ria Dewanti Zai; Ainur Rafika Azni; Nala Annisa Danin; Rahmadsyah Rangkuti
Al-Zayn: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Hukum & Politik Vol 4 No 1 (2026): 2026
Publisher : Yayasan pendidikan dzurriyatul Quran

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61104/alz.v4i1.3721

Abstract

In sociolinguistic studies, politeness is understood as a linguistic strategy used to maintain social harmony, minimize conflict, and respect face needs in communicative interaction. This research examines soft rejection as a form of digital politeness strategy employed by Generation Z in WhatsApp communication. Grounded in Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Politeness Theory, this study analyzes how Gen Z applies both positive and negative politeness strategies to deliver indirect refusals politely while maintaining solidarity and personal autonomy. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the data were collected from screenshots of WhatsApp conversations containing examples of soft rejection among Gen Z users. The findings reveal that Gen Z frequently uses humor, emojis, and laughter markers such as “hehe” or “wkwk” as expressions of positive politeness, while phrases such as “sorry” or “maybe later” reflect negative politeness. These strategies indicate that digital politeness among Gen Z has evolved into a unique form of linguistic adaptation, where respect and familiarity are maintained through creative language use in digital communication.
Pragmatic Analysis Of Sarcasm In Tiktok Comments On Indonesian Political Issues Zai, Pinta Ria Dewanti; Menachem Gabriel Tarigan; Elsa Aprianti; Nala Annisa Danin
PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial dan Humaniora Vol. 5 No. 2: Februari 2026
Publisher : CV. Ulil Albab Corp

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.56799/peshum.v5i2.14087

Abstract

Sarcasm has become an increasingly prominent communicative strategy in online political conversations in Indonesia, especially on TikTok where public reactions to government policies spread rapidly and influence collective opinion. Although sarcasm frequently appears in digital political discourse, scholarly attention to its use within the Indonesian TikTok environment remains limited. This gap indicates the need for research that examines sarcasm not only as a linguistic style but also as a pragmatic act shaped by social and political context. Accordingly, this study analyzes the types and meanings of sarcasm expressed in user comments responding to Kompas.com’s TikTok posts about the 2025 DPR (House of Representatives) allowance policy.Employing a descriptive qualitative design, the study collected naturally occurring comments through documentation techniques. The comments were examined using classification of sarcasm and interpreted through pragmatic analysis. The findings identify seven comments that display various forms of sarcasm, including trait-based, action-based, result-based, directive, and label sarcasm. These sarcastic expressions function as tools for voicing criticism, conveying disappointment, and expressing social resistance toward the policy. They also reflect how TikTok users negotiate stance, construct collective sentiment, and articulate dissatisfaction within the digital public sphere. Overall, the study demonstrates that sarcasm serves as a powerful pragmatic mechanism in Indonesia’s online political communication. Through sarcastic remarks, users engage symbolically in political critique and participate in shaping public narratives surrounding governmental decisions. The results highlight the importance of examining sarcasm in digital platforms to better understand emerging forms of public expression, civic engagement, and socio-political commentary in contemporary Indonesian online discourse.