Journal of English Language and Education
Vol 10, No 6 (2025)

Swear Words as Sociolinguistic Tools of Social Criticism in Jawaban Alina by Seno Gumira Ajidarma

Hasanah, Dina Fitria (Unknown)
Rahman, Adenarsy Avereus (Unknown)
Azizah, Hilma Azmi (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Nov 2025

Abstract

This study examines swear words as a form of social criticism in the short story “Jawaban Alina” by Seno Gumira Ajidarma, read by Dian Sastrowardoyo. Swear words, generally considered rude and impolite, may serve both aesthetic and rhetorical functions in literature. The data were collected from a transcription of the spoken performance, analyzed using qualitative content analysis within a sociolinguistic framework. The study specifically investigates how swear words function as linguistic strategies of resistance and emotional expression that reflect social inequality. The results show that swear words in this short story function as expressions of protest, emotional assertion, and satire against social injustice. The analysis highlights the connection between sociolinguistic theory and social criticism, emphasizing that linguistic choice can reveal social tension and ideological struggle in literary texts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jele

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

Journal of English Language and Education (pISSN: 2597-6850 and eISSN: 2502-4132) is a journal that focuses on researching or documenting issues in education, language education, applied linguistics, English education, English language teaching, English Literature, language assessment and ...