ELITE: Journal of English Language and Literature
Vol 10 No 2 (2025): Vol. 10 No. 2 December 2025

Highlighting Verbal Abuse of Tourists through Pragmatic Analysis: A Case Study of a South Korean YouTuber in Bunaken, Indonesia

Rahmawati Rahmawati (Universitas Halu Oleo)
Andi Muh. Ruum Sya’baan (Universitas Halu Oleo)
Fina Amalia Masri (Universitas Halu Oleo)
Arman Arman (Universitas Halu Oleo)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of verbal harassment against female tourists using a pragmatic analysis approach. The focus of this study is the interaction between a South Korean YouTuber, Jiah, and two local men in Bunaken, North Sulawesi. This study uses speech theory (Austin & Searle), speech implicature (Grice), and politeness in language (Brown & Levinson) to examine how everyday speech can encode the implicit meaning of harassment. The research method used is qualitative descriptive with pragmatic discourse analysis techniques. Data was obtained from Jiah's video transcript entitled "Become a Friend with the Om | To Bunaken from Manado". The results showed that male speakers used directive and interrogative forms of speech to control conversations and suppress opponents. Violation of the maxim of relevance and manner of giving rise to harassing implications, accompanied by violation of the principle of linguistic politeness. This phenomenon reveals power imbalances and gender bias in cross-cultural interactions. This study confirms that language serves a social function as a tool of symbolic domination, and opens up a new discussion space regarding the ethics of public communication in the tourism sector.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

elite

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

ELITE: Journal of English Language and Literature is a periodic academic publication that serves as the appropriate link to exchange any worthwhile and marvelous ideas in the realm of English language and literature. ELITE was established for the purpose of reviving and perpetuating academic ...