Humanis : Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora
Vol 18 No 1 (2026): Agustus - Januari

LANGUAGE AS A WEAPON: THE PRAGMATIC FUNCTION OF POINTERS AND REFERENCES IN SUPER SUS IMPOSTOR COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Luthfia, Anisa (Unknown)
Nareswara, Shina Bella (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Online multiplayer games such as Super Sus have become new linguistic environments where persuasion, deception, and identity are enacted through digital communication. This study investigates the pragmatic use of pointing (deixis) and referring (reference) expressions by Impostor players in Super Sus. By applying Levinson’s (1983) deixis theory and Yule’s (1996) reference framework, the study examines how linguistic expressions function as strategic tools for manipulating attention and constructing credibility. Data were collected qualitatively from in-game text and voice interactions between June and August 2025. Findings indicate that Impostors use four main pragmatic strategies: (1) vague deixis to diffuse suspicion, (2) specific reference to target others, (3) spatial–temporal deixis to fabricate alibis, and (4) person deixis to align or disalign with player groups. These findings demonstrate that in Super Sus, language functions not merely as communication but as a weapon, an instrument of survival and deception in digital interaction.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

HUMANIS

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Social Sciences

Description

Humanis, Journal Ilmu-ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora is a journal published by the Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Islam Darul Ulum Lamongan Indonesia with its main aim to disseminate critical and original analysis from researchers and academic practitioners on various ...