e-LinguaTera
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): e-LinguaTera, Universitas Buddhi Dharma

The Role of Multilingualism in Rush Hour 3 and the Impact to the Audience

Angie (Universitas Buddhi Dharma)
Lilie Suratminto (Universitas Buddhi Dharma)
Irpan Ali Rahman (Universitas Buddhi Dharma)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study examines the role of multilingualism in the film "Rush Hour 3" and its impact on narrative structure, character development, audience reception, and cultural representation. Utilizing Stuart Hall's Cultural Representation Theory (1997) and Audience Reception Theory (1980), this research explores how the integration of English, Japanese, French, and Chinese languages contribute to the film's storytelling and audience engagement. The analysis aims to understand how linguistic diversity within the film enhances cultural representation and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The qualitative component involved a detailed textual analysis of "Rush Hour 3" to assess how multilingual elements enrich the narrative and character arcs. The quantitative component analyzed empirical data from YouTube reactions and comments to gauge audience responses to the film's multilingualism. This dual approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the impact of multilingualism on both the film’s content and its reception. Findings reveal that multilingualism in "Rush Hour 3" significantly enhances narrative authenticity and character depth, making the story more engaging and relatable. Audience reactions indicated a positive reception, with many viewers appreciating the cultural diversity and humorous elements derived from language barriers. However, some criticisms regarding stereotypes and negative cultural perceptions were noted. Overall, the study concludes that multilingualism in film can enrich narrative complexity, foster cross-cultural understanding, and enhance audience engagement, while also highlighting the need for mindful representation to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

pr

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Social Sciences

Description

The journal of eLinguaTera is an open access journal system with an online version. It is managed by the Faculty of Social and Humanities, Universitas Buddhi Dharma, Majoring of English Literature. The main purpose of the eLinguaTera journal is to provide of scientific publication for academic ...