Journal of Current Studies in SDGs
Vol. 3 No. 4 (2027): December

Negotiating Face and Morality in Cross-cultural WhatsApp and Campus Interactions: Politeness among University Students and Implication for Inclusive Education (SDG 4)

Muhammad Yusi Kamhar (State University of Surabaya)
Kisyani Laksono (State University of Surabaya)
Mulyono Mulyono (State University of Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Dec 2027

Abstract

Objective: To examine how university students from diverse ethnic backgrounds negotiate face and moral expectations through politeness responses in WhatsApp and related campus interactions, and what these practices imply for inclusive education in support of SDG 4. Method: A qualitative descriptive design with sociopragmatic discourse analysis was applied to 107 interaction excerpts from students at universities in Malang, covering WhatsApp chats and face-to-face talk among peers, between students and lecturers, and between juniors and senior organisation members. Speech acts, politeness strategies, and moral evaluations were coded. Results: Politeness responses varied with the relationship between interlocutors. Peers relied on positive politeness, humour, and regional address terms to build solidarity, whereas students writing to lecturers combined religious greetings, self-identification, regional deference markers such as Tabe, and apologies for imposing. Face threats were mitigated through explanations, circumstance-based refusals, and repair. These choices reflected moral evaluations of respect, reluctance to impose, solidarity, inclusiveness, and conditional honesty. Novelty: The study integrates face and moral order in one analytic frame for Indonesian cross-cultural digital and campus talk and links pragmatic competence to SDG 4 (targets 4.7 and 4.a), with supporting relevance for SDG 10 and SDG 16.

Copyrights © 2027






Journal Info

Abbrev

JOCSIS

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Social Sciences Other

Description

The Journal of Current Studies in SDGs is a scholarly journal dedicated to publishing the latest research, reviews, and analyses related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This journal aims to serve as an academic platform for researchers, scholars, and practitioners contributing to the ...