CODE CHOICES BY THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS
IN THE MOVIE ENTITLED “RUSH HOUR 2“
(Based on Socio-Pragmatics Approach)
THESIS
Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Sarjana Sastra Degree in the English Department
By
WINDA ISTRINA
C0305060
English Department
Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Surakarta
2010
i
CODE CHOICES BY THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS
IN THE MOVIE ENTITLED “RUSH HOUR 2”
(Based on Socio-Pragmatics Approach)
By
Winda Istrina
C0305060
Approved to be examined before the Broad of Examiners
Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University
Thesis Consultant
Drs. Sri. Marmanto, M. Hum
NIP. 195009011986011001
The Head of English Department
of Regular Program
Dr. Djatmika, M. A
NIP. 196707261993021001
ii
CODE CHOICES BY THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS
IN THE MOVIE ENTITLED “RUSH HOUR 2”
(Based on Socio-Pragmatics Approach)
By
Winda Istrina
C0305060
Accepted and Approved by the board of examiners of Broad of Examiners
Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University on January 2010
Position
Name
Signature
Chairman
Dr. Tri Wiratno, M. A
NIP. 196109141987031001
(
)
Secretary
Dr. Djatmika, M. A
NIP. 196707261993021001
(
)
First examiner
Dr. Sri Marmanto, M. Hum
NIP. 195009011986011001
(
)
Second examiner
Drs. Sugiyarto Budi Waskito, M. Pd
NIP. 195211081983031001
(
)
The Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Drs. Sudarno, M. A
NIP. 195303141985061001
iii
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name : Winda Istrina
NIM : C0305060
Stated wholeheartedly of the thesis entitled Code Choices by the Two
Main Characters in the Movie Entitled “Rush Hour 2” (Based on SocioPragmatics Approach) is originally made by the researcher. It is not a plagiarism
nor made by others. The things related to other people’s works are written in
quotation and included in the bibliography.
If it is then proved that the research cheats, the researcher is ready to take
the responsibilities.
Surakarta, January 2010
Winda Istrina
iv
MOTTO
“… surely with difficulty is ease. With difficulty is surely ease. So, when you are free,
nominated. And make your Lord your exclusive object.”
(Holy Qur’an, 94: 7-8)
What do we live for
if it is not to make less difficult for each other?
(George Eliot)
Don’t be worried about tomorrow
because tomorrow has not come,
AND
Don’t be afraid of today
because today will be end.
v
DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to:
My beloved “babe”and “ibuk”
My lovely ‘brother’ in heaven, my sister and my little cute
nephew, Ichal
My future groom
My lovely friends
My self
vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Alhamdulillahi rabbil ‘alamiin
All praises are just for the Almighty God, Allah SWT and the prophet
Muhammad SAW for the blessing so that I can have the capability to complete
this thesis. Many sides had given a lot of assistance from the beginning to
completion for this thesis. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to all
people as follow:
1. The Dean of faculty of Letters and Fine Arts, Sebelas Maret University, Drs.
Sudarno, M.A.
2. The Head of English Regular Program, Dr. Djatmika, MA.
3. My thesis consultant, Drs. Sri Marmanto, M. Hum for the guidance, patience
and critical advice to finish this thesis.
4. My academic consultant, M. Taufiq Al Makmun, S.S for all the guidance
since last four wonderful years.
5. All lectures in English Department who have enriched my knowledge.
6. My beloved “Babe” and “Ibuk” for your never ending love, support, pray, and
patience, devotion, affection and everything.
7. My ‘brother’ in heaven and my sister Anis Setyaningsih for giving me such a
great love and support.
8. My future groom, Nit-Not (Insyaallah) for your support, care, and love.
vii
9. My lovely friends, Napiz, Epha, Peya,and Benk-benk thanks for the love, fun
time, and wonderful companionship. Thanks to you all who never stop to
remind and support me to finish this thesis. Love you so girls.
10. The Chomskies 2005 (Pitria, Ratih, Dini, Anggi, Arif, Hesti, Lilis, Melon,
Chemitz, Sari, Irena, Dian, and so on) thanks for the cooperation in
Linguistics Study and for the nice jacket.
11. All my friends in English Department 2005 (Sony, Nunik, Yogi, Alwi, Intan,
Joe, Astri, Hemi, Wunendro, Ebsy and everyone whom I cannot mention one
by one). Thanks for our wonderful togetherness and keep our spirit by yelling
“2005 SEMANGAT”
12. My Black English consultant, Miss Sarah, for all the guidance and nice
meeting.
13. My Chinese consultant, Dek Putri, for the assistance.
14. All sides who give support and assistance directly or indirectly.
I have tried my best in conducting this thesis. However, I realize this thesis
is not perfect. Therefore, I expect some advices and supporting criticism to make
this thesis give contribution for everyone.
Researcher
Winda Istrina
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE………………………………………………………………………..……i
APPROVAL OF THE THESIS CONSULTANT………………………….…..ii
APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF THE EXAMINERS……………….……iii
PRONOUNCEMENT………………………………………………………..….iv
MOTTO…………………………………………………………………..………v
DEDICATION……………………………………………………………..…….vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENT……………………………………………………….vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………..……ix
LIST OF FIGURE………………………………………………………….….xiv
LIST OF TABLE…………………………………………………………..……xv
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………….…...….xvi
CHAPTER I
: INTRODUCTION
A. Research Background…………………………………………...…………1
B. Problem Statements………………………………………………………..6
C. Research Objectives……………………………………………………….6
D. Problem Limitations ………………………………………………………7
E. Research Benefits………………………………………….....……………7
F. Research Methodology………………………………………...…………..8
G. Thesis Organization…………………………………………….………….9
CHAPTER II : LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Sociolinguistics………………………………………….…………….…11
ix
a. Definition of Sociolinguistics…………………………………...……11
b. Scope of Sociolinguistics…………………………….……...…….…12
B. Pragmatics………………………………………………………….…….14
C. Socio-Pragmatics…………………………………………………………15
D. Dimension of Sociolinguistics…………………………………………...16
a. A social distance scale………………………………………….…….16
b. Status scale……………………………………………………….…..17
c. Formality scale…………………………………………………….…17
d. Functional scale………………………………………………………18
E. Language Variation…………………………………….………………...19
a. Dialect……………………………………………….……………….21
b. Accent……………………………………………….…………….….22
c. Style……………………………………………………………….….22
d. Register………………………………………………………….……23
e. Standard language………………………………………..…………..23
f. Non-standard language……………………………………………….25
F. Bilingualism and Diglossia………………………………………………26
a. Diglossia and bilingualism…………………………………………...27
b. Diglossia without bilingualism………………………………………27
c. Bilingualism without diglossia……………………………………….28
d. Neither diglossia and bilingualism…………………….……………..28
G. Language Choice……………………………………………..…………..28
H. Language and Code……………………………………………..………..29
x
I. Domain of Language Use………………………………………..……….30
J. Code Switching and Code Mixing……………………………….………32
a. Code switching……………………………………………………….32
1. Situational code switching……………………………………….32
2. Metaphorical code switching…………………………………….33
b. Code mixing………………………………………………………….33
K. Ethnography of Communication…………………………………………34
a. Setting or scene (S)…………………………………………………..35
b. Participants (P)……………………………………………………….35
c. Ends (E)………………………………………………………………36
d. Act Sequence (A)…………………………………………………….36
e. Key (K)………………………………………………….……………36
f. Instrumentalities (I)…………………………………………………. 37
g. Norms (N)……………………………………………………………37
h. Genre (G)…………………………………………………….……….38
L. Communicative Competence……………………………………..….…..38
M. Rush Hour 2……………………………………………….……….…….39
a. Synopsis of the movie…………………………………………..……39
b. Character and characterizations……………………..………….……42
N. Review of Related Research…………………..…………………………43
CHAPTER III : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Research Type……………………………………………………………44
B. Data and Source of Data…………………………………………….……44
xi
C. Sample and Technique of Sampling…………………………….………..45
D. Instrument of the Research……………………………………………….46
E. Technique of Collecting Data……………………………………………47
F. Technique of Analyzing Data……………………………………………48
CHAPTER IV : ANALYSIS
A. Introduction………………………………………………………………49
B. Data Analysis…………………………………………………………….49
a. The Code Choices by the Two Main Characters in the Movie
Entitled “Rush Hour 2”…………………………………………...….50
1. English……………………………………………………………50
a) Formal English……………………………………………….50
b) Colloquial English……………………………………………52
c) Black English………………………………………………...54
2. Chinese……………………………………………………….......58
3. Switching between codes………………………………………...60
a) Switching from English into Chinese…………………..…….60
b) Switching from Chinese into English………………….……..62
4. Mixing between codes……………………………………………63
b. The Social Meanings in Choosing the Codes………………...………65
1. English……………………………………………………………66
a) Formal English……………………………………………….66
1) Showing respect……………………………….…………66
b) Colloquial English……………………………………………67
xii
1) Showing intimacy………………………………………...67
2) To avoid misunderstanding………………………………68
c) Black English………………………………………………...69
1) Showing intimacy………………………………………...69
2) Showing anger……………………………………………71
3) Showing surprise…………………………………………71
2. Chinese…………………………………………………………...72
1) Showing respect……………………………………………...72
2) Showing solidarity…………………………………………...73
3) To avoid misunderstanding…………………………………..74
3. Switching between codes………………………………………...75
1) To emphasize the message…………………………………...75
2) To avoid misunderstanding…………………………………..76
4. Mixing between codes……………………………………………78
1) Showing joke…………………………………………………78
2) Showing incompetence………………………………………79
C. Discussion………………………………………………………………..79
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions………………………………………………………………85
B. Suggestions………………………………………………………………86
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
xiii
LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1
Social Distance Scale………………………………………………...16
Figure 2
Status Scale ………………………………………………………….17
Figure 3
Formality Scale………………………………………………………18
Figure 4
Referential and Affective Functional Scale………………………….18
xiv
LIST OF TABLE
Table 1
Some Examples of Syntactic Differences between Standard and Non-
Standard English……………………………………………...……….…………25
Table 2
The Types of Code Choices and the Social Meanings in Choosing the
Codes Employed by the Two Main Characters in the Movie Entitled “Rush Hour
2”…………………………………………………………………………………80
xv
ABSTRACT
Winda Istrina. C0305060. 2010. Code Choices by the Two Main Characters in
the Movie Entitled “RushHour2” (Based on Socio-Pragmatics Approach).
Thesis: English Department. Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret
University. Surakarta
The research focused on the code choices by the two main characters in the movie
entitled “Rush Hour 2”. It was conducted to find out the code choices by the two
main characters in “Rush Hour 2” and reveal the reasons in choosing the codes
which relate to the social meanings.
The research was a case study of sociolinguistics-pragmatics which employed
descriptive qualitative method. In taking the data, the researcher used total
sampling technique. The researcher took the whole part of dialogue containing
codes used by the main characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”. The
researcher found two results in this research.
The first result is that there are four codes used by the main characters in “Rush
Hour 2”. The first code is English which is classified into three, Formal English
used in formal situation, Colloquial English used in informal situation, and Black
English used by a Black American people. The second code is Chinese. The
researcher found Chinese Hanyu (Hanyu Sa) used in formal situation. The third
code is Switching between codes which consists of two, namely Switching from
English into Chinese and Switching from Chinese into English. The last code is
Mixing between codes, i.e. Mixing between English and Chinese
The second result is the social meanings in choosing the codes employed by the
two main characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”. Formal English has one
social meaning, namely to show respect. Colloquial English interprets two social
meanings, i.e. to show intimacy and avoid misunderstanding. There are three
social meanings which are involved in Black English; they are to show intimacy,
anger, and surprise. Chinese describes three social meanings, namely: to show
respect, solidarity, and avoid misunderstanding. Switching between codes has
three meanings, i.e. to show respect, emphasize the message, and avoid
misunderstanding. Mixing between codes reveals two social meanings, namely to
show
joke
and
incompetence.
xvi
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Research Background
Language is the most important means of communication among people in
social interaction. No human can live without language and language cannot be
used without society. The society depends upon and is shaped by language, and
vice versa (Chaika, 1982). Through language, people can express ideas, opinions,
feelings, experiences, messages, and so on easily. Thus, language in use has an
integral relationship with the society.
In a social interaction, the contact between one language and other
languages may happen. People in bilingual and multilingual society may choose
different languages which are used appropriately when they are communicating
each others. Chaika argues that “bilingualism is the term used to mention people
who speak more than one language. They may have different levels of proficiency
in each of language and they use both languages for very different social purposes
and in different social situations” (1994: 34). Multilingualism is a sociolinguistic
situation in which more than one language involved (Trudgill, 1992:53). It means
that in a multilingual nation one must choose between two or more different
languages. United States of America is one example of many countries where the
residents speak more than one language.
In America, there are many people who live as immigrants, such as
Chinese and African. These immigrants will try to make some adaptations to the
new condition of the new country. They have to learn new things like rules,
customs, social matters and especially languages. When the immigrants are in an
adaptation process, they sometimes still bring their own specific backgrounds
1
which come up in their daily conversation with their society. This combination of
differences then possibly creates such an interesting phenomenon.
The differences bring demands for two or more languages which make the
speakers need to use different codes in different situation. In choosing the codes,
people should choose which codes are appropriate used in certain occasion.
Therefore, they should pay attention to the important elements formulated in
speaking by Dell Hymes, they are setting, participants, ends, act sequence, key,
instrumentalities, norms, and genre (Hymes, 1992: 23). In addition, Janet Holmes
(1992: 26) states that there is a very general concept which draws on three
important social factors in code choice, namely participant, setting, and topic. It is
useful for capturing broad generalizations about any speech community. This is
often particularly useful for bilingual and multilingual speech communities.
According to Ralph Fasold, there are three possibilities in language choice.
The first possibility is to choose between two languages. It involves code
switching. The second one, more subtle than the previous one, is code mixing
where pieces of language are used while a speaker is using another language. The
last one is variation within the same language (1984: 180-181).
Related to all the explanation, the researcher is interested in exploring the
choice of codes. The researcher does a research on code choices employed by the
two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. The movie tells about two personal agents
who work for America. They are inspector Lee (Chinese) and detective Carter
(Black American). It is started in Hong Kong where Carter wants a relaxing
vacation but Lee just wants to do police work. This contrast causes a dispute
between them. But in the end, they work together to raise the truth. Lee and Carter
are handling a case of American embassy bombing that kills two American
agents. Ricky Tan (Chinese) is the suspected. He plays an instrumental role in
Lee’s father death, who is now the leader of the Triads, the most deadly gang in
all of China. Ricky Tan not only involves in bombing case, but also gets
2
conspirator with Steven Reign who is rich man in L.A in money counterfeiting.
Lee and Carter are successful in clearing up this case.
This movie is very interesting because of the difference code choices
applied by the characters. There are several codes used in this movie, such as
English, Black English, and Chinese. The utterance employed by Carter is one the
example of code choices. Carter uses different code when he is speaking to
different participants in different social context. He chooses Chinese code to
address Chinese people. While he speaks in Black English code when he is
expressing his feeling, such as anger, joke, and surprise. Carter is Black man,
therefore, Black English code as his mother tongue includes in his speech
spontaneously. Another example is code choices employed by Lee. He uses
different codes when he is talking in different social context. It occurs since Lee
has his own reason in choosing the codes, for instance to show respect.
To give a little description of what the researcher put forward, some
examples as follows:
1. Hong Kong, on driving at night. Superintendent Chin gives information to Lee
about a bombing case.
Lee
: Wei….! [Hallo….!]
Superintendent Chin
: Lee, zai mei guo das hi guan you zha dan.
[There was a bombing at American Embassy]
Liang ge mei guo fan yi yuan shou hai.
[Two American translators were killed.]
Lee
: You qi ta bao gao?
[Any leads]
Superintendent Chin
: Wo men ren wei na shi Ricky Tan.
3
[We think it’s Ricky Tan]
Ta he qi ta zai zhe ye zong hui de hei dang cheng
yuan.
[His entire of gang Triads is at the club tonight]
Ru guo ni bu yao jing shou zhe ge an jian
wo neng gou li jie.
[If you don’t want to take the case, I’ll understand]
Lee
: Pu mei kuan si.
[No, it’s okay.]
2. Hong Kong, at day in the police office. Superintendent Chin introduces Agent
Sterling to Lee.
Lee
: Good afternoon, Sir!
Superintendent Chin
: Lee…..
Lee
: Yes, Sir!
Superintendent Chin
: This is Special Agent Sterling from the
United States Secret Service.
Lee
: The Secret Service? Why?
In the first example, the conversation takes place in Hong Kong at day in
the police office. The dialogue above shows that there are two participants, Lee
and Superintendent Chin. Lee is on driving with his friend, Carter. They are on
vacation in Hong Kong. When Lee and Carter sing a song, Lee’s cellular is ring. It
4
is from his Superintendent, namely Chin. Superintendent Chin gives information
about an American embassy bombing case to Lee by phone.
While in the second example, the conversation takes place in the Hong
Kong police station. Superintendent Chin introduces Agent Sterling to Lee. Agent
Sterling wants to discuss about the American embassy bombing case that kills two
American agents.
The two examples above show that the same addressor (Lee) uses different
codes when he is talking to the same addressee (Superintendent Chin). Besides
that, he has similar reason in delivering the message, i.e. Lee interprets a social
meaning to show respect. In the first example, Lee chooses Chinese code when
he is talking to Superintendent Chin. He wants to give respect to Superintendent
Chin since Chin has higher position than Lee. Chinese code which is used by Lee
is Chinese Hanyu (Hanyu Sa). Hanyu Sa is a variety of Chinese code employed in
formal situation. Therefore, the conversation between Lee and Superintendent
Chin is in formal situation since talk about the important case about American
embassy bombing. While, the second example identifies that Lee chooses Formal
English code. Lee, here, wants to show his respect to Superintendent Chin by
giving greeting Good afternoon and addressing Sir. He likes to choose Formal
English code better than Chinese code when Lee is speaking to Superintendent
Chin. It is caused by the existence of 3rd participant, namely Agent Sterling who is
a White man.
The different codes applied by Lee above reflect that a speaker has to
consider not only the structure of the language but also the context of situation or
the structure of the society. In other words, the code choices always correlate with
communicative competence of the speaker.
Based on the phenomenon above, the researcher is interested in analyzing
the code choices employed by the two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. The
research’s aim is to find out the types of code choices and to reveal the social
meanings in choosing the codes used by the two main characters in “Rush Hour
5
2”. Hence the study going to be conducted is entitled CODE CHOICES BY
THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE MOVIE ENTITLED “RUSH
HOUR 2”
B. Problem Statements
Based on the research background, the researcher proposes some problem
statements as follows:
1. What are the types of code choices employed by the two main
characters found in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”?
2. Why do the two main characters choose the codes in the movie entitled
“Rush Hour 2”?
C. Research Objectives
The research objectives are to:
1. Find out the types of code choices employed by the two main
characters found in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”.
2. Reveal the social meanings in choosing the codes used by the two
main characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”.
D. Problem Limitations
In doing the research, the researcher does not analyze code choices by
the all characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”. The problems in this
research will be limited to the code choices by the two main characters in “Rush
Hour 2” by using socio-pragmatics approach. This is because not all characters
speak in different codes and it will too large to be analyzed. It, therefore will
discuss about the types of code choices and the social meanings in choosing the
codes by the two main characters found in “Rush Hour 2”.
6
E. Research Benefits
There are two kinds of benefits that can be achieved in this research, they
are: theoretical benefits and practical benefits.
1. Theoretical benefits:
a. This research can describe the varieties of English code, namely
Formal English, Colloquial English, and Black English.
b. This research will give additional contributions to the development
of sociolinguistics and pragmatics especially code choices
phenomenon in the movie.
2. Practical benefits:
a. Film directors in comprehending the code choices in movie,
especially the movie which involved characters from different
social backgrounds.
b. All movie lovers to know further about the code choices in movie.
c. Sociolinguistics researchers in getting evidences or references for
further research about code choices.
d. Students of Sociolinguistics in comprehending code choices
analysis.
e. Sociolinguistics lecturers in getting further evidence in code
choices study.
F. Research Methodology
This research will be a descriptive qualitative research. By using this
method, this research will be conducted by collecting, classifying, analyzing data,
and then drawing the conclusion. The data source of this research is movie
entitled “Rush Hour 2". The researcher analyzes all code choices employed by the
two main characters; therefore, this research applies total sampling technique.
Further explanation about the research method of this analysis will be discussed in
Chapter III.
7
G. Thesis Organization
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION that consists of Research Background,
Problem Statements, Research Objectives, Problem Limitations,
Research
Benefits, Research Methodology, and Thesis Organization.
CHAPTER II : LITERATURE REVIEW that covers the Sociolinguistics,
Pragmatics, Socio-Pragmatics, Dimension of Sociolinguistics Analysis, Language
Variation, Bilingualism and Diglossia, Language Choice, Language and Code,
Code Switching and Code Mixing, Ethnography of Communication, Speech
Community, Communicative Competence, Rush Hour 2, and Review of Related
Research.
CHAPTER III : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY that consists of Research Type,
Data and Source of Data, Sample and Technique of Sampling, Instrument of the
Research, Technique of Collecting Data, and Technique of Analyzing Data.
CHAPTER IV : ANALYSIS that covers Introduction, Data Analysis, and
Discussion.
CHAPTER V : CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS that consists of
Conclusions and Suggestions.
8
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
In this chapter, the researcher tries to study the background knowledge
from Sociolinguistics and Pragmatics to provide a clearer understanding about
Sociolinguistics-Pragmatics especially related to code choice. Here, the researcher
often quotes many Sociolinguists’ and Pragmatists’ arguments to keep its
originality. This chapter is composed into some subchapters
namely
Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Socio-Pragmatics, Dimension of Sociolinguistics
Analysis, Language Variation, Bilingualism and Diglossia, Language Choice,
Language and Code, Domain of Language Use, Code Switching and Code
Mixing, Ethnography of Communication, Communicative Competence, Rush
Hour 2, and Review of Related Researches.
A. Sociolinguistics
a. Definition of Sociolinguistics
Hudson defines that sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation
to the society, implying (intentionally) that sociolinguistics is a part of the
study of language (1996: 4). Moreover, Holmes says that sociolinguists study
the relationship between language and society. They are interested in
explaining why we speak differently in different social contexts and they are
concerned with identifying the social functions of language and the ways it is
used to convey social meaning (1992: 1).
Sociolinguistics is a term used to describe all areas of the study of the
relationship between language and society other than these, such as
ethnometodology, which are purely social scientific in their objectives.
Sociolinguistics research is thus work which is intended to achieve a better
understanding of the nature of human language by studying language in its
9
social context and or to achieve a better understanding of the relationship and
interaction between language and society. (Trudgill, 1992: 68)
Chaika (1994) defines that sociolinguistics as the study of the ways
people use language in social interaction of all kinds. It means that
sociolinguistics concerns with how people use language when they interact in
any kinds of situation.
It can be concluded that sociolinguistics is concerned with the
relationship between language and context in which it is used. It means that
sociolinguistics does not only discuss about the relationship between language
and society but also considers to who is talking to whom, the situation (the
context), the purpose of the interaction and the topic of conversation.
b. Scope of Sociolinguistics
According to Trudgill (1992: 52), sociolinguistics is divided into two
studies, namely: macro sociolinguistics and micro sociolinguistics. Macro
sociolinguistics refers to sociolinguistics areas involving the study of
relatively large groups of speakers. It concerns with the study of language
history and development in the scope of society in general.
Micro sociolinguistics is a term used to cover the study of face to face
interaction, discourse analysis, conversational analysis, and other areas which
involves a small group of speaker study. Moreover, micro sociolinguistics
concerns with the study of language in specific speech community with the
scope of discussion such as the behavior towards language, style of speech,
domains of language use, register, speech act, etc.
Fishman
in
Chaklader
(1990)
divides
sociolinguistics
into
subdivisions: descriptive, dynamics, and applied sociolinguistics. Descriptive
sociolinguistics seeks to answer question “who speaks, what language, to
10
whom, when, and what end?” It deals with language and norms. Dynamics
sociolinguistics seeks to answer question “what account to different rates of
change in the social organization of language use and behavior toward
language?”. While applied sociolinguistics is concerned with significance of
the application of language in social setting. It studies the significance of
nature language teaching or second language teaching, language policy
decision, language planning, etc.
This research involves micro sociolinguistics since discusses the study
of conversation analysis in small group of speakers. It is about code choices
employed
by
the
two
main
characters
in
the
movie
entitled
“Rush Hour 2”. It also uses descriptive linguistics since this research analyzes
code choice study which relates to the codes, participants, setting, and ends.
B. Pragmatics
Sometimes, people do not say what they mean explicitly. In interpreting
the meaning of utterances, the hearer should consider the situation in which the
utterances occur. The relation between context and meaning of utterances is under
the study of pragmatics. There are several definitions of pragmatics.
According to Yule (1996: 4), pragmatics is a branch of linguistics study
that focuses in meaning utterances. The study of meaning as communicated by a
speaker (or writer) and interpreted by listener (or reader) is known as pragmatics.
Thus, when people deal with pragmatics, they deal with utterances’ meaning. This
is a study that can help people to be able to figure out the meaning of particular
utterances.
Meanwhile, Levinson (1997: 24) states that pragmatics is the study of the
role of context that focuses in meaning of utterances. It means that this type of
study involves the interpretation of what people mean in a particular context and
how the context influences what is said. The context takes important position due
11
to its possibility to give influence to the utterances’ meaning. Therefore, in order
to know and understand the meaning of speaker’s utterance, the hearer needs to
concern about the context of the conversation.
From those definitions, it can be concluded that pragmatics is a study that
discusses meaning of language by regarding the relation between language and
context. Thus, it can be clearly understood that the interaction between the context
and language becomes the main study in pragmatics.
C. Socio-Pragmatics
Socio-Pragmatics is the combination study between Sociolinguistics and
Pragmatics. Therefore, from several definitions of Sociolinguistics and Pragmatics
explained previously, it can be said that Socio-Pragmatics deals with the analysis
of significant patterns of interaction in particular social context. For example,
choice of codes may be realized differently in different social contexts.
Sometimes, people use the same code in their utterances to speak to different
participants. On the other hand, they speak in different code to the same
participants. This phenomenon is caused by the strategies used by the participants.
It is called dynamic feature. They have their own reasons which relate to social
meaning of the utterances.
Leech in www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/200305kawate_mierzejewska
states that Socio-Pragmatics is “the sociological interface of Pragmatics”
involving speakers’ and hearers’ beliefs built on relevant social and cultural
values.
From the definition above, it can be concluded that Socio-Pragmatics studies
the meaning of language used in relation to social and cultural values. This
research uses Socio-Pragmatics approach since it discusses the code choices
applied in a particular social interaction in which it considers the social relation
between speakers and hearers and the meaning intended by the speaker.
12
D. Dimension of Sociolinguistics
The subject matter of Sociolinguistics is linguistic diversity or variation. It
is also related to the social factors. It includes the participants, setting, topic, and
function. According to Holmes, there are four social dimensions reflected during
the communication, they are: a social distance concerning with participant
relationship, a status scale concerning with participant relationship, a formality
scale related to the setting or type of interaction, and the last one is two functional
scales related to the purposes or topic of interaction. (1992: 12)
a. A social distance scale
This scale is useful in emphasizing to know that someone is relevant
factor in linguistic choice. This scale concerns with participants’ relationship.
The intimate relationship will have higher solidarity and distance relationship
causes lower solidarity. This scale below may give a clearer understanding.
Figure 1
Social Distance Scale
Intimate
Distant
High Solidarity
Low Solidarity
Source: Holmes, 1992: 12
b.
Status scale
This scale points to the relevance of relative status in some linguistic
choices. The other name for this dimension is the power scale of participants.
Participants communicate in such a way signal their status or power in society.
13
This dimension accounts for a variety of linguistic differences in the
way people speak. When people of lower status address to the higher status
people, it is often used Sir, Madame, Mrs., Mr., etc. In short, the linguistic
choice is relevant with the relative status of addressee.
Figure 2
Status Scale
Superior
High Status
Standard English
Sub-ordinate
Low Status
Non Standard
Source: Holmes, 1992: 13
c.
Formality scale
This scale is useful in assessing the influence of the social setting or
type of interaction on language choice (Holmes, 1992: 13). It accounts for
speech variation in different setting or context. The language choice is in
accordance with the setting where communication takes place. In a formal
situation such as the communication between the employee and the boss in the
office, or at a ritual service in church, the language used will be influenced by
the formality of the setting.
14
Figure 3
Formality Scale
Formal
High Formality
Informal
Low Formality
Source: Holmes, 1992: 13
d.
Functional scale
This scale is classified into two, namely referential and affective
function scale (Holmes, 1992: 14). In these scales language are particularly
pervasive and basic. Language does not only convey the objective information
of a referential kind but it also expresses someone’s feeling. Referential and
affective meaning influences the kinds of information carried on interaction.
Because of these two functions, the information may be given in different
emphasize.
15
Figure 4
Referential and Affective Function Scale
Referential
High Information
Low Information
Content
Content
Low Affective
High Affective
Content
Content
Affective
Source: Holmes, 1992: 14
E. Language Variation
A variety is a broad term including different accents, different linguistics
styles, different dialects, and even different languages which contrast with other
for social reasons. Sociolinguistics talks about variation and searches social
relevant for regular patterns of variation in language use. Sociolinguistics studies
the connection between the variation within language and variation in the society.
In learning language research, having a well comprehension on the
acquisition language varieties is important. Slosberg (1992) explains that language
varieties consist of social class, ethnic, gender, and acquisition of register. Labov
in his research (in Downes, 1984: 113) explains that the occurrence of features
16
such as postvocalic / r / (as in far, worm), unstressed – ing (as in sleepi [n] as
opposed to sleepi [ ]), and substitution of a stop for fricative (e.g. realization of
medial / o / as / t / in nothing) differ the social and economic index of the
speakers. He also argues that a person from lower social status is less likely use
standard form. Thus, language varieties are across social classes such as upper
middle class, lower class, upper working class, and lower working class. Dealing
with ethnic variations, one of the examples is language use of Black people in
United States. They have a certain variety which is used only with their
community called Black Vernacular English (BEV).
Trudgill (1992:14) defines BEV as the name used by American
sociolinguists to refer to the dialect of English spoken, with relatively little
regional variation, by lower-class Black in the United States. In its phonological
and especially grammatical characteristics, such as copula deletion, this variety
differs from Standard English. Waren-Leubecker and Bohannan (Slosberg 1992:
39) give example of this, while speakers of Standard English mark negation only
once in a sentence, either on the verb or else by an indefinite pronoun as in “She
has said nothing”, speakers of Black English will doubly mark the negative as in
“She ain’t said nothing”. Another example is copula deletion; speakers of
Standard English say “He is angry” but speakers of Black English say “He angry”.
The research finding in accordance with gender-related variations states
that women are more likely to use standard phonetic forms than men. Women will
pronounce the final –ing in a word like ‘talking’, whereas men will pronounce it
as in ‘talkin’ (Slosberg, 1992: 41). Women also often use more polite forms like
tag question or request, while men are more likely to use commands. Moreover,
men tend to initiate a conversation whereas women tend to react it. Based on those
findings above, it can be said that the different characteristic between man and
women can emerge language varieties among them.
As a social being, many roles have to be done by human as a member of
family (a wife, a mother, or a daughter), a member of office community (an
17
employee or an employer), etc. the varieties occur when a speaker with his role
communicates with other speakers in different role in certain situation. An
employer commonly uses standard variety in an office. However, he will use a
different variety when he talks to his son at home. Here, register variation emerges
caused by the changing of speaker’s role, the characteristics of the addressee and
the situational of communication.
A variety of languages is a set of linguistic items (lexical items, sounds,
and constructions) with similar social distributions. Hudson (1996: 23) argues that
it includes languages, dialects, registers, and styles. Whereas, other Sociolinguist,
Trudgill (1992: 24) argues that a variety refers to any kind of language, dialect,
accent, sociolect, style, and register.
a. Dialect
Dialect is the varieties that initially and basically represent divergent
geographic origins (Ferguson and Gumperz 1960; Halliday 1964 in Fishman,
1972: 16). This dialect can be dialectology and dialect geography and also
social variety or sociolect. Hudson (1996: 38-41) also classifies dialects into
almost in the same way, namely regional (geographical) dialect and social
dialect.
Trudgill (1992: 23) explains that dialect as a variety of language is
differentiated grammatically, phonologically and lexically from others, and
associated with a particular geographical area and or with a particular social
class or status group. According to him, regional (geographical) dialect is
variety or dialect which is thought of as being related to geographical
background rather than its speakers’ social background. While, sociolect is a
variety or dialect thought of as being related to its speakers’ social
background.
From the definition above, the researcher concludes that everybody has
own dialect based on where he/she is classified socially or geographically.
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b. Accent
Trudgill defines accent as “the way in which people pronounce when
they speak” (1992: 7). Then, Yule in The Study of Language says that accent
when used technically is restricted to the description of aspects of
pronunciation which identify where an individual speaker is from, regionally
or socially (1996: 227). This definition is also supported by Chaika. She states
that accent refers to the way in which a speaker pronounces (1994: 7). All of
the definitions emphasize on the aspect of pronunciation of speaking that gives
identify for the speakers.
c. Style
Chaika (1994: 81) defines style as the selection of linguistic form to
convey social or artistic effects. It determines how social interactions will
proceed and continue, whether formally or informally. The situation of use
gives the impact to the conversation, whether the participants speak seriously,
ironically, humorously, angrily, lovingly, dubiously or other ways.
Trudgill (1992: 72) proposes style as a variety of language is
associated with social context and differentiated from others in terms of its
formality. Yule also states that style influenced by the situation of use. It can
be ranged from the very formal to the very informal (1996: 227).
From the definition above, the researcher concludes that style is a
variety of languages in terms of its formality. It can be contrasted into formal
style and colloquial style.
d. Register
Register is variation according to use in specific situations. It is used to
describe the specific vocabulary associated with different occupational groups
(Yule, 1996: 245). Trudgill (1992: 62) defines that register is a language
variety that is associated with particular topic, subject or activity. While
Holmes states that register tends to be associated with particular group of
people or specific situations of use. The language of airline pilots, journalists,
19
sport commentators, disc jockeys, and politicians are the examples of it (1992:
276).
Those three definitions about register are almost the same, that register
is related with specific situation of speaking. Hence, register is to express
shared meanings concisely and precisely. Therefore, it is not easy for outsiders
to understand and to use them.
e. Standard language
Trudgill (1992: 70-71) defines Standard English as “the variety of
English that is usually used in print, and which is normally taught in school
and to non-native speakers learning the language. It is also the variety, which
is normally spoken by educated people and used in news broadcasts, and other
similar situation”. Then Hudson (1980: 32-33) proposes that the only kind of
variety, which would count as a proper language, is standard language. The
language as the result of a direct and deliberate intervention by society is
named standard language.
To become a standard language, it passes through the following
processes:
1. Selection: the particular variety must be selected as the one to be
developed into a standard language. The choice of a variety relates to
social and political importance since it gets prestige and also the speaker
who share it in prestige. It affects many sectors of life.
2. Codification: The codification is done by some agency such as an
academy; they must have written grammar books and dictionaries to ‘fix’
the chosen variety, so that everyone can use the correct norms of that.
3. Elaboration of function: the selected variety is applied in all the functions
dealing with central government and with writing. But adding other
technical words and developing new conventions is still need.
4. Acceptance: the relevant population should accept the variety as the
variety of the community, deeply as the national language. Thus, the
20
standard language functions as a strong unifying force for the state, as a
symbol of its independence of other states and also as the marker of its
difference from other states.
(Hudson, 1980: 32-33)
Fishman (1972: 19) stresses that are not all languages have standard
varieties. However, where a standard variety exists it does not mean that it
displaces the non-standard variety from the linguistic repertoires of certain
speech community. Only the functions are different but non-standard variety is
a complementary to the standard variety. In other words, standard language is
a variety that is accepted, admitted, and used by everyone in many sectors of
life. Its functions are as the identity of the speakers, as a symbol of the
community, and even as the national language.
f. Non-standard language
Non standard language based on Trudgill (1992: 56) is widely
different from standard language at level of grammar. Non standard language
is often considered to be wrong, ugly, corrupt or lazy, different from standard
language that is held to be correct, beautiful, nice, pure, and so on. Non
standard language has lower status and prestige than standard language since it
mostly does not follow the language norms that are accepted and admitted in
standard language. It is variety used in informal situation and mostly spoken
by uneducated and lower class people. Slang is non-standard vocabulary used
in informal situation. The table below shows the syntactic differences between
standard and non-standard English.
21
Table1
Some Examples of Syntactic Differences between
Standard and Non- Standard English
VARIABLE
STANDARD
ENGLISH
BLACK
NON STANDARD
ENGLISH
Linking Verb (copula)
He is going
He………goin’
Possessive Marker
John’s cousin
John…….cousin
Plural Marker
I have five cents
I got five cent
Third Person Singular He lives in N.Y.
He live in N.Y.
(Verb Agreement)
Past Marker
Yesterday he walked Yesterday, he walk home
home
“If ” Construction
Statement: I asked if he Statement: I ask did he
did it
do it
Negation
I don’t have any
I don’t got none
Use of ‘be’
He is here all the time
He be here
Subject Expression
John moved
John, he move
Verb Form
I drank the milk
I drunk the milk
Future
I will go home
I’ma go home
Indefinite Article
I want an apple
I want a apple
Pronoun Form
We have to do it
Us got to do it
22
Pronoun
expressing His book
He book
Possession
Preposition
He is over at John’s He over to John
house
He teaches at Francis He teach Francis pool
pool
Use of ‘do’
Contradiction: No he Contradiction:
isn’t
No,
he
don’t
Source: Hall and Freedle 1973 in Bolinger & Sears, 1981: 199
F. Bilingualism and Diglossia
Diglossia was firstly introduced by a professor of English in Texas 1930’s,
Stanford Charles Ferguson. Ferguson in Fasold (1984: 34) argues that diglossia is
a phenomenon of situation when two distinct varieties of the same language are
used interchangeably for different sets of functions. In this word, its users in
defined circumstances only use diglossia in two or more varieties of the same
language.
Diglossia is not only exists on the use of two language varieties of a
language in a certain society, but it also includes the use of more than one
language or two language varieties in a society for certain purposes. In digossic
group, people tend to occupy more than one language as means of
communication. In this group, the term “High” language and “Low” language
present (Sridhar in McKay & Hornberg, 1996: 55). As the social value, high
language is usually utilized to represent high status class or it is employed for
formal occasion by educated people and middle- high class to show their social
background or profession claim. Middle-low class or common people for nonformal circumstance in common affairs, by contrast, apply Low language.
23
In discussing diglossia, there are many relationships between diglossia and
bilingualism. Fishman (1972: 93-106) alludes the relationship between diglossia
and bilingualism, which evokes community characterized by diglossia and
bilingualism, diglosia without bilingualism, bilingualism without diglossia, and
neither diglossia and bilingualism.
a. Diglossia and bilingualism
It happens in Paraguay for example where two languages are spoken.
The distribution is distinguished according to its social function such as
Indonesian (High Language) and Javanese (Low language).
b. Diglossia without bilingualism
It is characterized by Fishman as an instance of political or
governmental diglossia in which two or more differently monolingual entities
are brought together under one political roof. Modern states such as
Switzerland, Belgium and Canada are included as the category.
c. Bilingualism without diglossia
It can be indicated in a country where the two languages are used in
the same function.
d. Neither diglossia and bilingualism
It is the rarest category since all members of the community use one
language for all domains, they are all monolingual. So, there is no distribution
of social functions for the language. It exists in isolated speech community.
G. Language Choice
Holmes (1992: 1) argues that “sociolinguists study the relationship
between language and society. They are interested in explaining why we speak
differently in different social contexts, and they are concerned with identifying the
24
social functions of language and the ways it is used to convey social meaning”. In
a social interaction, different people in different social contexts should make them
use certain appropriate code. Fortunately, linguistic variation within the linguistic
levels (sounds, word structure (morphology), grammar (syntax), and vocabulary)
offers the speaker a choice of ways of expression.
Fassold in The Sociolinguistics of Society proposes three kinds of language
choices, namely code switching, code mixing, and variation within the same
language. In code switching, speakers should choose between two or more
languages. Code mixing occurs when they mix pieces of one language with
another language. While, variation within the same language is related to dialect,
register or accent. The speakers have to choose the appropriate variations to use in
a certain social situation. (1984:180)
There are certain social factors have been relevant in accounting for the
particular variety used. The first one is participants (the users of language),
considering who is talking to whom (e.g. wife-husband, customer-shop keeper,
boss-worker, etc). The second one is the setting or social context (e.g. home,
market, office, so on). The third one is the aim or purpose of the interactions
(social, informative). The last one is the topic (e.g. home affair, bargaining, job
affair, and so forth). In other way, all social factors cover some questions as
follows:
1. The participants: who is speaking and who are they speaking to?
2. The setting or social context of interaction: where are they speaking?
3. The topic: what is being talked about?
4. The function: why are they speaking?
(Holmes, 1992: 12)
Fassold in his definition gives classification of language choices. He does
not mention the factors influencing the choice of the languages, whereas, Holmes
25
reveals its social factors. In studying language choices, all of the definitions can
be used because they support each other.
H. Language and Code
Code, according to Rahardi (2001: 21) is the use of a speech system
related to the background of the speaker and the hearer and also the speech
situation. Poedjosudarmo (1978) in Rahadi (2001: 22) states that code as a variety
of language used by the person for interaction with the society. Wardaugh (1988
in Rahadi 2001: 22) also gives a definition of code that code is a kind of system
used by two people or more for communication.
Trudgill (1992: 85) argues that language likes other forms of social
activity which the speakers have to use appropriately. This is why, in many
communities, man and woman speeches are different. He also states that language
needs appropriate occasions and situations. In other words, language varies not
only according to the social characteristics of speakers (such as social class, ethnic
group, age, and sex) but also according to the social context.
Therefore, it can be said that code is different from language since code
has wider term than language. Code has varieties, for example Javanese code
classifies into three, namely Krama Inggil, Ngoko Alus, and Ngoko. While
language is different system used by different people for communication (e.g.
English is different from Indonesian language).
I. Domain of Language Use
Domain, according to Fishman who is also the first person and has
developed the notion of a domain of language use, is a sociocultural construct
abstracted from topics of communication relationship in accordance with the
institution of a society and the spheres of activity of speech community on such a
way that individual behavioral and social pattern can be distinguished from each
other and yet related to each other (Fishman, 1972: 43).
26
This definition is also developed by Downes (1984: 49). He defines
domain as a grouping together of recurring situation types in such a way that one
of the languages or varieties in a repertoire, as opposed to the others, normally
occurs in that class of situations. The member of the speech community judge that
the use of that variety, and not the others, is appropriate to that domain. In short, a
domain involves typical interactions between typical participants in typical
setting.
Holmes states that domain is clearly a very general concept which draws
on three important social factors in code choice, namely participant, setting, and
topic. It is useful for capturing broad generalizations about any speech
community. The use of the domains in a community is possible to draw a very
simple model of the norms of language use for a community. For instance, the
information identifies four domains and describes the variety or code appropriate
to each. This is often particularly useful for bilingual and multilingual speech
communities (1992: 26).
Fishman (in Holmes, 1992: 24) mentions five domains, which can be
identified in many communities namely family, friendship, religion, education,
and employment. The use of a code of a language is different in every domain
because the situation in every domains also different. For instance, if the setting is
family domain, the participants will use vernacular language or non-standard
language because the situation is informal.
J. Code Switching and Code Mixing
a. Code switching
In a communication, speakers may change their language used if they
it to or need to. In that process of that changing, switching will occur. That
phenomenon is usually called code switching.
27
Code switching is the process whereby bilinguals or bidialectals switch
back and forth between one language or dialect and another within the same
conversation. Sridard (in McKay and Hornberg, 1996: 56) suggest that people
frequently switch from one language to another, when two or more languages
exist in a community.
Wardaugh (1976: 103) states that there are two kinds of code
switching, namely situational code switching and metaphorical code
switching.
1. Situational Code Switching
According to Hudson (1996: 52), situational code switching occurs
when the code change is caused by the change of topics or participants.
The switch of code follows the situational code switching, the change of
participants and also atmosphere.
Situational code switching usually has new persons or participants
in conversation so the situational code switching can change the choice of
language. It is also used for temporary need or immediate need.
2. Metaphorical Code Switching
Holmes states that each of codes represents a set of social meaning,
and the speaker draws on the association of each, just as people use
metaphors to represent complex meaning. The term also reflects the fact
that this kind of switching involves rhetorical skill. Skillful code switching
operates like metaphor to enrich communication (1992: 49).
Metaphorical code switching has an affective dimension to it: the
code as you redefine the situation—formal to informal, official to
personal, serious to humorous, and politeness to solidarity (Wardaugh,
1976: 103).
28
b. Code mixing
The other term related to code switching is code mixing. It is a part of
language dependency in bilingual or multilingual society. It is the process
whereby speakers indulge in code switching between languages of such
rapidity and density, even within sentences and phases, that is not really
possible to say at any given time which language they are speaking (Trudgill,
1992: 16).
According to Sridhar (in McKay & Hornberg, 1996), code mixing
implies quite in multilingual communities around the world. People often use
and mix their languages. Therefore, it reflects sociocultural and textual
functions as an expression of certain types of complex personalities and
communities.
Code mixing implies the speaker’s incompetence. On the other hand,
the switches always relate to the symbolic or social meanings of two codes
(Holmes, 1992: 50).
K. Ethnography of Communication
Trudgill defines ethnography of communication as the study of the norms
and rules for using language in social situations in different culture and is thus
important for cross-cultural communication (1992: 31).
Meanwhile, Fassold states that the essential concepts of ethnography of
communication are the speech community and the units of interaction, which
consist of speech situation, speech event, and speech act (1990: 39).
Speech community is a community of speakers who share the same verbal
repertoire and share the same norms for linguistic behavior. In this sense, a group
of people belongs to the same speech community if they speak the same language
and share the same norms of interaction and interpretation (Trudgill, 1992: 69).
29
The three units are a nested hierarchy in the sense that speech acts are part
of speech events which are in turn part of speech situations. Hymes (in Fassold,
1990: 42) describes speech situation as “situations associated with or marked by
the absence of speech”. It may be composed of both communicative and other
kinds of events, for instance in ceremonies, fights, hunts, and lovemaking.
Speech event, on the other hand, are both communicative and governed by
rules for the use of speech (Hymes in Fassold, 1990: 42). A speech event consists
of one or more speech acts. Several speech events can occur successively or even
simultaneously in the same situation, for example: a joke might be a speech act
that is part of conversation (speech event) which takes place at a party (speech
situation).
Whereas, speech acts are minimal term of the set. A speech act can have
forms ranging from a complex sentence or words (Hymes in Fasold 1990: 42)
There are certain components are strongly relates to three units of speech
that are proposed by Hymes. Those components are abbreviated in the form of
SPEAKING (Setting or Scene, Participants, Ends, Acts Sequence, Key,
Instrumentalities, Norms of Interaction, and Genre) (Hymes in Fasold, 1990: 4445).
a. Setting or Scene (S)
The setting refers to the aspect of place and time of the speech. It is
closely related to its psychological aspect. Setting can be a cultural definition
of an occasion as a certain type of scene. Therefore, setting is different with
scene. Setting is connected to the physical condition of a speech, while scene
is related to the psychological and cultural condition (Hymes in Fassold, 1990:
44).
b. Participants (P)
Participants relate to speaker/addressor, hearer/addressee, the subjects
who are present in a speech event and whose presence may have an influence
30
on what is said and how it is said. Speaker or addressor means the person who
transmits a message. Hearer or addressee means the person to whom the
message is transmitted (ibid: 44).
c. Ends (E)
The purpose of an event is called ends. It consists of outcome and goal.
Outcome is explained as the purpose of the event from a cultural point of
view. While, goal explained as the purpose of the individual participant (ibid:
44).
d. Act Sequence (A)
Act sequence is about the message of event content. It comprises
message form and message content. Message form describes how something is
said. While, message content describes what is said in that speech event. Both
of them involve communicative skills that vary from one culture to another
(ibid: 44).
e. Key (K)
Key refers to the tone and manner in which an action is done (Fishman
1972: 52). Tone alludes to the general spirit of the scene, such as brave, fierce,
fearful, etc. Manner refers to the participants’ way of behaving toward others,
whether it is polite, impolite, intimate, formal, relax, serious, etc. It also refers
to the feeling, atmosphere, and attitude (Hymes in Fasold 1990: 44-45).
Feeling means the emotions that indicating happiness, terror, anxiety, anger,
shock, etc. While atmosphere brings up the feeling that affects the mind in a
place or condition such as good, evil, solemn, etc. Whereas attitude points to
the participants’ ways of thinking and behaving toward a situation whether it
is sympathetic, serious, optimistic, etc (ibid: 45).
The signaling of key may be non-verbal, for instance with a gesture,
style or dress, wink, posture, musical accompaniment, smile, and also may be
31
conventional units of speech such as English aspiration and vowel length to
signal emphasis and also intonation (verbal) (ibid: 45).
f. Instrumentalities (I)
Instrumentalities are the comparisons of channels and forms of speech.
According to Hymes, channel is the way a message travels from one person to
another. Therefore, it implies the means or medium of speech transmissions.
Channel can be oral or transmitted by such means such as telegraph,
semaphore, smoke signal, drumming, etc. whereas, form of speech are
described by Hymes as language and their subdivisions, such as varieties,
codes, dialects, and registers (ibid: 45).
g. Norms (N)
Hymes divides norms of communication into: norms of interaction and
norms of interpretation. They are determined by the cultural background of the
community. Thus, it can be said that each community has certain norms of
interaction that different from other community. Every speech community has
certain rules for interpreting the messages conveyed verbally or nonverbally.
Hymes states that norms of interpretation implicate the belief system of
communication (ibid: 45).
h. Genre (G)
Genre includes some categories such as prayer, lecture, poem,
proverbs, myth, riddle, commercial, curse, editorial, form letter, and so on.
They often coincide with speech events since a speech genre can occur in
more than one kind of speech events (Hymes in Fassold, 1990: 46).
32
L. Communicative Competence
One significant aspect within the ethnography of communication is
communicative competence. It was firstly proposed by Hymes in 1966, and
defined as “what a speaker needs to know to communicate effectively in culturally
significant setting”. Thus, it involves knowing not only the language code but also
what to say to whom, and how to say it appropriately in any given situation.
Hymes (in Trudgill 1990: 17) points out that knowing the grammar, phonology,
and lexicon of a language is not enough. The speakers have to know how to use
the language appropriately in the society in which they live. They have to know
when to speak and when not to, which greeting formula to use when, which style
to use in which situation, and so on.
The socio and cultural knowledge are needed which enables them to use
and interpret linguistic forms (Saville-Troike in McKay and Hornberg, 1996).
Moreover, it relates to both knowledge and expectation of who may not speak in
certain setting, when to speak and when to remain silent, whom one may speak to,
how one may talk to persons of different statuses and roles., what nonverbal
behavior are appropriate in various context, what the routines for turn taking are
in conversation, how to ask for and give information, how to give commands, how
to offer or decline assistance or cooperation, how to enforce discipline, how to
request and so forth, everything involving the use of language and other
communicative dimensions in certain social settings.
Therefore, the speaker needs to know about how to communicate
effectively in cultural significant settings with not only use the language code but
also what to say to whom and how to say it appropriately in any given situation.
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M. Rush Hour 2
a. Synopsis of the Movie
Title
: Rush Hour 2
Director
: Brett Ratner
Producers
: Roger Birnbaum
Jonathan Glickman
Arthur Sarkissian
Jay Stern
Writers
: Jeff Nathanson (Screenplay)
Ross LaManna (Original Story)
Starring
: Jackie Chan as Chief Inspector Lee
Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter
John Lone as Ricky Tan
Zhang Ziyi as Hu Li
Kenneth Tsang as Superintendent Chin
Alan King as Steven Reign
Roselyn Sánchez as Isabella Molina
Harris Yulin as Agent Sterling
Genre
: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Distribution
: New Line Cinema
Release date(s)
: August 3, 2001
Awards
: 10 wins & 17 nominations
“Rush Hour 2” is a 2001 martial arts film. This is the second
installment in the Rush Hour film series .A sequel to the 1998 film Rush Hour,
the film stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker who respectively reprise their
roles as Inspector Lee and Los Angeles police detective James Carter. The
film finds Carter and Lee embroiled in a counterfeit scam involving the triads.
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Rush Hour 2 was released in August 3, 2001 and grossed $347,325,802 at the
world-wide box-office, becoming the 11th top grossing film of 2001
worldwide, and the highest-grossing martial arts film of all time.
‘Rush Hour 2” tells about two personal agents who work for America
in a bombing case, they are Inspector Lee and Detective Carter. The story is
started when L.A.P.D. Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) is on vacation in
Hong Kong, visiting his good friend Hong Kong Police Force Chief Inspector
Lee (Jackie Chan). Carter is interested in having a good time, however, soon
after he arrives, a bomb explodes in the American Embassy. Inspector Lee is
assigned to the case, which becomes personal when it is discovered that it
somehow involves Ricky Tan (John Lone), his late police officer father's
former partner. Tan, who was suspected, but never proven, of having a role in
Lee's father's death, is now a leader of the Triads.
The United States Secret Service, led by Agent Sterling (Harris Yulin),
and the Hong Kong Police Force soon get into a fight over the jurisdiction of
the case. Ricky Tan is not only involved in bombing case, but also conspirator
with Steven Reign who is the rich man in L.A in money counterfeiting. In
getting rid Lee and Carter, Tan is helped by Hu Li (Zhang Ziyi). She is a
Chinese girl who is working for Ricky Tan. She helps Ricky Tan in
criminality, includes counterfeiting of money.
In handling Tan’s case, Lee and Carter are helped by American Agent
Isabella Molina (Roselyn Sánchez) who is under covering as Steven Reign’s
women. All about Ricky Tan are informed by her and Superintendent Chin
(Kenneth Tsang). After passing the hard fighting, finally Lee and Carter are
successful in proving the truth that Ricky Tan and his people is the suspected.
b. Characters and Characterizations
There are many characters in “Rush Hour 2”. However, in this
research, the researcher gives limitation in analyzing only the two main
characters. Therefore, in characterization point, the researcher only takes the
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characterizations of the two main characters, namely Inspector Lee and
Detective James Carter.
1. Inspector Lee
Lee is the main character in “Rush Hour 2”. He acts as an inspector
in Hong Kong. Lee is a hard worker. He prefers to handle a case than
enjoy his vacation with his friend, Carter. In this movie, Lee with Carter
try to investigate a case about American embassy bombing that killed two
American agents. Lee is faced to Ricky Tan who is the suspected and also
has a role in Lee’s father death. Lee and Tucker are successful in opening
up the criminality of Ricky Tan and his gang.
2. Detective James Carter
Carter is Lee’s friend. In this movie, he acts as an American agent.
Carter has a big mouth and always acts rashly. What is in his mind is only
woman. He is a Black American who is on vacation in Hong Kong with
Lee. Carter has a terrible vacation in Hong Kong because he has to help
Lee to solve the case. At first, Carter feels disappointed in Lee because
Lee involves Carter in his case. However, at last, Carter wants to help Lee
catch Ricky Tan and his people.
N. Review of Related Research
There are two related researchers discussing about code choices from
different points of views. All the previous researchers complete one another, they
are:
One research done by Fitriana Hapsari (2002) is entitled An Analysis of
Language choice in The Novel “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” by
Jimmy Breslin. She tries to analyze language choice deeply in the novel. It deals
with the analysis of domains, the social factors affecting one’s choice of codes
and the social meaning of codes.
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Another research conducted by Supiani (2006), entitled An Analysis of
Code Used by the Cross Married Couple, Banjar-Java Ethnic Group (A Case
Study in Pelaihari Regency, South Kalimantan). This research classifies the types
of language code employed by the main participant in some domains, explains the
factors influencing the choice of code and finds out the social meanings of
language used.
Based on the related research, this research also tries to analyze the types
of code choices and the social meanings which interpret in the movie entitled
“Rush Hour 2”. The difference of this research with those two researches is the
object used. Fitriana Hapsari uses a novel as her main data and Supiani uses
recorded data of the participants’ conversations, while the data of this research is
taken from the dialogues of the two main characters in the movie.
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CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. Research Type
This research is a qualitative research. The qualitative research is a
type that does not include any calculation or numeration (Moleong, 2001: 6).
Then Bodgar and Taylor (in Moleong, 2001: 6) state that qualitative
methodology as the research procedure which brings about descriptive data in
the form of written or spoken words and behavior available to be examined.
Therefore, the researcher uses the qualitative because this research refers to
the descriptive data in the form of spoken words that are available to be
examined. The data is taken from the dialogues that occur in the movie
entitled “Rush Hour 2”.
Meanwhile, this research uses a descriptive method. Surakhmad states
that descriptive method is a kind of research method using technique of
searching, collecting, classifying, analyzing the data, interpreting them, and
finally drawing the conclusion (1990: 147).
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B. Data and Source of Data
Arikunto states that “yang dimaksud dengan sumber data dalam
penelitian adalah subyek darimana data diperoleh” (1997: 129). So, the data
source is the subject from which the data are obtained. The source of data of
this research is the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”, while the data of this
research are the dialogues or conversations employing code choices by the two
main characters. Those are the primary data of this research. The script of the
movie and the informants (Sarah and Putri) are the secondary data which have
a function to support the primary data.
There is a reason why the researcher chooses this movie as the source
of data. In the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”, there are more than one codes
involved. The characters frequently use more than one code in their speeches.
This is an interesting phenomenon because the characters speak different
codes in different social context. Therefore, this movie provides reasons in
choosing the codes which relate to its social meanings.
C. Sample and Technique of Sampling
Sample is a part of representation of the data being observed, while
technique of sampling is a technique of choosing samples out of data (Hadi,
1986: 22).
In this research, the researcher employs a purposive sampling
technique. In purposive sampling technique, sample is chosen based on certain
considerations, whereas the considerations are taken based on the aim of the
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research. This aim of this research is not to make generalization of the
characteristics of the population but to describe specific things found in data
(Moleong, 2001: 165). Sample of this research are the dialogues or
conversations containing code choices employed by the two main characters
in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”.
D. Instrument of the Research
The instruments of the research are all devices that are used by the
researcher to collect the data in order to get suitable data so that the data can be
analyzed well (Arikunto, 1997: 149).
The instrument of this research is the researcher herself. In a qualitative
research, the researcher herself or himself either by help of another person or not
is the main instrument of the research (Moleong, 2001: 4). In this research, the
researcher becomes the main instrument of the research because the researcher
selected and determined which data from the data source that can be used as the
data of the research. Moreover, the researcher is the analyzed of the research data.
In conducting the research, the researcher is supported by some
equipment, i.e.:
a. VCD of the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”
The researcher used VCD “Rush Hour 2” as the source of data.
b. Computer set
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The researcher used computer set to watch the movie and to replay the
movie. Besides that, it is used to print the script of the dialogue of the movie.
c. Internet
The researcher used internet connection to find out the script of the
dialogue of the movie and the additional information relates to the theory, i.e.
http://www.rushhour2/rush%20hour%202/rush-hour-scripttranscriptchan.html
and http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/200305kawate_mierzejewska.
E. Technique of Collecting Data
The data of the research were collected by doing the following steps:
a. Playing the VCD of the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2” by using windows
media player program of the computer set.
b. Searching the transcript of the movie on the internet.
c. Printing the transcript by using computer set.
d. Replaying the movie until gets the idea of the dialogues by using computer
set.
e. Comparing the transcript taken from the internet with the dialogues in the
movie.
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f. Selecting the data, i.e. the dialogues containing code choices by the two main
characters.
g. Giving codes to the dialogues containing code choices by the two main
characters. For examples:
01/B.E/RH2
01
: The number of datum.
B.E
: The types of code choices (Black English)
RH2
: The title of the movie (Rush Hour 2)
Some abbreviations refer to:
F.E
: Formal English
C.E
: Colloquial English
Ch
: Chinese
Sw
: Switching between codes
Mx
: Mixing between codes
F. Technique of Analyzing Data
The data of the research were analyzed by doing the following steps:
a. Classifying the data in accordance with the types of code choices applied by
the two main characters. The researcher refers to Fasold theory in classifying
the codes.
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b. Describing the social meanings in choosing the codes employed the two main
characters by interpreting the data. To reveal the social meanings, the
researcher refers to the theories of Janet Holmes.
c. Drawing conclusions from the data analysis and providing some suggestions.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
A. Introduction
This chapter consists of the analysis of the research which will be
conducted according to the related theory in the second chapter. It will discover
the answer to the problem statements stated in the first chapter. The researcher
refers to Fasold theory in classifying the types of code choices employed by the
main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. Besides that, the researcher also uses Janet
Holmes’s theory to know the social meanings in choosing the codes by the two
main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. Both of their theories are used by the
researcher as guidance to answer the problem statements and so are other theories
which stated in Chapter II.
The analysis is divided into two purposes. They are to find out the types
of code choices employed by the two main characters occurring in the movie
entitled “Rush Hour 2” and reveal the social meanings in choosing the codes.
Therefore the researcher divides them into two sub chapter, namely Data Analysis
and Discussion
B. Data Analysis
In data analysis, the researcher divided into two parts, namely The Types
of Code Choices Employed by the Two Main Characters in the Movie Entitled
‘Rush Hour 2” and The Social Meanings in Choosing the Codes.
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a. The Types of Code Choices Employed by the Two Main Characters in the
Movie Entitled ‘Rush Hour 2”
Fasold (1984:180) in The Sociolinguistics of Society proposes three
kinds of language choices, namely code switching, code mixing, and variation
within the same language. Relates to the Fasold theory, the researcher
identifies that the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2” involves four types of code
choices applied by the two main characters, i.e. English, Chinese, Switching
between Codes, and Mixing between Codes.
1. English
In “Rush Hour 2”, the main characters use English code as one of
the code when they speak. There are twenty four data containing English
code. These are:
01/B.E/RH2, 04/C.E/RH2, 07/B.E/RH2, 08/B.E/RH2, 09/B.E/RH2,
13/B.E/RH2,
15/B.E/RH2,
17/B.E/RH2,
18/F.E/RH2,
20/F.E/RH2,
21/B.E/RH2,
22/B.E/RH2,
23/B.E/RH2,
24/C.E/RH2, 25/C.E/RH2,
26/C.E/RH2,
27/C.E/RH2,
28/C.E/RH2, 29/B.E/RH2,
30/C.E/RH2,
31/B.E/RH2, 34/C.E/RH2, 35/B.E/RH2, and 36/B.E/RH2.
All data above consist of four variants; they are Formal English,
Colloquial English, and Black English.
a) Formal English
There are two data of formal English, namely: 18/F.E/RH2 and
20/F.E/RH2
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Example:
18/F.E/RH2
There are three participants in this datum, namely
Superintendent Chin, Lee and Agent Sterling. Superintendent Chin
is the Head of Hong Kong Police and Lee is one of his men. Lee is
the Chinese main character who has a position as a Chief Inspector
in Hong Kong Police. Superintendent Chin and Lee are Chinese.
Agent Sterling is Special Agent from United States Secret Service
who is coming to Hong Kong Police to discuss a case about
American embassy bombing that killed two American agents. The
conversation takes place in the Superintendent Chin’s office in
Hong Kong Police. Lee walks in and sees Sterling is sitting at
Chin's desk while Chin standing in the back. Superintendent Chin
introduces Agent Sterling to Lee.
Lee
: Good afternoon, Sir!
Superintendent Chin
: Lee…..
Lee
: Yes, Sir!
Superintendent Chin
: This is Special Agent Sterling from the
United States Secret Service.
Lee
: The Secret Service? Why?
Sterling
: Have a sit, please!
What I'm about to tell you cannot leave
this room. The men who were killed
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yesterday were not American translators.
They were undercover U.S. customs
agents trying to break a Triad smuggling
ring.
The dialogue above takes place in the office, so the
participants are in a formal situation. They use formal style of
English. It is proven in greeting and addressing used by Lee. Lee
says Good Afternoon, Sir! to Chin who has higher position than
Lee. Moreover, Agent Sterling gives politeness expression by
saying please to Lee.
b)
Colloquial
Colloquial language is known as variation within language
segmented as non-formal use. It is quite different from standard
language, especially in terms of time and situation. It is obvious that
colloquial languages that mostly appear in the form of words or idioms
are the most suitable forms of language used in informal situation.
Language at this level is proper when someone is speaking to his
friends or close members of his family, either in spoken or written.
The researcher found eight data of English Colloquial in “Rush
Hour 2”, i.e. 04/C.E/RH2, 24/C.E/RH2, 25/C.E/RH2, 26/C.E/RH2,
27/C.E/RH2, 28/C.E/RH2, 30/C.E/RH2 and 34/C.E/RH2.
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Examples:
1) 30/C.E/RH2
The conversation bellow takes place in L.A, in the hotel
room. The participants are Lee and Carter. Using binoculars, they
are watching Isabella and Steven Reign’s movement from the
opposite room hotel. Isabella is one of American agent who is
under covering as Steven Reign’s woman. Steven Reign is Ricky
Tan’s conspirator in running their illegal business, such as in
money counterfeiting. Carter gives the binoculars to Lee then lays
his body on the bad. Lee starts to work like spy.
Carter
: What is she doing man?
Lee's eyes go wide as Isabella drops her coat and starts to unbutton
her blouse.
Lee
: She's just standing around -- not doing much.
Carter
: Just don't fall asleep. Sooner or later something's gonna
happen.
Lee
: I'll try to stay awake. It's so boring.
Isabella starts to remove her blouse.
Lee
: Slow down, baby.
Carter
: What did you say?
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Lee
: Nothing. I said nothing.
Carter
: I heard you say something.
Lee
: No no no…..nothing.
Lee starts to sweat as he watches her undress.
Carter
: What’s going on, man?
Lee looks dazed.
Lee
: She's getting undressed.
Carter
: Gimme the binoculars.
Lee
: No. It's not right.
Carter
: Gimme the binoculars or I will shoot you.
From the dialogue above can be seen that Carter employs
several colloquial style, such as gonna and gimme.
2) 33/C.E/RH2
This datum consists of two participants, namely Lee and
Carter. They wear dark sunglasses, walk through the street and try
their best to look like Secret Service Agents.
Carter
: Secret Service Agent Carter. This is my calling, Lee.
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Gimme six months and I'll be in Washington protecting
a white guy.
Lee
: We both know you would never take a bullet for
someone else.
Carter
: They don't know that. What are they gonna do, try and
shoot the President during the interview? I'll bet Isabella
can pull some strings. You saw the way she was staring
at me.
Lee
: She never even looked at you.
Carter
: You're just jealous 'cos the girl picked me. I'm tall, dark
and handsome, you're third world ugly.
Lee
: I am not third world ugly. Women like me, they think
I'm cute. Like Snoopy.
Carter
: Snoopy is about six inches taller than you. I'm sorry,
Lee, you never had a chance.
The setting is on the street. They are talking about their new
status as Secret Service Agents for America. Carter, in the dialogue
above chooses English in colloquial style. It can be identified from
the words gimme, gonna, and ‘cos.
c) Black English
One of the main characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”
is Black American, names Carter who acts as American Detective. In
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this movie, Carter is Lee’s friend and they will work together to solve
Ricky Tan’s case about bombing and counterfeiting. Since Carter is
Black American, so Black English is a code that is often used in this
movie. The researcher found fourteen data of Black English. These
are:
01/B.E/RH2,
07/B.E/RH2,
08/B.E/RH2,
09/B.E/RH2,
13/B.E/RH2, 15/B.E/RH2, 17/B.E/RH2, 21/B.E/RH2, 22/B.E/RH2,
23/B.E/RH2, 29/B.E/RH2, 31/B.E/RH2, 35/B.E/RH2,and36/B.E/RH2.
All data above based on Sarah’s identification. (Sarah. 2009.
English Department Native Teacher. Sebelas Maret University)
Examples:
1) 01/B.E/RH2
The datum involves the conversation between Lee and
Carter. Carter is Lee’s Black American friend. Later, Lee and
Carter are two American agents who succeed in uncovering Ricky
Tan’s case about bombing, smuggling, and counterfeiting of
money. Carter is on vacation with Lee in Hong Kong. Lee and
Carter are on driving and singing a song. Suddenly, there are two
Chinese girls drive beside them. Carter opens his Chinese
dictionary and starts to tempt the girls in Chinese. Those Chinese
girls, however, laugh for him and drive off. Looking Lee sings and
does not care with him, Carter is annoyed and takes the CD off.
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52
The conversation below talks about the Chinese girls who
drive off and ignore Carter. Woman is very interesting subject for
Carter. Carter feels fail to approach those Chinese girls. He asks to
Lee why the girls were laugh for him and drove off. Calmly, Lee
answers and gives statement that the girls drove off because Carter
delivered different meaning.
Lee and Carter are singing a song
Carter : This one is good
Lee
: I love this part
The passenger window rolls down. Carter is holding a ChineseEnglish dictionary, leaning out the window and looking to two
girls in a convertible.
Carter : Hey lady, what are you doin’? Wait a minute.
Carter : Deng wa lu yun cai-shen wu……….do masa do me.
Carter : Hey……lady where will you go? Let’s go to Susy.
Hey….hey cuty.
The horrified girls speed off. Carter turns to Lee who is driving and
singing.
Lee
: (singing)
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…..wish they all could be California...
Wish they all could be California girls...
Carter ejects the Beach Boys CD from the stereo and tosses it out
of the sunroof.
Lee
: That was my CD. Don't you ever touch a Chinese man's
CD.!
Carter : Did you see the way those girls drove off? I did you a
favor.
Lee
: Those girls drove off because of you.
Carter : All I did was invite them for a drink.
Lee
: You invited them to get naked and sacrifice, so they go.
Carter : Which way we go?
Lee
: You owe me a copy of the Beach Boys Greatest Hits.
Carter : Don't be giving me attitude, Lee.
I've been here three days and we haven't done work a
case. Now, my reason here is my uncle said that you’ll
help me spend the time. I'm on vacation, man and I want
some Bu-shu.
According to Trudgill (Black English Vernacular) BEV is
the name used by American sociolinguists to refer to the dialect of
English spoken, with relatively little regional variation, by lowerclass Black in the United States. In its phonological and especially
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grammatical characteristics, such as copula deletion, this variety
differs from Standard English (1992:14).
Carter in the dialogue above employs Black English. It can
be seen from the bold sentences, such as Hey lady…., Which way
we go?, Don't be giving me attitude, Lee, and ….we haven't
done work a case.
2) 31/B.E/RH2
This datum takes place in the Red Dragon Casino lounge,
Los Angeles. There are two participants, namely Carter and Lee.
They run off from Hu Li through underground aqueduct pipe. Hu
Li is the Chinese girl who helps Ricky Tan. Lee and Carter coming
up from the manhole while standing together in stunned disbelief
as they look out at the Las Vegas Strip. They cover their eyes,
blinded by the greatest light show in the world. Fire balls blow out
over the strip as Lee and Carter look up at the Red Dragon Hotel
and Casino. They enter the casino and unfortunately, met Steven
Reign who is making speech in his Grand Opening. In lounge, Lee
is surprised by Isabella who grabs Lee and pulls him onto the
dance floor. Isabella says that she needs a help since Ricky Tan is
suspicious to her. Seeing Carter walks up, Isabella goes away.
Carter walks up and sees Lee is standing alone on the dance floor.
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Carter
: (Grimacing)
Lee, what the hell are you doing?
Lee
: Dancing?
Carter
: Dancing? I'm out here trying to strong arm Steven
Reign, putting my life on the line, and you're up here
dancing with some bimbo. Did she have a friend?
Lee
: It was Isabella. She said the plates are in the soft count
room.
Carter
: Isabella? Are you crazy, man? She almost got us killed.
She's setting you up again!
Lee
: No. I'm going to find out.
Carter
: Wait a second. There's guards all over the place. You'll
need a distraction.
The dialogue above identifies that Carter uses Black
English. It can be seen from the Carter’s statement “There's
guards all over the place” that shows the characteristic of Black
English.
2. Chinese
Chinese is one of codes used by main characters in “Rush Hour 2”.
It is because the movie takes one of settings in Hong Kong and some of
the characters are Chinese. Chinese used in this movie is Chinese Hanyu
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(Hanyu Sa). Chinese Hanyu is used in formal situation, like Indonesian
language used in Indonesia (Putri, 2007). There are four data containing
Chinese in this movie, namely 05/Ch/RH2, 10/Ch/RH2, 16/Ch/RH2, and
19/Ch/RH2.
Examples:
1) 16/Ch/RH2
This datum takes place in the massage parlor in Hong Kong.
There are two participants, i.e. Lee and Ricky Tan. Lee goes to the
massage parlor to investigate Ricky Tan in secrecy. He wants to know
the further information about a bombing case. Unfortunately, Tan
knows the existence of Lee and addresses Lee politely.
Ricky Tan
: Lee, wei, pengyou, ni hao ma?
[Hi, Lee, my friend, how are you]
(Getting up, giving Lee a hug)
Lee
: Wo xu yao gen ni jiang hua.
[I need to talk to you]
Ricky Tan
: Shenme shir?
[What about]
Lee
: Liang shou hai de mai guo ren.
[The two Americans that were killed]
Gen wo qu jing cha ji.
[Come to the police station]
Ricky Tan
: Jing cha ji?
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[Police station]
The dialogue above shows that Lee and Ricky Tan choose
Chinese code in their utterances since they have similar background as
Chinese people.
2) 19/Ch/RH2
The conversation below takes place in Hong Kong. It is a
phone dialogue between Lee and Superintendent Chin. Superintendent
Chin is Lee’s head in Hong Kong Police. They are handling a bombing
case in American Embassy that kills two Americans and the suspected
is Ricky Tan. Lee is on driving while moving his head to the rap music
slowly. Superintendent Chin calls to inform Lee about the Ricky Tan’s
existence.
Lee
: Wei…! [Hallo…!]
Superintendent Chin
: Wo men gang ting shuo Ricky Tan jin wan
yao qu ta de you ting yan hui.
[We just heard Ricky Tan is throwing a party
on his boat tonight]
Lee
: Ni dui Sterling shuo ma?
[Did you tell Sterling?]
Superintendent Chin
: Rang ta zi ji zhi dao.
[Let him find out on his own]
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Wo yao xiang gang de jing cha lai ban zhe
jian shi.
[I want the Hong Kong police handling this]
Both Lee and Superintendent Chin choose Chinese Hanyu
(Hanyu Sa) in making conversation. The bold type shows that they are
speaking in Chinese. The reason is the participants have the similar
background as Chinese.
3. Switching between Codes
Some of characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2” are able to
speak more than one language, such as the main characters. Therefore,
they may switch from one language to another language. The researcher
found five data of switching code in this movie. These are: 02/Sw/RH2
(Eng-Ch), 06/Sw/RH2 (Ch-Eng), 11/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch), 32/Sw/RH2 (EngCh), and 33/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch). Those data consist of two switching code,
namely Switching from English into Chinese and Switching from Chinese
into English.
a) Switching from English into Chinese
There four data identifying that the two main participants in
“Rush Hour 2” switch codes from English into Chinese, namely
02/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch), 11/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch), 32/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch),
and 33/Sw/RH2 (Eng-Ch).
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Example:
02/Sw/RH2 (English – Chinese)
This datum has two participants, namely Carter and two
unknown Chinese girls. Carter is on driving at night in Hong Kong
with his friend, Lee. There is a car with two Chinese girls in it. That
car is driving at the left side of Lee’s car. Seeing the Chinese girls,
Carter opens a Chinese dictionary book and starts to seduce by inviting
them for drink using Chinese.
Carter
: Hey lady, what are you doin’? Wait a minute.
(Open Chinese dictionary)
Carter
: Deng wa lu yun cai-shen wu……….do masa do
me. [Let’s get naked and……do it with me]
From the dialogue above shows that Carter switch from Black
English into Chinese. It can be seen when Carter speaks to unknown
Chinese girls who never meets before. Use of Black English is marked
by addressing Hey lady to the Chinese girls. Then he switches into
Chinese Deng wa lu yun cai-shen wu……….do masa do me [Let’s
get naked and……do it with me]
Carter switches into Chinese to invite the Chinese girls who
just he met. He wants to respect their ethnicity as Chinese by switching
into Chinese code. Instead, Carter has hurt them because he transfers
different message, as the result the Chinese girls drive off. Conditional
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changing from informal to formal shows that this switching includes
metaphorical switching since there is no new participants.
b) Switching from Chinese into English
There is only one datum shows that the participant switches
from Chinese into English, namely 06/Sw/RH2 (Chinese – English).
Example:
06/Sw/RH2 (Chinese – English)
This datum consists of three participants, namely Lee,
Superintendent Chin, and Carter. The conversation takes place in Hong
Kong. Lee is on driving with Carter to enjoy their vacation. They are
singing a song and having a joke. Then, Lee has a call from
Superintendent Chin to give some information about bombing case in
American Embassy. Carter looks at Lee seriously and opens the
Chinese dictionary to translate what Lee’s talking about. Carter knows
that Lee will take a case so immediately he warns to Lee to not take the
case in their vacation. Lee decides to lie and says to Carter that his
superintendent invites them in a big party.
Lee
: Wei….! [Hallo….!]
Superintendent Chin
: Lee, zai mei guo das hi guan you zha dan.
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[There was a bombing at American
Embassy]
Liang ge mei guo fan yi yuan shou hai.
[Two American translators were killed.]
Lee
: You qi ta bao gao?
[Any leads]
Superintendent Chin
: Wo men ren wei na shi Ricky Tan.
[We think it’s Ricky Tan]
Ta he qi ta zai zhe ye zong hui de hei dang
cheng yuan.
[His entire of gang Triads is at the club
tonight]
Ru guo ni bu yao jing shou zhe ge an jian
wo neng gou li jie.
[If you don’t want to take the case, I’ll
understand]
Lee
: Pu mei kuan si.
[No, it’s okay.]
Lee hangs up the cell phone
Carter
: What was that? Did you just pick up a case?
Did we just take another damn case on my
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vacation?
Lee smiles at Carter
Lee
: Of course not. My Superintendent invited
us to a club tonight. Big party tonight.
Lee uses different code in the dialogue above. He speaks in
Chinese Hanyu to Superintendent Chin and switches in Colloquial
English when speaks to Carter. The underline word Big party tonight
shows that Lee switches into Colloquial English. Lee, immediately,
switches Chinese to colloquial English since there is another
participant, i.e. Carter. This switching is called situational switching.
4.
Mixing between Codes
It is possible for the main characters in “Rush Hour 2” to mix
different codes they use. There are four data contain of mixing code
(English and Chinese), i.e. 03/Mx/RH2, 12/Mx/RH2, 14/Mx/RH2, and
37/Mx/RH2.
Examples:
1) 03/Mx/RH2 (English & Chinese)
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There are two participants in this datum, i.e. Lee and Carter.
The conversation below takes place in Hong Kong, on driving. Firstly,
Carter is angry because Lee does not care to him and the result is
Carter takes Lee’s CD off and throws it away. Lee and Carter are
opposite partner. They have different point of view in their live. Lee
always focuses on his job while Carter wants to have a good time in
his life. In Carter’s thought only woman. Carter is on vacation in
Hong Kong with Lee and he asks Lee to bring him to somewhere that
many women on there.
Carter : Which way we go?
Lee
: You owe me a copy of the Beach Boys Greatest Hits.
Carter : Don't be giving me attitude, Lee! I've been here three days
and we haven't done work a case. Now, my reason here is
my uncle said that you’ll help me spend the time. I'm on
vacation, man and I want some Mu-shu.
Lee
: (Confussing)
Bu-shu? You're hungry?
Carter : (Smiling and joking)
Not Bu-shu. Mu-shu. I want to see some women. Now stop
playing dumb and show me the shu!
The dialogue above shows that the participants mix codes
(English and Chinese). The mixing codes emerge misunderstanding on
what carter says. Carter inserts Chinese word to mention woman.
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Because Carter is Black American, so he cannot pronounce the
Chinese word well. At first Carter says “woman” in Chinese with
“Mu-shu”, but Lee catch it as “Bu-shu”. Between Mu-shu and Bu-shu
is very different meaning. Mu-shu means woman and Bu-shu means
kind of food in Chinese. As the result, they do not understand one
another.
2)
12/Mx/RH2 (Chinese & English)
There is a participant named Carter in this datum. The dialogue
below occurs in the Raven club in Hong Kong. Carter is surprised
when he knows that he is deceived by her friend Lee. At first Lee says
that he will go to a big party with Lee, but actually Lee wants to get
information about the existence of Ricky Tan relates to American
embassy bombing. Knowing the fact, Carter is disappointed and angry
at Lee. He gets on the stage and speaks to everybody in the club.
Carter : Okey, listen up!
Mei ge ren lai ba, wo men quan bu du shu jian wo men rang
peng you hai xiu, right now!
[Let’s pick up the summer and see me your bottom, right
now]
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From the dialogue above can be seen that Carter mixes Chinese
and English in his utterance. He chooses Chinese since the hearer are
Chinese people but he switch to English by saying right now.
b. The Social Meanings in Choosing the Codes
In interpreting the social meaning of each choice of codes, Janet
Holmes (1992: 49) states that the social interaction between many different
people in different social context makes people use certain codes. In other
words, every code choice conveys its own social meanings.
In this sub chapter, the researcher will describe the relationship
between code choices employed by the two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”
and its social meanings.
1. English
a) Formal English
There is only one social meaning found relates to the choice of
Formal English in “Rush Hour 2” used by the main characters, i.e.
showing respect.
There are two data of showing respect, i.e. 18/F.E/RH2 and
20/F.E/RH2.
The example was taken from datum 18/F.E/RH2.
Lee
: Good afternoon, Sir!
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Superintendent Chin : Lee…..
Lee
: Yes, Sir!
Superintendent Chin : This is Special Agent Sterling from the
United States Secret Service.
There are three participants, namely Superintendent Chin, Lee
and Agent Sterling. All of participants use English in the dialogue
above even though they are in Hong Kong. This datum shows that
participant is the factor influencing the code choices. It is proved by
the existence of third participant, i.e. Agent Sterling (White American),
therefore they choose English. The conversation takes place in the
Superintendent Chin’s office in Hong Kong Police., so the participants
are in formal situation. Lee uses formal style of English. It is proven in
greeting and addressing Good Afternoon, Sir!. This formal style
shows that he wants to give respect to Superintendent Chin who has
higher position.
b) Colloquial English
The researcher found three social meanings which are
interpreted in Colloquial code used by the main characters in “Rush
Hour 2”, namely: showing intimacy, disrespect and to avoid
misunderstanding in delivering the speech.
1) Showing Intimacy
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There are seven data showing intimacy, i.e. 04/C.E/RH2,
24/C.E/RH2, 26/C.E/RH2, 27/C.E/RH2, 28/C.E/RH2, 30/C.E/RH2
and 34/C.E/RH2.
The example was taken from datum 27/C.E/RH2
Carter : Secret Service Agent Carter. This is my calling, Lee.
Gimme six months and I'll be in Washington protecting
a white guy.
Lee
: We both know you would never take a bullet for
someone else.
Carter : They don't know that. What are they gonna do, try and
shoot the President during the interview? I'll bet Isabella
can pull some strings. You saw the way she was staring
at me.
Lee
: She never even looked at you.
Carter : You're just jealous 'cos the girl picked me. I'm tall, dark
and handsome, you're third world ugly.
Lee
: I am not third world ugly. Women like me, they think
I'm cute. Like Snoopy.
Carter : Snoopy is about six inches taller than you. I'm sorry,
Lee, you never had a chance.
The setting of this datum is on the street. It consists of two
participants, namely Lee and Carter. They are talking about their
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new status as Secret Service Agents for America. They are partner
now.
From the dialogue above determines that Carter speaks to
Lee in colloquial style. It can be seen from the words gimme,
gonna, and ‘coz. He chooses Colloquial English to show that
between Carter and Lee has intimate relation as friend.
2) Avoid Misunderstanding
Datum 25/C.E/RH2 identifies that the participants choose
Colloquial English to avoid misunderstanding in delivering the
message.
Isabella
: Friends. No bomb, nothing. Now stay away before
I throw you both in jail for obstruction.
Carter
: Throw us in jail? I'm about to bust you right now.
Isabella
: I'm an undercover agent for the United States Secret
Service.
Carter
: How do we know you're not lying? Let me see your
badge.
There are two participants in this datum, i.e. Carter and
Isabella. The conversation takes place in L.A, in the Reign Hotel.
Lee and Carter think that a package which Isabella accepted is a
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bomb. They try to grab the package from Isabella and bring it
outside. While they are panic, Isabella approaches them and stops
it angrily. She takes, opens, and shows her package in which
content of much money. She also talks to them about her
undercover.
All the participants in the dialogue above use Colloquial
English in their utterances. It can be seen from Isabella’s addressee
by calling friends to Carter and the slang word bust (hit). In
choosing Colloquial English, it is influenced by the attendance of
3rd participant, a White American, Isabella. Isabella chooses
colloquial
English
code
in
her
utterances
to
avoid
misunderstanding because the outcome of the dialogue above is
misunderstanding in guessing the package is bomb. Therefore,
Isabella tries to explain and prove that her package is not bomb by
using English.
c) Black English
Use Black English in “Rush Hour 2” identifies three social
meanings, they are: showing intimacy, anger, and surprise.
1) Showing Intimacy
There are nine data determining the main character chooses
Black English to show intimacy, i.e. 01/B.E/RH2, 07/B.E/RH2,
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09/B.E/RH2,
13/B.E/RH2,
15/B.E/RH2,
23/B.E/RH2,
29/B.E/RH2, 35/B.E/RH2, and 36/B.E/RH2.
The following example was taken from datum 35/B.E/RH2
Ricky Tan
: He never begged for his life.
Carter
: Put the gun down, Lee!!
Ricky Tan
: Or tried to make a deal. All that he asked me, just
seconds before I pulled the trigger, was that I
promise not to kill you.
(Laughing)
Ohhh…. It’s so tragic!
Carter
: He don’t know, he don’t know too far, shoot him
right now! Shoot his head!
The conversation below takes place in the penthouse suite
of Red Dragon Casino, L.A. There are three participants, namely:
Ricky Tan, Lee and Carter. Lee is pushing Ricky Tan against the
wall and threatening Tan’s head with the gun. The tension rises
when Tan is trying to evoke Lee’s emotion by telling about his
father. Seeing Tan’s action, Carter speaks up and commands Lee to
shoot Ricky Tan immediately.
The dialogue above shows that Carter uses Black English.
It can be seen from the utterance “He don’t know, he don’t know
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too far, shoot him right now”. This is influenced by the setting,
i.e. where the conversation takes place and how the psychological
condition of the speech. It has been mentioned in the previous that
the conversation above takes place in the penthouse suite of Red
Dragon Casino, L.A. on the other hand, they are in informal
situation, when emotion and tension be one.
Carter’s utterance in Black English refers to a command.
He commands to Lee to shoot Tan’s head uses Black English. It
occurs since the setting is in high tension which pressures Carter to
command Lee uses his mother tongue, i.e. Black English since
Carter is a Black American. This command shows that Carter has
intimate relation with Lee, as a friend.
2) Showing Anger
There are four data of showing anger in choosing Black
English, namely: 08/B.E/RH2, 17/B.E/RH2, 22/B.E/RH2, and
25/B.E/RH2,
The example was taken from datum 22/B.E/RH2
Lee
: Carter, you don’t understand.
Carter : I understand, all right….
I got nothing, I fired, I naked on the street, and you
didn’t join in me, man. I’ll get off from here.
Lee
: Carter, Ricky Tan framed my father.
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Carter : What…?
The datum is a conversation between Lee and Carter. Carter
in the dialogue above uses Black English. The conversation above
takes place on driving, at night. It identifies that they are in
informal situation. The bold words or sentences show that Carter
employs Black English in his utterances. He says “I got nothing, I
fired, I naked on the street……” Carter chooses this code to
express his feeling, such as disappointment by saying “I got
nothing, I fired, I naked on the street……” because Lee does not
tell the fact to Carter that there is a relation between Ricky Tan’s
case and Lee’s father death. On the other words, Carter uses Black
English to interpret a social meaning, namely showing anger.
3) Showing Surprise
There is only one datum showing surprise, i.e. 31/B.E/RH2.
Carter
: Wait a second. There's guards all over the place. You'll
need a distraction.
Carter looks around the casino
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Carter
: I'll go to the craps table, make a big scene. When
security comes over, you make your move.
Lee
: Try to keep them busy for five minutes.
Carter
: I'll give it my best shot.
This datum takes place in the Red Dragon Casino lounge,
Los Angeles. There are two participants, namely Carter and Lee.
They are surprised since there are many guards in the lounge. They
make a plan to get information about it.
In the dialogue above identifies that Carter uses Black
English. It can be seen from the Carter’s statement “There's
guards all over the place” which shows the characteristic of
Black English. Carter says in Black English since he is surprised
that there are guards all over the casino. Therefore, the social
meaning revealed is to show surprise.
2. Chinese
There are three social meanings of choosing Chinese in “Rush
Hour 2”, namely: showing respect, showing solidarity and to avoid
misunderstanding.
1) Showing Respect
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The researcher found two data determining a social meaning of
showing respect in “Rush Hour 2”. They are 05/Ch/RH2 and
19/Ch/RH2.
The example was taken from datum 19/Ch/RH2.
Lee
: Wei…! [Hallo…!]
Superintendent Chin
: Wo men gang ting shuo Ricky Tan jin wan
yao qu ta de you ting yan hui.
[We just heard Ricky Tan is throwing a party
on his boat tonight]
Lee
: Ni dui Sterling shuo ma?
[Did you tell Sterling?]
Superintendent Chin
: Rang ta zi ji zhi dao.
[Let him find out on his own]
Wo yao xiang gang de jing cha lai ban zhe
jian shi.
[I want the Hong Kong police handling this]
The conversation above takes place in Hong Kong. It is a
phone dialogue between Lee and Superintendent Chin. Both Lee and
Superintendent Chin choose Chinese Hanyu (Hanyu Sa) in making
conversation since logically the participants have the similar
background as Chinese. Even though the way they deliver the message
by phone, it does not mean they are in informal situation. They are in
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formal situation since they are talking about an important case of
Ricky Tan. Besides that, Lee chooses Chinese Hanyu code to show his
respect since the relation between Lee and Superintendent Chin is
employee and employer. Superintendent Chin has higher position than
Lee.
2) Showing solidarity
The researcher found one datum determines that the main
character chooses Chinese to show solidarity, i.e. 16/Ch/RH2.
Ricky Tan
: Lee, wei, pengyou, ni hao ma?
[Hi, Lee, my friend, how are you]
(Getting up, giving Lee a hug)
Lee
: Wo xu yao gen ni jiang hua.
[I need to talk to you]
Ricky Tan
: Shenme shir?
[What about]
Lee
: Liang shou hai de mai guo ren.
[The two Americans that were killed]
Gen wo qu jing cha ji.
[Come to the police station]
Ricky Tan
: Jing cha ji?
[Police station]
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There are two participants, namely Ricky Tan and Lee. Ricky
Tan is surprised to see Lee in the quiet room massage parlor with
Carter. Ricky starts to address Lee in Chinese since they have similar
background as Chinese. Both of them choose Chinese code to show
their solidarity. It is described from Tan’s non verbal expression by
giving Lee a huge as the Chinese manner in greeting.
3) Avoid Misunderstanding
There is one datum showing of avoid misunderstanding, i.e.
10/Ch/RH2.
Carter
: Okay, all the Triads and ugly women go to that side, all fine
ass women on this side. Translate this!
Lee
: Ta yao, nan de quan bu zai you bian, nu de zai zuo bian.
[He wants the men on the right and the women on the left]
Nobody moves. Carter fires two more shots in the ceiling.
Carter
: Let's tries this again.
Who here knows Ricky Tan, raise your hand. Translate this
again!
Lee
: Yuan liang, yin wei wo pengyou zheng zai da zui.
[I apologize, my friend is very drunk]
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The conversation above takes place in the Raven Club, Hong
Kong. It consists of two participants, namely Carter and Lee. Carter is
angry at Lee since Lee has lied about the party. In fact, Lee invites
Carter to a mission of undercover to get some information about the
existence of Ricky Tan who guesses as the suspect of an American
embassy bombing. Being annoyed, Carter decides to get on the stage
and gives command to everybody in the club who mostly are Chinese
people. Carter speaks in Chinese in order to the hearer can catch easily.
Instead, the fact is they laugh at Carter since he delivers different
meaning. Finally, he asks Lee to translate his utterances.
Therefore, it can be identifies that Lee chooses Chinese code to
avoid misunderstanding by translating Carter’s speeches into Chinese.
3. Switching between Codes
The main characters in “Rush Hour 2” switch codes to show
certain reasons. There are two causes found, namely to emphasize the
message and avoid misunderstanding.
1) Emphasize the Message
The researcher found one datum that signifies of emphasizing
the message, i.e. 33/Sw/RH2.
Ricky Tan : (Talking to Lee and insulting again)
The trouble partner so they will die.
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(Moving the eyebrow up)
Ye xiang ni yi yang.
[As will you]
This datum takes place in the monitor room, Red Dragon
Casino, L.A. This setting interprets that the participant is in informal
situation. In addition, the Ricky Tan’s expressions, such as insulting at
Lee and moving his eyebrow up show that the dialogue above is
informal situation. Therefore, Ricky Tan choose colloquial English
before he switch into Chinese.
Ricky Tan switches the codes from Colloquial English into
Chinese when he is speaking to Lee. Tan speaks to Lee uses colloquial
English to give illustration about a good partner. While, he mixes with
Chinese to threaten at Lee by using non verbal expression, such as
moving his eyebrow up. This mixing code occurs because Tan wants to
emphasize the message by his satire utterances in Chinese.
2) Avoid Misunderstanding
Another reason found in switching codes is to avoid
misunderstanding. There are four data of it, they are: 02/Sw/RH2,
06/Sw/RH2, 11/Sw/RH2, and 32/Sw/RH2.
The example was taken from datum 06/Sw/RH2.
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Lee
: Wei….! [Hallo….!]
Superintendent Chin
: Lee, zai mei guo das hi guan you zha dan.
[There was a bombing at American
Embassy]
Liang ge mei guo fan yi yuan shou hai.
[Two American translators were killed.]
Lee
: You qi ta bao gao?
[Any leads]
Superintendent Chin
: Wo men ren wei na shi Ricky Tan.
[We think it’s Ricky Tan]
Ta he qi ta zai zhe ye zong hui de hei dang
cheng yuan.
[His entire of gang Triads is at the club
tonight]
Ru guo ni bu yao jing shou zhe ge an jian
wo neng gou li jie.
[If you don’t want to take the case, I’ll
understand]
Lee
: Pu mei kuan si.
[No, it’s okay.]
Lee hangs up the cell phone
Carter
: What was that? Did you just pick up a case?
Did we just take another damn case on my
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vacation?
Lee
: Of course not. My Superintendent invited us
to a club tonight. Big party tonight.
This datum consists of three participants, namely Lee,
Superintendent Chin, and Carter. The conversation takes place in Hong
Kong. Lee uses different code in the dialogue above. He speaks in
Chinese Hanyu to Superintendent Chin and switches in colloquial
English when speaks to Carter. It can be seen in Lee’s utterance Big
party tonight to determine that he uses colloquial English. This switch
code identifies that Lee wants to avoid misunderstanding when he is
speaking to Carter. It is because Carter does not understand what Lee
is talking about with Superintendent Chin. He asks to Lee by saying
“What was that?”
4. Mixing between Codes
There are three reasons relate to the choice of mixing codes in
“Rush Hour 2” used by the main characters, i.e. showing joke,
incompetence, and to emphasize the message.
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1) Showing Joke
In showing joke, the researcher found three data, namely
03/Mx/RH2, 14/Mx/RH2, and 37/Mx/RH2.
The following example was taken from datum 03/Mx/RH2.
Carter : Which way we go?
Lee
: You owe me a copy of the Beach Boys Greatest Hits.
Carter : Don't be giving me attitude, Lee! I've been here three days
and we haven't done work a case. Now, my reason here is
my uncle said that you’ll help me spend the time. I'm on
vacation, man and I want some Mu-shu.
Lee
: (Confussing)
Bu-shu? You're hungry?
Carter : (Smiling and joking)
Not Bu-shu. Mu-shu. I want to see some women. Now stop
playing dumb and show me the shu!
The conversation above consists of two participants, i.e. Lee
and Carter and takes place in Hong Kong. Carter mixes codes (English
and Chinese) when he is talking to Lee. The mixing codes emerge
misunderstanding on what carter says. Carter inserts Chinese word to
mention woman. Because Carter is Black American, so he cannot
pronounce the Chinese word well. At first Carter says “woman” in
Chinese with “Mu-shu”, but Lee catch it as “Bu-shu”. Between Mu-
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shu and Bu-shu is very different meaning. Mu-shu means woman and
Bu-shu means kind of food in Chinese. As the result, they do not
understand one another. Carter mentions Chinese word to make a joke.
It can be seen from the Carter’s non verbal expression in his mixing;
he is smiling and joking.
2) Showing Incompetence
There is only one datum identifying of showing incompetence,
namely 12/Mx/RH2.
Carter : (to Chinese people)
Okey, listen up!
Mei ge ren lai ba, wo men quan bu du shu jian wo men
rang peng you hai xiu, right now!
The dialogue above shows that Carter mixes Chinese and
English code in his utterance when he is talking to Chinese people in
the club. It is because he is not able to continue his utterance in
Chinese so he mixes in English by putting right now. This case shows
that Carter mixes code since he is incompetence to speak in Chinese.
C. DISCUSSION
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“Rush Hour 2” is the movie by Brett Ratner in 2001. It is about two secret
service agent who handling a case about money counterfeiting. This movie takes
two general setting, namely Hong Kong and Los Angeles. In addition, the
characters come from different background, e.g. Lee, Ricky Tan, Hu Li, and
Superintendent Chin are Chinese, Carter is Black American, and Isabella and
Agent Sterling are White American. This differences make this movie is
interesting related to the language choice.
In discussion, the researcher makes a description of some findings
obtained from the data analysis which is described in the following table. The
table shows some findings based on the problem statements of the research. They
cover what codes used and the reasons in choosing the codes by the main
characters in “Rush Hour 2”.
Table 2
The types of code choices and the social meanings in choosing the codes
Employed by the two main characters in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”
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FORMAL
ENGLISH
2
20/F.E/RH2
V
3
04/C.E/RH2
V
E
N
G
LI
S
H
4
24/C.E/RH2
V
5
25/C.E/RH2
6
26/C.E/RH2
V
7
27/C.E/RH2
V
8
28/C.E/RH2
V
9
30/C.E/RH2
V
10
34/C.E/RH2
V
11
01/B.E/RH2
V
12
07/B.E/RH2
V
13
08/B.E/RH2
14
09/B.E/RH2
V
15
13/B.E/RH2
V
16
15/B.E/RH2
V
V
COLLOQUIAL
ENGLISH
BLACK ENGLISH
Solidarity
Emphasize the
message
Avoid
misunderstanding
V
Incompetence
18/F.E/RH2
Surprise
1
Joke
DATUM
Respect
NO
Intimacy
LANGUAGE CHOICE
Anger
REASONS
V
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17
17/B.E/RH2
V
18
21/B.E/RH2
V
19
22/B.E/RH2
V
20
23/B.E/RH2
V
21
29/B.E/RH2
V
22
31/B.E/RH2
23
35/B.E/RH2
V
24
36/B.E/RH2
V
25
05/Ch/RH2
V
26
10/Ch/RH2
V
27
16/Ch/RH2
28
19/Ch/RH2
V
CHINESE
V
V
02/Sw /RH2
29
V
(Eng-Ch)
06/Sw/RH2
30
V
(Ch-Eng)
SWITCHING
11/Sw/RH2
31
BETWEEN CODES
V
(Eng-Ch)
32/Sw/RH2
32
V
(Eng-Ch)
33/Sw/RH2
33
V
(Eng-Ch)
03/Mx/RH2
34
MIXING
V
(Eng & Ch)
BETWEEN CODES
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12/Mx/RH2
35
V
(Eng & Ch)
14/Mx/RH2
36
V
(Eng & Ch)
37/Mx/RH2
V
37
(Eng & Ch)
The table above shows that the researcher found four types of code choices
applied by the two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. They are English, Chinese,
Switching between Codes and Mixing between Codes. English is classified into
three, namely Formal English, Colloquial English, and Black English. Formal
English is used in formal situation, such as in the office which contains the
conversation between participants have higher status/position and participants in
lower status. It can be identified by using address Sir and Mr, or greeting Good
Morning (in telephone). The example can be seen from datum 18/F.E/RH2.
Colloquial English tends to in informal situation. Gonna and Gimme shows that
they are colloquial. Datum 27/C.E/RH2 is the example of it. The last variation of
English is Black English. There is only one character using Black English, i.e.
Carter. Based on his background, he is Black American so in playing the character
he is more often using Black English than others. There are many ungrammatical
utterances found, such as …. I would took, I would did anything and There's
guards ….. determine that they are Black English. The example can be seen from
datum 31/B.E/RH2.
Chinese used in “Rush Hour 2” is Chinese Hanyu (Hanyu Sa). Hanyu Sa
applies in formal situation, for example datum 19/Ch/RH2. The participants
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choose Hanyu Sa when they are in formal situation, the participants are
superintendent and his subordinate.
All the main characters in “Rush Hour 2” are able to speak more than one
language. It is possible for them to switch or mix the codes. From the data
analysis, the researcher found two kinds of switching, namely situational code
switching and metaphorical code switching. Situational code switching occurs
when the code change is caused by the change of topics or participants, for
instance datum 06/Sw/RH2. While, metaphorical code switching has an affective
dimension in redefining the situation, such as from formal to informal situation or
in other words there is no changing of participants in metaphorical code
switching, for example in datum 02/Sw/RH2. The main characters mix the codes
in “Rush Hour 2”. The researcher only found one kind of code mixing, namely
mixing between English and Chinese. The participants insert several Chinese
words such as Bu-Shu, Mu-Shu, Su-Shi, etc. The example can be seen from
datum 03/Mx/RH2.
The table also shows that there are several social meanings interpreted in
choosing codes by the two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. Formal English
only has one social meaning, namely showing respect. Colloquial English
interprets intimacy and to avoid misunderstanding. Black English determines
intimacy, anger, and surprise. Chinese, from the previous analysis, reveals three
social meanings, i.e. showing respect, showing solidarity and to avoid
misunderstanding. The participants switch the codes since they want to show their
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respect, emphasize the message, and avoid misunderstanding. Showing joke and
incompetence are delivered by the participants when they are mixing the codes.
From the data analysis, the researcher found an extraordinary
phenomenon. It can be seen in the previous datum, i.e. 02/Sw/RH2. The datum
shows that the participant switches from English into Chinese. It is extraordinary
since the participant is Black American named Carter.
02/Sw/RH2
Carter
: Hey lady, what are you doin’? Wait a minute.
(Open Chinese dictionary)
Carter
: Deng wa lu yun cai-shen wu……….do masa do
me.
[Let’s get naked and……do it with me]
The datum describes that Carter speaks to two unknown Chinese girls.
Carter is on driving at night in Hong Kong with his friend, Lee. There is a car
with two Chinese girls in it. That car is driving at the left side of Lee’s car. Seeing
the Chinese girls, Carter opens a Chinese dictionary book and starts to seduce by
inviting them for drink using Chinese. From the dialogue above, shows that Carter
switch from Black English into Chinese. It can be seen when Carter speaks to
unknown Chinese girls who never meets before. Use of Black English is marked
by addressing Hey Lady to the Chinese girls. Then he switches into Chinese Deng
wa lu yun cai-shen wu……….do masa do me [Let’s get naked and……do it
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with me]. Carter switches into Chinese to avoid misunderstanding in inviting the
Chinese girls to drink. He wants to get an attention from them. Instead, Carter has
hurt them because he transfers different message, as the result the Chinese girls
drive off.
Therefore, datum 02/Sw/RH2 is a unique finding. A Black American
speaks in Chinese, whereas, according to the story Carter do not have Chinese
background or he never studies Chinese. It can be seen that Carter uses Chinese
dictionary when is talking to Chinese girls in datum 02/Sw/RH2 and he always
delivers different meaning. From the data above shows that there is a certain
reason
influencing
Carter
to
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switch
into
Chinese.
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. CONCLUSSIONS
Based on the analysis in Chapter IV which is conducted to reveal the
answer of the problem statements stated in Chapter I, some conclusions could be
drawn.
1. The types of code choices codes employed by the two main characters found
in the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”
The researcher has found four types of code choices used by the two
main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. They are: English which is classified into
three, namely Formal English, Colloquial English, and Black English,
Chinese, Switching between codes which consists of Switching from English
into Chinese and Switching from Chinese into English, and Mixing between
codes (English and Chinese).
2. The social meanings in choosing the codes used by the two main characters in
the movie entitled “Rush Hour 2”.
There are certain social meanings in each code choices applied by the
two main characters in “Rush Hour 2”. Formal English is used by the
participants to show respect. Colloquial English determines two social
meanings, namely: showing intimacy and to avoid misunderstanding. The use
of Black English interprets three social meanings, i.e. showing intimacy,
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showing anger, and showing surprise. Chinese reveals three social meanings,
those are showing respect, showing solidarity, and to avoid misunderstanding.
Switching between codes describes three social meanings, namely: showing
respect, to emphasize the message, and to avoid misunderstanding. Mixing
between codes has two social meanings, i.e. showing joke and showing
incompetence
B. SUGGESTIONS
According to the result of the previous chapter as has been described
before, the paper can draw the suggestion as follow:
1. Students
It is suggested that the students should understand and study further
about the codes used and their usage in society. It is important because
language plays important role in our lives in communication.
2. Other researchers
The other researchers can develop this research by analyzing codes
used in certain event from different point of view, such as do research on
codes used in a certain community. Codes used in English Department of
Sebelas Maret University which involves certain students from different social
and
cultural
background
as
participants
91
could
be
analyzed.
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