AN ANALYSIS OF DIRECTIVE SPEECH ACTS IN JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 THE MOVIE

Abstract

This study investigates the various forms and strategies of directive speech acts performed by characters in John Wick: Chapter 4. The goal of the study is to identify and analyze the different types of directive speech acts in movie dialogues, as well as the speech act strategies used in conversations. Searle's (1979) theory is utilized to categorize directive speech acts, while Cutting and Fordyce's (2021) framework is used to examine speech act strategies. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, collecting data from movie dialogues through observation. The data reveal 95 occurrences of directive speech acts, categorized as follows: 26 commands, 8 orders, 18 requests, 34 suggestions, 2 invitations, and 8 prohibitions. In terms of speech act strategies, direct strategies are the most common, accounting for 67 occurrences, while indirect strategies account for 28. The study then focuses on ten data points, with an equal allocation of five for direct and five for indirect strategies. The most common type of directive speech act is suggestion, while the least common is invitation. The research highlights the crucial role of directive speech acts and strategies in facilitating effective communication. The findings contribute to pragmatics by offering insights into the application of speech act theory in a cinematic context, demonstrating how language use in movie dialogues enhances communicative intent and interaction.