Directive and Expressive Speech Acts in Support Heroes’ Voice Lines: Enhancing Team Coordination in Mobile Legends

Abstract

Voice lines are a distinctive element of online multiplayer games that not only reinforce character identity but also serve as strategic communication tools. This study analyzes the directive and expressive speech acts found in the voice lines of Support heroes in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, intending to uncover their pragmalinguistic function in enhancing team coordination and synergy. Using Searle's (1975) speech act theory and a qualitative descriptive approach, voice lines are analyzed and categorized into directive subtypes—commanding, urging, requesting, advising, warning, and offering—and expressive subtypes—encouraging, convincing, appreciating, expressing belief, motivating, criticizing, complaining, and emotional expression. The findings indicate that directive speech acts function as tactical cues in team decision-making. In contrast, expressive speech acts play a role in maintaining morale, strengthening solidarity, and building a supportive identity. The novelty of this research lies in the application of speech act theory to the context of a scripted, non-interactive online game, yet still capable of producing meaningful communicative effects. This study expands the discourse on pragmatics by highlighting the role of language in digital game design as a medium for strategic coordination and team emotion management. Practically, the findings contribute to the study of applied linguistics and digital communication, while also opening new insights for game developers in designing effective soundtracks, both as a tactical tool and a means of fostering a collaborative atmosphere