DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF INTERJECTION

USED IN THE FILM “SCHOOL OF ROCK”

THESIS

Presented to

State College for Islamic Studies

For Scientific Writitng Final Task

By :

AHMAD RIFAI

NIM. 9322.078.610

Class : D

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

STATE COLLEGE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES

(STAIN) KEDIRI

2012

DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF INTERJECTION USED IN FILM“SCHOOL OF ROCK”

By: Ahmad Rifai

Abstract :

This research is written to know the meaning and the functions of interjection used in the film “School of Rock”. The writer wants to find the actual meaning of interjections that are uttered by the characters in the film “School of Rock” and knowing what are their functions. The object of this study is the interjections that uttered by characters in the film “School of Rock”. Data of this study is the interjections that are uttered by the characters in the film “School of Rock”, taken from the character’s conversation in this film.

In analyzing the data, the writer uses theories of discourse analysis. By using speech act, he finds the intention of the speaker in using interjection then describes the actual meaning of such interjection using pragmatic approach, and classifies their meaning concerns to the categorization of illocutionary acts.

Based on those findings, it is suggested for the next researchers to comprehend the interjection. In the other hand, it is also recommended for them that they using the other field in the future, such as English drama, daily conversation or any literary work.

Key Words: Interjection, Discourse, Analysis.

Introduction

Human beings spend a large part of their lives engaging in

conversation and for most of them conversation is among their most

significant and engrossing activities. In conversation, language has important

role in deliver message from somebody to others.

It is true that most people make conversation use language during their

lives. Every language consists of sounds and sound pattern, the unity of

meaning or words, and rules to combine them to form newest utterances.

These elements constitute the grammar of the language. In the study of

language, the most interesting question arise in connection with the way

language is ’used’, rather than what its component1. Therefore, to understand a

1 George Yule. The Study of Language: an Introduction. Cambridge University Press. 1985. P. 104

language, people have to know its grammar. But, in conversation sometimes

people used utterances that grammatically have no connection with the

previous or next sentences, they use it to express their feeling or performing a

certain meaning, it is called interjection. Interjection is one of English eight

word classes besides noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb, preposition and

conjunction.

When we carry this research further and how if we are as language

users, make sense of what we read from the texts, understands what the

speakers mean and what they say, know incoherent text, and successfully take

part in conversation, we are undertaking what is known as discourse analysis.

So, discourse is stretches of language perceived to be meaningful, unified, and

purposive2. The word "interjection" literally means "something thrown in

between" from the Latin inter ("between") and jacer ("throw"). An

interjection, sometimes called a filled pause, a part of speech that usually has

no grammatical connection to the rest of the sentence and simply expresses

emotion on the part of the speaker, although most interjections have clear

definitions. Interjections are uninfected function words that express the

attitude or emotion of the speaker. They are used when the speaker encounters

events that cause some emotions, such as unexpectedly, painfully, surprisingly

or in many other sudden ways3.

This study concerns with the discourse analysis of interjections that are

expressed by the characters in a film entitled “School of Rock”. As we, in this

film, there are character’s conversations that using interjection to give more

sense in the character expression of their feeling or mood, and using

interjection will not make the conversation clumsy. There are several

interjections that can be used as a reaction to an identical situation. The

interesting view is there are many interjections based on the same word but it

shows any kinds of expression.

2 Guy, Cook. Discourse. Oxford University Press.1989.p. x.3 (http:www.sil.org/discourse/GlosarryOfDiscourseTerms/whatisInterjection.htm/) taken on 15th

December 2009

In this study the researcher analyzes the discourse of interjections

uttered by the characters in the film entitled “School of Rock” by using speech

act theory and pragmatic approach. Knowing the context of utterance is the

basic need in understanding the function and meaning of interjections those

are uttered by the speaker. So, the most appropriate theories in analyzing the

discourse of interjections are speech act theory and pragmatics.

Research Method

This study uses a descriptive qualitative research design as the data in

this study are words, phrases, and sentences. And the data of this study are not

statistically analyzed. As stated by Moleong Qualitative Research is a research

which does not deal with number, but in written and oral words from the

object of the study.4

Based on the title discourse analysis of interjection used in the film

“School of Rock”, the writer uses theories of discourse analysis. By using

speech act, it can be found that the intention of the speaker in using

interjection, and then describes the actual meaning of such interjection using

pragmatic approach, and classified their meaning concerns to the

categorization of illocutionary act. The writer uses the categorization of

language function that adopted from Jacobson’s framework to know the

function of interjections uttered by the character in the film “School of Rock”.

In this research, there are many characters found in this film. But, the

researcher conclude that the interjections uttered by the character in the film

“School of Rock” represent all of the meaning categorization based on

illocutionary act by using pragmatics and speech acts theory that are, directive,

expressive and declarative meaning. The researcher also finds that the

interjections have emotive, conative, metalingual, phatic, poetic and

referential functions of language.

4 DR Lexy Moleong J.MA, Metode Penelitian Kualitatif (Bandung: PT.Remaja Rosdakarya,1991), 3.

Data is very important on the research. The source of the data is the

subjects where the data can be gotten. The sources of the data are useful on

this research. The data source of study consists of two sources. The primary

data is the character’s conversation in this film. And the secondary data is the

translation text or subtitle that is written.

To get the data in this study, the researcher uses two kinds of

instrument. They are: The first key instrument of this study is the researcher

himself in which he uses his skills and spends a great deal of time in

collecting, understanding, and analyzing the conversation in the film “School

of Rock” and analyzing thee interjection that used in this film.

The second instrument is observation, the researcher observe the

courtesy of film “School of Rock” to get data about utterance that uttered by

some character’s conversation. Especially the main character”Dewey Finn” in

using pragmatics and speech acts theory which has rude, naughty and

spontaneous characteristics. And also uses the subtitles or translation text that

is written in Indonesian language.

Methods of data collection include observation, interview, and the

collection and review of related document5. To collect data, the researcher

using the theories of discourse analysis during the film played, and observed

the speech act, and also the intention that used by the character in this film.

Then, the researcher tried to describe in actual meaning that commonly used in

daily life.

Research Results

This chapter presents the discourse analysis of interjection used in the

film”School of Rock”. Discourse analysis of interjection used in the film

‘School of Rock”. It consists of two parts, research findings and discussions.

5 William Wiersma, Research Methode in Education: an Introduction (London: The University of Toledo, 1991), 84.

This section presents the findings of Interjections used in the film”School of

Rock”, these are:

1. “Oh, that’s really rock in!”

2. “Oh, why don’t you get a job?”

3. “Oh, so you’re gonna kick me out of the band?”

4. “Oh look…takes a look!”

5. “Ouch, you’re on this?”

6. “Ouch, you want a piece of me?”

7. “Ouch, that’s so punk rock!”

This section presents the discussions of interjection used in the film

“School of Rock”. It consists of the kinds of the kinds of interjections, the

meaning of interjections and the functions of interjections and the functions of

interjections used in this film.

The Kinds of Interjections

In the film “School of Rock’, which has an emotion, full of spirit, and

has a rebellion senses. There are many utterances that implicate the

interjection, when the characters said any utterances; it contains some implicit

meanings from the speakers to the addressee. The story has started when the

main Character, Dewey Finn (Black), answers a call from Principal of Rosalie

Mullins (Joan Cusack), the administrator of Horace Green school who needs a

temporary replacement for an absent teacher, Ned Schneebly (Mike White)

( ex-rocker-turned-substitute teacher).

Based on J.R Searle on the previous chapter, about the categorization

of speech acts, the researcher can conclude that some kinds of utterances

which uttered by some characters in this film was indicated as Interjection, it

will be described as Follow:

1. “Oh, that’s really rock in!”

2. “Oh, why don’t you get a job?”

3. “Oh, so you’re gonna kick me out of the band?”

4. “Oh look…takes a look!”

5. “Ouch, you’re on this?”

6. “Ouch, you want a piece of me?”

7. “Ouch, that’s so punk rock!”

Some utterance above is kinds of interjection because these utterances

have no grammatical connection with the previous or next sentences.

A. The Meanings of Interjection

After analyze the film “school of rock”, the researcher finds some

sentences that uttered by some characters of this film that can be classified as

Interjection, these sentences has any actual meanings. The interjection will be

described as Follows:

1. “Oh, that’s really Rock in!”

This utterance was uttered spontaneously by some of the parents of

the private school when they come to the band battle, the band whose

name “School of Rock” that lead by their temporary teacher, Dewey Finn.

When they come and look their children performance in the battle of rock,

they look their children played their own song well and make the

spectators flows up. All of the parents never thought that their children

have wonderful talents. They were very astonished on their children.

It means that that the parents or the speakers feel so astonished, it

can be seen from their real actions when they uttered this sentence. The

speakers uttered it assertively, the speakers expresses an attitude to or

about a state of affairs, using such verbs by saying “good performance”,

“your son is very skilled” and “thanks, so yours”

It can be concluded that the meaning of interjection which express

spontaneously and does not has any grammatical connection with any

other sentences. The categorization of illocutionary acts that used by the

speaker is Expressive, because it was expressed for showing a feeling that

they felt at that time and the utterances using an appreciation from the

parents to the other parents..

2. “Oh, why don’t you get a job?”

This sentence was conveyed by Patty (Ned Schneebly’s girlfriend)

to Dewey Finn. She asks to Dewey to looking for a certain job, in order to

be able in fulfill the payment of his room for her. By using this sentence, it

can be concluded that it is a kind of directives language categorization in

speech acts. It can be seen from the acts or gestures of Patty when she

conveyed this sentence.

The categorization of meaning in this sentence classified in

directives because the speakers send the meaning to the addresser that she

gives a request from her to addressee (Dewey Finn) to looking for a

certain job and become a person who has a real contribute to society. It is a

kind of a requesting to the addresser, because the speaker feels that the

addresser is able to find out the job and she believes that he can do it well.

Meanwhile, when seeing the speaker in saying this sentence, we

can catch the idea of the speaker that she wants to convey a request or

suggestion to Dewey Finn that he must find a certain job as soon as

possible and producing some money to pay his debt.

3. “Oh, so you’re gonna kick me out of the band?”

This sentence conveyed by Dewey Finn, when he comes to music

studio or the camp of “Garage Band”, the first band of him. He feels very

discomfort or angry to his entire friend after they said that they was voted

and make a decision of firing him from the band and changing him with a

new person. As the reaction of him because he was fire, he use this

sentence or utterance.

The sentence that uttered by Dewey Finn above can be classified

into declaratives. In the other hand, the speaker uses it to declare the firing

of him from his band. It gives a strong sense that he feels very discomfort

or angry. By his acts and emotions, it can send the meaning to the

addresser clearly when he said this sentence.

Besides declaratives, it can be classified into commisives, because

the addresser was commits and promising himself to a future action, in this

case, he promise and warrant that he will be a successful rock star and will

build a new wonderful and phenomenal rock band after being fired.

4. “Oh, look…takes a look!”

This utterance conveyed by the Principal Rosalie Mullins (Joan

Cusack), to Dewey Finn. After she knew that the new teacher who was

recruited by herself inspires her students with a rock doctrine and invites

them to join into a band of rock. Because she thought that he will teach

math, reading and any other subject. In fact, Dewey Finn taught them with

a strange skill, it is rock music.

By conveying this sentence, the Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack),

tries to assert and declare to Dewey Finn that he was not doing the things

as she wants before. It means that it is declarative categorization. because

she feels very amazed with this condition and tries to show that he gives a

wrong direction to the students, the students not only formed as the rock

star, but also an engineer light show, security guards of band and groupies.

In the other hand, the addresser try to alters the condition that created by

Dewey Finn to her students.

5. “Ouch, you’re on this?”

This utterance conveyed by Patty (Schneebly’s girlfriend) to the

Schneebly, because he does not has courage to ask the payment of

Dewey’s debt, when patty has on debate with Dewey, Schneebly tries to

break up their debate. When Schneebly do this, he was utters that he is on

this, it means that he made a warrant to Patty that he will ask the debt from

Dewey.

It means that the addresser using the categorization of illocutionary

act of commisives. Because the addresser commits himself to make a

future actions of addressee. In this case, Patty wants Schneebly to ask the

Dewey’s debt and using a warrant, guarantee and promise.

6. “Ouch, why are not you on diet”.

This utterance was uttered by Tomika, she is Dewey Finn’s

student, and she has a chubby body shape. She said this utterance when

she will perform in rock battle, and she feels nervous and afraid that she

will be laugh by the spectators of the Rock Battle. But, Dewey Finn

convinces her that she has a wonderful talent and not everybody has this

talent.

This utterance can be classified in Declarative. Because Dewey

Finn alters the external status or condition of an objects or situation. In this

case, Dewey Finn wants to alters the nervous of Tomika, and give her the

spirit to make her strong when she on the stage of Rock Battle. In the other

words, he wants to raise up the spirit of his student, Tomika.

7. “Ouch, that’s so punk rock”

This sentence was uttered by Dewey Finn. Because, after the

parents of the students knew that he is not a teacher, he is a rock star. He

was on depressed. But, all of the students was runaway from the school

and going to Dewey’ house and invites Dewey to continue the project to

take a part in Battle of Rock.

Conclusion

After analyzing and interpreting the obtained data in the previous

chapter, the researcher makes some conclusions and suggestions as the last

parts of this writing. The conclusions drawn are based on the formulated

research questions while researchers who are interpreted in doing further

research to improve the ability of researcher on similar field.

In line with the data presentation and discussion in the previous

research question.

1. The kinds of Interjection used in the film “School of Rock”, which found

are four sentences, such as:

a. “Oh, that’s really rock in!”

b. “Oh, why don’t you get a job?”

c. ‘Oh, so you’re gonna kick me out of the band?”

d. “Oh, look…takes a look!”

e. “Ouch, you’re on this?”

f. “Ouch why aren’t you on diet?”

g. “Ouch, that’s so punk rock”

Interjection in this film has many implicit meanings, it can be seen

from their acts and the intention of the speakers when they uses the

interjection, then describes the actual meaning of such interjection using

pragmatic approach, and classified their meaning concerns to the

categorization of language function.

2. The meanings of the interjections used in the film “School of Rock”. First

interjection, Expressive meaning, because the addresser using the utterance

to express an attitude to or about a state of affair. Second interjection,

Directives meaning, because it tries the speakers to do something. Third, it

is Declarative and Commisives, the meaning of this interjection are the

speaker alters the external status or condition of an object or situation. And

the next meanings are Declaratives, Commisives, Declaratives and

Expressive meaning.

3. The function of the interjection here are Emotive function, this interjection

is to communicating the inner states and emotions of the addresser.

Directive function, it is seeking to affect or influencing the behavior of the

addressee. Phatic function, it is checking that it is working either for the

social reasons. Poetic function, it is in which particular form chosen is the

essence of the message. And the last is Refferential function, it is carrying

information.

Based on the research on the previous chapters, several points could be

recommended. For the person who interested in movie or film, they should

recognize and knowing the utterances that conveyed by the characters of the

film. So, they can catch the implicit meaning of the sentence. And they

should knowing the part of speech in any utterance by the acts of the

characters, it can be avoids the misunderstanding when they communicate in

actual life. Furthermore, for the students, to determine the kinds of

interjection, they should have good comprehension on contexts and

intention of the utterance in conversation or interaction by interpreting it in

whole aspects, not only in plain. Meanwhile, for the teacher, in order that

their students can easily comprehend the interjection and discourse analysis

in generally. It is suggested that they should take examples from the

available researcher, not only in spoken but also in written text.

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Real Source : DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF INTERJECTION USED IN THE

FILM “SCHOOL OF ROCK” THESIS BY YAZIN NASATHON 2010