A Pragmatic Analysis of the Request Speech Acts: Expression to the Characters in Office Space Movie

Abstract

This research is a pragmatic study that focuses on the analysis of speech acts of requests as shown in the film Office Space. The study aims to analyze the different types    of requests and to determine the request methods used by the characters in the film. This is a descriptive qualitative study in which data has been interpreted and analyzed through   visual analysis. The data is in the form of lingual units and conversations with voice acts of requests. The data comes from the movie Office Space and its script. The researcher is the primary instrument in this study, while the datasheet is the secondary instrument. The study offers two findings. First, the characters in Office Space employ four kinds of requests. There are four types of requests: unconventionally indirect, traditionally indirect (hearer-oriented), conventionally indirect (speaker-oriented), and direct. In terms of request kinds, the characters in Office Space typically employ normally indirect requests (hearer- based conditions) since the hearer has power over whether or not he/she would comply with the request. Second, the characters in Office Space apply seven techniques. They are giving hints, questioning the hearer`s ability and willingness, giving suggestions, giving statements of the speaker`s wishes and desires, giving statements of the speaker`s needs and demands, giving assertions of responsibility and necessity, as well as imperatives.