THE ART OF COMPLAINT SPEECH ACTS IN INTERACTIONS AT TRADITIONAL MARKETS

Abstrak

This qualitative research aims to discover the art of complaint speech acts between sellers and buyers in interactions at traditional markets using a sociopragmatic perspective. The role of traditional markets is very important as a medium and space of communication that is very complex with various communication strategies not only based on context but also informative. This research focuses on the function of speech acts and politeness strategies used in delivering complaints. The research location was carried out at each traditional market located in Denpasar municipality and Badung regency considering these two locations have market visitors who are very heterogeneous, coming from various regions in Bali as well as outside Bali. This descriptive qualitative approach collected data through direct observation using recording, note-taking techniques and supported by interview techniques with participants in interactions at traditional markets. The data obtained were analyzed using the pragmatic equivalent method whose determinant tools are outside language, namely how utterances are understood and used in social interaction. In addition, the data after being analyzed were described using ordinary words so that they are easy to understand by readers. The results of the research show that complaint speech acts in traditional markets have various functions of expressive, directive, commissive, and assertive speech acts which are packaged functionally both directly and indirectly through inserting humor, by applying positive and negative politeness strategies to avoid conflict between both parties and maintain harmony in transactional interactions. Complaint speech acts not only serve as an expression of dissatisfaction from sellers and buyers, but also as a tool of price negotiation, building solidarity, creating interpersonal closeness, as well as maintaining the continuity of social relations. These findings show that complaint speech acts in the context of situations occurring in traditional markets have an art of communication value that is strongly tied to social situational context, as well as a communication purpose so that harmony is established. This research is expected to enrich scientific treasures in sociopragmatic studies, in the traditional economic domain of buying and selling in traditional markets.