Transcript
An Analysis of Slang Terms in The ³American Gangster´, A Movie Directed by Ridley Scott
By ARI HANGGORO 107026001588
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT ADAB AND HUMANITIES FACULTY STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ³SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH´ JAKARTA 2011
ABSTRACT Ari Hanggoro, An Analysis of Slang Terms in the “American Gangster” Movie. Thesis: English Letters Department, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2011. This thesis discusses the meanings, kinds, and the reasons of using slang in American Gangster movie directed by Ridley Scott, produced by Universal Pictures, 2007. The main objective of the research is to know the kinds of slang terms and the reasons of using them in American Gangster movie. This research uses qualitative method, the writer uses Eric Partridge theories and other relevant references. He uses the movie’s scripts that initialized in the movie as the unit of analysis, then he also uses the background and setting of the movie to make the reasons of the characters why they are using the slang terms. Through this paper, the writer finds the research findings that there are two kinds of slang that initialized in the movie, they are society and soldiers’ slang. However, he only focuses on the slang terms that have high frequency, it is society slang. Finally, the writer hopes that this research will be useful for future improvement, especially for English Department’s students who want to know deeply regarding slang.
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APPROVAL SHEET
AN ANALYSIS OF SLANG TERMS IN THE “AMERICAN GANGSTER”, A MOVIE DIRECTED BY RIDLEY SCOTT
A Thesis Submitted to Faculty of Letters and Humanities In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for The Degree of Letters Scholar
Ari Hanggoro No. 107026001588
Approved By:
Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M. Pd 197504172005012007
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH JAKARTA 2011
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LEGALIZATION
Name : Ari Hanggoro NIM
: 107026001588
Title
: An Analysis of Slang Terms in The “American Gangster”, A Movie
Directed by Ridley Scott
The thesis entitled has been defended before the Letter and Humanities Faculty’s Examination Committee on October 05, 2011. It has already been accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of strata one.
Jakarta, October 05, 2011
Examination Committee
Signature
1. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M.Pd 19640710 199303 1 006 2. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum 19781003 200112 2 002
Date
(Chair Person)
(Secretary)
(Advisor)
3. Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M.Pd 197504172 0050 1207 4. Drs. Abdul Hamid, M.Ed 150 181 922
(Examiner I)
5. Drs. Nasrun Mahmud, M.Pd 150 041 070
(Examiner II) _________
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_________ _________
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to my best knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text.
Jakarta, June 27, 2011
Ari Hanggoro
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In the name of God, Most Generous, Most Merciful
Foremost, praise belongs to Allah SWT, the Most Merciful of the world. Thank for all of grace to the writer, for the chance to have a breath in every second, for giving him a wonderful life, for guiding him to finish this thesis. Peace and blessing of Allah may be upon the messenger of Allah, Muhammad SAW, his family and his companions. In this circumstance, the writer would be saying thanks to his beloved mother Atiek Suharti , how an awesome mother she has, who has always given support and full-financial during his study, for giving him everlasting loves, immolation, supports, pray wherever he is and officially his father. Thank for all of sincerity in every single step his life. The writer also wants to thank Mrs. Sholikatus Sa’diyah, M. Pd, as the writer’s advisor, for her time, guidance, kindness, wisdom, critics, correcting, and helping the writer for completing this thesis. Thanks for all the valuable people that help the writer in doing this research. It would not be finished without their aids and supports. They are as follows: 1. Dr. Abd. Wahid Hasyim, M.Ag, the Dean of Faculty of Adab and Humanities.
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2. Drs. Asep Saefuddin, M.Pd, the Head of English Department and Mrs. Elve Oktafiyani, M.Hum, the Secretary of English Department. 3. All of the lecturers in English Department for teaching him many things during his study. 4. His beloved brothers and sister especially for Anton Sulistio and Adi Sujarwo for all of any supports. 5. His close-mates, Lutfhy Sumirat, Riwal, Afwan, Anwar, Sangka, Toriq, Daus, Tadarus, Ilham, Hady, Wefri for their helps, supports, advices, motivations, jokes. 6. English class-mates who cannot be mentioned one by one and KKN 73 Cosivens, for love, affection, lesson, laugh, happiness, madness and whole lot of unforgettable moments. 7. All of members of KMM RIAK for the warm feeling, chance to exploration, JANGKRIK, Night Vision and The Volcanoes. 8. The librarians of Humanities Library and PKBB UNIKA Atma Jaya Library. 9. And all people who contributed to finish this thesis that cannot be mentioned one by one, thanks for your kindness.
Jakarta, June 27, 2011
Ari Hanggoro
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................... i APPROVAL SHEET………………………………. ....................................... ii LEGALIZATION………………………………. ............................................ iii DECLARATION............................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................. vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION..................................................................... 1 A. Background of the Study.................................................................... 1 B. Focus of the Study.............................................................................. 4 C. The Research Questions ..................................................................... 4 D. Significance of the Research ............................................................. 4 E. Research Methodology ....................................................................... 5 1. Objective of the Research ............................................................. 5 2. Method of the Research ................................................................ 5 3. Technique of Data Analysis .......................................................... 5 4. Instrument of the Research............................................................ 6 5. Unit of Analysis ............................................................................ 6 6. Time and Place of the Research .................................................... 6 CHAPTER II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................ 7 A. The Definitions of Slang ................................................................... 7 B. The History of Slang ................................................................................... 8
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C. The Kinds of Slang...................................................................................... 10
D. The Reasons of Using Slang .............................................................. 19 E. Understanding of the Standard English .............................................. 21 F. Introduction to Movie ......................................................................... .22 CHAPTER III. RESEARCH FINDINGS……………………………………27 A. Data Description................................................................................ 27 B. Data Analysis .................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ................................. 48 A. Conclusion.......................................................................................... 48 B. Suggestion .......................................................................................... 49 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. .50 APPENDICES ................................................................................................... .52
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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study Essentially human has a predicate as communal people, thereby in this life always interact with another people and their neighbourhood in social context. It would be unavoidable the interaction with another people is a necessity for human themselves. Therefore, communication is an important thing to do. The existence of language would be needed in daily communication SUDFWLFHGE\SHRSOH³In linguistics language is a system of vocal symbol which is agreed; it is used by members of certain society group in collaboration, FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGVHOILGHQWLI\LQJ´1 It is possible to say that the usefulness of language to convey ideas of someone. Not only represents ideas but also social identity, the language used by human. In other words, the linguistic habits of someone or a group will be recognized by others. A. Chaedar Awasilah said in his ERRN ³Kebiasaan bahasa (linguistics habits) seseorang atau kelompok akan diketahui pihak lain, dengan kata lain kebiasaan-kebiasaan itu dengan sendirinya akan diasosiasikan pihak lain dengan seseorang atau kelompok itu´2, or it can be said The linguistics habits of someone or group will be recognized by others. Automatically the others will be associated that habits with someone or the group itself.
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Kushartanti, dkk, ed, Pesona Bahasa Langkah Awal Memahami Linguistik (Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Umum, 2005), p. 3 2 A. Chaedar Awasilah, Sosiologi Bahasa, (Bandung: Angkasa Bandung, 1985), p. 57
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In social relationship, language is used by someone to represent who they are, it relates with strong identity of a certain social group and it is represented by slang. Hartmann and Stork said ³6ODQJ LV D YDULHW\ RI VSHHFK FKDUacterized by newly coined and rapidly changing vocabulary, used by the young or by social DQGSURIHVVLRQDOJURXSVIRUµLQ-JURXS¶FRPPXQLFDWLRQDQGWKXVWHQGLQJWRSUHYHQW XQGHUVWDQGLQJE\WKHUHVWRIWKHVSHHFKFRPPXQLW\´ 3. According to the quotation, slang not only used by the young but also professional, and also slang is a variety of language that is known by the certain social group. Slang indicates non-standard language, most of people often use slang on certain occasion. Word or phrases slang usually found because of habits or ideas that appear in society. The using of slang in society as if a mode, slang appears and mostly people choose to use it, and usually it can be found everywhere. :LVKQXEURWR :LGDUVR ILJXUHV RXW LQ KLV ERRN ³Slang juga seperti fashion; muncul, setiap orang menyukainya, lalu menggunakannya dan biasa ditemukan di manapun´4 RU WKH SRLQW LV ³6ODQJ DOVR OLNH DV D IDVKLRQ LW FRPHV ZKHQ HYHU\ERG\ OLNHV LW WKH\ ZLOO XVH LW DQG FDQ EH IRXQG DQ\ZKHUH´ The using of slang introduces some of new words and it is one of a way describe new word that can enrich language itself. Generally, most of countries have their own slang terms in their language. For instance, in Indonesia, slang can be found in daily conversation and most of teenagers use it, such as jayus (not funny), bonyok (parents), cupu (old-fashioned), lebay (exaggerate), etc. Besides, it used by teenagers, there are some social groups 3
Ibid Wishnubroto Widarso, Bahasa Inggris; dialek, ragam, jargon, slang, blends, clipped words, (Yogyakarta: Kanisius, 1989), p. 58 4
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which usually use it, such as; street gang, football player, drug user, gambler. ³6ODQg is to be chosen rather than required, much of teenage talk, speech of street JDQJVJDPEOHUFULPLQDOGUXJXVHUIRRWEDOOSOD\HU´5 The use of slang also can be found in novels, movies and lyrics of song, usually movies and songs are made as media to represent the social condition and VRPHERG\¶V LGHQWLW\ 7KH ZULWHU OLPLWV WKH GLVFXVVLRQ RQO\ DERXW VODQJ ZKLFK recognized as vulgar and inelegant phrases and to analyze slang, the writer takes American Gangster movie for the research material, which is about the background of a detective (Richie Harlem) works to investigate the drug empire of Frank Lucas (black people), a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East. After Frank Lucas is sent to the jail, Richie asks Frank to collaborate with him for breaking in the conspiracy of cops with drugs circulator. The writer is interested to analyze this movie because it based on a true VWRU\RIEODFNSHRSOH¶VOLIHDVDJDQJVWHULWVHL]HG Oscar Best Achievement in Art Direction in 2008 and also there are some slang words and phrases in conversation which is used by the characters that the writer can analyze it, for example: 72%$&. DQJU\ ³What the hell are you doing? Counting it out here in front of everybody. Are you nuts"´ What the hell in the text means a phrase which is used by someone in anger occasion to ask someone and nuts means insane. 5
Robert L. Chapmen and Ann Kipta, Barbara, Dictionary of American Slang 3rd Edition, (New York: Harper Collin Publisher), p.xi
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By the examples above, we can see that some slang terms in the movie can be understood easily and directly, but some of them cannot, therefore, it is needed a slang dictionary or other references to look up the right meaning of the slang terms.
B. Focus of the Study In this research, the writer limits discussion by focusing only on the selected slang words and phrases that used in American Gangsters movie, directed by Ridley Scott. Then he finds the meaning of slang term, the kinds of slang, and describes the reason of using slang by using the theories related to slang.
C. The Research Question According to the background of the research, the writer formulates the questions as follow: 1. What are the kinds of slang and their meaning often used by the characters in American Gangster movie? 2. How does the writer describe the reasons of using slang terms in American Gangster movie?
D. Significance of the Research The writer hopes that this research is able to enrich the writer in comprehending about slang. Besides that, to understand kinds of slang language that used by the characters in American Gangster movie.
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This research hopefully has some benefits for all students, especially at English Letters Department students. Also in this research, the students are able to apply their knowledge and comprehend slang language in the appropriate daily conversation, especially in informal situation.
E. Research Methodology 1. Objective of the Research Through this paper the writer analyzes the meaning of slang and the kinds of slang language used in American Gangster movie also to know the reason why the characters use the slang.
2. Method of the Research The writer uses the descriptive qualitative method, the data that relate to the research are collected from $PHULFDQ *DQJVWHU¶V script. Then the writer collects the data of slang terms by noting. The writer reads and notes the scripts from the movie. Next, he selects the slang that often used in dialogue of movie. The data will be described and tabulated at data description.
3. Technique of Data Analysis The first step, the writer watches the movie and reads the script. He classifies the words in the script by noting those words which including into slang language. To make it easier to analyze, the data will be tabulated. The next step, the writer starts to analyze, besides reading the script the writer also look up the
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meaning from dictionary of slang to get the accuracy meaning. The last is the analysis slang terms in American Gangster movie. In this research, the writer uses descriptive analysis technique. Through this technique, the writer will analyze the meaning of slang; the kinds of the slang; and finally, giving reasons why are the slang words or phrases are used by the character in the movie.
4. Instrument of the Research As qualitative research, the writer himself is the main instrument by searching some materials that related to slang terms. Afterwards, to get precise data the writer identifies American Gangster movie by watching. He also reads the script of the movie, then marks words or phrases that included into slang.
5. Unit of Analysis The analysis unit of this research is American Gangster movie directed by Ridley Scott in 2007 in United States.
6. Time and Place of the Research The writer started his research in December 2010, when he was in seventh semester, at English Letters Department, Humanities Faculty State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah. It took place at Language and Culture Study Centre of UNIKA Atmajaya and Library Centre of State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah.
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
In this chapter, the writer would like to describe the definitions of slang; history of slang; kinds of slang; reasons of using slang, understanding Standard English; introduction to movie.
A. The Definitions of Slang After reading some sources, the writer finds several definitions of slang in general and the writer will try to describe about theories of slang proposed by linguist, as follows. According to Pei and Gaynor ³6ODQJ LV D VW\OH RI ODQJXDJH LQ IDLQWO\ common use, produced by popular adaptation and extension of the meaning of existing words and by coining new words with disregard for scholastic standard and linguistic principles of the formation of words; JHQHUDOO\SHFXOLDUWRFHUWDLQFODVVHVDQGVRFLDORUDJHJURXSV´6 Slang is non-standard English that has experienced adaptation and extension of the meaning aspect, on the other hand slang words consist of existing vocabulary, but sometimes it consists of new words, such as matey and leccer. In history of slang, it can be seen that slang develop and change rapidly in every single decade. Early slang only used by criminals or vagabonds but today slang used by everyone wants to create something different and fresh, especially young people. As Willis Said that: ³)RUWKHPRVWSDUWVODQJLVUHVXOWRIOLQJXLVWLFLQYHQWLYHQHVVHspecially of young and lively persons who want fresh, original pungent or racy terms 6
A. Chaedar Awasilah, Sosiologi Bahasa, (Bandung: Angkasa Bandung, 1985), p. 57
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with which they can rename ideas, action, and objects that they feel strongly about. In effect slang is the result of a combination of linguistic irreverence and a reaction against staid, stuffy, pompous, pretentious, or FRORXUOHVVGLFWLRQ´7 Moreover, slang used not only represent excitement, jokes but also be used by person in every grade of life. The uniqueness of slang, it changes like a fashion, when it is trend, everyone will use it. John Camden Hotten said: ³7KDW VODQJ UHSUHVHQWV WKH HYDQHVFHQW YXOJDU ODQJXDJH HYHU FKDQJLQJ with fashion and taste, spoken by person in every grade of life, rich and poor, honest and dishonest. Slang is indulged in form a desire to appear familiar with life, gaiety, town-humour, and with the transient nick names and street jokes of the day. Slang is the language of street humour, of fast, high and low life. Slang is as old as speech and congregating together of the people in cities. It is the result of crowding, excitement, and artificial OLIH´8 Based on those definitions above, the writer knows that every linguist has different perspective about the meaning of slang. However, the writer is able to conclude that slang represents vulgar language used by person in every grade of life, it is the result of inventiveness by the young and attractive people who want new something fresh and it is non-standard language that carries connotations and overtones of irreverence, cynicism, and humour.
B. The History of Slang Slang has been introduced since sixteenth century, it is used to change the inelegant statement of being associated with foreigner or criminals, some people XVH LW WR PDNH MRNHV DQG WR NHHS WKH VHFUHW RI WKH ZRUG¶V PHDQLQJ DQd also 7
Ibid Jonathan Green, &DVVHO¶V'LFWLRQDU\RI6ODQJ (Cassel & Co Wellington House 123 Strand. London.2000), p. V 8
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because some people want another language besides the Standard English to express ideas. To know about the history of slang the writer would like to propose it based on decade, characteristics, examples and meaning. From Random House Historical DicWLRQDU\ RI $PHULFDQ 6ODQJ DQG IURP WKH ERRN ³6ODQJ 7RGD\ DQG
