Illocutionary Speech Acts of the Gorontalo Community in Buying and Selling Interactions at Meyambanga Market, Posigadan District

Abstract

This study aims to describe the types of illocutionary speech acts used by the Gorontalo community during buying and selling interactions at Meyambanga Market, Posigadan District; to identify the factors influencing the use of these speech acts; and to explain the implications of the findings for Indonesian language instruction in senior high schools. A qualitative descriptive method with a pragmatic approach was employed. Data sources consisted of members of the Gorontalo community directly involved in trade activities, acting as either sellers or buyers. Data collection was carried out using listening, recording, and note-taking techniques. The collected data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive analysis model, comprising data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate the presence of four types of illocutionary speech acts in the Gorontalo community's buying and selling interactions: assertive, directive, expressive, and commissive. Assertive speech acts are used to convey information regarding the price, quality, condition, and origin of the goods being traded. Directive speech acts are used to make requests, negotiate prices, offer suggestions, and guide the actions of the interlocutor. Expressive speech acts are used to convey feelings—such as happiness or satisfaction—and to express gratitude. Meanwhile, commissive speech acts are used to express willingness, promises, or commitments regarding the provision of service to buyers. The use of these illocutionary speech acts is influenced by various factors, including the communication situation, the purpose of the utterance, the social relationship between seller and buyer, the speaker's age, and the cultural and politeness values prevalent in society.