Pragmatic Analysis on G.M. Sudarta’s Caricatures in Kompas Newspaper

Abstract

The research aims at describing (1) the types of speech act and implicative, and the dominating speech act in the texts of caricatures by G. M Sudarta, (2) the practice of cooperative principles and politeness principles, and (3) the understanding of the readers and caricaturists on the social function practiced in caricature discourses. The whole processes of the data analysis were carried out through interactive model. Many of the caricatures are used mainly to put forward constructive ideas on prevailing issues and to put forward humorous function. The types of speech act practiced are commissive, expressive, verdictive, assertive, directive, and performative. The dominating speech act found is directive. Based on the forms of speech act used, types of speech act practiced by the caricaturist are direct type of speech act. In the practice of cooperative principles, the caricaturist violates the maxims of quantity, quality, relevance, and manner. Politeness principles practiced by the caricaturist observed the maxims of tact, agreement, sympathy, and modesty. Finally, the readers and the caricaturist often have different understanding on the social function of caricature texts. They have different understanding and interpretation on the meanings embedded in both the texts and pictures of the caricatures in relation with constructive criticisms.