The Shifting of Language Style of The Main Character in The Wild Robot Film 2024: A Sociolinguistic Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.10049Keywords:
Sociolinguistics, style shifting, Wild Robot, Language StyleAbstract
This study aims to analyze the language style and style-shifting used by the main character, Roz, in the animated film The Wild Robot (2024). This study is conducted through a sociolinguistic approach by using Martin Joos' theory of language style, which includes five categories: Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual, and Intimate. In addition, this study also uses Susan Ervin-Tripp's theory of stylistic shift, which includes three main factors: Addressee, Speech Condition, and Rhetorical Shift. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The data is obtained through the transcription of Roz's dialogue in the film. The results of the 52 data analyzed, with the dominant language style being casual language style as much as 13 data, formal language style as much as 12 data, then consultative language style as much as 11 data, then familiar language style as much as 10, and the last is frozen language style as much as 6 data. shows that Roz experienced a significant development in language style, from a frozen and formal language style to a more relaxed and familiar language style. The analysis also reveals several occurrences of style shifting in the movie. A total of 52 instances of style shifting were identified. Among the influencing factors, speech condition appears most frequently with 47 occurrences, followed by addressee with 32 occurrences, while rhetorical shift appears only once. These shifts mainly occur due to changes in interlocutors and situational contexts, leading Roz to adjust her language style accordingly. This finding proves that language in fictional works such as animated films can reflect complex and representative social dynamics. Thus, this study contributes to expanding the scope of sociolinguistics and confirms that language has an important function in shaping identity and relationships between individuals, even in the context of fictional narratives.
References
Canagarajah, S., & De Costa, P. I. (2016). Introduction: Scales Analysis, and Its Uses and Prospects in Educational Linguistics. Linguistics and Education, 34, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2015.09.001
Coupland, N. (2007). Style: Language Variation and Identity. Cambridge University Press.
Ehlen, F., Montag, C., Leopold, K., & Heinz, A. (2023). Linguistic Findings in Persons With Schizophrenia—A Review of The Current Literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287706
Ervin-Tripp, S. (2001). Style Shifting. In P. Eckert & J. R. Rickford (Eds.), Style and Sociolinguistic Variation (pp. 44-56). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511613258.003
Hasan, H. F., Triana, D., Matanari, D. U., Simangunsong, A. S., & Rangkuti, R. (2024). A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Speech Style in Ellen’s Brielle Interview. KLAUSA: Kajian Linguistik, Pembelajaran Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 8(2), 34–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v8i2.1086
Holmes, J. (2013). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (4th ed.). Routledge.
Hudson, R. A. (1996). Sociolinguistics (Second Edition). Cambridge University Press.
Hymes, D. (1974). Foundations in Sociolinguistics. Tavistock Publications.
Joos, M. (1967). The Five Clocks. Harcourt, Brace & World.
Khasanah, U. (2024). Micro and Macro Approaches in Linguistics for Method Development. International Journal of Language and Ubiquitous Learning, 2(3), 419–429. https://doi.org/10.70177/ijlul.v2i3.1434
Musyaffa, A., & Dewi, L. S. (2024). An Analytical Study of Language Styles in Different English Dialects. Jurnal Nakula : Pusat Ilmu Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Ilmu Sosial, 2(5), 222–231. https://doi.org/10.61132/nakula.v2i5.1051
Nurmawati, N. (2023). Language Styles of King T’Challa in Black Panther Movie. UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta.
Purba, D., Sinurat, B., & Herman. (2021). Utilizing Instagram Social Media on Language Style: An Analysis to Teenagers as Millennial Generations in Their Captions. Anglophile Journal, 2(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v2i1.268
Ramadhan, R. (2023). An Analysis of Language Style Performed by The Main Character in “The Paper Chase” Movie. Islamic State University of Raden Intan Lampung.
Sargin, M. (2025). Language and Identity: Individual and Social Aspects. Social Science Development Journal, 10(49), 139. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15793717
Stamou, A. G. (2018). Sociolinguistics of Fiction. Discourse, Context and Media, 23, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2018.03.003
Wahyudiantari, N. W. P. (2023). An Analysis Of Language Style By The Characters In “Wonder” A Novel By R. J. Palacio. Jurnal Pendidikan Mandala, 8(2). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.58258/jupe.v8i2.5183
Wardhaugh, R., & Fuller, J. M. (2015). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (7th ed.). Wiley Blackwell.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Shafira Mutiara Lestari, Tri Arie Bowo, Donal Fernado Lubis
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
