Directive Speech Acts in the Animated Sci-Fi Film “Next Gen”: A Pragmatic Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v13i2.7992Keywords:
directive speech acts, pragmatics, animated film, Next GenAbstract
This study investigates directive speech acts in the animated science fiction film Next Gen (2018) using the theoretical framework of Searle and Vanderveken (1985). The research aims to identify, categorize, and describe the types of directive speech acts performed by the characters, with particular attention to how language shapes human–robot interaction. The data were obtained from the film transcript, transcribed from Netflix subtitles, and analyzed through a qualitative descriptive approach. A total of 56 utterances containing directive speech acts were identified and classified into eight types: command, forbid, ask, suggest, request, urge, order, and permit, with command emerging as the most dominant (26 occurrences). The findings reveal that communication in Next Gen is strongly influenced by power dynamics and authority, while also reflecting interpersonal dimensions through requests, suggestions, and permissions, especially in relation to trust, care, and cooperation. The significance of this study lies in demonstrating how human–robot interaction can be understood through language use, offering insights into both pragmatic theory and media discourse analysis. By highlighting how directive speech acts construct relationships between humans and robots, the study contributes to broader discussions of language, interaction, and representation in science fiction narratives.
References
Austin, J. L. (1962). How to Do Things with Word.
Fajar, R. N., Aisyah, S., & Hesturini, E. (2024). An Analysis of Directive Speech Act in Elon Musk’s Speech on World Water Forum. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Educations), 7(6), 1433–1439.
Fitrie, A. S., Senowarsito, & Nugrahani, D. (2021). An Analysis of Directive Speech Act Used In “Among Us” Short Movie by Jay & Arya.
Halliday, M. A. K., & Hasan, R. (1989). Language, context, and text: aspects of language in social-semiotic persepective.
Husnaini, H., Yahya, A., & Putri, N. I. W. (2023). The Efficacy of the Presentation, Practice, and Production (PPP) Method on the Speaking Skill of the English Learners Community (ELC) Students. EDULANGUE, 6(1), 45-61.
Husnaini, H., Syam, A. T., Niken, N., & Soares, A. (2024). Teachers’ Strategies in Teaching Speaking at High Schools: Obstacles and Challenges. Linguistics Initiative, 4(2), 243-262.
Husnaini, H., & Sompa, S. R. (2025, June). USING SPEECHWAY APPLICATION TO INCREASE STUDENTS'SPEAKING SKILLS IN ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT IAIN PALOPO. In Proceedings of The Third International Conference on English Language Education.
Ismayanti, D., Said, Y. R., Usman, N., & Nur, M. I. (2024). The Students Ability in Translating Newspaper Headlines into English A Case Study. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 12(1), 108-131.
Masruddin, M., & Abduh, N. K. (2024, May). Indonesian Language Learning for Foreign Speakers Based on Luwu Culture: A Needs Analysis Study. In 4th International Conference on Linguistics and Culture (ICLC-4 2023) (pp. 75-80).
Masruddin, Hartina, S., Arifin, M. A., & Langaji, A. (2024). Flipped learning: facilitating student engagement through repeated instruction and direct feedback. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2412500.
Pramudita, T., Triyogo, A., & Oktaviani, A. (2025). An Analysis of Directive Speech Act in the“A Man Called Otto” Movie. TUTURAN: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, Sosial Dan Humaniora, 3(2), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.47861/tuturan.v3i2.1629
Romzi, M., Dewi, P., Hadi, M., & Pahrul, Z. (2023). An Analysis of Teacher’s Directive Speech Act in Learning English at SMKN 2 Mataram. JISHUM: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 1(4), 785–799. https://doi.org/10.57248/jishum.v1i4.132
Searle, J. R. (1979). Expression and meaning.
Searle, J. R., & Vanderveken, D. (1985). Foundations of Illocutionary Logic.
Ubaidillah, & Wijana, I. D. P. (2021). A Directive Speech Act of Hate Speech on Indonesian Social Media. 16.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 I Kadek Adi Wisnu Pramana Putra, I Gusti Ayu Agung Sintha Satwika
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)
