Negative Politeness Strategies of Main Characters in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)” Movie to Teach Pragmatics

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the negative politeness strategies and to find out the most dominant negative politeness strategies are used of main characters in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)” movie. The study used descriptive qualitative method and the analysis data is based on Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies theory. The result shows that there are six types of negative politeness strategies are used by two main characters in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)” movie. Be conventionally indirect with five data, question, hedge with eight data, be pessimistic with one data, minimize the imposition with two data, give deference with two data, and apologize with three data. The most dominant negative politeness strategies of main characters in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)” movie is question, hedge with eight utterances. Pragmatics is the ability to use language socially and adapt it in a certain situation. It is essential for participating in socially acceptable conversations and interactions. Negative politeness in pragmatics relates with the study of how people use language while they interact or communicate. It helps people to make a polite conversation in order to maintain a good personal relationships.