Politeness in Buginese Language as a Social Status Symbol in Wajo Regency

Abstract

This study examined one aspect of qualitative-descriptive. It used the ethnography design of communication in the study of pragmatics. It explored in detail about the phenomenon in the context of real life. That is politeness in Buginese language related to social status in Wajo, including (1) the language devices used as a symbol of politeness; (2) politeness in Buginese language reflecting social status in Wajo. Words, phrases, clauses, sentences including diction are the language of data collected through direct observation and recording of the individual or group concerned. After that, the researchers analyzed the data through the five stages of data analysis procedures. They are transcription, reduction, interpretation, conclusion, and recommendations. The results of data analysis demonstrated that there is some language devices used as a symbol of politeness in Buginese language. They are honorific word meaning, second person singular pronouns, words, greetings, vocabulary as a symbol of politeness, speech in pragmatic meaning. Buginese speakers use these devices as part of a word, phrase, or sentence. The use of language devices in the speech as a symbol of politeness in Buginese language of Wajo is distinguished by social relations (position or social status). It is an evident that the politeness in Buginese language reflects the social status of the society in Wajo.