The analysis of illocutionary acts on judges’ comments in America’s next top model and Asia’s next top model: A cross-cultural pragmatic study

Abstract

This study discusses speech acts performed by judges of model competitions in America and Asia TV series America’s Next Top Model and Asia’s Next Top Model. The aim of this study is to find out the illocutionary acts since judges are considered as the center and the decision maker in a competition. The detailed analysis between American and Asian culture are presented to support the finding of the study. For the data of the study, we collected one session of each of America's Next Top Model Session 21 Episode 5 and Asia’s Next Top Model Session 6 Episode 1 through YouTube. In analysing the data, we transcribed all utterances using orthographical transcription method. Thus, the data then analysed and categorized using the theory of illocutionary speech act from Searle (1979) using qualitative description method. After that, we made an interpretation based on the collected data and generated conclusions as well as suggestions for further research. From the analysis, it could be concluded that the total illocutionary speech acts were 146 utterances (72 from America & 74 from Asia) which the major types in America's Next Top Model were assertive and declarative (33.33%), while expressive function turned out to be the most dominant one in Asia's Next Top Model. In cross-cultural pragmatics point of view, the results of this study conclude that Asian is more expressive than American. In addition, there is an apology statement in the American context whereas there was no expression of apology in the Asian context. In this study, it could also be seen that Americans are more to the point or overt than Asia whereas Asian categorized to be more "care" than American.