Probing Language Usage of Legal Cases in Indonesia’s Social Media: A Study of Judgement

Abstract

This study is qualitative research that will describe the indicators and targets of character and moral evaluation in legal cases of language usage in social media in Indonesia. The data of this research is in the form of language usage at the level of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences from social media which become evidence in legal cases in court order status or restorative justice from 18 jurisdictions in Indonesia. The approach used in this study is the attitude of judgment or character evaluation in appraisal theory, especially about personal and moral judgment. The indicator of personal judgments consists of criticism and moral/legal judgments that contain condemnation or blame. These indicators are expressed directly and implied through verbal, adjective, noun, and adverbial phrases, and metaphors. They reflected negative attitudes which are related to negative actions and behaviors, hatred, and fears directed towards individuals, groups or professionals, institutions or organizations, and situations as the evaluation targets. The findings of this study indicate a high use of criticism and condemnation towards others on Indonesian social media language crime. Overall, evidence of language crime on Indonesian social media can provide insights into societal attitudes and values that reflect moral degradation.