Intentionality Principles of Speakers’ Meaning: Evidence From Requesting in Balinese

Abstract

—The purpose of this study is to examine the intentionality principles in culture-specific Balinese language that can be contextually used on the levels of utterance meaning(s) and force. The data for the study were collected by using a participatory observation method, a questionnaire, and a Focused Group Discussion (FGD). The closed-question survey was conducted only to observe Balinese people’s perception of expressing requests. It was then reviewed comprehensively in an FGD involving 40 participants that included academicians, Balinese language instructors, and Balinese culture activists. They were given a set of stimuli in the form of declarative and interrogative utterances focusing on the intentionality of the requests. They were asked to give a response to such a request accordingly. The collected data were then analyzed using a descriptive-qualitative method based on pragmatics theory, regarding intentionality and levels of meaning involved based upon the context of tradition and discourse. The results of the study show that the intentionality of the speaker's meaning of requesting in culture-specific of Balinese language might fall in both levels of utterance meaning(s) and force which can be expressed in two levels of complexity. The first level concerns the indirectness in the context of a situation, such as asking, providing certainty with tag questions, giving information, offering, greeting, and inviting. The second level relates to the indirectness in the contexts of tradition and discourse, such as giving advice, giving alternative points, complaining, and expressing satire.