Complaint Strategies Used as Response To Culture Shock: A Pragmatic Analysis of Indonesian Diaspora
Keywords:
speech act, complaint strategies, cultural shock, diasporaAbstract
This study explores the complaint expressions as an initial response to the cultural shock by an Indonesian diaspora in America. In cross-cultural pragmatics, complaining can be an adaptation strategy for adjusting to different communication norms. The study highlights how an Indonesian diaspora from Java uses this strategy to adapt to the American environment. The complaints are conveyed in two ways: direct and indirect strategies. These strategies are reflected in 7 expressions, namely: criticizing, annoyance, expressing disappointment, no explicit reapproach, blaming, requesting, and asking for responsibilities. The data were collected from an Instagram account under the username @prettypuri in 2023. This account is managed by an Indonesian-Javanese descendant living in America, named Puri Vierra. This study uses a qualitative method to describe the outcome comprehensively. The result shows that from 33 complaint utterances, direct complaint appears 29 times, and direct complaint appears 16 times. It indicates that direct complaint is the most dominant strategy employed and demonstrates an immediate and straightforward response to cultural divergencies. In brief, this study promotes the comprehension of how the use of language relates to the psychological and cultural alteration of diaspora communities.
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