Linguistic resources of tourette syndrome as represented by Cohen In Front Of The Class movie

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the linguistics resources of Tourette Syndrome (TS) character in Front of the Class movie. The linguistics resources of TS character is known as expressive language disorder, the difficulties of expressing idea or massage orally or written. This linguistics resource is characterized by involuntary voices or words which are known as vocal tics. In addition, vocal tics have different variety of type, intensity, and frequency.

This study is conducted in order to indentify and describes the type of expressive language disorder presented by TS character in Front of the Class movie. Furthermore, this study also analyzes the influence of context on expressive language disorder. Moreover, this study uses qualitative descriptive method in order to get deep and comprehensive understanding on expressive language disorder in TS character based on Fahn’s theory (2004). Additionally, to make a detail analysis that is different from other previous studies, the writer attempts to divide the data into two group, childhood and adulthood, in order to see the differences of vocal tics feature and characteristics. This study also uses data source triangulation by comparing, completing, and rechecking the data in the movie with some credible sources from the internet and other experts to strengthen the data trustworthiness.

The result of this study shows that Brad as the major character with TS has different type of vocal tic in his childhood and adulthood. The type of vocal tic that appears in Brad’s childhood is only barking, while in his adulthood are barking, clicking, and throat-clearing. The intensity of vocal tic in Brad childhood is higher than his adulthood. Moreover, condition and context of conversation strongly influences the vocal tic. In Brad childhood some condition that worsen vocal tic are bullied, insulted, nervous, serious, and tired, while in adulthood underestimated and depression, excited, and changes of condition can increase the vocal tic appearance. Noticeable conditions also give effect on uncontrollable vocal tic also seen in this study. Most of adult with TS have a good ability in controlling, suppressing, and camouflaging their vocal tic. In sum, vocal tics in childhood and adulthood have different types, characters, and features.