Dictions on the editorials of Media Indonesia

ABSTRACT

This study is focused on analyzing the dictions on the editorials of Media Indonesia. Dictions do not merely mean choice of words but also include phraseology, utterances and figures of speech. Then diction is always in form of word, but it sometimes becomes a part of a phrase, an utterance, or a representation of figure of speech. An editorial is the heart of a newspaper, in which the editor’s views and opinions on certain events are stated. The editorials of Media Indonesia are written with satirical style, that the words chosen contain certain meanings.

Based on that, the way the diction is stated on the editorials of Media Indonesia, especially on the president election bill on the education qualification for the candidate of president is investigated. This study is focused on the exactness and appropriateness of choice of word (diction).

It is conducted by using descriptive qualitative method, because the data are in form of words on sentences on the editorials. Besides, the primary instrument for data collection is the researcher herself. The data was collected from the selected editions of Media Indonesia, which are published on May to July 2003. Furthermore, the data were analyzed based on exactness and appropriateness after transcribing, reading, and understanding the editorials’ text.

Data analysis revealed some findings covering the formulated research question. In accordance with exactness, both verbs and nouns are expressed with their connotative meanings. Those words are chosen to represent the editor’s view and attitude toward certain cases. He, sometimes, chooses words in a figure of speech; such as: Metaphor, Personification and satire. The researcher does not find any mistake on the requirement of exactness on dictions, such as; misspelling, misusing foreign terms or misusing idioms in every single edition of the newspaper’s publication. The editor does not create any new word, but he successfully, chooses words and phrases to state his opinion in clear statements without using long explanation.

In accordance with appropriateness, the editor often breaks the first requirement of appropriateness on dictions. Several non standard words-in forms of verbs- are found on data 3 (10/05/05.02/V) and 9 (07.07/05.01/V). In contrast, no requirement of appropriateness is broke on the choice of nouns. But on each edition of the newspaper’s publication, another requirements of it are not broken. The uses of jargon, slang expression, conversational expression, old idioms or artificial language are not found.

In conclusion, the dictions on the editorials of Media Indonesia on the president election bill, especially on the education qualification for the candidate of president are considered to be exact and appropriate-except on the use of some non٠standard words.

Finally, it is suggested to the next research to investigate dictions on the spoken words on certain society by combining Gorys Kerafs and Jos Daniel Parera’s theories. Then, they will not only investigate the exactness and appropriateness of dictions, but also their common usage on society.