PRABOWO SUBIANTO'S EUPHEMISM USED IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBATE

Muhammad Anwar Firdausi; Mohamad Zulkifli Abdul Ghani; Inayatur Rosyidah; Taa'ib Maghfur; Makhiulil Kirom

doi:10.18860/ua.v25i2.28255

PRABOWO SUBIANTO'S EUPHEMISM USED IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBATE

Muhammad Anwar Firdausi, Mohamad Zulkifli Abdul Ghani, Inayatur Rosyidah, Taa'ib Maghfur, Makhiulil Kirom

Abstract

Prabowo Subianto is one of the 2024 presidential candidates participating in the Indonesian presidential election debate organized by the General Elections Commission (KPU). This debate features polite and non-offensive language, reflecting the use of euphemisms. This research aims to uncover the hidden practices in the use of euphemisms that Prabowo Subianto applied during the debate. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with the data consisting of orthographic transcriptions of his utterances. The data were collected through the observation method, advanced note-taking techniques, and documentation. The analysis was conducted using Content Analysis with Krippendorff's framework, which includes sampling, recording, and context units. The findings reveal ten types of euphemisms used by Prabowo Subianto, with loanwords being the most dominant, followed by hedges, overstatements, litotes, periphrasis, metaphors, downtoners, underspecification, apologetic expressions, and understatements. The study also identified eight main functions of euphemisms, and the most dominant function is being self-promotion, followed by protecting uncertain statements, as well as reducing hostility. This research enriches linguistic studies, particularly in the field of pragmatics, by demonstrating how various types of euphemisms are used in political communication.

Keywords

euphemism; political debate; presidential election

References

Allan, Keith & Burridge, Kate. 1991. Euphemism and Dysphemism: Language Used as Shield and Weapon. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Amiruddin, F. 2023. “Pakar Unpad Ungkap Pengaruh Debat Capres Bagi Pemilih Pilpres.” Detikjabar. https://www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-7087646/pakar-unpad-ungkap-pengaruh-debat-capres-bagi-pemilih-pilpres.

Antari, Putu Eva Ditayani. 2018. Interpretasi Demokrasi dalam Sistem Mekanis Terbuka Pemilihan Umum di Indonesia. Jurnal Panorama Hukum, 3(1): 87-104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21067/jph.v3i1.2359.

Brown, P. & Levinson, S.C. 1987. Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Inggris: Cambridge University Press.

Burridge, Kate. 2012. “Euphemism and Language Change: The Sixth and Seven Ages.” Lexis Journal in English Lexicology, 7: 65-92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/lexis.355.

CNN Indonesia. 2023. “Pengamat: Bukan Visi-Misi, Efek Debat Capres Lebih Pengaruhi Pilihan.” CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231026135456-617-1016256/pengamat-bukan-visi-misi-efek-debat-capres-lebih-pengaruhi-pilihan.

Djatmika. 2014. Pernik Kajian Wacana. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.

Eriyanto. 2011. Analisis Isi: Pengantar Metodologi Untuk Penelitian Ilmu Komunikasi dan Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial Lainnya. Jakarta: Prenada Media Group.

Fauzan, Pepen I., Fata, Ahmad K., & Ananda, Rifki A. 2024. “The Natsir Integral Motion in Geopolitical Perspective. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Islam, 25(1): 20-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ua.v25i1.26371.

Feinberg, M. & Voelkel, Jan G. 2017. “Morally Reframed Arguments Can Affect Support for Political Candidates.” Social Psychological & Personality Science, 9(8): 917-924. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617729408.

Feinberg, M., & Willer, R. 2019. Moral Reframing: A Technique for Effective and Persuasive Communication across Political Divides. Social and Personal Psychology Compass, 13(12): 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12501.

Fernández, Eliecer Crespo. 2014. “Euphemism and Political Discourse in the British Regional Press.” Jurnal Brno Studies in English: 5-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5817/BSE2014-1-1.

Fizriyani, W., Sahiruddin, S., & Junining, E. 2023. Penggunaan Gaya Bahasa Pada Pidato Politik Calon Presiden RI 2024. Nusa: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa dan Sastra: 18(1): 45-47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nusa.18.1.45-57.

Fraser. 2009. Perspectives on Linguistic Pragmatics. Springer.

Harahap, M. I., & Utomo, W. W. 2024. “The Intersection of Islam and Adat in Politics: The Pakpak Muslim Community. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Islam, 25(1): 129-151.DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ua.v25i1.26197.

Heryanto, A., Latif, Y., & Ibrahim, I. S. 1996. Bahasa Dan Kekuasaan: Politik Wacana Di Panggung Orde Baru. Bandung: Mizan.

Keraf, G. 2008. Diksi Dan Gaya Bahasa. 18th ed. Jakarta: P.T. Ikrar Mandiri Abadi.

Kridalaksana, Harimurti. 1984. Kamus Linguistik. Jakarta: P.T. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Kurniawati, W., Ekoyanatiasih, R., Yulianti, S., Hardaniawati, M., Sasangka, SST. W., & Firdaus, W. 2022. Kekuasaan Semantik dalam Analisis Wacana Kritis Debat Capres-Cawapres. Ranah: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, 11(1): 165-179.

Leech, Geoffrey. 1993. Prinsip-Prinsip Pragmatik. Terjemahan. Jakarta: UI-Press.

Painter, D. L., & Fernandes, J. 2021. They’re Not Just Words: The Verbal Style of US Presidential Debate Rhetoric. Communication Studies, 72(5): 899-914. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2021.1975145.

Pranowo. 2012. Berbahasa Secara Santun. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar.

Robby, Hadza Min Fadhli. 2024. Constructing Foreign Policy Through Democratic Discourses: Insights from Indonesia and Turkiye. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Islam 25(1): 152-178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ua.v25i1.26542.

Sutarman. 2013. Tabu Bahasa Dan Eufemisme. Surakarta: Yuma Pustaka.

Tetlock, Philip E. 2003. Thinking the Unthinkable: Scared Values and Taboo Cognitions. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7(7): 320-324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6613(03)00135-9

Widyamartaya, A. 1990. Seni Menggayakan Kalimat. Yogyakarta: Kanisius.

Wijana, I. D. P., & Rohmadi, M. 2011. Analisis Wacana Pragmatik Kajian Teori Dan Analisis. Surakarta: Yuma Pustaka.

Ziraluo, M. 2020. Analisis Tindak Tutur Lokusi, Ilikusi, Dan Perlokusi Pada Debat Capres-Cawapres Republik Indonesia Tahun 2019. Jurnal Education And Development, 8(2): 249.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ua.v25i2.28255