[LAPORAN PENELITIAN]A Pragmatic Analysis of Meaning Interpretation in English-Language Songsby Indonesian Songwriters: A Case Study of Féath

Abstract

This study examines pragmatic meaning in English-language songs by the Indonesian band Féath, focusing on two songs: "Break It All" and "Stay". Using Birner's (2013) pragmatic framework, the study analyzes three pragmatic elements — implicature, deixis, and speech acts — and compares how English major and non-English major listeners interpret them. A qualitative descriptive design was adopted, with data collected through lyric analysis, an open-ended questionnaire distributed to ten participants, and an interview with the songwriter. The findings show that both songs contain rich pragmatic elements, with person deixis and commissive speech acts being the most dominant. Both listener groups were generally able to interpret the pragmatic elements correctly. However, listeners with English major tended to give more concise and structured responses, while listeners in non-English major provided more emotionally elaborate interpretations. These findings suggest that pragmatic meaning in Féath's lyrics is accessible to a broad range of listeners regardless of linguistic background.