A Pragmatic Analysis of Illocutionary Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto’s Unga 2025 Speech

Maya Febrina, Dedy Subandowo, Amirudin Latif

Abstract


Political speeches at international forums function as strategic tools for expressing national identity, foreign policy positions, and moral commitments. This study examines the types and pragmatic functions of illocutionary speech acts in Prabowo Subianto’s speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly 2025. The research subject is the official transcript of the speech, analyzed qualitatively using Searle’s taxonomy of illocutionary acts. Data were collected through textual analysis, identifying utterances and categorizing them according to their illocutionary function, then interpreted to reveal their role in diplomatic communication. The findings show that assertive and commissive acts are dominant, reflecting Indonesia’s principled stance, political commitments, and responsibilities in addressing global humanitarian issues. Expressive and declarative acts also appear, enhancing Indonesia’s diplomatic identity and fostering international cooperation. This study concludes that illocutionary acts serve as more than linguistic elements, they are deliberate mechanisms through which leaders communicate ethical, political, and diplomatic positions effectively. The insights contribute to the understanding of political pragmatics and highlight the role of language as a purposeful instrument in multilateral diplomacy.

Keywords


diplomatic discourse; illocutionary acts; political pragmatics; speech act; United Nations General Assembly

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25157/jall.v10i2.24571

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