Journal of English for Specific Purposes in Indonesia

Modality Analysis in Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris' Campaign Speeches in 2024 U.S Presidential Election: A Comparative Study

Tyara Bunga Desilia — 2026-01-30

This research aims to analyze and compare the use of modality in Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’ campaign speeches during the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. The study categorizes modality into three types: epistemic (certainty), deontic (obligation or permission), and dynamic (ability or willingness). Adopting a qualitative method with a semantic-pragmatic approach, the analysis focuses on the first 15 minutes of the core speech segments of both candidates. The findings reveal that Trump predominantly uses epistemic modality to assert certainty and authority, while Harris tends to employ deontic modality to convey moral responsibility and inclusiveness. In total, Trump used modality 117 times compared to Harris’s 52, reflecting differing rhetorical strategies and leadership styles. This study concludes that modality functions as a crucial linguistic tool in constructing political identity, establishing credibility, and influencing public perception.The abstract should concisely describe the content and scope of

Analyzing The Type and Function of Slang in "One of Us is Lying": A Novel by Karen M. McManus

Mia Dzulkarnaen — 2026-01-30

This research aims to analyze the types and functions of slang words in novel “One of Us is Lying” by Karen M. McManus. The researcher focuses the study on the One of Us is Lying by using theory from Allan and Burridge (2006). In this research, the researcher uses descriptive qualitative approach. The researcher used instrument of table to classify and identify the data. The results of data showed 36 cases of types and 89 cases of functions of slang words in “One of Us is Lying”. First results of the analysis that has been carried out, imitative slang is the most dominant slang used by various characters in the novel. This is because the use of slang in the novel "One of Us is Lying" is influenced by various individual and social factors. Then, second results of the analysis, the slang to initiate relax conversation function is the most often used function by characters in novels. This shows that slang plays an important role as an informal communication tool used to break the atmosphere, create intimacy, and build social relationships between characters. Thus, it can be concluded that the function of starting a casual conversation makes slang users sound more familiar, relaxed, and in accordance with the typical communication style of teenagers in everyday life.

Keywords: slang, types and functions, One of Us is Lying

Politeness and Impoliteness of Students in Speaking English: A Culture And The Ta'limul Muta'alim Book Perspective

M. Zuhri Hasani — 2026-01-30

This study investigates the politeness and impoliteness of students in speaking English, analyzed from both cultural perspectives and the ethical teachings found in the classical Islamic educational text Ta’limul Muta’allim. The research focuses on class X students of Salafiyah Syafi’iyah Islamic Boarding School Sarolangun, where language learning is deeply influenced by religious and cultural values. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the data were collected through observation, interviews, and classroom recordings of students’ English interactions. The analysis was guided by Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory and supported by the moral principles of Ta’limul Muta’allim related to students’ manners in communication and respect toward teachers and peers. The findings reveal that students’ expressions of politeness are strongly shaped by local Islamic culture, emphasizing humility, respect, and cooperative behavior. Instances of impoliteness generally occur due to limited vocabulary, lack of pragmatic awareness, or influence from direct translation of their mother tongue. The teachings of Ta’limul Muta’allim play a significant role in reinforcing courteous speech, fostering moral awareness, and promoting respectful communication in English learning contexts. This study highlights the importance of integrating cultural and religious values into language education, suggesting that moral education should accompany linguistic competence to build both communicative and character development among students.

An Analysis of Metaphor Used in Bruno Mars' Songs

Shafira Bevan Ramadhani Bevan — 2026-01-30

This study discussed the use of metaphors in the lyrics of Bruno Mars’ songs. A metaphor is a form of figurative language that applies a phrase or expression to something beyond its literal meaning. The purpose of this research is to identify the types of metaphors used in Bruno Mars’ songs and to interpret the possible meanings of these metaphors. This study employs a qualitative method with content analysis techniques. The data were obtained from transcripts of Bruno Mars’ song lyrics, which were analyzed using a checklist instrument table as a data collection tool. The theory used to analyze the data is the classification of metaphors according to Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The results show that there are three types of metaphors in Bruno Mars’ song lyrics: 13 structural metaphor data, 33 ontological metaphor data, and 11 orientational metaphor data. It can be concluded that ontological metaphors are the most dominant type. This is because Bruno Mars tends to express his emotions by attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects, thereby creating a more vivid visualization of experience for the listener. The implication of this study is to increase awareness and appreciation of metaphor usage in everyday language as well as in educational contexts.