JOALL (Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literature)

Unlocking Interaction: A Deep Dive into Metadiscourse in Indonesian and International EFL and ESL Textbooks for Senior High School

Rismar Riansih, Angga Dwinka, Safnil Arsyad — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study presents a comparative corpus analysis of interactional metadiscourse features in two English textbooks used in Indonesian senior high schools: an EFL textbook published by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture (Bahasa Inggris: Work in Progress) and an ESL textbook published by Cambridge University Press (English as a Second Language: Second Edition). Despite the central role textbooks play in shaping classroom discourse and developing students’ communicative competence, limited attention has been paid to how interactional metadiscourse is utilized in these materials, especially in EFL contexts like Indonesia, where textbooks often serve as the primary source of English input. Addressing this gap, the present study investigates how interactional metadiscourse, features that guide readers through the text and engage them, differ between a locally produced EFL textbook and an internationally published ESL textbook. The analysis was conducted using a corpus-based approach, drawing on Hyland’s (2005) model of interactional metadiscourse to manually identify and categorize features, including hedges, boosters, attitude markers, self-mentions, and engagement markers. The results revealed notable differences in the frequency and types of interactional metadiscourse employed in the two materials. These findings support the alternative hypothesis (H1), which posits that the international ESL textbook contains more interactional metadiscourse features than the Indonesian EFL textbook. The study contributes to the limited body of empirical research on metadiscourse in English textbooks and offers insights relevant to improving textbook design and English language instruction in the Indonesian context.

Translingual Practice as a Rhetorical Tactic in the 2024 Gubernatorial Election Debates

Akhmad Hairul Umam, Setiono Sugiharto, Baiatun Nisa — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

With an emphasis on the overall rhetorical tactics used in a political discourse, this qualitative case study investigates translingual practice in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election debates. It specifically examines how the candidates deliberately switched between Indonesian, English, and regional languages to interact with a linguistically varied population and to create compelling political narratives. The study is framed under the frameworks of both translingualism and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Data sources were taken from the transcribed video recordings. The analysis emphasizes the interplay between multilingual communication, voter perception, and identity construction within Jakarta’s multicultural context. The findings revealed that translingual practice was purposefully used to appeal to a broader range of demographic groups. Candidates can improve their political messaging, negotiate their identities, and promote inclusivity by mixing languages. Translingual practice is a dynamic and flexible tool for political communication in Jakarta's diverse language environment. By showing that translingual practice serves as a strategic performative tool in electoral engagement rather than just being a reflection of Indonesia's linguistic diversity, this study contributes to the body of research on political discourse in multilingual cultures. It makes the case that, especially in globalized metropolitan contexts, language choice in political discourse is vital for influencing public opinion and for navigating democratic processes.

Emotions, identity, and profanity: Swearing as expression in the Heartbeat novel

Chairina Nasir, Anisah, Yunisrina Qismullah Yusuf, Maula Azkia — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Swearing is a linguistic phenomenon that serves multiple functions in communication, including the expression of emotions, reinforcement of social bonds, and intensification of speech. The novel Heartbeat by Jealoucy features characters who frequently engage in swearing across various contexts. However, there is limited research examining the types and motivations of swearing in contemporary literary works, particularly in modern novels. This study aims to identify the types of swearing (Ljung, 2011) employed by the characters and to analyze the motivations behind their usage (Andersson & Trudgill, 1992). Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research involves close reading and note-taking to examine instances of swearing within the text. The data were categorized into types of swearing and the motivations behind swearing. The analysis focuses on the context, function, and underlying reasons for each instance. The findings reveal that the characters use swearing 44 times throughout the novel, with expletive interjections identified as the most frequently used type. Psychological motivations, such as expressing anger, frustration, or surprise, emerge as the most dominant reasons for swearing. These findings suggest that swearing contributes significantly to character development and the authenticity of dialogue in fictional narratives. Future research may investigate how swearing differs across literary genres or how it affects readers’ perceptions.

Exploring the dynamic role and cultural meaning of the ‘Berasan’ in Rejang traditional weddings in Bengkulu Province

Didi Yulistio, Sarwit Sarwono, Reko Serasi, Nova Efrianti — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The 'Berasan' tradition in Rejang traditional weddings in Bengkulu Province shows significant dynamics in its development. Because it is a cultural system of community life, this tradition is important to understand so that it is widely known and studied in depth by experts, both within and outside Bengkulu Province. This study aims to describe the dynamics of the 'berasan' culture related to its history, system, ceremonial structure, meaning, and shifting patterns of variation in Rejang traditional weddings in Bengkulu Province. This study uses an ethnographic survey method and a qualitative approach. Data collection from informants (who meet the requirements for the study of oral traditions) through interviews and documentation in the form of words, sentences, symbolic actions, and objects or equipment used as well as secondary data, such as texts, traditional manuscripts, and videos of the 'Berasan' procession. Data analysis techniques are carried out through the stages of listening, viewing, and recording as well as transcribing, analyzing, and interpreting data according to the problem and drawing conclusions. The results of the research "Dynamics of the 'Berasan' tradition in Rejang traditional weddings in Bengkulu province" can be stated that: (1) the history of the origins of the 'berasan' tradition as a hereditary legacy from ancestors or since the existence of the ancestors of the Rejang tribe in Bengkulu; (2) the 'berasan' tradition system as an essential procession in Rejang traditional weddings; as a continuation of the introductory relationship between the man (bachelor) and the woman (girl), (3) the structure of the 'berasan' tradition is a deliberation process to formalize the engagement through a meeting of the man's family with the woman's family, witnessed by traditional figures, village heads, and religious scholars, in order to decide various matters related to the implementation of the 'marriage contract' and the wedding party, (4) the meaning of 'berasan' as a symbol of the value of the certainty of the relationship between the man (bachelor) and the woman (girl), a symbol of commitment to silaturahmi in perpetuating the relationship between the two new families, and a symbol of 'respect' as a form of appreciation for the woman's family, and (5) there is a pattern of variation in the shift in the 'berasan' tradition (culture), such as (a) simplification of the procession time (flexibility), (b) simplification of the use of symbolic equipment (such as tools), (c) shift in the use of language (from Rejang to Indonesian), and (d) differences in the use of technology and (e) variations in the rules for implementing the tradition 'berasan' in various places, in Bengkulu

Unpacking ideological affiliation through evaluative language: Attitudinal and coupling patterns in The Jakarta Post editorials

Yulizar Komarawan, Mulyati Khorina, Khoirun Nisaa’ Arnoi — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Editorials are widely recognized as a space where newspapers express their views and shape public opinion. While much attention has been given to the persuasive function of editorials, relatively little scholarly work has explored how evaluative language is used to build affiliation between writers and readers. This study addresses that gap by examining how The Jakarta Post constructs ideological affiliation through evaluative languages (attitudes), coupling patterns, and affiliation strategies. Drawing on Appraisal Theory within Systemic Functional Linguistics, the study explores how attitudes are constructed and combined with ideational content to position readers. The data were five editorial texts which were selected using a constructed week sampling method over a one-month period to ensure variety and balance. The findings show that appreciation is the most common type of attitude, which often appears in negative forms to criticize policies and institutional performance. Judgment is often used in the investigated editorials, especially when evaluating public figures. In contrast, affect appears less frequently, but it still plays an important role in conveying shared emotional concerns. These attitudes are usually presented through couplings with ideational elements such as actors, events, or policies. This combination makes the evaluations more persuasive. Two dominant coupling patterns were identified, namely [NEG + INDONESIA] which is used to criticize government performance and policy and [POS + INDONESIA] which highlights national values or collective goals. To foster alignment with readers, the editorials employ affiliation strategies such as conceding and overriding (a divisive strategy) and repetition (a solidary strategy) which help guide readers toward shared viewpoints or editorial stances. The findings shed light on a clearer understanding of how evaluative language in editorials builds ideological affiliation. The study offers theoretical insights into appraisal in Indonesian media discourse and practical contributions by highlighting how evaluative language shapes reader perspectives and supports media literacy development.

Feedback on Reading and Writing: Exploring Students’ Experience and Preferences

Radiatan Mardiah, Melati, Lilik Ulfiati, Nyimas Triyana Safitri — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Feedback plays a crucial role in achieving learning objectives. This study explores students’ experience and preferences in feedback provision and its implications on reading and writing instruction. This study applied a qualitative research design with a case study method. The participants were ten fifth-semester students of the 2023/2024 academic year of the English education study program at a public university in Jambi, Indonesia. A focus group discussion with the students was used to explore their experiences and preferences, supported by the data from the learning management system (LMS) of the university. Furthermore, the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that feedback was provided by lecturers and peers, both in online and offline modes. The peers provided more informal feedback, and lecturers provided more detailed and natural feedback on the students’ reading and writing exercises. While students appreciated peer feedback, they also felt uncertain when they received feedback from peers. In addition, the students preferred face-to-face direct constructive feedback, which can help them increase self-awareness and understand more details. However, being loaded with other teaching tasks and academic activities on campus, lecturers could not fully meet this particular preference. Thus, as the pedagogical implication, multimodal feedback which is personalized to enable students to feed forward in their own individual learning journeys should be used.

Lexical Bundle Structure and Function of ChatGPT-Generated Essay: Corpus-Based Study of Advanced Learners in Indonesia

Syafina Azalia, Pratomo Widodo, Pangesti Wiedarti, Titik Sudartinah — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Numerous studies have primarily focused on investigating the linguistic structures of academic writing, such as theses, dissertations, and articles from reputable journals authored by individuals ranging from novices to experts. However, few studies have examined the linguistic structures of texts written by AI, particularly those produced by ChatGPT. This study aims to analyze the lexical bundle structure and function variations of 10 argumentative essays generated by ChatGPT, which were composed based on prompts provided by advanced learners in Indonesia, specifically graduate students of applied linguistics from Yogyakarta University. The objective is to explore the lexical bundle structure and function of ChatGPT-generated essays to understand how the AI employs various linguistic forms and constructs relationships between sentences. For data collection, this study utilized the corpus tool AntConc's N-gram feature to refine the four-word lexical bundles from the collected essays. The analysis used the frameworks of Hyland (2008b) and Biber et al. (1999). The result showed the Noun Phrase + pattern as the most frequent lexical bundle structure found in ChatGPT-generated essays. This structure has been used primarily to assert ideas and positions on the discussed topics (Stance Features), marking that ChatGPT has a strong ability in presenting and elaborating ideas. However, the least frequently found lexical bundle function is text construction that can link one idea to others to create the connection. Therefore, this study suggested that ChatGPT-generated essays can assist in effectively conveying the writer's perspectives but need attention or development in creating cohesive links between ideas in written discourse.

Rendering historical and sociocultural references through subtitles: The case of English-Indonesian translation in Netflix’s History 101

Ika Kartika Amilia, Diah Merrita — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In today’s global circulation of audiovisual media, translating cultural references poses a significant challenge–particularly in documentary genres that aim to educate diverse audiences. History 101, a Netflix documentary series, features dense historical and cultural content that demands careful linguistic and cultural adaptation in its subtitled version. This study investigates the types of cultural references and the subtitling strategies used to translate them into Indonesian. Drawing on Cintas and Remael’s (2021) taxonomy–widely applied in audiovisual translation research–the study adopts a descriptive case study design. The analysis identifies a high concentration of ethnographic references, followed by socio-political and geographical categories. These references include elements such as daily life objects, institutions, and place names. To render these into the target language, the subtitler applies a range of strategies, with loan translation being the most frequently used. Literal translation, calque, explicitation, substitution, and transposition are also observed, reflecting a tendency to strike a balance between linguistic accuracy and accessibility for the target audience. Overall, the findings underscore the richness of the documentary’s cultural content and the complexity of subtitling such materials. The frequent use of ethnographic references and loan translation suggests an effort to preserve cultural specificity while ensuring comprehension for Indonesian viewers.

Appraisal and ideology in students’ argumentative texts: a systemic functional linguistics study

Faizal Risdianto, Haryo Aji Nugroho, Sunardi Sunardi, Teisar Arkida — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to examine how students employ evaluative language in argumentative writing using Appraisal theory, specifically the categories of Attitude, Graduation, and Engagement to uncover the connection between evaluative strategies and ideological positioning, a relatively unexplored area in EFL research. Employing a mixed-methods design, the study analysed argumentative essays and survey responses from participants in the 2024 Argumentative Writing Contest. Data were collected from 21 submissions, with four texts selected based on argumentative quality, linguistic richness, and regional representation (Bengkulu, Kotawaringin, Bekasi, and Yogyakarta). A survey questionnaire accompanied the text analysis to gather student insights on their writing experiences. The textual data from students’ writings were examined using the Appraisal framework in systemic functional linguistics (SFL), and the survey data from the questionnaire were processed through the interactive analysis model in qualitative research, involving data condensation, display, and verification. Triangulation and member checking ensured data credibility. Findings revealed that students’ evaluative language mainly utilized appreciation to represent ideological stance and assessing regional learning environments. Most of the writers used intensifier markers, while students from remote regions used more monoglossic expressions. Cultural norms shaped argumentation styles, with some preferring indirect persuasion. This suggests that evaluative writing is both linguistically and culturally situated. The study’s implications advocate for culturally responsive and linguistically targeted instruction to bridge regional disparities in argumentative writing competence.

Linguistic and non-linguistic communication strategies employed by English non-native speaker hosts in talk shows and on-location interviews on SEA Today TV

Alya Afifah Izwandi, Ira Maisarah, Safnil Arsyad, Alamsyah Harahap — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

English non-native speaker (NNS) hosts in television broadcasting often face communicative pressures where maintaining fluency, accuracy, and audience engagement is critical. These challenges require the use of compensatory strategies, that is, techniques to overcome gaps in linguistic proficiency and sustain interaction. This study investigates the linguistic and non-linguistic communication strategies employed by NNS hosts on SEA Today TV across two formats: talk shows (TS) and on-location interviews (OL). Using a mixed-methods content analysis, 20 purposively selected broadcast episodes (2021–2025) were examined to represent program variety and host diversity. Data were coded using an adapted version of Farrahi’s (2011) taxonomy, with 20% of the corpus double-coded; inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s κ TS = 1.000; Cohen’s κ OL = 0.875) confirmed coding consistency. The findings identified two main groups of strategies (linguistic and non-linguistic) comprising sixteen subcategories, of which fourteen were observed. Eight strategies, including approximation, elaboration, and body gestures, emerged as a shared “core repertoire.” Contextual contrasts were also evident: talk shows displayed higher reliance on appeal for help and circumlocution due to their collaborative studio setting. At the same time, on-location interviews emphasized elaboration and environmental gestures in response to real-time unpredictability. These results demonstrate that NNS hosts flexibly adapt a stable repertoire of strategies to context-specific demands. Pedagogically, the results suggest that broadcaster training and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) instruction should explicitly incorporate communication strategy practice. For instance, training modules could simulate on-location unpredictability to help hosts practise elaboration and approximation strategies, while studio-based exercises could focus on appeals for help and interactional alignment with co-hosts and guests. Such targeted activities would strengthen broadcasters’ strategic competence, enabling them to manage linguistic limitations more effectively in diverse communicative settings.

Challenges and Strategic Approaches in EFL Students’ Prose Analysis Essays

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the difficulties experienced by EFL students in writing essays for prose analysis, along with the strategies they use to overcome these challenges. This research used qualitative research with a case study design. The participants of the study were 14 students of the English Language and Literature department from one of the state universities in Malang, East Java. The data collection took two months. The instruments used were interviews, questionaires, observation, and documentation. The result shows that students face major challenges in essay writing, particularly in content and organization, such as making good thesis statements and conclusions, and moderate difficulties with grammar. However, they demonstrated sufficient vocabulary and mechanical skills. To address these issues, students reported employing different types of strategies. The most common were mind mapping, continuous practice, and peer discussions. Moderately used strategies included seeking feedback, using audiovisual resources, and consulting dictionaries. The least used were translating, watching YouTube videos, and using AI tools or application. These strategies were applied throughout the writing process—pre-writing, whilst writing, and post-writing—and students found them effective in improving their prose analysis essays.