A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF SPEECH ACTS IN THE NOVEL THE “MIDNIGHT LIBRARY” BY MATT HAIG

Abstract

This study analyses speech acts found in the novel The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The purpose of this research is to identify and analyze three types of speech acts used by the characters in the novel, namely locutionary acts, illocutionary acts, and perlocutionary acts. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method and applies the speech act theory proposed by J. L. Austin. The data were collected from dialogues in the novel that contain speech acts. The researcher collected the data by reading the novel carefully, selecting important utterances, classifying the data based on the types of speech acts, and analysing them using Austin’s theory. The findings show that illocutionary acts are the most dominant type found in the novel because the characters often express intentions, feelings, requests, and responses in conversations. Locutionary acts are used to convey literal meanings, while perlocutionary acts can be seen from the effects of utterances on other characters. In addition, the speech acts in the novel also reflect the emotions, regrets, hopes, and psychological conditions experienced by the characters. Therefore, this study concludes that language in the novel functions not only as a tool of communication but also as a way to express meaning and emotion between characters.