A descriptive analysis of phonological features of american black english in the film the grapes of wrath (sociolinguistics approach)

Oleh :
Indah Wulandari - C0300003 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT This research is intended to answer the problem statements, namely: 1) What kinds of Black American phonological features are used by the characters in the film The Grapes of Wrath? and 2) What are the factors affecting the use of Black American English in the film The Grapes of Wrath? This research is a descriptive qualitative in nature. This research was conducted by employing sociolinguistic approach. The goal is merely to describe the answers of the problem statements above. The source of data in this research was the transcript of the film The Grapes of Wrath. The data are chosen by applying the purposive sampling technique. It means that the data are selected based on some criteria. Those were the Black English words from the conversation among the characters in the film. Based on this sampling technique, there are two hundred and sixty nine data obtained. From the result of the analysis, there are there are nine characteristics of Black English in phonological level. Those characteristics are the reduction of a vowel, the lost of unstressed syllable, the simplification of consonant cluster, the substandard simplification, the deletion of /r/ sound, the realisation of /ŋ/ as /n/ sound, the deletion of /l/ sound, the monopthongal pronunciation of diphthongs, and the other phonological characteristics. The second finding is the factors affecting the use on the non-standard language. Those affecting factors are the social status of the speakers, the relationship of the speakers, the situation of the conversation, the topic of the conversation, the style of the speakers, the setting of the place (location), and purpose of the speaking. This research is expected to be helpful in giving some knowledge and better understanding about the Black English. Furthermore, the researcher also expects the students of English Department and the others who are interested in sociolinguistic study to use this research as a reference.