Journal of Language and Literature Studies
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203 research outputs found
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Self Identity of the Main Character of Archie The RedCat's Sri Asih Webtoon: A Literature Study
No full textThis study examines the formation of self-identity in the main character of the Sri Asih Webtoon by Archie the RedCat and Devita Krisant, focusing on three key stages: the real, imaginary, and symbolic. Using Jacques Lacan's social identity theory as the theoretical framework, this research aims to explore how Alana’s identity evolves through these stages. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method, with data collected through library research, reading, listening, and note-taking. The analysis centers on the Webtoon’s narrative, specifically examining the development of Alana's self-identity.The findings reveal that Alana’s self-identity progresses from confusion and self-doubt to complete understanding and acceptance of her role as Sri Asih. In the real stage, Alana lacks self-recognition and awareness of her abilities (Episodes 3, 5, and 18). During the imaginary stage, she begins to associate herself with Sri Asih’s strengths but remains uncertain of her full potential (Episodes 8, 13, and 30). At the symbolic stage, Alana achieves a holistic understanding and acceptance of her identity as Sri Asih (Episodes 14 and 21). This study offers valuable insights into the complex process of self-identity formation, contributing to the broader fields of literary analysis and identity studies. By analyzing Alana’s journey, the study underscores the psychological and narrative mechanisms that shape individual identity in modern storytelling, with implications for understanding character development and identity construction in various media
Exploring Challenges in EFL Learning and Acquisition: A Case Study of a Rural High School in Central Java, Indonesia
No full textThis qualitative descriptive study investigates the challenges faced by students in learning and acquiring English as a foreign language (EFL) at MA Muallimin Rowoseneng, a rural private high school in Central Java, Indonesia. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, data were collected from 15 students and one teacher to explore barriers across four language domains: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as broader acquisition difficulties. Findings reveal that students grapple with internal factors such as low motivation, lack of self-confidence, and mother tongue interference, compounded by external challenges like an unsupportive linguistic environment and inadequate learning facilities. Thematic analysis highlighted recurring issues in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, alongside systemic gaps in exposure and practice opportunities. The study underscores the interplay between psychological, environmental, and pedagogical barriers, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance rural EFL education. Recommendations include fostering motivational strategies, integrating contextualized teaching methods, and improving infrastructural support to create immersive English-learning environments. This research contributes to understanding EFL challenges in resource-constrained rural settings and informs stakeholders on actionable steps to bridge educational disparities
Psycholinguistic Dimensions of Intercultural Bonding in A Thousand Questions: A Lens from Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
No full textThis study explores the dynamics of language acquisition and emotional development within cross-cultural friendship, as portrayed in the novel A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi. Anchored in the framework of Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (1962) and approached through a qualitative lens, the research investigates how two main characters, Mimi and Sakina, engage in reciprocal language learning shaped by social interaction, cultural exchange, and emotional support. Using textual analysis as the primary method, this study identifies and interprets moments of scaffolding, mediation, and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) within the characters' dialogue and interactions. The analysis reveals that code-switching, pragmatic negotiation, and context-sensitive lexical choices serve as psycholinguistic markers of evolving empathy, trust, and identity formation. These findings underscore that language development in intercultural youth contexts is driven not only by cognitive processes but also by affective-social mechanisms rooted in lived experience. By framing the novel as both a cultural artifact and a pedagogical resource, this study illuminates how fictional narratives can model principles of bilingual education, emotional literacy, and peer-mediated learning. The results have practical implications for educators and curriculum designers seeking to foster inclusive, culturally responsive language environments, especially in settings with diverse linguistic backgrounds
English-major Students' Experiences of Using ChatGPT in Academic Writing: A Narrative Inquairy in Surakarta
No full textThe integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly ChatGPT, into academic writing is increasingly prominent in educational settings. This study explores the experiences of five English-major students from Surakarta, Central Java, in utilizing ChatGPT for various stages of their academic writing process. By employing a qualitative case study methodology, data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and personal stories shared by the participants. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and themes. The study finds that students generally perceive ChatGPT as a valuable tool, particularly for brainstorming, drafting, revising, and improving grammar, vocabulary, and time efficiency. However, concerns about over-reliance on AI, plagiarism risks, and the credibility of AI-generated content were prominent. The findings are interpreted through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which highlights the importance of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) in driving students' engagement with ChatGPT. This study contributes to understanding how AI tools can enhance writing efficiency while emphasizing the need to balance such tools with critical thinking to maintain academic integrity. Practical implications for teaching practices suggest that integrating AI tools into curricula should include guidance on ethical use, fostering digital literacy, and promoting responsible AI use among students
A Psychoanalytic Analysis of Depression in the Main Character of Ender’s Game
No full textThe present study employs a psychoanalytic framework to analyse the portrayal of depression in the character Ender Wiggin in the film Ender's Game, thereby addressing a significant gap in academic literature at the intersection of cinematic representation, adolescent psychology and literary adaptation. Whilst the prevailing focus of preceding research has been on themes of strategy and empathy in the novel, this analysis specifically investigates how the film depicts the psychological consequences of extreme pressure on adolescents. The research methodology consists of detailed scene analysis, an approach chosen for its ability to reveal unconscious motivations and emotional subtext embedded in cinematic language, in line with Freud's focus on latent meaning. The study explores how external pressures, such as manipulation, isolation, and moral burden, manifest as symptoms of depression—including emotional withdrawal and internal conflict—in Ender's character. These findings contribute to the academic debate by demonstrating how the film employs the science fiction genre to critique society's perception of adolescent leadership in high-pressure environments. The paper's central argument is that the film's psychoanalytic depth offers valuable insights for mental health discourse, serving as a powerful educational tool for discussing the psychological burden of trauma and the ethical dimensions of grooming young leaders
Discourse on Character Education of the Main Character Enong in the Novel Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata
No full textThis study aims to analyze the character education discourse reflected through the main character, Enong, in the novel Padang Bulan by Andrea Hirata using F.W. Foerster's character education theory. The methodological approach employed is discourse analysis with descriptive qualitative methods. The research data consist of narrative excerpts and dialogues reflecting the character values of Enong, which are then classified based on Foerster's four main principles: orderliness (discipline), adherence to values (obedience to values), loyalty, and integrity of life (unity of life). The research findings indicate that the character education discourse in this novel is manifested through two main aspects: learning motivation and hard work. Learning motivation is reflected in Enong's enthusiasm for continuously pursuing knowledge, diligence in self-directed learning, and loyalty to her aspirations despite living in economic and social limitations. Meanwhile, the value of hard work is evident in Enong's persistence in bearing the family's economic burden, courage in taking on the role of a tin prospector, and resilience in facing failure without giving up. All four of Foerster's principles are consistently present in Enong's actions and words, demonstrating the integration of moral, intellectual, and social values. This study concludes that Andrea Hirata successfully constructs a humanistic character education discourse through the figure of Enong as a representation of a resilient, independent, and educated woman. These findings are relevant for use as literary teaching materials in character education learning in schools because they contain universal values such as discipline, responsibility, determination, and loyalty to one's aspirations
Exploring Social Media on Gender Identity Development Among Generation Z: A Discourse Analysis on Opportunities, Challenges, and Societal Tensions
No full textThis study explores the impact of social media on the gender identity development of Generation Z, focusing on the opportunities and challenges these platforms present in shaping young people's understanding of gender. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is the first generation to grow up in an era of pervasive digital connectivity, where social media platforms offer unprecedented spaces for self-expression and identity exploration. These platforms enable young people to engage with diverse gender identities, including non-binary and gender-fluid expressions, which are often marginalized in offline spaces. However, while social media provides opportunities for authentic self-expression, it also amplifies societal pressures to conform to idealized gender norms. The tension between digital empowerment and offline societal expectations creates a complex environment for Generation Z, where they must navigate conflicting gender narratives. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing documentary analysis of social media content and academic literature to identify key themes related to gender identity formation, societal pressures, and the intersectionality of gender with cultural, social, and psychological factors. The findings suggest that, while social media plays a critical role in empowering young people to explore diverse gender expressions, it also exposes them to identity conflicts and psychological challenges, particularly when offline societal norms resist these new identities. The study calls for greater support systems, both online and offline, to help young people navigate these complexities and embrace their gender identities freely and authentically
Exploring Self-Confidence in English Skills and Informal Digital Learning Frequency: A Study of Indonesian Elementary Students
No full textThis research explores the self-confidence of Indonesian elementary school students in their English skills and the frequency of their engagement with Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) activities, both receptive and productive. A quantitative survey design was employed, involving 103 Indonesian elementary school students who completed a 5-point Likert scale instrument measuring both receptive and productive IDLE activities, as well as students’ confidence in various English language tasks. The findings reveal that students engage more frequently in receptive IDLE activities—such as listening to English songs and watching subtitled English movies—than in productive ones like emailing or speaking via video calls. Despite this, overall participation in IDLE activities remains low. Furthermore, students exhibit higher self-confidence in receptive skills, particularly in understanding their teacher’s spoken English, while confidence declines significantly for productive tasks such as oral presentations or discussing past experiences. These patterns highlight a preference for passive exposure to English and suggest a need for more structured opportunities to engage students in active language use. These findings provide valuable contributions and insights into English language teaching and learning in early education, highlighting the recommendation for strategies, teacher training, and parental involvement that support EFL learners and educators in diversifying methods to learn English as a foreign language, ultimately promoting greater self-confidence and digital engagement among students
Lexical Modality in Presidential Election Discourse in Selected Nigerian Online Newspapers (2011 – 2019)
No full textPublic opinion columns in the Nigerian online newspapers often provide vital information on sociopolitical issues. Previous studies on political media discourse focused on how public opinions shape pre-election political debates and speeches in Nigeria. However, little attention was paid to how linguistic choices constrain public opinions, especially on Nigerian presidential election results. This study is designed to investigate the representation of public opinions on the Nigerian presidential election results in Nigerian online newspapers, with a view to determining the public opinion types and linguistic forms. This study adopts Norman Fairclough’s Dialectical-relational model to Critical Discourse Analysis, complemented by M. A. K. Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar as the framework. These approaches provide a method for studying language use in the discourses of Nigerians on the Nigerian presidential election results. The descriptive design was adopted. Six popular Nigerian online newspapers (Vanguard, Punch, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Leadership, and The Guardian) published between February and April of the election years in 2011-2019 were purposively selected because of their robust contents on Nigerian presidential election results, are critically examined and subjected to linguistic and qualitative method of analysis. Data are purposively selected from editorials, open letters, and comments based on election and attitudes of people to the presidential election results in Nigeria. The analysis revealed the lexical modality is used by people to express their views towards the presidential election results in Nigeria
Investigating Social Dynamics in the Novel Gadis Kretek by Ratih Kumala: A Literary Study of Traditional Cultural Values and Modernity
No full textA novel possess a high level of complexity, including their portrayal of social dynamics. The complexity of novels is evident in their narrative structures, the characterization of characters with psychological depth and diverse backgrounds, the dynamics presented within the story, and the messages conveyed by the author. Therefore, this study investigates the social dynamics reflected in the novel *Gadis Kretek* by Ratih Kumala, focusing on social change, gender equality, and family conflicts within Indonesian society in the 1930s. The novel provides an in-depth depiction of the development of the kretek industry in Indonesia, a sector that flourished rapidly after Dutch colonization, as well as the struggle of women to find space in a male-dominated business world. The character Jeng Yah, who plays a pivotal role in kretek production, symbolizes the struggles of women confronting social and cultural limitations to prove their capabilities. Using a qualitative approach that emphasizes analysis of characters, plot, and setting, this study uncovers the tension between traditional values and modernity, as well as how changes in the kretek industry reflect significant shifts in social class. The research also explores the impact of social changes on human interactions, particularly in the context of family relationships and individual struggles to preserve their values and identities. Overall, this study provides an in-depth understanding of how the novel reflects the social, economic, and cultural transformations occurring in Indonesian society, as well as its relevance to contemporary social issues that remain significant today