RATIH NURMALA-0713042039

NEGOTIATION OF MEANING

(SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION)

By :

Ratih Nurmala

0713042039

ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

ART AND LANGUAGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OFEDUCATION AND PEDAGOGY

UNIVERSITY OF LAMPUNG

2011

I.          INTRODUCTION

Negotiation of meaning is defined as a series of exchanges conducted by addressors and addressees to help themselves understand and be understood by their interlocutors.

Negotiation process usually occur during communicative exchange in which addressee had difficulty understanding and addressor sensed this difficulty, addressor can restructure the conversation in order to make their input comprehensible to the addressee and thus allow the conversation to continue. In this restructuring, addressor could pause and question addressees as to whether they understood, or sensing confusion on the addressees’ parts, then addressor can simply repeat it. Such modification in restructuring also can be used. It would give the interlocutor more opportunities to negotiate for message meaning and would allow addressees more time to process message content and thus sort out the confusions it triggered. Addressees could restructure for clarification or through utterances seeking to confirm whether what they heard was actually what had been said.

Pica et al (1989) suggest that negotiation of meaning basically consist of four interrelated moves. They are trigger (T), signal (S), Response (R), and follow up (F).

Writer had recorded three conversations before. Then, in this paper she will find out and analyze how many interrelated moves are used during the conversations of negotiation of meaning.

II.                  FRAME OF THEORIES

Negotiation of meaning is defined as a series of exchanges conducted by addressors and addressees to help themselves understand and be understood by their interlocutors. In this case, when native speakers and non native speakers are involved in an interaction, both interactants work together to solve any potential misunderstanding or non understanding that occurs. Their misunderstanding or non understanding that occurs can be solve by checking each others’ comprehensions, requesting clarifications and confirmation and by repairing and adjusting speech (Pica, 1988).

According to Pica et al (1989), negotiation of meaning consist of some interrelated moves, they are:

ü Trigger (T) : utterances followed by native speaker (NS) signal of total/partial lack of understanding.

ü Signal (S) : of total or partial lack of understanding. There are four types of signal;

a. explicit statement or request for clarification

b. request for confirmation through repetition of the nonnative speaker (NNS)

c. request for confirmation through modification of the NNS

d. request for confirmation through completion or elaboration of the NNS

ü Response (R) : Reply of the signal.

NNS Response:

a. Switch to the topic

b. Suppliance of information relevant to the topic, but not directly responsive to NS signal

c. Repetition of the NS modification of trigger

d. Self modification of trigger (phonological modification, semantic modification through synonym or paraphrase, morphological modification through eddition, substitution, or deletion, syntactic modification through embedding and elaboration)

e. Repetition of NNS trigger

f. Confirmation of signal only

g. Indication of difficulty or inability to respond

Response to NNS:

a. Comprehension signal

b. Continuation move

ü Follow up (F) : indication of understanding

III.                CONVERSATION

SCRIPT 1

Conversation of female to female talk

Intan    : My friend invite me to Del Mor Cafe tomorrow.

Maya   : It sounds great

Intan    : Yeah, but actually I never go there before. Have you ever gone there? (T)

Maya   : Pardon? (S) Request for Clarification

Intan    : Have you ever gone to Del Mor Cafe? (R) Repetition of the trigger

Maya   : Yes, several times. (F)

Maya   : I think it is a cozy cafe. (T)

Intan    : a what? (S) Request for Clarification

Maya   : a cozy cafe. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Intan    : Cozy? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Maya   : Yes, cozy means warm and comfortable. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Intan    : Oh, I see. (F)

            : Where is the location of Del Mor cafe?

Maya   : It is in Dome Sport Station. (T)

Intan    : Dome Sport Station? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Maya   : Yes, Dome Sport Station. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Intan    : Do you know it? (F)

Maya   : Yes, yes, I know.

Intan    : Ok. Del Mor cafe is on the second floor of Dome Sport Station. It is near the  Resident Mangkubumi and Medika Hospital.

Maya   : Resident Mangkubumi and what….? (S) Request for Confirmation through completion or elaboration

Intan    : Medika Hospital. It is a small hospital in that place. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Maya   : How can I get there from Chandra?  (T)

Intan    : sorry? (S) Request for Clarification

Maya   : How can I get there from Chandra?  (R) Repetition of the trigger

Intan    : Oh, You can go there by taking a public transportation from Chandra.

Maya   : I see. So, I just take a public transportation from Chandra.

Intan    : Yes.. Don’t forget, Del Mor cafe is on the second floor.

Maya   : Ok, I’ll remember that. Thanks Intan.

Intan    : You’re welcome, maya.

SCRIPT 2

Conversation of male to male talk

Abi       : Yudha, Do you have any planning for today?

Yudha  : Yes, I want to write an application letter. (T)

Abi       : write what? (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : application letter. (R)Repetition of the trigger

Abi       : obligation letter? (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : No, application letter. It’s letter for applying a job. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Abi       : Oh, I see. (F)

Yudha  : Do you have some paper?

Abi       : Yes, I have.

Yudha  : Could you give me some?

Abi       : Sure, just take it in the cupboard. (T)

Yudha  : cupboard? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Abi       : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Which cupboard? (F)

Abi       : the brown one near the television. (T)

Yudha  : the cupboard which is brown? (S) Request for Confirmation through modification

Abi       : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Ok, I’ll take it.

Abi       : Yud, Can I borrow a pan, please? (T)

Yudha  : a what? pan? (S) Request for Clarification

Abi       : mmmm…. (R) Indication of difficulty or inability to response

Yudha  : Oh, do you mean pen? (T)

Abi       : pardon?  (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : Pen, for writing.. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Abi       : Yes.. yes.. (F)

Yudha  : You can take it in the drawer in the living room.

Abi       : There are three drawers. Which one?

Yudha : The second drawer. (T)

Abi       : Second drawer? (S)Request of confirmation through repetition

Yudha  : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Can you find it? (F)

Abi       : Oh yes, here’s the pen.

Abi       : Thanks yud, I’ll start to write the letter.

Yudha  : Ok

SCRIPT 3

Conversation of male to female talk

Ratih    : Mumu, Do you know Justin Bieber? (T)

Mumu : Justin what? (S) Request of clarification

Ratih    : Justin Bieber. (R) Repetition of trigger

Mumu : Oh, He is a singer, right? (F)

Ratih    : Yeah, but actually he’s not only a singer but also a dancer music composer.

Mumu : Wow…

Ratih    : Have you ever heard his songs? (T)

Mumu : Yes, the title is Baby… (S) Request of Confirmation through completion or elaboration

Ratih    : Baby. (R)Repetition of the trigger

Mumu : Yes, you right. (F)

Ratih    : Do you like it?

Mumu : Yes, I like it. It is an easy listening song. I heard it on the radio.

Ratih    : I have downloaded that song.

Mumu : Could you send it to my mobile phone? (T)

Ratih    : Sorry? (S) Request of clarification

Mumu : Could you send it to my mobile phone? (R) Repetition of the trigger

Ratih    : Sure, just turn on your Bluetooth. (F)

Mumu : Ok.. Thanks Lala..

Ratih    : Yeah, Do you want other songs from Justin Bieber? (T)

Mumu : other songs? (S) Request for Confirmation through Repetition

Ratih    : Yes, Do you want it? (R) Confirmation of Signal

Mumu : Yeah, Of course. (F)

Ratih    : I have Eanie Meanie, Smile, and Runaway. Which one do you want? (T)

Mumu : Eanie what? (S) Request for clarification

Ratih    : Eanie Meanie. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Mumu : Eanie Meanie? (S) Request of confirmation through repetition

Ratih    : Yes, It’s one of his single (R) Suppliance of information related to the topic.

Mumu : Is it a nice song? (F)

Ratih    : Absolutely, I recommend you to listen it. You will like it.

Mumu : Ok, I’ll listen. Please send it to my phone.

Ratih    : With pleasure honey.

Mumu : Thanks ra..

IV.               ANALYSIS

A.       Conversation I

We can analyze that there are five sequences of negotiation of meaning in this conversation. These sequences consist of 5 triggers, 6 signals, 6 responses, and 4 follow up. Here are the analyses of sequences:

a.      The first sequence:

Intan   : Have you ever gone there? (T)

Maya  : Pardon? (S) Request for Clarification

Intan   : Have you ever gone to Solaria Restaurant? (R) Repetition of the trigger

Maya  : Yes, several times. (F)

b.      The second sequence:

Maya  : I think it is a cozy restaurant. (T)

Intan   : a what? (S) Request for Clarification

Maya  : a cozy restaurant. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Intan   : Cozy? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Maya  : Yes, cozy means warm and comfortable. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Intan   : Oh, I see. (F)

c.       The third sequence

Maya  : It is in Central Plaza Mall. (T)

Intan   : Central Plaza Mall? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Maya  : Yes, Central Plaza Mall. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Intan   : Do you know it? (F)

d.      The fourth sequence

Maya  : It is near the 21 Cinema and Naughty Shop. (T)

Intan   : 21 Cinema and….? (S) Request for Confirmation through completion or elaboration

Maya  : Naughty Shop. It is a shop which sells girls’ accessories. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

e.      The fifth Sequence

Intan   : How can I get there from UNILA?  (T)

Maya  : sorry? (S) Request for Clarification

Intan   : How can I get there from UNILA?  (R) Repetition of the trigger

Maya  : Oh, You can go there by taking a bus from UNILA, it is called Damri. Then, you can stop in front of Central Plaza Mall. (F)

B.        Conversation II

We can analyze that there are six sequences of negotiation of meaning in this conversation. These sequences consist of 6 triggers, 7 signals, 7 responses, and 5 follow up. Here are the analyses of sequences:

a.      The first sequence

Yudha  : Yes, I want to write an application letter. (T)

Abi       : write what? (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : application letter. (R)Repetition of the trigger

Abi       : obligation letter? (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : No, application letter. It’s letter for applying a job. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Abi       : Oh, I see. (F)

b.      The second sequence

Abi       : Sure, just take it in the cupboard. (T)

Yudha  : cupboard? (S) Request for Confirmation through repetition

Abi       : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Which cupboard? (F)

c.       The third sequence

Abi       : the brown one near the television. (T)

Yudha  : the cupboard which is brown? (S) Request for Confirmation through modification

Abi       : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Ok, I’ll take it. (F)

d.      The fourth sequence

Yudha  : Bi, Can I borrow a pan, please? (T)

Abi       : a what? pan? (S) Request for Clarification

Yudha  : mmmm…. (R) Indication of difficulty or inability to response

e.      The fifth sequence

Abi       : Oh, do you mean pen? (T)

Yudha  : pardon?  (S) Request for Clarification

Abi       : Pen, for writing.. (R) Suppliance of information relevant to the topic.

Yudha  : Yes.. yes.. (F)

f.        The sixth sequence

Abi       : The second drawer. (T)

Yudha  : Second drawer? (S)Request of confirmation through repetition

            Abi       : Yes (R) Confirmation of Signal

Yudha  : Can you find it? (F)

C.        Conversation III

We can analyze that there are five sequences of negotiation of meaning in this conversation. These sequences consist of 5 triggers, 6 signals, 6 responses, and 5 follow up. Here are the analyses of the sequences:

a.      The first sequence:

Ratih    : Mumu, Do you know Justin Bieber? (T)

Mumu : Jusin Bieber? (S) Request of clarification

Ratih    : Justin Bieber. (R) Repetition of trigger

Mumu : Oh, He is a singer, right? (F)

b.      The second sequence:

Ratih     : Have you ever heard his songs? (T)

Mumu   : Yes, the title is Baby… (S) Request of Confirmation through completion or elaboration

Ratih     : Baby. (R)Repetition of the trigger

Mumu   : Yes, you right. (F)

c.       The third sequence:

Mumu   : Could you send it to my mobile phone? (T)

Ratih     : Sorry? (S) Request of clarification

Mumu   : Could you send it to my mobile phone? (R) Repetition of the trigger

Ratih     : Sure, just turn on your Bluetooth. (F)

d.      The fourth sequence:

Ratih     : Yeah, Do you want other songs from JB? (T)

Mumu   : other songs? (S) Request for Confirmation through Repetition

Ratih     : Yes, Do you want it? (R) Confirmation of Signal

Mumu   : Yeah, Of course. (F)

e.      The fifth sequence:

            Ratih    : I have Eanie Meanie, Runaway, and Baby Which one do you want? (T)

Mumu   : Eanie what? (S) Request for clarification

Ratih     : Eanie Meanie. (R) Repetition of the trigger

Mumu   : Eanie Meanie? (S) Request of confirmation through repetition

Ratih     : Yes, It’s one of his single (R) Suppliance of information related to the topic.

Mumu   : Is it a nice song? (F)

V.       CONCLUSION

From the analysis, we can conclude that in negotiation of meaning there are four interrelated moves which occur in the conversations, there are trigger, signal, response, and follow up. Trigger occurs when speaker say something but the hearer doesn’t understand clearly what the speaker says. Then, the hearer will show signal in order to clarify the word that hearer doesn’t understand. After that, the speaker will response that signal and finally the follow up will occur.

Besides that, we also can conclude that in each conversation, numbers of response and signal are greater than trigger and follow up.