OOOPS..MAAF: POLITENESS STRATEGY AND THE REDEMPTION OF OFFENCE

This study examines the patterns and strategies the speech act of apologizing among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s students, based on sociopragmatics aspect. This study utilizes data from Discouce Completion Task (DCT). DCT is a quentionnaire containing a particular situations and respondents were asked to give response based on those situations. Data were analyzed based on CCSARP model (Cross-Cultural Study of Speech Act Realization Patterns) by Blum-Kulka et al., 1989. Blum-Kulka proposed a set of basic strategies (Semantics formula) to accomplish an apology, namely Illocutionary force indicating devices, taking responsibility, explanation or account, offer of repair and promise of forebearance. This study shows that the expressions “maaf” among students are requests for forgiveness and also could be considered as a strategy to redeem their offence towards the hearer.