DIRECTIVE SPEECH ACTS IN KUGANE MARUYAMA’S ENGLISH NOVEL OVERLORD VOLUME 16: A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study explores the types and functions of directive speech acts found in Kugane Maruyama’s English novel Overlord Volume 16, using Searle’s (1979) theory of speech acts. The research aims to identify the forms of directive speech acts and to explain their pragmatic purposes within the novel’s dialogue. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive method because the data are in the form of utterances, not numerical values. The findings show that five types of directive speech acts are used: commanding, requesting, suggesting, advising, and prohibiting, with commanding being the most dominant. These speech acts are performed by characters of different social ranks and reflect hierarchical relationships, politeness strategies, and situational contexts. The pragmatic functions include expressing authority, showing politeness, maintaining cooperation, and negotiating power. Overall, this study demonstrates that directive speech acts in Overlord Volume 16 are deeply tied to the social structure and communicative goals of the characters, illustrating how language is used to influence others in fantasy fiction narratives.