Argument Structure of Persuasive Language in Public Space of Indonesia – Timor Leste

Abstract

Persuasive language is different from declarative language in Bahasa Indonesia. This distinctive form impacts the functional pattern and the argument structure. Thus, this study aimed at identifying and describing argument structure of persuasive language in public space of Indonesia – Timor Leste. Since this study was a qualiative study, the data obtained were analyzed qualitatively using lexical-functional grammar theory (LFG). Persuasive language found in the research was in the form of intransitive and monotransitive clauses. Intransitive clauses have the pattern V – OBJ and V – OBJ – ADV. The monotransitive clauses have the pattern SUBJ – V – OBJ, V – OBJ – SUBJ, and OBJ – V – SUBJ. The intransitive verbs found always bind arguments that semantically have a locative role, therefore the model of the argument structure is ‘jauhi’ locative and 'jaga' locative. The argument structure of monotransitive clauses can be modeled as ‘bersatu membangun’ agent, locative, ‘bersatu membangun’ locative, possessive, ‘membangun’ experiencer, theme, and 'wujudkan’ agent, locative.