The analysis of illocutionary acts of judges’ comments in America’s next top model and Asia’s next top model competitions: A cross-cultural pragmatic study

This study discusses speech acts performed by judges of model competitions in America and Asia TV series America’s Next Top Model and Asia’s Next Top Model. The aim of this study is to find out the illocutionary acts of the judges since they are considered as the decision makers in a competition. The detailed analysis between American and Asian cultures is presented to support the findings of the study. For the data of the study, we collected utterances in the America's Next Top Model Session 21 Episode 5 and Asia’s Next Top Model Session 6 Episode 1 from YouTube. In analysing the data, we transcribed all utterances using orthographical transcription method. The data were then analysed and categorized in terms of the theory of illocutionary speech acts from Searle (1979) using qualitative description method. After that, we made an interpretation based on the collected data and generated conclusions as well as suggestions for further research. From the analysis, it could be concluded that the total illocutionary speech acts were 146 utterances (72 from America & 74 from Asia). The major types in America's Next Top Model were assertive and declarative (33.33%), while expressive function turned out to be the most dominant one in Asia's Next Top Model. In cross-cultural pragmatics point of view, the results of this study conclude that Asians were more expressive than Americans. In addition, there was an apology statement in the American context whereas there was no expression of apology in the Asian context. In this study, it could also be seen that Americans were more to the point or overt than Asians whereas Asians were categorized to be more "careful" than Americans.