DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/parole.v16i2.16-28

Women's Language Features in Skysphere's Novel Malioboro at Midnight : Sociolinguistic Approach

Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

Received: 21 Apr 2026; Revised: 26 Jun 2026; Accepted: 20 Aug 2026; Available online: 26 Oct 2026; Published: 1 Oct 2026.
Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 PAROLE: Journal of Linguistics and Education under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

Citation Format:
Abstract

This study investigates the women’s language features employed by the female protagonist in Skysphire’s novel Malioboro at Midnight (2023). The research aims to identify the women’s language features used by Serana Nighita Siviera (Sera) based on Lakoff’s (1975) framework and to examine their functions within the narrative. This study employs a qualitative descriptive design. The data source is the novel Malioboro at Midnight, consisting of 430 pages. The data comprise words, phrases, sentences, and dialogues related to the female protagonist. Data were collected through documentation and close reading techniques and analyzed using descriptive analysis. The coding process was based on Lakoff’s ten categories of women’s language features. The findings reveal that Sera employs seven of the ten women’s language features proposed by Lakoff. A total of 32 occurrences were identified, consisting of empty adjectives (28.1%), tag questions (18.8%), emphatic expressions (15.6%), intensifiers (12.5%), lexical hedges (9.4%), avoidance of strong swear words (9.4%), and superpolite forms (6.2%). No instances of precise color terms or hypercorrect grammar were found, while rising intonation was excluded because phonological features cannot be verified in written literary texts. The dominance of empty adjectives indicates that emotional evaluation and personal expression are central to the protagonist’s communication style.

Fulltext View|Download Email colleagues
Keywords: women’s language features; Lakoff; language and gender; literary linguistics; Malioboro at Midnight; contemporary Indonesian novel

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Research Article
Language : EN
Most cited articles
Back Matter Frontmatter Frontmatter The Effectiveness of TPR (Total Physical Response) Method in English Vocabulary Mastery of Elementary School Children The Effect of Study Abroad on Grammatical Accuracy of Indonesian Students’ Oral and Written Performance More cited articles
  1. Akhirah, S. R., Setiadi, D., & Firdaus, A. (2023). Representasi Perempuan yang Tercermin dalam Novel Laut Bercerita Karya Leila Salikha Chudori. Jurnal Ilmiah FONEMA: Jurnal Edukasi Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 6(2), 101-117
  2. Amin, S. (2013). Pasang Surut Gerakan Feminisme. Marwah: Jurnal Perempuan Agama dan Gender, 12 (2), 146-156. http://dx.doi.org/10.24014/marwah.v12i2.520
  3. Arikunto, S. (2013). Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Jakarta: PT. Rineka Cipta
  4. Azzahra, N. (2022). Eksistensi Perempuan Dalam Novel Jumhuriyyatu Ka’anna Karya Alaa Al-Aswany: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis Simone De Beauvoir. MECRI , 1(2), 116-132
  5. Beauvoir, De Simone. (1956). The Second Sex (H. M. Parshley, Trad)
  6. Beauvoir, De Simone. (2016). Second Sex: Kehidupan Perempuan. Yogyakarta: Narasi
  7. Creswell, J. W. (2016). Research Design, Pendekatan Metode Kualitatif, Kuantitaif, dan Campuran. 4th ed. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Belajar
  8. Eda, F.D. (2020). Representasi Feminism Dalam Film A Separation (Analisis Semiotika). Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar
  9. Fakih, Mansour. (2007). Analisis Gender dan Transformasi Sosial. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar
  10. Fitriani, I., Diman, P., Perdana, I., Misnawati, M., & Jumadi, J. (2023). Representasi Perempuan Abad 21 Dalam Novel Jalan Panjang Menuju Pulang Karya Pipiet Senja Kajian: Feminisme Eksistensialis. Bhinneka: Jurnal Bintang Pendidikan dan Bahasa, 1(4), 190-207
  11. Geleuk, M. B., Mulawarman, W. G., & Hanum, I. S. (2017). Perjuangan Tokoh Perempuan Dalam Novel Tanah Tabu Karya Anindita S. Thayf: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis. Ilmu Budaya: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni dan Budaya, 1(3), 232
  12. Hall, Stuart (Ed.). (2013). Representation: Cultural Representations dan Signifying Practices. London: Sage Publications
  13. Hastuti, A. P., & Maulinda, R. (2023). Representasi Perempuan Dalam Antologi Cerpen Kitab Kawin Karya Laksmi Pamuntjak: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis. Literasi: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia serta Pembelajarannya, 7(2), 283-292
  14. Hidayati, P, P. (2010). Teori Apresiasi Prosa Fiksi. Bandung: Prisma Press
  15. Humm. (2007). Ensiklopedia Feminisme. Yogyakarta: Fajar Pustaka Baru
  16. Munaris, & Nugroho, J. S. 2021. Feminisme Eksistensialis Dalam Novel Drupadi Karya Seno Gumira Ajidarma. LITERA: Jurnal Penelitian Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pengajarannya, 20(2), 299-312.10.21831/ltr.v20i2.41926
  17. Moleong, Lexy J. (2017). Metode Penelitian Kualitatif, cetakan ke-36. Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosdakarya Offset
  18. Muslikhati, Siti. (2004). Feminisme dan Pemberdayaan Perempuan dalam Timbangan Islam. Jakarta: Gema Insani
  19. Nisya, R. K., & Komalasari, A. D. (2020). Eksistensi Perempuan dalam Novel Sempurna Karya Novanka Raja: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis. Bahtera Indonesia: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 5(2), 165-175. https://doi.org/10.31943/bi.v5i2.89
  20. Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. (2018). Teori Pengkaji Fiksi. Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press
  21. Pradopo, Rachmad Djoko. (2009). Metodologi Penelitian Sastra. Yogyakarta: Gadjahmada
  22. Prameswari, N. P., Nugroho, W. B., & Mahadewi, N. M. (2019). Feminisme Eksistensial Simone De Beauvoir: Perjuangan Perempuan Di Ranah Domestik. Jurnal Ilmiah Sosiologi (SOROT), 1 (13). https://jurnal.harianregional.com/sorot/id-51955
  23. Purnami, K., & Pramono, D. (2021). Eksistensi Perempuan dalam Novel Kitab Omong Kosong karya Seno Gumira Ajidarma: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis Simone de Beauvoir. MIMESIS, 2(1), 54-62
  24. Putra, J. N. I. (2021). Konsep ketubuhan dalam Asmara Berdarah Ken Arok Ken Dedes: kajian feminisme Simone de Beauvoir. STILISTIKA: Journal of Indonesian Language and Literature, 1(1), 48-56
  25. Raharjo, H. P. (2019). Mengkaji Isi Karya Sastra dengan Perspektif Feminisme. Sukoharjo: CV. Sindunata
  26. Rahma, H. A., & Mukhzamilah, M. (2025). Representasi Perempuan Dalam Novel Laut Tengah Karya Berliana: Kajian Feminisme Eksistensialis. Bapala, 12(2), 44-54
  27. Rahmatunnur, S., Aramina, A., & Ch, M. (2023). Pandangan Fatima Mernissi Tentang Kepemimpinan Perempuan di Wilayah Publik Perspektif Teori Feminisme Eksistensialis. EGALITA: Jurnal Kesetaraan dan Keadilan Gender, 18(1), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.18860/egalita.v18i1.21758
  28. Ratna, Nyoman Khuta. (2005). Sastra dan Cultural Studies: Representasi Fiksi dan Fakta. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar
  29. Riduwan. (2010). Skala Pengukuran Variabel-variabel Penelitian. Bandung: Alfabeta
  30. Ruthven, K.K. (1985). Feminist Letarary Studies an Introduction. Cambridge, New York, Port Chester, Melbourne, Sydney: Cambridge UniversityPress
  31. Salim, I. (2010). Aliran Filsafat Eksistensialisme. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosiologi dan Humaniora, 1(2), 183-190. https://dx.doi.org/10.26418/j- psh.v1i2.3893
  32. Salsabila, F. D., Puspitasari, D., & Kadafi, M. (2023). Eksistensi Perempuan Pada Manga Arte Karya Okubo Kei (Kajian Feminisme Eksistensial). IZUMI, 12(1), 88-96. https://doi.org/10.14710/izumi.12.1.88-96
  33. Skysphire. (2023). Malioboro at Midnight. Jakarta Selatan: Bukuné
  34. Sugiyono. (2018). Metode Penelitian Kombinasi (Mixed Methods). Bandung: CV. Alfabeta
  35. Tong, R. P. (2010). Feminist Thought: Pengantar Paling Komprehensif kepada Arus Utama Pemikiran Feminis. Terjemahan Aquarini Priyatna Prabasmoro. Yogyakarta: Jalasutra
  36. Widayati, S. (2020). Buku Ajar Kajian Prosa Fiksi. Sulawesi Tenggara: LPPM Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton Press
  37. Wiyatmi. (2012). Kritik Sastra Feminis: Teori dan Aplikasinya dalam Sastra Indonesia. Yogyakarta: IKAPI
  38. Zulaiha, E. (2016). Tafsir Feminis: Sejarah, Paradigma Dan Standar Validitas Tafsir Feminis. Al-Bayan: Jurnal Studi Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 1(1), 17- 26. https://doi.org/10.15575/al- bayan.v1i1.1671Al-Gulāyayni, Musṭafā. 2003. Jāmi’ al-Durūs al-‘Arabiyyah. Juz III. Beirut: al-Maktabah al-‘Aṣriyyah

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-10-28 13:11:25

No citation recorded.