Decoding contextual meanings

Indonesian political discourse on social media x

Abstract

This study explores the construction of contextual meaning within Indonesian political discourse on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with a particular focus on the speech acts of prominent public figures such as Denny Siregar and Natalius Pigai. Employing Halliday and Hasan’s (1989) theory of contextual meaning alongside Searle’s (1969) speech act theory, the research investigates how language is strategically used to convey political messages, shape public perception, and build ideological narratives. The analysis reveals that understanding political discourse in digital environments requires more than a textual reading; it necessitates an interpretation grounded in pragmatic context, communicative intention, and socio-political background. Key findings highlight the dominant use of indexical references, political implicature, and presupposition as tools to deliver implicit criticism or support. Moreover, speech acts in the form of representative, expressive, and indirect directives are frequently employed, often framed through irony and satire to influence opinion while mitigating legal repercussions. Through qualitative content analysis, the study demonstrates how public figures manipulate digital language to mobilize audiences, assert ideological positions, and engage in image construction. These insights contribute to broader discussions in political linguistics, media discourse, and pragmatic analysis within the Indonesian digital communication landscape.