An Analysis of Perlocutionary Acts in the Dialogue of Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Abstract

This study discusses perlocutionary speech acts as a type of speech effect on the behavior or psychology of the interlocutor in the dialogue of the animated film Mufasa: The Lion King (2024). Finding various types of perlocutionary speech acts and explaining how speech in the film affects the reactions of other characters is the purpose of this study. Descriptive qualitative methodology based on Austin and Searle’s speech act theory was used. To collect data, scenes showing perlocutionary effects including convincing, calming, inspiring, and rejecting were observed and recorded. The findings of this study indicate that because perlocutionary speech acts can elicit emotional responses and behaviors from other characters, they are important for character development and storyline. The findings of this study indicate that language in film has the ability to influence and shape meaning in addition to functioning as a medium of communication. It is hoped that this study will advance pragmatics research and serve as a guide for learning and analyzing language in audiovisual materials.