Kesantunan Bahasa Santri terhadap Kiai di Pondok Pesantren Daarun Najaa Sukolilo Tuban: Kajian Pragmatik

Abstract

This study analyses patterns of linguistic politeness in the speech of santri (Islamic boarding school students) towards kiai (Islamic teachers) at Pondok Pesantren Daarun Najaa, Sukolilo Tuban, from a pragmatic perspective. The degradation of politeness norms in the modern era underscores the urgency of documenting pesantren as an institution that preserves communicative etiquette. Using a qualitative descriptive method with participatory observation, conversation recording, semi-structured interviews with three santri and one kiai over four weeks, the study analysed data through Leech’s maxim theory and Brown-Levinson’s strategies. Results show that santri consistently employ indirect speech, honorifics (Kiai, Abah, Ibuk, Neng), mitigation expressions (nyuwun pangapunten, menawi mboten keberatan), and the krama inggil register, alongside non-linguistic strategies including low intonation and bowing. All six of Leech’s maxims were consistently identified. Santri combine negative politeness (protecting the interlocutor’s freedom) with positive politeness (affirming social recognition) simultaneously. Factors such as social-spiritual hierarchy, situational context, social distance, Javanese culture, Islamic values, and internalisation shape strategy selection. Politeness in pesantren constitutes a multidimensional phenomenon internalised as a habitus, though applying Western pragmatic frameworks requires cultural adaptation to the pesantren context.