Expressive Speech Acts in Tangled (2010) Movie Script

Abstract

Expressive speech acts serve as a fundamental aspect of communication that allowing speakers to convey emotions, attitudes, and interpersonal intentions. This study investigates the use of expressive speech acts in the Tangled (2010) movie script, using Searle’s (1979) and Searle & Vanderveken (1985) classification of speech acts and the theoretical framework of illocutionary acts. This research is using a qualitative descriptive approach to identify and categorize expressive speech acts based on their functions and contributions to character interactions. The findings indicate that Tangled utilizes expressive acts such as thanking, congratulating, lamenting, and apologizing to enhance character development and narrative depth. These speech acts not only reflect the personalities of the characters but also align with the film’s central themes of self-discovery and emotional growth. The research highlights the pragmatic significance of expressive speech acts in fictional narratives, suggesting further comparative research across genres and cultural contexts to deepen the understanding of speech act theory in cinematic discourse.