The Use Of Modality In Jakarta Post News Item: A Corpus Analysis

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The Use of Modality in Jakarta Post News Item: A Corpus Analysis

Introduction

In the realm of linguistics, modality plays a crucial role in conveying the speaker's or writer's attitude, opinion, and degree of certainty towards a particular statement or event. The Jakarta Post, a prominent Indonesian newspaper, is no exception. This study aims to investigate the use of modality in the Jakarta Post news, specifically focusing on the type and value of modalities based on Halliday's theory (2014). By analyzing a corpus of online news texts published from August 1 to December 31, 2019, this research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the use of modality in the Jakarta Post news.

Methodology

This study employed a corpus analysis approach to analyze the online news texts published in the Jakarta Post during the specified period. The corpus consisted of four themes: Politics, Education, Sports, and Economics. The analysis focused on identifying the types and values of modalities used in the news texts.

Findings

The analysis revealed two primary types of modalities: Modization and Modulation. Modization, in turn, has two subtypes: Probability and Habit, while Modulation has Obligations and Tendency. Additionally, the study identified three modality values: High, Medium, and Low.

The results showed that four types of news (Politics, Sports, Economics, and Education) tend to use capital operators with a medium value as dominant. However, educational news stood out as it used low modalities with a significant difference of 0.59% compared to the other three types of news. This finding suggests that there is a higher uncertainty in predictions about the future in the field of education, at least in the context of the Jakarta Post news.

Implications

The use of modalities in the news reflects the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed. The dominance of modality in the Jakarta Post news indicates that the writers are generally cautious in conveying information and do not want to give a statement that is too certain or speculative. However, the value of low modalities found in educational news suggests a greater doubt or uncertainty in predictions about the future of the world of education.

Further Analysis

This research opens opportunities for further analysis, such as:

  • Comparing the use of modalities in various mass media: This study could be replicated in other media outlets to see whether similar trends are found in other media.
  • Analyzing the factors that influence the use of modalities: This analysis could explore the factors that influence the use of modalities in news, such as news types, sources of information, and the author's background.
  • Exploring the impact of the use of modality: This study could investigate the impact of the use of modality on the reader's perception of the news.

Conclusion

This corpus analysis provides a deeper understanding of the use of modality in the Jakarta Post news. The findings suggest that the use of modalities reflects the level of certainty of the author and provides an overview of how information is presented in the news context. The study's implications highlight the importance of considering the use of modality in news reporting, particularly in the field of education.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  • News writers and editors: Be aware of the use of modality in news reporting and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed.
  • Researchers: Conduct further research on the use of modalities in various media outlets and explore the factors that influence the use of modalities in news reporting.
  • Educators: Consider the use of modality in educational materials and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

  • Corpus size: The corpus size was limited to online news texts published in the Jakarta Post during a specific period.
  • Theme selection: The study focused on four themes: Politics, Education, Sports, and Economics. Future studies could explore other themes and topics.
  • Methodology: The study employed a corpus analysis approach, which may not capture the nuances of modality use in news reporting.

Future Directions

This study provides a foundation for further research on the use of modality in news reporting. Future studies could explore the following directions:

  • Comparative analysis: Compare the use of modalities in various media outlets and explore the factors that influence the use of modalities in news reporting.
  • Discourse analysis: Conduct a discourse analysis of the use of modality in news reporting and explore the implications for reader perception and understanding.
  • Pedagogical applications: Explore the pedagogical applications of modality in educational materials and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed.
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Use of Modality in Jakarta Post News Item: A Corpus Analysis

Q: What is modality in linguistics?

A: Modality in linguistics refers to the way in which language expresses the speaker's or writer's attitude, opinion, or degree of certainty towards a particular statement or event. It is a crucial aspect of language that helps to convey the level of commitment or commitment to a particular idea or statement.

Q: What are the two primary types of modalities?

A: The two primary types of modalities are Modization and Modulation. Modization has two subtypes: Probability and Habit, while Modulation has Obligations and Tendency.

Q: What is the significance of modality in news reporting?

A: Modality in news reporting is significant because it reflects the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed. It helps to convey the level of commitment or commitment to a particular idea or statement, which is essential in news reporting.

Q: What is the difference between modality and other linguistic features?

A: Modality is distinct from other linguistic features such as tense, aspect, and mood. While tense, aspect, and mood deal with the time and manner of an action, modality deals with the speaker's or writer's attitude, opinion, or degree of certainty towards a particular statement or event.

Q: How does the use of modality affect reader perception?

A: The use of modality can significantly affect reader perception. When readers encounter a statement or event that is presented with a high degree of modality, they are more likely to perceive it as certain or true. Conversely, when readers encounter a statement or event that is presented with a low degree of modality, they are more likely to perceive it as uncertain or speculative.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings for news writers and editors?

A: The study's findings suggest that news writers and editors should be aware of the use of modality in news reporting and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed. This is essential in maintaining the credibility and trustworthiness of news reporting.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the corpus size, theme selection, and methodology. Future studies could explore other themes and topics, and employ different methodologies to capture the nuances of modality use in news reporting.

Q: What are the future directions for research on modality in news reporting?

A: Future studies could explore the following directions:

  • Comparative analysis: Compare the use of modalities in various media outlets and explore the factors that influence the use of modalities in news reporting.
  • Discourse analysis: Conduct a discourse analysis of the use of modality in news reporting and explore the implications for reader perception and understanding.
  • Pedagogical applications: Explore the pedagogical applications of modality in educational materials and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings for educators?

A: The study's findings suggest that educators should consider the use of modality in educational materials and strive to use modalities that accurately reflect the level of certainty and the author's belief in the information conveyed. This is essential in maintaining the credibility and trustworthiness of educational materials.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings for researchers?

A: The study's findings suggest that researchers should consider the use of modality in news reporting and explore the factors that influence the use of modalities in news reporting. This is essential in understanding the complexities of modality use in news reporting and its implications for reader perception and understanding.