Identifying Interpersonal Function in Movie "The Pursuit of Happyness": Job Interview Scene through Functional Linguistics

Authors

  • Partohap Saut Raja Sihombing Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Chintya Sinambela Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Ester Sitorus Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Yemima Pangaribuan Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Sry Butar-butar Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Herman Herman Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
  • Suhono Suhono Universitas Ma’arif Lampung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v5i2.2085

Keywords:

Functional Linguistics, Interpersonal Function, Movie Scene, Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)

Abstract

This research aims to classify the interpersonal meaning in “The Pursuit of Happyness” movie scene, job interview scene. This study employs a descriptive-qualitative method to explore the interpersonal meaning in the language used during a job interview scene from the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness." Utilizing Halliday's framework for functional linguistics, the researchers analyzed 82 clauses from the scene, focusing on mood structures, speech functions, and the use of modality. The analysis revealed that statements were the predominant speech function, consistent with the informative nature of job interviews. The study identified various linguistic elements, such as subjects, finites, predicators, complements, and adjuncts, which are crucial in understanding the characters' use of language to convey their identities, intentions, and social dynamics. The findings contribute to the cross-disciplinary understanding of linguistics, film studies, and communication, offering insights into effective communication strategies in professional settings. The research provides a detailed examination of how language is used to negotiate relationships, express personal attitudes, and enact social roles within the high-stakes communicative situation depicted in the film.

References

Afsari, Y. K., Wijayanti, M. A., & Utomo, D. W. (2025). Investigating interpersonal meaning making in Indonesian EFL learners’ writing: A systemic functional perspective. Voices of English Language Education Society. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v5i2.3922

Bakhtin, M. M. (1981). The dialogic imagination: Four essays (M. Holquist, Ed.; C. Emerson & M. Holquist, Trans.). University of Texas Press.

Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999). Longman grammar of spoken and written English. Longman.

Cheng, S. (2024). A review of interpersonal metafunction studies in systemic functional linguistics (2012–2022). Journal of World Languages, 10(3), 623–667. https://doi.org/10.1515/jwl-2023-0026

Darong, H. C. (2024). Interpersonal meanings in students and teachers’ online learning interaction: SFL study. Talenta Conference Series: Local Wisdom, Social, and Arts, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.32734/lwsa.v5i3.1394

Doe, J., Smith, A., & Brown, L. (2023). Qualitative research methods: Principles and practices. Academic Press.

Eggins, S. (2004). An introduction to systemic functional linguistics (2nd ed.). Continuum.

Eggins, S., & Slade, D. (1997). Analysing casual conversation. Cassell.

Getdah Pah, D. R. (2025). Language Function in Classroom Practice: An SFL Study of Teacher and Student Discourse in Elementary School. International Journal of Systemic Functional Linguistics, 7(1). Retrieved from: https://pusatpublikasi.com/index.php/ijsfl/article/view/230

Grice, H. P. (1975). Logic and conversation. In P. Cole & J. L. Morgan (Eds.), Syntax and semantics: Vol. 3. Speech acts (pp. 41–58). Academic Press.

Guna, S., & Darong, H. (2023). The representation of social actors in EFL textbooks: Systemic Functional Linguistics perspective. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 8(2), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.21462/ijefl.v8i2.649

Halliday, M. A. K. (1985). An introduction to functional grammar. Edward Arnold.

Halliday, M. A. K., & Matthiessen, C. (1997). Working with functional grammar. Arnold.

Halliday, M. A. K., & Matthiessen, C. (2014). Halliday’s Introduction to functional grammar (4th ed.). Routledge.

Hartati, E. (2023). An analysis of mood and speech function in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon talk show. Klausa: Journal of Linguistics. https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v7i1.689

Hassan, R., & Karim, A. (2020). Interpersonal metafunction in institutional discourse: A systemic functional perspective. Journal of Pragmatics, 168, 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2020.06.012

Herman, H., Purba, R., Sijabat, P. A., Saputra, N., Muhammadiah, M., & Thao, N. V. (2022). Investigating the Realization of Speech Function in a Speech through Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective. Script Journal: Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching, 7(01), 31-41. https://doi.org/10.24903/sj.v7i01.917

Herman H, Purba R and Saputra N. (2024). The realization of interpersonal meanings in cosmetic Maybelline New York in 2018 advertisements. F1000Research 2024, 12:968. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.129750.3

Huo, H., & Zhang, Y. (2023). An analysis of the interpersonal function of presidential inaugural speech. International Journal of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, 9(3), 204–207. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijlll.2023.9.3.405

Husni, A., & Wicaksana, D. (2024). Spoken interaction analysis using SFL mood systems. Journal of Linguistic Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-024-09876-3

Ibrahim, S. A. (2021). Modality and interpersonal stance in media interviews: A systemic functional analysis. Discourse, Context & Media, 41, 100487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2021.100487

Istiqomah, S. N., & Abdurrahman, M. (2024). Research trends in Systemic Functional Linguistics studies of language textbooks (2020–2025). Aphorisme: Journal of Arabic Language, Literature, and Education. https://doi.org/10.37680/aphorisme.v6i2.8837

Kaur, J., & Lee, K. Y. (2024). Negotiating interpersonal meanings in televised professional discourse. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 43(2), 215–232. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X231190876

Kislitsyna, N., & Slujbina, A. (2019). Linguo-cognitive features of filmic discourse based on teenagers’ English-language dialogues. Bulletin of Kemerovo State University, 21(2), 513–520. https://doi.org/10.21603/2078-8975-2019-21-2-513-520

Kozloff, S. (2000). Overhearing film dialogue. University of California Press.

Kristianti, E. A. (2020). Interpersonal meanings of modality in Jacinda Ardern’s speeches on COVID-19. LET: Linguistics, Literature and English Teaching Journal, 10(2), 137–156. https://doi.org/10.18592/let.v10i2.3995

Li, Z., & Hu, G. (2022). Mood and modality in professional spoken interactions: An SFL approach. Functional Linguistics, 9(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40554-022-00108-5

López, M. R. (2024). Declarative dominance in evaluative interviews: An interpersonal metafunction analysis. Text & Talk, 44(1), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.1515/text-2023-0021

Ngongo, M., Maromon, E., Loba, D., and Herman. (2022). A systemic functional linguistics analysis of text transitivity of Mathew Gospel, New Testament of Kupang Malay. World Journal of English Language, 12(5), 188-201. DOI: 10.5430/wjel.v12n5p188

Nguyen, T. H. (2023). Interpersonal meaning in workplace communication: Evidence from systemic functional linguistics. Journal of Pragmatics, 210, 56–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2023.04.003

Oliveira, L., & Cunha, M. A. (2023). Clause structure and interpersonal negotiation in institutional talk. Functions of Language, 30(2), 143–167. https://doi.org/10.1075/fol.21015.oli

Pavesi, M. (2020). ‘I shouldn’t have let this happen’: Demonstratives in film dialogue and film representation. In C. Hoffmann & M. Kirner-Ludwig (Eds.), Telecinematic Stylistics (1st ed., pp. 19–38). Bloomsbury Academic. Bloomsbury Collections. Retrieved from http://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/telecinematic-stylistics/ch1-i-shouldn-t-have-let-this-happen/

Rahman, F. (2022). Subject and Finite in institutional interaction: A systemic functional investigation. Lingua, 267, 103213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2021.103213

Saputra, N., Fatmawati, E., Ngongo, M., Herman, H., and Thao, N. V. (2022). Transitivity Analysis on Sri Mulyani’s Speech at Singapore Summit: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Perspective. Humanus: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu-ilmu Humaniora, 21(2), 188-198. DOI: 10.24036/humanus.v21i2.116665

Searle, J. R. (1969). Speech acts: An essay in the philosophy of language. Cambridge University Press.

Shaumiwaty, S., Fatmawati, E., Syathroh, I. L., Siagian, C. B., Anggraini, D. F., and Herman, H. (2024). Understanding the Meaning of an Advertisement Text through Interpersonal Function Analysis. Anglophile Journal, [S.l.], 4(1), 30-37. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v4i1.875.

Silaban, J. P. K., Azzahra, S., & Nurlela. (2025). The language of engagement: Speech functions and mood in the Berkeley Exec Ed podcast. Lexeme: Journal of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.32493/ljlal.v7i2.47300

Silalahi, T. F., Purba, R., Manurung, S. M., Purba, I. P., Butar Butar, L., Herman, H., Batubara, J., and Tannuary, A. (2024). Learning the Meaning of Song Lyrics through the Elements of Ideational Metafunction: A Case on Systemic Functional Linguistics. Anglophile Journal, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 1, p. 61-76. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v4i1.413.

Simanjuntak, N., Simaremare, R. M., Saputra, N., Ngongo, M., and Herman, H. (2022). ‘We all are perfectly imperfect’: An interpersonal metafunction of Muniba Mazari’s speech in a case on systemic functional linguistics. English Review: Journal of English Education, 10(3), 793-800. DOI: 10.25134/erjee.v10i3.7087

Sinaga, Y. K., Situmorang, N. M., Purba, E., Sitompul, H. T., Panjaitan, A., Herman, H., & Thao, N. V. (2023). Conveying the Meaning through Experiential Metafunction on Song Lyrics: A Case on Ideational Metafunction. Anglophile Journal, 3(2), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v3i2.805

Soegiarto, H. (2025). Meaning of speech functions in the 2024 Indonesian presidential candidate debates. International Journal of Education and Social Sciences.

Stubbs, M. (1983). Discourse analysis: The sociolinguistic analysis of natural language. Basil Blackwell.

Susianti, H. W., Suandi, I. N., & Putrayasa, I. B. (2025). Systemic functional approaches to promotional discourse: Mood and modality in tourism communication. Interference: Journal of Language, Literature, and Linguistics, 6(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.26858/interference.v6i2.74073

Sutikno, S., Judijanto, L., Purba, R., Fatmawati, E., Risnawaty, R., Ningrum, D. W., Herman, H., and Saputra, N. (2025). Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of Norman Fairclough's Theory on Gojek YouTube Advertisement GoSend Version: Jadi #BestSellerGoSend Bareng Ariel Noah. Studies in Media and Communication, 13(2), 175-186. https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v13i2.7561

Syafitri, S., & Purwati, P. (2024). Interpersonal metafunction in preschool enrollment brochures. Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Language Teaching, 9(1), 114–124. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v9i1.11106

Syafitri, R. (2025). Interpersonal metafunction in Indonesia’s Independence Day slogans (2015–2025). Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching, 9(1), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v9i1.10746

The Pursuit Of Happiness – Job interview – Inspirational Movie Scenes Ep. 6. (n.d.). YouTube.

(Data source: Scene from 42:50–46:55 of the film The Pursuit of Happyness)

Wang, Y. (2021). Interpersonal metafunction in job interview discourse: A mood analysis. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 52, 100998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2021.100998

Xu, R., & Wijitsopon, R. (2023). Corpus Linguistics and Cinematic Discourse: Lexical Bundles in Mainstream Film Scripts. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(1), 545–574. retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/263456

Yanto, E. S., & Pravitasari, H. (2023). Interpersonal meaning of spoken texts in EFL textbooks: A systemic functional perspective. Wiralodra English Journal, 7(1), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.31943/wej.v7i1.190

Zhang, Q., & Ge, D. (2023). Analysis of persuasive discourse from the perspective of interpersonal function. Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 6(3), 178–181. https://doi.org/10.36348/sijll.2023.v06i03.002

Zheltukhina, M. R., Kislitsyna, N. N., Tameryan, T. Y., Baranova, K. M., Chupryna, O. G., & Sergeeva, O. V. (2023). Identity construction and self-identification of the protagonist in the film media discourse: Multi-modal linguo-semiotic approach. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 13(3), e202323. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/13096

Downloads

Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Partohap Saut Raja Sihombing, Chintya Sinambela, Ester Sitorus, Yemima Pangaribuan, Sry Butar-butar, Herman, H., & Suhono, S. (2025). Identifying Interpersonal Function in Movie "The Pursuit of Happyness": Job Interview Scene through Functional Linguistics. Anglophile Journal, 5(2), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.51278/anglophile.v5i2.2085

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Obs.: This plugin requires at least one statistics/report plugin to be enabled. If your statistics plugins provide more than one metric then please also select a main metric on the admin's site settings page and/or on the journal manager's settings pages.