Speech Act Strategy Uttered by Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai as the Instrument of Empowerment

Abstract

Women’s voice has been heard by the society for the past few years. There are a lot of movements created by women to support each other, for example, Women’s March, Time’s Up, #MeToo, and HeForShe. This movement will lead to more recognition of women in various expertise. Consequently, those amazing women are able to meet in one situation. The certain situation leads women to do a conversation. The conversation between women also includes different kinds of speech acts. This study aims to find the speech act uttered by Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai as the instrument of empowerment. The result of the study shows that Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai are mostly using directive speech acts in their speeches. The purpose of the directive speech act is to make people do something. Emma and Malala use directive speech act to empower people to accomplish something. The use of the directive speech act also related to the third-wave feminism movement. This movement establishes women to be bold, empowered, and brave. So, the third wave of feminism also influences Emma and Malala as bold and empowered women. They empower other people to do something through their speech act because they are empowered, women.