Unravelling Cultured Politeness: IAIN Ternate KKN Students in the Heart of North Maluku

Abstract

This study examines the politeness strategies used by IAIN Ternate students during the Community Service program (KKN), focusing on the politeness theory proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987). This study uses a descriptive qualitative method to gain an in-depth understanding of the types of politeness strategies applied in students’ daily interactions during the KKN program, both in formal contexts, such as group meetings, and informal situations, such as eating together and casual conversations. Data were collected through participatory observation, recorded conversations, and in-depth interviews with KKN students. Recorded conversations were transcribed and translated with the help of native speakers of the North Maluku language to ensure linguistic accuracy. In addition, interviews with local students were conducted to understand how they perceive cultural values in politeness. The results found that all types of politeness strategies were found in daily conversations during KKN: on record politeness, positive politeness, negative politeness, and off record. This study showed that local cultural values such as solidarity, respect, and inviolability strongly influence the way IAIN Ternate students communicate, regulating the balance between politeness and effectiveness in social interactions. These results underline that politeness is not only universal but also highly contextualized, depending on local social and cultural norms.