cover
Contact Name
Henny Indarwaty
Contact Email
henykhair@ub.ac.id
Phone
-
Journal Mail Official
alphabet@ub.ac.id
Editorial Address
Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, Kota Malang, 65145
Location
Kota malang,
Jawa timur
INDONESIA
AlphabetAlphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies
Published by Universitas Brawijaya
ISSN : 2615630X     EISSN : 26156296     DOI : 10.21776/ub.alphabet
Alphabet is an open-access, biannual journal aimed at advancing and disseminating the state-of-the-art knowledge on language, literary and cultural studies. It instills the etymological spirit of the word alphabetos which means learning or lore acquired through reading. Reading, in this context, shall be understood as a process of critically examining or questioning the existing ideas and issues so as to offer alternative answers. In choosing articles for publication, Alphabet prefers manuscripts that present new ideas in the disciplines, originated from empirical, theoretical, and methodological research within both a single discipline and those that sub- or multi-disciplines. It encourages a high standard of scholarship, written in clear and straightforward organization without requiring that authors alter their analytical style and writing voice.
Articles 69 Documents
Local Wisdom and Identity Represented by Pudak Elisabeth Christine Yuwono; Listia Natadjaja
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 1 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (739.039 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.01.05

Abstract

As an archipelago, Indonesia is rich in cultures that exist and grow in its unique regions. It could be influenced by people's habits, thoughts, acts, and geographical characteristics, creating certain values, rec-ognized as local wisdom. Gresik, a small city at the edge of East Java northern coast, has distinctive features; one of them is its traditional snack: Pudak. Traditional snacks are typical because they can be found only in specific regions. As a traditional snack, Pudak has a unique package made of natural material, that is ope. As a cultural product, Pudak and its packaging have interesting local values. This research shows that the making process, packaging materials, and packaging process of Pudak which are the local wisdom and the identity of Gresik. This identity is important because in this globalization era, many people do not know or even care about the cultural meaning of traditional snacks.
Rhetoric and Discourse in Political Speeches Mohammad Riza Zakariya; Nurul Chojimah; Ika Nurhayani
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 2 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (480.29 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.02.02

Abstract

This research investigates the rhetoric and discourse of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo’s speeches regarding to policies and subsidy plans about increasing the price of fuel that are capable of enhancing Indonesian economic recovery and development. Societies reacted differently after they delivered speech in different period. One factor regarding to societies’ different reaction is that the speaker had applied the variety of rhetorical devices and the involvement of discourse device toward in speeches. In accordance with this fact, the goal of this research is to find out the comparison of using persuasive strategies and the involvement of discourse devices toward their rhetorical speeches. In achieving this, the researcher employs descriptive qualitative research because it describes and interprets the process of research without any calculation. Aristotle’s theory about persuasive strategies are employed in the analysis, and then followed by Hasan and Halliday’s theory about discourse. In the findings, the researcher finds all rhetoric strategies which are applied by SBY and JOKOWI. SBY mostly logos in his speech meanwhile Jokowi uses Pathos.  There is the involvement of discourse theory toward the rhetorical speeches. SBY uses conjunction, reference and lexical cohesion, meanwhile Jokowi uses ellipsis conjunction, reference and lexical cohesion.
A Strong Independent (Video Game) Woman Examining Red from Transistor (2014) Najma Litany Adhyaksana
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 2, No 1 (2019)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (1109.746 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2019.02.01.02

Abstract

In the 21st century, gender representation in video games has improved as a response to growing criticisms of stereotyped, denigrating portrayals of women. Despite this progress, some of these depictions persist in female characters who appear in the medium, even within the independent (indie) video game scene. Examining Red as the protagonist of the independent role-playing game Transistor (Supergiant Games, 2014) through a semiotic lens, this paper investigates whether her character is in accordance with the prevailing trend of gender representation, especially as it pertains to sexualization and objectification. This paper argues that rather than sexualizing Red, the narrative and visual aspects of Transistor characterize her as a complex, powerful heroine. Moreover, she initially expresses a high level of autonomy in the game, subverting the damsel-in-distress trope. However, she ultimately loses her agency and succumbs to her dependency towards her male lover. As such, Red embodies contradictory concepts of empowerment and helplessness. This indicates that despite originating from an independent studio, the portrayal of Transistor’s protagonist is still in line with the broader paradigm of gender representation in video games. Specifically, it challenges certain harmful stereotypes of women while reaffirming some of them.
Satire Narrative of Environmental Issues in Jostein Gaarder’s The World According to Anna Rahmawati Nur Azizah
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 1 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (636.452 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.01.06

Abstract

This paper aims to present of how climate problem and literature in Jostein Gaarder's The World According to Anna is portrayed, argued, and related to each other. Approaching through Ecocriticism, the result of the analysis shows that there are several environmental issues appearing in the novel. These are concerning oil vanishing, plant and animal extinction, drought and famine. Gaarder presents the environmental issues both in a satire and connects it with a political and economic system as well. Whereas Gaarder inclines to accept commonsense in Orientalism outlook in his way to describe the Middle East and Europe, the novel uses the Aladdin's letter and his ring in terms of the ethical messages. In such a way, both are considered as the inheritance to the next generation in an effort of preserving biological
Implicit Instruction, Subtitles, Vocabulary and Listening Comprehension Eny Kusumawati; Hasan Hasan
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 2 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (504.311 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.02.06

Abstract

This current study is focusing on the impact of English movies with English subtitles and Bahasa Indonesia subtitles on content comprehension of English movies through the students’ listening comprehension. Fifty-six (56) students of English subject at the Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya were selected randomly. Using the quasi-experimental study, a movie entitled Transcendence was selected based on the ESP content and language level difficulty.  With two intact groups, they were group A and group B presented the same movie, class A watched it with English subtitle and class B with Bahasa Indonesia subtitle. After watching the movie, the participants answered the relevant multiple-choice vocabulary by listening session questions and content comprehension questions, they answer the questions on the paper. The data gathered were subjected to the statistical procedure of paired sample t-test. The results showed that English subtitle has an impact better than Bahasa Indonesia subtitle. However, this statistical data failed to show that they get greater development on their vocabulary comprehension. Those findings showed that the students’ listening comprehension does not have any impact on their vocabulary comprehension. 
Phonological Differences in the Sub-Dialect of Dayak Desa Dawak and Dayak Desa Belungai Ermina Toliang
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 2, No 1 (2019)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (1689.903 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2019.02.01.03

Abstract

Dayak Desa language has five sub-dialects, namely Dayak Desa Dawak (DDD), Dayak Desa Belungai (DDB), Dayak Desa Ulu, Dayak Desa Meranggau and Dayak Desa Semalak. This research only deals with the analyses of phonological differences in the sub-dialect of Dayak Desa Dawak (DDD) and Dayak Desa Belungai (DDB) that is located in Toba District. The goal is to document the language from a phonological point of view. This research uses a list of 200 Swadesh vocabularies. The participants were asked to pronounce the words in the list and recorded by PRAAT. The result of the recording was verified by the spectrogram. The findings showed differences between the two sub-dialects such as raising the vowel sound in the closed syllable: /ɛ~i/, raising the vowel sound in the open syllable: /ɛ~ə/, the consonant alteration in the first syllable: /s/~/h/, the consonant alteration in the last syllable: /s~h/, /ŋ~n/, /r~ɾ/ and sound:/ɲ~j/, and the consonant insertion in the first syllable: /Ø~n/.  The difference exemplified by the phoneme /r/ of DDD which changes into /ɾ/ in DDB becomes the special characteristic for DDB. 
Critical Thinking Questions in the Reading Section of EFL Textbooks Sri Yuliana; Novalita Fransisca Tungka
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 1 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (684.38 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.01.01

Abstract

In this article, we discuss how far EFL textbooks used as teaching materials for second grade students in senior high schools in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi province, accommodate critical thinking skill in the textbook’s reading comprehension section. The assumption underlying this discussion is that an ideal EFL textbook is supposed to meet the needs to accommodate critical thinking skill as one of the required skills in the 21st century. In doing so, Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy and four levels of comprehension were used to examine the questions level and which level of reading comprehension each question falls into. The sources of data were two commercially published and one government-published EFL textbooks. The discussion in this paper leads to which EFL textbook accommodates critical thinking skill in the form of WH questions in its reading comprehension section.
Positive-Self and Negative-Other Representation in the Online News Behind Indonesia’s Anti-Chinese Riots and Indonesia Turns Its Chinese into Scapegoats Kiantoro Andiek Setiawan; Nurul Chojimah; Ismatul Khasanah
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 1 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (530.972 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.01.07

Abstract

Anti-Chinese riots (1998) was reported in Behind Indonesia’s Anti-Chinese Riot and Indonesia Turns Its Chinese into Scapegoats. This study aims to reveal the ways how lexical choices in articles constructed positive-self [henceforth (+)] and negative-other [henceforth (-)] representation. Van Dijk’s Critical Dis-course Analysis was used specifically on the lexical choice to analyze discourse. The socialism and liberal-ism theories were examined to analyze cognition and the history of Chinese Indonesians in Indonesia was explored to analyze society. Finding shows the article uses biased lexical choices. The articles represent Chinese Indonesian as a victim; Indonesian Government, Police, Military, Press, Moslem as a provocateur; and Native Indonesians as a prosecutor. Also, the articles present social and liberal ideology. Hence, the readers must be aware of the representation since it can shape their belief.
Argumentation in Political Interview: Critical Discourse Analysis of Abdurrahman Wahid’s Controversial Regime Yuniar Rachmawati Putri
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 1, No 2 (2018)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (496.653 KB) | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2018.01.02.03

Abstract

Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) was dismissed as a president in 2001 due to his controversial acts. Australia Corporation (2001) conducted political interview to talk about his dismissal and the parliament, which against him. This article observes microstructure analysis in Abdurrahman Wahid interview. It presents a new way to analyse the Microstructures by providing the reader with illocutionary act analysis as well to support the ‘Action’ of the discourse (Wahid’s utterances). Humanism thought, which underlies his positive actions towards his dismissal, is used. Six values of Wahid are divinity, humanity, justice, equality, liberty, and local wisdom. Then, his leadership is worth appreciating as a charismatic leadership due to his positive (humanism) actions. Findings show that Wahid uses the positive acts toward his dismissal and people who against him. This article suggests for the future researchers to discuss more detail about the whole theory of Teun Van Dijk (Macrostructures, Microstructures and Superstructures).
Locating Postcolonial Locality through Children Literature in building Social Conflict Reconciliation Winda Candra Hantari; Ali Imron
Alphabet: A Biannual Academic Journal on Language, Literary, and Cultural Studies Vol 2, No 2 (2019)
Publisher : Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21776/ub.alphabet.2019.02.02.01

Abstract

This study aims to produce a nonformal literary learning model for children contribute to social conflict reconciliation which is acceptable and contains locality values in a postcolonial perspective. The perspective enables participants involved in this learning process to understand their role in (re) producing or changing discourse exposed in the learning process; to connect literacy with problem solving for conflict reconciliation, to connect content learned in non-formal academic situations with the current situation of the digital world in daily life exposed to global trends. The learning model was observed on residents affected by the relocation of the construction of the Yogyakarta International Airport consisting of 4 Villages. There are 16 samples which are elementary school age children, and 16 samples of their mothers. Sampling using a purposive random sampling technique. The data collection method uses the method of documentation, observation, and two questionnaires namely PK and KT series. Data analysis was qualitative using Cohen-Kappa coefficient analysis. The result shows that the procedure for developing informal literary learning model in 4 affected villages is able to produce appropriate and applicable mentoring models in accordance with 3 classifications namely literacy capital, knowledge of locality, and perception of otherness. The coefficient of inter-rater κ results from an evaluation of the accuracy of the model is 0.75 therefore it meets the level of feasibility model.