DICTION ANALYSIS ON MRT ANNOUNCEMENT IN JAKARTA AND SINGAPORE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31851/cfv3jw30Keywords:
Diction, MRT announcement, Singapore, JakartaAbstract
This study analyzes and compares the diction used in English-language announcements on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems in Singapore and Jakarta. As an important medium of public communication, MRT announcements play a crucial role in delivering clear information and ensuring passenger safety. This study applies Biber’s (1988) theory of diction and Sweller’s (1988) Cognitive Load Theory to examine how lexical choices and sentence structures influence the effectiveness of public announcements. A qualitative comparative approach was employed, with data collected through audio recordings of English announcements from both MRT systems. The findings show both MRT systems use formal and informative language. Singapore’s announcements tend to use simpler vocabulary, shorter sentences, and more direct expressions, making the information easier to process. In contrast, Jakarta’s announcements provide more contextual information and denser sentence structures, which require greater cognitive effort from listeners. Overall, the study demonstrates that appropriate diction contributes significantly to effective public communication and offers insights into the application of linguistic principles in multilingual urban transportation settings.
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