Analysis of Keigo and Social Factors of the Uchi-Soto Concept in the Japanese Manga Bungou Stray Dogs

Abstract

This study aims to describe the types of honorific language or keigo (sonkeigo, kenjougo, and teineigo) and the factors reflecting the uchi-soto concept in the manga Bungou Stray Dogs (Guild Arc) by Kafka Asagiri. This research adopts a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection was carried out using the observation and note-taking technique (metode simak catat) applied to dialogues within speech balloons in the manga. The data analysis technique involves four stages: classifying the types of keigo based on the theory of Sudjianto & Dahidi (2007), analyzing social factors based on Osamu Mizutani's (1987) theory, analyzing the classification results and social factors in light of the uchi-soto concept, and formulating conclusions to address the research questions. The findings reveal 68 conversation datasets comprising a total of 149 keigo occurrences across three categories: 32 instances of sonkeigo, 5 instances of kenjougo, and 112 instances of teineigo. The social factors triggering the emergence of the uchi-soto concept in keigo usage are familiarity, age, social relations, social status, gender, group membership, and situation. Furthermore, the uchi concept was identified in 33 data points, while the soto concept appeared in 35 data points.

Keywords: keigo, sonkeigo, kenjougo, teineigo, uchi-soto