Politeness of Directive Speech Acts on Social Media Discourse and Its Implications for Strengthening Student Character Education in the Era of Global Education

Abstract: Social media is one of the most influential media in all sectors and structures of socio-cultural life, government law politics, science and technology, and especially education. One of the direct impacts on education is strengthening vs. reducing student character education. The purpose of this research is to (a) explore forms of directive speech acts, (b) identify politeness strategies for directive speech acts; and (c) formulate the implications of the politeness strategies directive speech acts of the #sahkanRUUPKS comments on social media towards student’ character building in the era of global computing-communication. This research is qualitative using hermeneutical psychopragmatic techniques. The object of this research was directive speech acts uttered in the #sahkanRUUPKS comments on social media 2019-2020. Data were conducted through documentation technique, note-taking technique, observation technique, and theoretical triangulation technique. Data were analyzed using politeness model of Brown-Levinson and Leech supported by analysis of politeness model of Indonesian socio-cultural harmony. The results of this research indicated that the form of public’s directive speech acts in supervising government policy plan through social media appeared to be actualized into suggesting, criticizing, reminding, appealing, calling, and reminding. The realization of the category of directive speech acts of politeness indicated that the Indonesian people are participatory and accommodative towards a new plan of policy that brings benefits and good for all. The category of the politeness strategies of directive speech acts are begging and asking had a small frequency because to control the government policy plan which is essential to the value order of people's lives requires strict harmonious control. The Indonesian people had a trend to use positive politeness methods in providing input to the government. The public at the general level still showed social awareness and sensitivity towards government policy plans that are circulated through social media coverage. The forms and intentions developing on social media can be wrapped into teaching materials to strengthen character education and the values of politeness for children in the learning process at school. This can be carried out by criticizing the news circulating on social media through positive politeness strategies and wisdom maxim. The wisdom maxim instilled in children is a vital pillar in strengthening children's character education in the era of global communication.   Keywords: Character Education, Directive Speech Acts of Politeness, Global Education Era, Positive Politeness Strategies, Principle Of Social Harmony.