An Analysis of Imperative Speech Acts in Indonesian Language Captions on Instagram @solarchapter (A Pragmatic Study)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the use of imperative speech acts in the captions of the Instagram account @solarchapter. Through a pragmatic analysis, the research explores the functions and meanings of imperative speech acts in directing, advising, or requesting actions from the audience. A qualitative descriptive method with a pragmatic approach was employed in this study. Data were collected from several captions posted on the Instagram account @solarchapter. The findings reveal that imperative speech acts are effectively used to engage followers and prompt specific actions. Moreover, the study highlights that imperatives in Instagram captions serve not only as commands but also as invitations, requests, and suggestions. These functions are adapted to the informal yet persuasive nature of social media communication. By combining directive language with contextual sensitivity, the captions successfully encourage interaction and participation. This research provides valuable insights into the strategic use of imperative speech acts in digital and social media communication. It emphasizes the importance of language adaptation to the interactive and informal dynamics of platforms like Instagram. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of linguistic practices in digital environments and offer practical implications for enhancing communication strategies in social media contexts.