PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

This paper aims to explore the use of directive speech acts in a local language in a university environment in Central Sulawesi. Pragmatics a multidiciplinary science methodology is adopted here since it focuses on things outside of the language itself. The study of pragmatics is growing and scholar of linguistics are increasingly interested in the context of language in society and its use. One dimension discussed within the field of pragmatics and linguistics is directive speech acts. In academic discourse language is used as an identifier in more ways than only a tool to communicate. The aim then is to identify aim the type of directive local language and function involved in the context of the conversation. The findings of this study can be used in pragmatics of teaching materials at universities. A pragmatic development in teaching materials based on multicultural differences taking into account concepts such as integration, ethnic and cultural differences, race, age, gender, roles, and religions are considered essential to suit the needs of teachers and students. Multicultural aspect is expected to one alternative in pragmatics based local value and socio-cultural.