Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research

an Open Access Journal

Forensic Linguistic Analysis of Defamation in Everyday Life

Ndamononghenda Ndalipo Ndatyapo
Namibia University
Namibia
ndamononda@gmail.com
Zulgadda Abdulkarimli
Azerbaijan University of Languages ROR
Azerbaijan
Yan Aihua
Universiti of Malaysia Sabah ROR
Malaysia
Rowela Basa
University of Santo Tomas ROR
Philippines
Share

  • Purpose of the study: This study integrates forensic linguistic analysis of word choices, sentence structure, and pragmatic context in both direct and digital communication to explore defamation cases. It examines the motives, impacts, and dynamics of language in such cases through interviews with victims, perpetrators, legal experts, and document analysis. The study connects forensic linguistics with law and communication ethics to foster cross-disciplinary understanding and offer practical guidelines for handling and preventing defamation, while promoting responsible communication.

    Methodology: Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the study collects data via in-depth interviews, direct observation, and legal document analysis, including court decisions and police reports. Data analysis involves reduction, categorization of linguistic aspects (word choice, sentence structure, pragmatic context), and interpretation based on forensic linguistics and legal theories, with triangulation for validation.

    Main Findings: The findings reveal that defamation often involves linguistic elements that can be analyzed for legal processes. Digital media plays a significant role in spreading defamation, highlighting the need for better regulation and education. The impact on victims is multidimensional, affecting psychological, social, and economic aspects. Through forensic linguistic analysis, the study contributes both theoretically and practically to resolving defamation cases fairly and effectively.

    Novelty/Originality of this study: This research offers a novel, multidisciplinary approach to defamation, analyzing both direct and digital communication. It provides a holistic view of linguistic, legal, and ethical aspects, offering practical solutions for media regulation, ethical communication education, and psychological support for victims.

  • How to cite

    Forensic Linguistic Analysis of Defamation in Everyday Life. (2024). Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research, 1(2), 102-110. https://doi.org/10.37251/jolle.v1i2.1382

    More Citation Formats

  • 810
    Abstract views
    888
    Downloads

    Metrics — Badges

    1. M. G. Ariani, F. Sajedi, and M. Sajedi, “Forensic linguistics: A brief overview of the key elements,” Procedia - Soc. Behav. Sci., vol. 158, pp. 222–225, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.078. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.078
    2. M. Umiyati, “A literature review of forensic linguistics,” IJFL (International J. Forensic Linguist., vol. 1, no. 1, p. 23, 2020, doi: 10.22225/.2.1.1603.1-6.
    3. J. Catoto, “On courtroom questioning: A forensic linguistic analysis,” SSRN Electron. J., vol. 14, no. 6, 2022, doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4137842. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4137842
    4. N. L. N. S. Malini and V. Tan, “Forensic linguistics analysis of virginia woolf’s suicide notes,” Int. J. Educ., vol. 9, no. 1, p. 50, 2016, doi: 10.17509/ije.v9i1.3718. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ije.v9i1.3718
    5. R. Sousa-Silva, “Fighting the fake: A forensic linguistic analysis to fake news detection,” Int. J. Semiot. Law, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 2409–2433, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11196-022-09901-w. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-022-09901-w
    6. R. W. L. Moberly, “Linguistics in forensic linguistics expertise (Method and Truth),” Harv. Theol. Rev., vol. 113, no. 4, pp. 528–542, 2020, doi: 10.1017/s0017816020000267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0017816020000267
    7. A. Alduais, M. A. Al-Khulaidi, S. Allegretta, and M. M. Abdulkhalek, “Forensic linguistics: A scientometric review,” Cogent Arts Humanit., vol. 10, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.1080/23311983.2023.2214387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2214387
    8. Y. Kovkina, M. Aloyan, and L. Avoyan, “Relevance of forensic linguistic speech analysis in criminal cases regarding threat incrimination,” Theory Pract. Forensic Sci. Crim., vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 98–108, 2022, doi: 10.32353/khrife.3.2022.06. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32353/khrife.3.2022.06
    9. K. K. Kapoor, K. Tamilmani, N. P. Rana, P. Patil, Y. K. Dwivedi, and S. Nerur, “Advances in social media research,” Inf. Syst. Front., vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 531–558, 2018, doi: 10.1007/s10796-017-9810-y Advances. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-017-9810-y
    10. C. Wang and P. Zhang, “The evolution of social commerce: The people, management, technology, and information dimensions,” Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 105–127, 2012, doi: 10.17705/1cais.03105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.03105
    11. J. C. Bertot, P. T. Jaeger, and D. Hansen, “The impact of polices on government social media usage: Issues, challenges, and recommendations,” Gov. Inf. Q., vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 30–40, 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.giq.2011.04.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2011.04.004
    12. A. Majchrzak, S. Faraj, G. C. Kane, and B. Azad, “The contradictory influence of social media affordances on online communal knowledge sharing,” J. Comput. Commun., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 38–55, 2013, doi: 10.1111/jcc4.12030. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcc4.12030
    13. B. N. R. B Narasimha Rao, “A Study on positive and negative effects of social media on society,” J. Sci. Technol., vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 46–54, 2022, doi: 10.46243/jst.2022.v7.i10.pp46-54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46243/jst.2022.v7.i10.pp46-54
    14. T. P. Mackey and T. E. Jacobson, “Reframing information literacy as a metaliteracy,” Coll. Res. Libr., vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 62–78, 2011, doi: 10.5860/crl-76r1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/crl-76r1
    15. D. Höttecke and D. Allchin, “Reconceptualizing nature-of-science education in the age of social media,” Sci. Educ., vol. 104, no. 4, pp. 641–666, 2020, doi: 10.1002/sce.21575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21575
    16. C. M. Leong, A. M. W. Loi, and S. Woon, “The influence of social media eWOM information on purchase intention,” J. Mark. Anal., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 145–157, 2022, doi: 10.1057/s41270-021-00132-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41270-021-00132-9
    17. S. Herwin, Mahmudah, “Analisis kejahatan berbahasa dalam bersosial media,” Fon J. Pendidik. Bhs. dan Sastra Indones., vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 159–168, 2021, doi: 10.25134/fon.v17i2.4431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25134/fon.v17i2.4431
    18. R. R. de Mendonça, D. F. de Brito, F. de Franco Rosa, J. C. dos Reis, and R. Bonacin, “A framework for detecting intentions of criminal acts in social media: A case study on twitter,” Inf., vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1–40, 2020, doi: 10.3390/info11030154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/info11030154
    19. S. Savaş and N. Topaloğlu, “Data analysis through social media according to the classified crime,” Turkish J. Electr. Eng. Comput. Sci., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 407–420, 2019, doi: 10.3906/elk-1712-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3906/elk-1712-17
    20. A. Ben-David and A. Matamoros-Fernández, “Hate speech and covert discrimination on social media: Monitoring the Facebook pages of extreme-right political parties in Spain,” Int. J. Commun., vol. 10, pp. 1167–1193, 2016, doi: 1932–8036/20160005.
    21. Q. Xu, M. Cai, and T. K. MacKey, “The illegal wildlife digital market: An analysis of Chinese wildlife marketing and sale on Facebook,” Environ. Conserv., vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 206–212, 2020, doi: 10.1017/S0376892920000235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892920000235
    22. S. Armoogum, D. A. Dewi, V. Armoogum, N. Melanie, and T. B. Kurniawan, “Unveiling criminal activity: A social media mining approach to crime prediction,” J. Appl. Data Sci., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 1482–1494, 2024, doi: 10.47738/jads.v5i3.350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47738/jads.v5i3.350
    23. Ahmad Wildan Rofrofil Akmal, “Eksistensi penerapan keadilan restoratif melalui mediasi penal perspektif maslahah mursalah di Indonesia,” Yurispruden J. Fak. Huk. Univ. Islam Malang, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 200–222, 2024, doi: 10.33474/yur.v7i2.21598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33474/yur.v7i2.21598
    24. T. Manihuruk, R. Pratiwi, and M. Afrizal, “Penegakan hukum terhadap tindak pidana pencemaran nama baik melalui media elektronik,” J. Huk. Respublica Fak. Huk. Univ. Lancang Kuning, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 45–60, 2020, doi: 10.31849/respublica.v22i2.13980.
    25. H. Nasution, “Pencemaran nama baik dalam perspektif linguistik forensik,” Kelasa, vol. 14, no. 1, 2020, doi: 10.26499/kelasa.v14i1.77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26499/kelasa.v14i1.77
    26. S. Arimi, M. Adelawati, U. G. Mada, J. S. Humaniora, K. Malang, and D. I. Yogyakarta, “Kasus hukum Ahmad Dhani : Kajian linguistik forensik,” Suar Betang, vol. 19, no. 4, 2023, doi: 10.26499/surbet.v19i1.14995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26499/surbet.v19i1.14995
    27. Y. Suryani, R. Istianingrum, and S. U. Hanik, “Linguistik forensik ujaran kebencian terhadap artis Aurel Hermansyah di media sosial instagram,” BELAJAR Bhs. J. Ilm. Progr. Stud. Pendidik. Bhs. dan Sastra Indones., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 107–118, 2021, doi: 10.32528/bb.v6i1.4167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32528/bb.v6i1.4167
    28. M. Mintowati, “Pencemaran nama baik: Kajian linguistik forensik,” Paramasastra, vol. 3, no. 2, 2016, doi: 10.26740/parama.v3i2.1525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26740/parama.v3i2.1525
    29. R. Halid, “Tindak tutur pelaku pecemaran nama baik di media sosial kajian linguistik forensik,” KREDO J. Ilm. Bhs. dan Sastra, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 441–458, 2022, doi: 10.24176/kredo.v5i2.6342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24176/kredo.v5i2.6342
    30. M. B. Asri, D. Karsana, B. Riset, and N. Brin, “Lama dan paradigma baru terhadap penanganan kasus penghinaan dan / atau pencemaran nama baik melalui media sosial di polda Sulawesi Tengah,” KOLITA Konf. Linguist. Tah. Atma Jaya 20, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 201–211, 2021, doi: 10.25170/kolita.20.3796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25170/kolita.20.3796
    31. F. Fatahuddin, E. Iswary, and F. Saleh, “Tindak tutur asertif pencemaran nama baik di sosial media,” J. Idiom. J. Pendidik. Bhs. dan Sastra Indones., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 8–22, 2022, doi: 10.46918/idiomatik.v5i1.1412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46918/idiomatik.v5i1.1412
    32. D. Rika Widianita, “Penyuluhan etika dan attitude bermedia sosial di usia remaja pada tingkat sekolah menengah atas,” AT-TAWASSUTH J. Ekon. Islam, vol. VIII, no. I, pp. 1–19, 2023, doi: 10.36987/ikabinaenpabolo.v3i2.4721.
    33. N. Meilinda, F. Malinda, and S. M. Aisyah, “Literasi digital pada remaja digital (sosialisasi pemanfaatan media sosial bagi pelajar sekolah menengah atas),” J. Abdimas Mandiri, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 62–69, 2020, doi: 10.36982/jam.v4i1.1047. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36982/jam.v4i1.1047
    34. T. Yeldy, H. A. Putra, N. Yuliana, U. Sultan, and A. Tirtayasa, “Peran influencer kontroversial dalam membentuk gaya komunikasi pengikutnya,” Triwikrama J. Multidisiplin Ilmu Sos., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 2023–2054, 2023, doi: 10.6578/triwikrama.v2i5.1069.
    35. I. Rahmawati, “The analysis of cyber crime threat risk management to increase cyber defense,” J. Pertahanan Bela Negara, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 51–66, 2017, doi: 10.33172/jpbh.v7i2.193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33172/jpbh.v7i2.193
    36. A. U. H. Prabu Wisnu Puji Wibowo, Leli Indriyani, Muhammad Hanif Abdurrahman, “Menelaah para oknum yang tidak bijak dalam menggunakan media sosial atau cyberspace,” Kult. J. Ilmu Hukum, Sos. dan Hum., vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 320–330, 2023, doi: 10.572349/kultura.v1i5.565.
    37. M. Fadhli, Sufiyandi, and Wisman, “Peningkatan kesadaran masyarakat dalam menggunakan bahasa yang bijak di media sosial pada era digitalisasi,” J. Abdi Pendidik., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 25–31, 2020, doi: 10.33369/abdipendidikan.1.1.25%20-31.
    38. L. W. Evelina, “Analisis isu S (suku) A (agama) R (ras) A (antar golongan) di media social Indonesia,” J. Ultim. Comm, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 107–122, 2015, doi: 10.31937/ultimacomm.v7i1.426. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31937/ultimacomm.v7i1.426
    39. F. Pahlevi, “Pemberantasan korupsi di Indonesia perspektif legal system lawrence M. Freidmen,” El-Dusturie, vol. 1, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.21154/eldusturie.v1i1.4097. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21154/eldusturie.v1i1.4097
    40. D. Maharani and M. F. Hakim, “Sosialisasi penggunaan etiket media sosial dan bahaya penyalahgunaan media sosial pada siswa-siswi MTS Al Muawanah,” Massa APJIKI J. …, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 63–67, 2023, doi: 10.25008/massa.v1i2.202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25008/massa.v1i2.202
    41. D. Wulandari and B. Ramadi, “Peran media sosial dalam mengungkapkan kasus korupsi dan dampak terhadap opini publik,” J. Huk. dan Kewarganegaraan, vol. 1, no. 2, 2023, doi: 10.3783/causa.v1i2.642.
    42. B. J. Soetanto et al., “Penggunaan bahasa tabu oleh generasi Z kota Surabaya dimedia sosial tiktok,” J. Serunai Ilmu Pendidik., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 294–306, 2023, doi: 10.24967/jcs.v8i2.2313. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24967/jcs.v8i2.2313
    43. E. Sholihatin, “An analysis of illocutionary and perlocutionary speech act in defamation texts,” J. Lang. Lang. Teach., vol. 7, no. 1, p. 49, 2020, doi: 10.33394/jollt.v7i1.1438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v7i1.1438
    44. A. F. Christie, “Defamation law’s chilling effect: a comparative content analysis of Australian and US newspapers,” Media Arts Law Rev., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 279–291, 2007, doi: 10.18415/ijmmu.v10i4.4643.
    45. A. Antony, “Balancing justice and reconciliation: Restorative approaches to criminal defamation settlement,” Barelang J. Leg. Stud., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 15–30, 2023, doi: 10.37253/barjoules.v1i1.7749.
    46. A. U. Hosnah, H. Antoni, and R. Yofany, “Law enforcement against perpetrators of defamation through social media based on the ITE law,” Int. J. Multicult. Multireligious Underst., no. 11, pp. 362–372, 2023, doi: 10.18415/ijmmu.v10i4.4643.
    47. M. Zifana, I. Lukmana, and D. Sudana, “The portrayal of defamation case defendant in court verdict,” Indones. J. Appl. Linguist., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 94–103, 2021, doi: 10.17509/ijal.v11i1.34672. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v11i1.34672
    48. J. Yang and Y. Wang, “An study of the type of interorganizational defamation risk based on Grounded Theory —— an analysis from the Chinese scenario,” Int. J. Front. Sociol., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 75–88, 2019, doi: 10.25236/IJFS.2019.010108.
    49. E. Sholihatin, S. Sukirmiyadi, and N. Haryono, “Analysis of police investigation interviews in defamation cases: A forensic linguistics perspective,” J. Lang. Lang. Teach., vol. 12, no. 3, p. 1137, 2024, doi: 10.33394/jollt.v12i3.12064. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i3.12064
    50. Z. Zakaria and S. A. Harun, “Cyber defamation awareness among sdolescent: Case studies in one private institution,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 1529, no. 5, 2020, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1529/5/052087. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1529/5/052087
    51. O. Mailani, I. Nuraeni, S. A. Syakila, and J. Lazuardi, “Bahasa sebagai alat komunikasi dalam kehidupan manusia,” Kampret J., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2022, doi: 10.35335/kampret.v1i1.8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35335/kampret.v1i1.8
    52. S. Mislikhah, “Kesantunan tuturan,” Ar-Raniry Int. J. Islam. Stud., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 285--296, 2014, doi: 10.22373/jar.v1i2.7384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20859/jar.v1i2.18
    53. W. Waridah, “Berkomunikasi dengan berbahasa yang efektif dapat meningkatkan kinerja,” J. SIMBOLIKA Res. Learn. Commun. Study, vol. 2, no. 2, 2016, doi: 10.31289/simbollika.v2i2.1036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31289/simbollika.v2i2.1036
    54. M. A. Putri, F. Arifin, and A. Hadziq, “Stimulasi bahasa anak usia dini melalui metode bercerita,” J. Islam. Early Child. Educ., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 55–71, 2020, doi: 10.22515/abna.v1i1.3264.
    55. G. N. K. Putrayasa, “Peran dan fungsi bahasa Indonesia dalam pembangunan bangsa,” J. Ecobisma, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 26–34, 2014, doi: 10.31004/jrpp.v7i3.31293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36987/ecobi.v1i1.1397
    56. K. Furqan, Muhammad Syarif, Hasrat Efendi Samosir, “Peran retorika dalam media sosial dan pengaruhnya terhadap pemilih muda pada pemilihan umum,” KALAM J. Agama dan Sos. Hum., vol. 11, no. 2, 2023, doi: 10.47574/kalam.v11i2.200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47574/kalam.v11i2.200
    57. N. R. Ruzibaeva, “Understanding pragmatic analysis in linguistics: Unraveling the intricacies of contextual communication,” Eur. Int. J. Philol. Sci., vol. 3, no. 12, pp. 6–10, 2023, doi: 10.55640/eijps-03-12-02. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55640/eijps-03-12-02
    58. R. Setyawan and T. Wiraatmaja, “The analysis of semantic and pragmatic context in,” Celt. A J. Cult. English Lang. Teaching, Lit. Linguist., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 45–57, 2018, doi: 10.22219/celtic.v5i2.7619. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/celtic.v5i2.7619
    59. I. Abushihab, “A Pragmatic stylistic framework for text analysis,” Int. J. Educ., vol. 7, no. 1, p. 110, 2015, doi: 10.5296/ije.v7i1.7015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v7i1.7015
    60. D. S. Khramchenko, “How headlines communicate: A functional-pragmatic analysis of small-format texts in English-language mass media,” Training, Lang. Cult., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 30–38, 2023, doi: 10.22363/2521-442X-2023-7-2-30-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22363/2521-442X-2023-7-2-30-38
    61. B. W. Head, “Evidence-Based Policymaking - Speaking Truth to Power?,” Aust. J. Public Adm., vol. 72, no. 4, pp. 397–403, 2013, doi: 10.1111/1467-8500.12037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8500.12037