Politeness in Kolok Bengkala Sign Language: A Sociopragmatic Study

Abstract

Bengkala Tourism Village, located in the Kubutambahan subdistrict of Buleleng Regency, Bali, is distinguished from other villages by its use of Kolok Bengkala Sign Language (BIKK). This uniqueness has attracted scholarly attention, particularly regarding politeness strategies used in interactions between Bengkala residents and visiting local and international tourists. This study employs a qualitative approach by collecting data through recordings of formal and informal interactions, observation, note-taking, documentation, and interviews with experts in Kolok Bengkala language. The primary data consist of verbal elements in the form of Kolok hand signs supported by situational context, as well as non-verbal elements such as facial expressions, body posture, movements, and eye contact between Kolok individuals and non-Kolok residents. Data were analyzed using pragmatic matching, focusing on how signs are understood, responded to, and interpreted by interlocutors within specific contexts. The findings show that politeness in Kolok Bengkala sign language is expressed not through spoken words but through gestures, including hand movements, facial expressions, body language, gaze direction, physical distance, and light physical contact. These elements function to initiate interaction, build closeness, and replace verbal speech. The identified politeness strategies include positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record strategies. This research enriches sociopragmatic studies of non-verbal politeness and provides guidance for local tourism groups in presenting Kolok language as an inclusive educational attraction.