Javanese Generation Z Responding to Apology Situations: Negotiating Harmony and Boundaries in Sociopragmatic Interaction

Abstract

Purpose This study investigates the speech act of apology responses among Javanese Generation Z individuals, exploring how modern youth navigate the complex intersection of traditional cultural values and contemporary communicative norms. Method Using a Discourse Completion Task (DCT) comprising eight distinct written situations that systematically vary sociolinguistic dimensions—such as social distance, power dynamics, and offense severity—data was collected from 53 Javanese Generation Z participants, yielding 424 utterances. The collected utterances were analyzed based on a synthesized taxonomy of apology response strategies, categorizing responses into four primary macro-strategies: Acceptance, Acknowledgement, Evasion, and Rejection along with their micro-strategies. Results/findings The findings show a strong tendency toward Acceptance in most situations, reflecting the enduring influence of Javanese values such as rukun (social harmony) and njaga rasa (guarding feelings). However, in more sensitive contexts—such as repeated offenses, peer accountability, and service-related issues—participants shift toward Acknowledgement and Evasion, indicating a more direct and assertive approach. Despite this shift, outright Rejection remains rare, suggesting it is still socially dispreferred. Conclusion Overall, Javanese Generation Z demonstrates a balance between maintaining traditional politeness and adapting to modern expectations of directness and accountability.