The particular dialect or language that a person chooses to use on any occasion is called a code 216 Copyright © 2025 The Author IDEAS is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 License Issued by English study program of IAIN Palopo IDEAS Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) Volume 13, Number 1, June 2025 pp.216 - 230 Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' Vivi Novalia Sitinjak1, Gihon Kusy Marpaung2, Ella Meidelin Kokardi3, Novelia4, Susanti5 1,2,3,4,5Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Sumatra Utara E-mail: ellamdlkokardi@gmail.com Received: 2024-04-01 Accepted: 2025-03-27 DOI: 10.24256/ideas. v13i1.4957 Abstract People listen to music a lot nowadays due to the emotional connections it creates. Moreover, music, especially songs, can be a convenient and enjoyable form of entertainment and expression in people's daily lives. This study focused on one of the subdiscipline of discourse analysis, namely transitivity. The analysis of transitivity in this study is using the theory of Halliday & Matthiessen (2014) that ttransitivity process consists of 6 processes: material process, mental process, relational process, behavioral process, verbal process and existential process. The source of data is based on Ariana Grande’s album “thank u, next” and taking its song lyrics to be explored. The study results show that the material process consists of ninety-nine clauses; the mental process consists of two hundred forty-one clauses; the relational process consists of fifty-one clauses; the behavioral process consists of seventy-five clauses; the verbal process consist of forty-one clauses; and the existential process consist of two clauses. So, it can be concluded the total clauses existing in this album are five hundred and eight clauses. Keywords: Ariana Grande; song lyrics; transitivity process Introduction Some songs have clear and straightforward meanings, while others are more open to interpretation and may have more profound or abstract meanings. When listening to a song, one can interpret it in different ways. The lyrics and music together can express feelings, stories, or thoughts about various topics, such as love, social issues, personal experiences, or politics. The songwriter's intention shapes the song's meaning. Various factors, such as cultural, historical, and personal contexts, can shape the interpretation of a song. How listeners perceive and understand the meaning of a song can be unique to each individual, depending on their own experiences, http://u.lipi.go.id/1457703302 mailto:ellamdlkokardi@gmail.com1 IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 217 beliefs, and perspectives. This means that what one person takes away from a song may not necessarily be the same as what another person interprets. The context in which a song is heard can significantly influence how we understand and relate to its lyrics and melody. It is widely acknowledged that language plays a crucial role in creating song lyrics. This is because language is considered an effective medium for conveying information (Riandini, 2024). The choice of words, phrasing, and overall lyric structure are crucial in creating impactful and unforgettable song lyrics, as they significantly affect the listener's understanding and emotional response. Music impacts our well-being. It's linked to our emotions, memories, and social roles. By recognizing its ecological materiality, we can understand how it shapes our environment and influences our health (DeNora, 2013). Furthermore, from (Hesmondhalgh, 2013), stated that, music is a universal language that connects experiences, evokes emotions, and transports us to different times and places. Ariana Grande, a singer and songwriter, is widely known for her successful music career. Her powerful vocals, impressive vocal range, and catchy pop hits have made her famous. Born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, Ariana Grande is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2013, she released her debut album called "Yours Truly," which featured "The Way," a hit single. Grande's music usually combines elements of pop, R&B, and soul. Some of her other well-known songs include "Problem," "Bang Bang," "Side to Side," and "Thank U, Next." She has won several awards, including Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and has a massive, global fan base. Ariana Grande has been the subject of much media attention regarding her personal life. She has been in the public eye for her relationships, activism, and overall image. Additionally, Grande has been involved in several charitable causes and has used her platform to raise awareness for important social justice issues. Ariana Grande's album "thank u, next" explores the intricacies of romantic and sexual relationships, mirroring the experiences of the millennial generation. What makes the album unique is the way it imbues each song with a feeling of self- empowerment and self-validation while at the same time acknowledging the hurt that comes with heartbreak. Grande's music is both comforting and innovative, with infectious beats and memorable melodies that convey her authentic emotions and her experiences with trauma. The result is a powerful, inspiring, stunning album that resonates with listeners worldwide (Kameir, 2019). Discourse analysis studies language in social contexts, examining how it constructs meaning, social identities, power relations, and practices. According to (Adedun & Sekyi, 2014), discourse analysis studies language, communication, and Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 218 social interactions, including their cultural contexts, power dynamics, and societal effects. Besides that, from (Johnstone, 2018), stated that discourse analysis helps study language structure, meanings, and social practices. It provides insights into linguistic and social aspects of language use. Transitivity is a linguistic system that determines the structure and meaning of sentences. Transitivity classifies verbs and clauses based on their relationship to other sentence elements. Transitive verbs need an object, while intransitive ones do not. It helps us understand how verbs relate to participants and circumstances in a clause (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). While (Thompson, 2014) stated that transitivity analysis identifies grammatical metaphors through subject, verb, and object relationships. A metaphor is likely present if the verb does not usually match the subject and object. The writer found a previous study with the same topic but with a different source of data. The title is ‘Transitivity Analysis of Taylor Swift’s Lyrics in Midnights Album’ by (Max, Vivian, Putra, & Kuncara, 2023). Using Halliday's transitivity framework and Simpson's stylistic approach to lyrics, an analysis has been conducted on the album "Midnights" by Taylor Swift. Through this study, it has been discovered that the songs in the album possess three dominant processes that contribute to the overall meaning of the album. These processes shed light on the songwriter's perspective on various subjects such as love, relationships, self- contempt, and revenge. This research can be helpful for those who are interested in exploring popular culture texts and improving their English language skills. Based on the previous study above, the writer discussed the types of processes and the dominant types of processes. This research mainly focuses on analyzing and discussing the different types of procedures evident in the musical compositions present in Ariana Grande's album "thank u, next". Method The writer uses qualitative research techniques to explore the linguistic and contextual aspects of the album's song lyrics, providing a nuanced understanding of the themes and messages conveyed through the music. Qualitative research interprets subjective experiences and meanings, exploring cultural contexts that influence social phenomena (Creswell, 2013). An extensive dataset of Ariana Grande's lyrical content from the album "Thank U, Next" will be used in this study. The album was released in 2019, and this dataset will be the primary textual material for the research study. In-depth analysis of this comprehensive dataset will be a critical aspect of the research process to uncover insightful findings. The usage of this dataset is anticipated to provide a complete comprehension of the themes and messages conveyed through the lyrics of this album. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 219 The writer gathered data by studying the 'thank u, next' album by Ariana Grande. As the writer followed a specific method to collect the data from the lyrics, such as: collecting accurate "thank u, next" album lyrics from trustworthy sources like Genius.com, ensuring accurate lyrics by comparing multiple sources and correcting discrepancies. According to the analysis, the writer utilized a specific method to scrutinize the lyrics of Ariana Grande's album 'thank u, next' in the following manner: identify each type of transitivity process in the song lyrics from ‘thank u, next’ album.” Results & Discussion Based on the theory from (Halliday & Matthiessen, Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar Fourth Edition, 2014), there are six types of process in transitivity. There are material processes, mental processes, relational processes, behavioral processes, verbal processes, and existential processes. In this study, the writer will discuss one-by-one each type of process. Material Process The present tense is commonly used to describe material processes, indicating that an action is taking place or occurs frequently (Halliday & Matthiessen, Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar Fourth Edition, 2014). Furthermore, from (Thompson, 2014), stated that material processes involve physically manipulating different materials, such as cooking or scratching. These processes shape our environment and are part of our daily lives. The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: Kiss me and take off your clothes Process: Material Participant I: Actor Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 1. Example of material process in “imagine” song. You can go ahead and call me selfish Participant I: Actor Process: Material Process: Material Participant II: Goal Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 220 Table 2. Example of material process in “needy” song. Ain’t no checkin’ on when I get home tonight Process: Material Participant I: Actor Participant II: Goal Table 3. Example of material process in “NASA” song. I ain’t lookin’ for my one true love Participant I: Actor Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 4. Example of material process in “bloodline” song. I read the things they write about me Participant I: Actor Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 5. Example of material process in “fake smile” song. Yeah, I’ma call you over here to numb the pain Participant I: Actor Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 6. Example of material process in “bad idea” song. Go ‘head ruin my makeup Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 7. Example of material process in “make up” song. Look at the cards that we ’ve been dealt Process: Material Participant II: Goal Participant I: Actor Process: Material IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 221 Table 8. Example of material process in “ghostin” song. I’m coming over Participant I: Actor Process: Material Table 9. Example of material process in “in my head” song. Buy myself all of my favorite things Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 10. Example of material process in “7 rings” song. Wrote some songs about Ricky Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 11. Example of material process in “thank u, next” song. You’re singin’ my songs in the streets, yeah, yeah Participant I: Actor Process: Material Participant II: Goal Table 12. Example of material process in “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” song. Based on the material process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of material process from the first to the twelfth song is ninety-nine clauses. Mental Process Mental processes affect our behavior, involving memory recall, problem- solving, attention, and more. They operate unconsciously, shaping our experiences and interactions with the environment (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). While, from (Thompson, 2014), stated that mental processes are distinct from external events. They involve cognitive functions like perception, attention, memory, and language processing and shape our perceptions of the world. The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 222 Knew you were perfect after the first kiss Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 13. Example of mental process in “imagine” song. I know it feels so good to be needed Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Process: Mental Process: Mental Table 14. Example of mental process in “needy” song. I can’t really miss you if I’m with you Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Circumstance: Accompaniment Table 15. Example of mental process in “NASA” song. Got me feelin’ so incredible Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 16. Example of mental process in “bloodline” song. But every now and then, it’s shocking, Participant II: Phenomenon Process: Mental Table 17. Example of mental process in “fake smile” song. I ’ve been worried ‘bout you lately Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 18. Example of mental process in “bad idea” song. Boy, you know what it is Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 223 Table 19. Example of mental process in “make up” song. You ’ve been so understanding, Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Table 20. Example of mental process in “ghostin” song. I thought you were the one Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 21. Example of mental process in “in my head” song. I want it Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 22. Example of mental process in “7 rings” song. I ain’t worried ‘bout nothin’ Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 23. Example of mental process in “thank u, next” song. Then I realize she’s right there Participant I: Senser Process: Mental Participant II: Phenomenon Table 24. Example of mental process in “break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored” song. Based on the mental process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of mental process from the first to the twelfth song is two hundred forty-one clauses. Relational Process Identifying and attributive relational processes differ in their reversibility and distinctive features. Identifying clauses describe a specific entity, while attributive clauses provide additional information about an entity (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). Moreover, from (Thompson, 2014), stated that, identifying and attributive relational processes differ in their reversibility and distinctive features. Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 224 Identifying clauses describe a specific entity, while attributive clauses provide additional information about an entity. The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: This is a pleasure Participant I: Token Process: Relational: Identification Participant II: Value Table 25. Example of relational process in “imagine” song. I can be needy, ‘Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Attribution Participant II: Attribute Table 26. Example of relational process in “needy” song. You ’ll be my rise and shine Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Attribution Table 27. Example of relational process in “NASA” song. you ’re bad for me Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Attribution Table 28. Example of relational process in “bloodline” song. it ’s a vibe Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Identification Participant II: Value Table 29. Example of relational process in “make up” song. It was all in my head Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Attribution Table 30. Example of relational process in “in my head” song. I should be a sad bitch Participant I: Process: Relational: Participant II: IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 225 Carrier Attribution Attribute Table 31. Example of relational process in “7 rings” song. But he wasn’t a match Participant I: Carrier Process: Relational: Identification Participant II: Value Table 32. Example of relational process in “thank u, next” song. Based on the relational process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of relational process from the first to the twelfth song is two hundred forty-one clauses. Behavioral Process Behavioral process involves analyzing an individual's observable actions, reactions, and emotions to gain insight into their mental and physical condition (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). While, from (Thompson, 2014), stated that behavioral process is action performed by humans, such as walking, talking, eating, and sleeping. They are crucial in fields like psychology, neuroscience, and medicine. The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: Then we gon’ sleep ‘til noon Participant I: Behaver Process: Behavioral Circumstance: Extent: Temporal Table 33. Example of behavioral process in “imagine” song. I’m all dressed up Participant I: Behaver Process: Behavioral Table 34. Example of behavioral process in “needy” song. I can’t fake another smile Participant I: Behaver Process: Behavioral Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 226 Table 35. Example of behavioral process in “fake smile” song. While you ’re sleeping Participant I: Behaver Process: Behavioral Table 36. Example of behavioral process in “ghostin” song. Now I listen and laugh Participant I: Behaver Process: Behavioral Table 37. Example of behavioral process in “thank u, next” song. Based on the behavioral process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of behavioral process from the first to the twelfth song is seventy- five clauses. Verbal Process Verbal process conveys a logical sequence of events that follows a statement or quote. It ensures accurate reporting and effective communication of complex ideas (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). Furthermore, from (Thompson, 2014), stated that verbal process involves using verbs to convey an action of speaking or saying something. They are an essential communication component often used to get information or express opinions. The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: But all I can say is at least I’ll wait for you Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 38. Example of verbal process in “needy” song. You can say “I love you” through the phone tonight Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 39. Example of verbal process in “NASA” song. I ain’t got nothin’ to say Participant I: Sayer Participant II: Verbiage Process: Verbal IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 227 Table 40. Example of verbal process in “bloodline” song. And I won’t say I’m feeling fine Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 41. Example of verbal process in “fake smile” song. When you say that I’m right Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 42. Example of verbal process in “make up” song. They say, “which one?” I say, “Nah, I want all of ‘em” Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 43. Example of verbal process in “7 rings” song. I say “thank u, next” Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 44. Example of verbal process in “thank u, next” song. You could say I’m hatin’ if you want to Participant I: Sayer Process: Verbal Participant II: Verbiage Table 45. Example of verbal process in “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” song. Based on the verbal process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of verbal process from the first to the twelfth song is forty-one clauses. Existential Process Existential processes explore human identity and meaning in the world. Identifying the main point is crucial to understanding new information (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014). While, from, (Thompson, 2014), stated that existential process involves relinquishing the portrayal of the participant as being actively engaged in events. This emphasizes their existential state over involvement in external affairs. Vivi Novalia Sitinjak, Gihon Kusy Marpaung, Ella Meidelin Kokardi, Novelia, Susanti Transitivity Process on Song Lyrics in Ariana Grande's Album 'thank u, next' 228 The writers decided to take one verse to be shown after had been analyzed from each song in the respective song album. The results are provided in the table so that the reader can easily understand the verses that have been examined. The results are shown as follows: Lately, I ’ve been on a roller coaster Circumstance: Extent: Frequency Process: Existential Participant II: Existent Table 46. Example of existential process in “needy” song. Every tear’s a rain parade from hell Participant II: Existent Process: Existential Table 47. Example of existential process in “ghostin” song. Based on the existential process that the writer analyzed, it can be concluded that the amount of existential process from the first to the twelfth song is two clauses. Based on the analysis above, the writer already finished analyzing the six types of process from Ariana Grande’s album “thank u, next”. From the material process, the writer found ninety-nine clauses; from the mental process, the writer found two hundred forty-one clauses; from the relational process, the writer found fifty-one clauses; from the behavioral process, the writer found seventy-five clauses; from the verbal process, the writer found forty-one clauses; and from the existential process, the writer found two clauses. Conclusion In this study, the writers discussed the types of processes that can be found in Ariana Grande’s album “thank u, next”. Using M.A.K. Halliday, Christian Matthiessen, and Geoff Thompson's theory as a guide to analyze the album’s song lyrics and find each type of process from the “thank u, next” album. After the writers collected all the lyrics, they checked each lyric from the song and identified each type of process that can be found in Ariana Grande’s album “thank u, next”. The writer can conclude that the material process has ninety-nine clauses; the mental process has two hundred forty-one clauses; the relational process has fifty-one clauses; the behavioral process has seventy-five clauses; the verbal process has forty-one clauses; and the existential process has two clauses. So, the total clauses from material processes to existential processes, there are five hundred and eight clauses found in Ariana Grande’s album “thank u, next”. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 229 References Adedun, E. A., & Sekyi, B. Y. (2014). English Studies in Focus: Readings in Language and Literature. Winneba: Faculty of Languages, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design, Third Edition. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91320: SAGE Publications, Inc. DeNora, T. (2013). Music Asylums: Wellbeing Through Music in Everyday Life. 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