The particular dialect or language that a person chooses to use on any occasion is called a code 4146 Copyright © 2025 The Author IDEAS is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 License Issued by English study program of IAIN Palopo IDEAS Journal on Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) Volume 13, Number 2, December 2025 pp. 4146 - 4154 The Expressive Function of Language in the Novel Melodylan By Asriaci Sapna1, Gazali2, Hasnur Ruslan3, Agustan4, Ade Nurul Izzati5 1,2,3,4,5Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, FKIP Universitas Tadulako Corresponding E-Mail: Sapnaaswar0902@gmail.com Received: 2025-08-08 Accepted: 2025-08-13 DOI: 10.24256/ideas. v13i2.7747 Abstract This study aims to analyze the expressive function of language in Asriaci's novel MeloDylan. This research was conducted using qualitative descriptive research with a content analysis method. The researcher focuses on this research using the theory of language function according to Roman Jakobson which states that expressive or emotive functions in delivery that aims to directly express the feelings, emotions or attitudes of the speaker to the topic he or she is discussing. The source of data for this research was obtained from the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci which was first published on the wattpad application and printed in May 2017 published by Coconut Books. Data collection in this study uses reading techniques and recording techniques. The results of this study show that there are three parts of the expressive function of language in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci. Keywords: Expressive, Language Function, Novel. Introduction Literary works are works of art produced by human creativity as a reflection of human life. This can be seen from the problems outlined in literary works that also often occur in the real world or vice versa, because literary works are the creative result of human beings so not only the literary work is a duplication of real life but there is a creative element in it based on problems that exist in the real world. Literary works are an imaginative world that is the result of the author's creation after reflecting on the social environment of his life (Al-Ma'ruf & Farida Nugrahani, 2017). Literary works are created based on human life experiences, including life problems, ways of thinking and looking at things, customs, customs, religion, and so on which are packaged in beautiful language. Kokasih in (Fazalani, 2021) literature or literature is a writing or writing that contains good values written in beautiful language. http://u.lipi.go.id/1457703302 mailto:Sapnaaswar0902@gmail.com IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 2, December 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 4147 Literature serves as a fun entertainment, also to add experience for its readers. Talking about those that have an imaginative nature, we are dealing with three types (genres) of literature, namely, prose, poetry, and drama. One form of literary work that can be studied is a novel, a novel is a fictional prose story of a certain length, which depicts characters, movements and real-life scenes that are representative in a flow or a somewhat chaotic or tangled situation. (Tarigan, 2015: 167). Novels as a work of fiction offer a world that contains an idealized life, an imaginative world built through images of life as its intrinsic elements such as events, plots, characters, settings, points of view and others that are all narrative. Novels are one of the interesting works because authors can pour their imagination and appreciation in creating literary works, so that readers can pick up the values and meanings contained in a literary work and be able to interpret them in real life. In a work there are functions of language. This is because literary works use language as a medium to convey information or a thought. In general, the function of language is the use of language for various purposes and certain purposes in communicating. (Jakobson, 1995), language functions are divided into six functions, including; referential function, expressive (emotive) function, cononotive function, metalingusitic function, fatigue function, and poetic function. Jakobson argues that the languages that emerge do not have the true meaning, therefore there is a special function in the language that forms the true meaning (Luth. And one of the literary works that has language functions in it is a novel. The expressive function of language in novels refers to the ability of language to express the emotions, feelings, and attitudes of the speaker towards the situation or object being discussed. In the context of literature, especially novels, this function is very important because it helps the reader understand the characters and the emotional dynamics in the story. A novel is a long prose type literary work, consisting of fictional and non- fiction novels presented in the form of a detailed narrative. Novels are the totality of an artistic wholeness (Saragih, Manik, & Samosir, 2021). The novel has two elements, namely the intrinsic element and the extrinsic element. The intrinsic element is the building element contained in the novel's literary work. The extrinsic element is the outside world of the literary work that also provides the background and support of the novel's literary work. Through these dialogues, descriptions, and detailed narratives, the novel is able to display the function of language that can convey certain meanings to the readers. Previous research relevant to the topic of the use of language expressive functions was conducted by Raya Rahmawati Ruhiat and her members (2022) Expressive Tututr in the Film Later We Tell About Today by Dwimas Sasongko. And Alfoni Azzahra Alfan with his members (2024) Expressive Tututr in the Novel Hujan by Tere Liye. Sapna, Gazali, Hasnur Ruslan, Agustan, Ade Nurul Izzati The Expressive Function of Language in the Novel Melodylan By Asriaci 4148 Research conducted by Raya Rahmawati Ruhiat and her members (2022). This research aims to analyze expressive tututr acts in a film. The act of speech that attracts the writer is an act of expressive speech. In the film Later We Tell About Today, there are many types of expressive speech acts, in the form of praise, thanks, criticism, praise, blame, complaining, congratulating and flattering. The most dominant expressive speech act in the dialogue between the characters in this film is the expressive speech act of thanking and complaining. Research conducted by Alfoni Azzahra Alfan and his members (2024). This research focuses on speech actions that reflect the expressions conveyed by the characters. In the context of the rain novel by Tere Liye. From the analysis of the data, it can be concluded that, in the novel Hujan by Tere Liye there are expressive speech acts of gratitude, expressive speech acts of apology, expressive speech acts of congratulations and appreciation, expressive speech acts of emotion, expressive speech acts of sympathy, expressive speech acts of pleasure, expressive speech acts of hope, expressive speech acts of displeasure, expressive speech acts of praise, expressive speech acts of hope, expressive speech acts of blaming, expressive speech acts of criticism, and expressive acts of complaining. The source of data in this study is the novel MeloDylan. An Indonesian- produced novel with the theme of adolescent life, and can be read by children because it has criteria that contain educational values, ethics and fostering curiosity. In addition, this novel does not contain dangerous scenes and promiscuity. The MeloDylan novel was chosen as the object of research, because this novel has an expressive function of language between characters that can be researched. The purpose of this study is to describe the expressive function of language contained in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci Method In this study, the researcher uses qualitative because it aims to understand the deep meaning of the use of expressive functions of language in novels, which cannot be measured with numbers or statistics. This research method is descriptive, used to describe how the use of expressive functions is in accordance with its functions. The type of qualitative descriptive research is describing or interpreting data related to facts, circumstances, variables, and phenomena that occur during research and presenting it as it is. The approach used in this study is the analysis of story texts. In the analysis of literary texts, the focus of research is on the identification and interpretation of the meaning of the language used by the characters in the novel. This analysis aims to understand the role and expressive function of language displayed through dialogue and narrative in literary works. The data collection technique used by the researcher in this study is the reading and recording technique. After the data is collected, then data analysis is carried out using the content analysis method. According to Holsti in (Ibrahim & Syukur, 2009) content analysis is a technique of making conclusions by identifying, then classifying the IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 2, December 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 4149 expressive functions of language in the novel Melodylan by Asriaci using the theory of language functions proposed by Roman Jakobson, then describing it. Results In this case, the researcher found 22 data on the expressive function of language represented in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci. 1. Expressing Feelings Date: 1 "Dylan, right?" asked Melody stupidly, it was something that was certain, why did she ask again. (Page 8) Dates 2 "You're right, I can't appreciate my mother. Because I never really had a mother," Yugo replied fiercely. (Page 35) Dates 3 "After he made a fuss at school first, you think it's a small problem and it doesn't mean anything to me? "You know why I came here." (Page 71) Dates 4 "Do you like Melody?" asked Bella. "Yes." "Yes, what?" "Like." "With me?" Fathur shook his head, "No, but it's the same with Melody." (Page 123) Dates 5 Bella's smile looked forced. "Earlier, Fathur told me, if you are a person who loves me very much and you will accept me. But, now the one in your heart is not me anymore, because all this time I have always ignored your message. As time goes by, your feelings start to evaporate and move on. Sometimes, time can be the most painful thing, yes." (Page 133) 2. Expressing Emotions Dates 6 Dylan paused for a moment, then he looked at Melody. "You're innocent or stupid, Melody," he said, "I'm not taking you out to buy shoes, that's just my excuse." (Page 108) Dates 7 "What's your business? My heart, I'm the owner, I want to give it to anyone you don't have the right to know," Dylan bumped into Fathur's shoulder intentionally. (Page 180) Dates 8 "I don't care if I'm going to kill Dylan. But why is it so hard to believe that Dylan still likes Dylan? Bella is too confident, a changeable person's feeling." (Page 196) Sapna, Gazali, Hasnur Ruslan, Agustan, Ade Nurul Izzati The Expressive Function of Language in the Novel Melodylan By Asriaci 4150 Dates 9 "She's a naughty girl, goes to clubs every night, gets drunk. Even before Dylan, he had been dating om-om," said Dylan who suddenly came, his tone of voice like a sneeze. (Page 229) Dates 10 "Fate sucks," Melody said. "Fate is terrible. Destiny is my destiny. Even though I want Dylan to be near me, fate won't allow it." (Page 316) 3. Express Attitude Dates 11 "Me?" Melody asked. Dylan nodded. "No. Why should you like it? Are you going to like each other?" Melody (Page 120) Dates 12 Sometimes girls are always like that. It was the turn of a guy who was close to saying he was too good, eh a jerk guy was considered good, gentle, and given a heart. It's not the same thing as saying that all men are the same. (page 128) Dates 13 "It's up to you, Mom." Dylan. (Page 222) Dates 14 "Melody is beautiful and kind, she is also the one who makes Dylan not naughty anymore. Papa has to get to know him, so Mama told him to come here." (Page 259) Date: 15 Dylan is just an ex. Yes, ex, ex. The past is the past, and the past will not be the future. (Page 312) Discussion This discussion shows the results of research based on the function of language according to Roman Jakobson, especially the expressive or emotive function. In this discussion, the researcher presents an explanation of each type of language expressive function found in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci. 1. Expressing Feelings This function refers to the mental conditions experienced by a person such as sadness, joy, heartache, longing, disappointment, happiness, trauma, and the like. It is a form of personal emotional response to an experience or event. Date: 1 "Dylan, right?" asked Melody stupidly, it was something that was certain, why did she ask again. (Page 8) This sentence shows Melody's doubts and regrets, which expresses feelings of insecurity and confusion. Dates 2 "You're right, I can't appreciate my mother. Because I never really had a mother," Yugo replied fiercely. (Page 35) IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 2, December 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 4151 This is an expression of Yugo's deepest inner emotions, which harbor the wounds of growing up without the presence of mother. It is very strongly showing expressive function as it reflects feelings of hurt and regret. Dates 3 "After he made a fuss at school first, you think it's a small problem and it doesn't mean anything to me? "You know why I came here." (Page 71) This is an expression of deep heartache and trauma from Melody. He revealed how bad experiences in the past left a great mark on his life. Dates 4 "Do you like Melody?" asked Bella. "Yes." "Yes, what?" "Like." "With me?" Fathur shook his head, "No, but it's the same with Melody." (Page 123) These conversations are very powerful in expressive function, as they contain questions about feelings (by Bella), acknowledgment of likes (by Fathur), subtle rejection (shaking hands), and the expression of true feelings (liking Melody). All of this is a direct emotional expression. Dates 5 Bella's smile looked forced. "Earlier, Fathur told me, if you are a person who loves me very much and you will accept me. But, now the one in your heart is not me anymore, because all this time I have always ignored your message. As time goes by, your feelings start to evaporate and move on. Sometimes, time can be the most painful thing, yes." (Page 133) This is a picture of pent-up emotions that indicate sadness despite trying to smile and express longing and hope that once existed, but now it has faded. It is a form of deep regret and conveys emotional awareness and painful acceptance of change. 2. Expressing Emotions Dates 6 Dylan paused for a moment, then he looked at Melody. "You're innocent or stupid, Melody," he said, "I'm not taking you out to buy shoes, that's just my excuse." (Page 108) This statement was clearly a form of frustration or irritation from Dylan towards the insensitive Melody. This expression contains a strong and spontaneous emotional tone, a hallmark of expressive functions. Dates 7 "What's your business? My heart, I'm the owner, I want to give it to anyone you don't have the right to know," Dylan bumped into Fathur's shoulder intentionally. (Page 180) This sentence contains anger and assertiveness from Dylan. He is defending his personal right to his feelings and refusing to interfere with others. It is a strong Sapna, Gazali, Hasnur Ruslan, Agustan, Ade Nurul Izzati The Expressive Function of Language in the Novel Melodylan By Asriaci 4152 example of expressive function because it expresses personal emotions and direct emotional reactions. Dates 8 "I don't care if I'm going to kill Dylan. But why is it so hard to believe that Dylan still likes Dylan? Bella is too confident, a changeable person's feeling." (Page 196) Melody expresses anger and pain at feeling underestimated. Expressive function: Shows personal emotions and deep disappointment. Dates 9 "She's a naughty girl, goes to clubs every night, gets drunk. Even before Dylan, he had been dating om-om," said Dylan who suddenly came, his tone of voice like a sneeze. (Page 229) This is a form of negative emotional expression, in the form of anger, jealousy, and cynicism from Dylan. Dylan's tone and choice of words show a strong inner expression, so they fall within the expressive function. Dates 10 "Fate sucks," Melody said. "Fate is terrible. Destiny is my destiny. Even though I want Dylan to be near me, fate won't allow it." (Page 316) Melody expresses anger, sadness, and helplessness towards fate. Expressive function: Expressing negative emotions and personal frustrations. 3. Express Attitude Dates 11 "Me?" Melody asked. Dylan nodded. "No. Why should you like it? Are you going to like each other?" Melody (Page 120) Melody conveys a personal attitude towards the concept of feeling liked. This statement shows that he has his own thoughts and does not want to be judged based on other people's assumptions. It is an expression of personal values and opinions. Dates 12 Sometimes girls are always like that. It was the turn of a guy who was close to saying he was too good, eh a jerk guy was considered good, gentle, and given a heart. It's not the same thing as saying that all men are the same. (page 128) This is a form of expression of Melody's personal attitude or opinion towards the behavior of women and men in social relationships. It also falls under the expressive function because it reflects the subjective attitude of the character. Dates 13 "It's up to you, Mom." Dylan. (Page 222) Showing Dylan's resignation or a little annoyance. It is an expressive function because it displays emotional responses. Dates 14 "Melody is beautiful and kind, she is also the one who makes Dylan not naughty anymore. Papa has to get to know him, so Mama told him to come here." (Page 259) Expressive function: This sentence shows Elena's personal views and admiration for Melody. Elena expresses her positive feelings about Melody's influence on Dylan. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 2, December 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 4153 Date: 15 Dylan is just an ex. Yes, ex, ex. The past is the past, and the past will not be the future. (Page 312) This sentence is a form of self-affirmation and Melody's attempt to calm her own feelings. Expressive function because it conveys inner conflicts and personal attitudes towards situations. Conclusion Based on the results and discussion of this research on the expressive function of language in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci, the researcher came to the conclusion that in the novel MeloDylan by Asriaci there is an expressive function of language, namely; 1) expressing feelings, 2) expressing emotions, 3) expressing attitudes. The amount of data included in this function was found to be 15 data. 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