Politeness Lost in Translation? A Linguistic Study of Impolite Twitter Reactions on Bloomberg’s G20 Summit Post

Hilma Safitri; Astari Amalia   Putri; Dwi Erika   Sari

doi:10.31849/elsya.v7i2.18729

Authors

Hilma Safitri Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia
Astari Amalia Putri Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia
Dwi Erika Sari Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v7i2.18729

Keywords:

Impoliteness strategies, Annotated translation, Translation techniques, Digital discourse, Pragmatic functions

Abstract

In the era of digital globalization, online discourse often becomes a battleground of competing ideologies, emotions, and linguistic behaviors, particularly on platforms like Twitter, now known as X. This study explores the intersection of impoliteness strategies and annotated translation techniques by analyzing forty selected user comments responding to Bloomberg’s posts about the 2022 G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. These comments, perceived as inappropriate or impolite, reflect not only socio-political tensions but also the complex challenges of preserving communicative intent in translation. Employing a qualitative design grounded in Culpeper’s impoliteness framework and Molina and Albir’s taxonomy of translation techniques, the study identifies three dominant impoliteness purposes: entertainment (57.5%), affective (32.5%), and coercive (10%), alongside five translation techniques including compensation, variation, modulation, literal, and transposition. A key finding reveals that the translation techniques used did not always align directly with the original communicative purpose, highlighting the translator’s interpretive agency. This research addresses a significant gap in translation studies by focusing on the nuanced function of impolite language in digital public discourse and how translation reshapes or mediates its effect. By situating translation within the dynamics of sociocultural offense and affective expression, the study contributes to a richer understanding of pragmatics in multilingual media contexts. It provides practical implications for translation practitioners, educators, and discourse analysts concerned with linguistic fidelity, cultural sensitivity, and communicative efficacy in cross-cultural digital environments.

Author Biographies

Hilma Safitri, Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia

Dr. Hilma Safitri is a lecturer at the Department of English Literature, Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia, where she actively teaches and researches in the field of Applied Linguistics. She earned her Master's degree in Humanities from Atma Jaya University Jakarta in 2010 and successfully completed her doctoral studies in Applied Linguistics in 2021. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has contributed significantly to language education both in formal institutions and professional language courses. Dr. Safitri views education not merely as a profession, but as a lifelong mission to inspire, impact, and shape future generations of language learners and educators. Her current focus includes authoring more works on applied linguistics to further enrich academic literature and pedagogical practices in the field.
Astari Amalia Putri , Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia

Astari Amalia Putri is a lecturer at the Department of English Literature, Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia. She holds a degree in Translation Studies from Universitas Indonesia, one of the nation’s top institutions, and has since built a career that bridges academic excellence with professional expertise. Her role as both a university lecturer and an active freelance translator for international agencies reflects her dynamic engagement in the field of language and communication. Driven by a passion for language and lifelong learning, Astari remains dedicated to nurturing future translators and linguists who will shape the global language landscape.
Dwi Erika Sari, Universitas Pamulang, Banten, Indonesia

Dwi Erika Sari is a recent graduate of the Department of English Literature at Universitas Pamulang, with a strong academic record and a growing interest in linguistic studies. As an emerging scholar, Dwi brings fresh perspectives to the fields of translation, language, and communication. Her dedication to academic excellence is reflected in her participation in research and scholarly writing, where she contributes to discussions on language use in digital and sociocultural contexts. With a forward-looking spirit and a strong foundation in English literature, she is determined to continue developing her expertise through research, further study, and active engagement in academic discourse.

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