THE ANALYSIS OF IMPLICATURE IN THE LITTLE PRINCE NOVEL BY ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

This study analyzes the types and functions of implicatures in Antoine de Saint-
Exupéry's novel The Little Prince. The researcher focuses the study on the
implicature within the novel by using theory from Grice (1975) for types of
implicature (conventional, conversational-generalized, and conversational-
particularized) and Nababan (1987) for functions of implicature (prohibing,
complaining, stating, opposing, insinuating, suggesting, accusing, requesting,
deciding, criticizing, protesting, supporting, appreciating). In this research, A
qualitative descriptive approach was used in this study. A checklist and writing
instruments were used to classify and identify data. The results showed that 30 cases
of implicature were found in the novel The Little Prince. First, the analysis revealed
that conversational implicature (particularized) is the most dominant type of
implicature. This is because the novel often relies on specific contexts and shared
knowledge between characters to convey deeper, unspoken meanings, which is
typical of particularized conversational implicature. Second, the analysis showed
that the functions of stating, criticizing, and requesting are the most dominant
functions of implicature used by characters in the novel. This indicates that the
novel primarily uses implicature to convey the narrative and reveal moral lessons.
Therefore, it can be concluded that implicature is very important in conveying the
core message of the novel and enriching the interactions between characters
Keywords: implicature, types and functions, The Little Prince novel