Meaning Construction in "The Devil Wears Prada" Movie Script: A Semantics Study

  • Teti Elawati UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten
  • Siti Mala Nurfayyisa UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten
  • Diana Rosa Agustina UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten
  • Tatu Siti Rohbiah UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten
Keywords: semantics, meaning construction, denotative meaning, connotative meaning, movie dialogue

Abstract

This study aims to analyze meaning construction in The Devil Wears Prada movie script from a semantic perspective. The research focuses on identifying denotative (literal) and connotative (implied) meanings in movie dialogues and examining how context influences interpretation. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, using the movie script as the primary data source. A total of 117 utterances were analyzed and classified based on their types of meaning. The findings reveal that connotative meaning (85 data) is more dominant than denotative meaning (32 data), indicating that movie dialogues tend to convey deeper, implied meanings rather than literal expressions. The analysis also shows that meaning is constructed through the interaction between lexical meaning and situational context, including elements such as power, sarcasm, identity, social interaction, and ideology. Furthermore, context plays a crucial role in shaping audience interpretation, as meaning is not fixed but dynamically constructed through character relationships and communicative situations. Therefore, this study highlights that language in film functions not only as a tool for delivering information but also as a medium for expressing complex and contextualized meanings.

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Published
2026-06-02
How to Cite
Elawati, T., Nurfayyisa, S. M., Agustina, D. R., & Rohbiah, T. S. (2026). Meaning Construction in "The Devil Wears Prada" Movie Script: A Semantics Study. DEIKTIS: Jurnal Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Sastra, 6(2), 1996-2007. Retrieved from https://www.dmi-journals.org/deiktis/article/view/3507
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026)
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2026 Teti Elawati, Siti Mala Nurfayyisa, Diana Rosa Agustina, Tatu Siti Rohbiah

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