REPRESENTASI WORDS OF AFFIRMATION DALAM FILM HABIBIE & AINUN: ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA ROLAND BARTHES

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of Words of Affirmation in the Indonesian film Habibie & Ainun (2012) through Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis. The background of this research is rooted in the increasing relevance of positive verbal communication as a foundation for maintaining healthy romantic relationships, as emphasized in Gary Chapman’s concept of love languages. The study aims to explore how Words of Affirmation are constructed and conveyed within the film’s narrative and how these expressions embody cultural meanings of love and partnership. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through repeated observation of the film, focusing on dialogues, visual signs, and symbolic expressions. The findings reveal that Words of Affirmation are consistently present across different phases of Habibie and Ainun’s life journey, manifesting as compliments, encouragement, kind words, and humble requests. At the denotative level, these appear as direct verbal expressions of affection; at the connotative level, they signify emotional support, reassurance, and equality; while at the myth level, they construct broader cultural narratives of true love, sacrifice, and transcendence. The results highlight the role of film as both a medium of cultural representation and a source of practical insights into interpersonal communication.