„Staging‟ and the representation of discourse structure

The Analysis of a Song Entittled “Marry Your Daughter”

By Brian McKnight

This Paper is Presented for Discourse Analysis Final Examination

Taught by Sofa, S.Pd

By:
Ermiati (1371389)

STKIP PGRI JOMBANG

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 2013A
JULY 2015
A. INTRODUCTION

a) Reviewing the topic

„Staging‟ and the representation of discourse structure
4.1 The linearisation problem
A problem of constructing or arraging a sentence or a text is called as
linearisation problem, it often happens to the speaker or writer while they are
choosing a begining point of their sentence or text, because it has a big
influence for the following in the discourse. In this case, there are two types of
considerations to be considered:
1. The effect of an identical attributive description.
The effect of an identical attributive description will appear if we have
two atributive description sentences that are same but have dfferent
evaluative comments. Evaluative comments here will influence the
assumption of attributive description.
2. The effect of linear sequencing.
The effect of linear sequencing happens when a writer or speaker have
sequence events that will be conveyed. The placement of sequence
events will influence hearer or reader interpretation because if the
writer or speaker make a mistake in ordering it, it will drive hearer or
listener build different implicatures.
Except consideration above, there is a problem that we have to know too,
namely the effect of presenting same stimulus in a different context. It is
happens while we are build two sentences or texts with the same stimulus but
in a differemt context. The different context which will give effect to the
hearer or reader interpretation.

4.2 Theme

Theme is the left-most constituent of the sentence which will convey message
or aim or point of the utterance. And here there are some matters or things that
can influence the theme. They are:

1. The use of sentential form.

The form of speaker and writer sentence will influence the aim of
sentence too. Alice Davidson (1980) suggests taking the active form as
the normal, unmarked, form for the declarative sentence and claims
that the passive may for example be used to convey a humorous or
derogatory effect. So, if the writer or speaker has same sentences but
produce or convey in different form(activ and passive), the aim of the
sentence that hearer or reader build will be different too.
2. Pause in the middle of the paragraph.
This problem often appear while the writer or speaker uncertain to
connect the last sentence with the next sentence. actually it can be
 solved by giving a connector like however, therefore, and others or
giving requiring subject. Giving requiring subject is prefered to build
thematic sequence.
3. Using WH-clause as the beginner of a sentence or text.
Using WH-clause has 3 functions in discourse, namely to Introduce
and summarise the discussion and also indicate explicit contrast.
4. Using adverb or adverbial phrases as the beginner of a sentence.
Adverb or adverbial phrase can give more explanation about the
relationship between the previous sentence with the next sentence and
it can give representation of content that is conveyed, but in using
adverbial, we also must be carefull because there are some set of
adverbials which are frequently thematised but actually they are not
appropriate to be used in discourse structure.

b) Introduction the song

This song is a romantic song that is written and sung by Brian McKnight. this song is
very unic, usually a romantic song will use a girl or boy that become a special person for
the singer as the object of the song, but here, Brian McKnight use father of a girl he loves,
and as like the tittle “Marry your daughter”, this song tells us about a man who really
loves his girl and want to marry her. He doesn’t say it to his girl but he directly says to his
girlfriend’s father very nerveously. He brings a couple of ring that will be his wedding
ring. The man is really serious to build a small happy familly with his girl, and he
promises that he will never hurt her girl’s heart, because he is afraid that the girl will
leave her. You can know it in this lyric “Since the day that we met (i'm scared to death to
think of what would happen if she ever left), so don't you ever worry about me ever
treating her bad, i've got most of my vows done so far (so bring on the better or worse),
and till death do us part, there's no doubt in my mind. it's time, i'm ready to start, i swear
to you with all of my heart”. And this song like tells to every single boy about the feeling
while he is marrying a girl in front of her father.

B. THE LYRIC OF THE SONG

“Marry Your Daughter”

By: Brian McKnight

Sir, I'm a bit nervous

'Bout being here today
Still not real sure what I'm going to say
So bare with me please
If I take up too much of your time,
See in this box is a ring for your oldest
She's my everything and all that I know is
It would be such a relief if I knew that we were on the same side
Very soon I'm hoping that I...
Can marry your daughter
And make her my wife
I want her to be the only girl that I love for the rest of my life
And give her the best of me 'till the day that I die, yeah
I'm gonna marry your princess
And make her my queen
She'll be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen
Can't wait to smile
When she walks down the aisle
On the arm of her father
On the day that I marry your daughter

She's been hear every step

Since the day that we met (I'm scared to death to think of what would happen if she ever left)
So don't you ever worry about me ever treating her bad
I've got most of my vows done so far (So bring on the better or worse)
And till death do us part
There's no doubt in my mind
It's time
I'm ready to start
I swear to you with all of my heart...

I'm gonna marry your daughter

And make her my wife
I want her to be the only girl that I love for the rest of my life
And give her the best of me 'till the day that I die, yeah
I'm gonna marry your princess
And make her my queen
She'll be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen
I can't wait to smile
As she walks down the aisle
On the arm of her father
On the day that I marry your daughter

The first time I saw her

I swear I knew that I'd say I do
I'm gonna marry your daughter
And make her my wife
I want her to be the only girl that I love for the rest of my life
And give her the best of me 'till the day that I die
I'm gonna marry your princess
And make her my queen
She'll be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen
I can't wait to smile
As she walks down the aisle
On the arm of her father
On the day that I marry your daughter

(Taken from http://www.metrolyrics.com/marry-your-daughter-lyrics-brian-mcknight.html

retrived on July 5th 2015 9.13 a.m)
A. THE ANALYSIS OF THE SONG
4.1 The linearisation problem
In introduction, the writer has said or conveyed that there are some consideration that
must be considered. And all of it has been found in the lyric that the writer analyze. They
are:
1. The effect of an identical attributive description.
a) Very soon I'm hoping that I... Different evaluative
Can marry your daughter comment
And make her my wife identical atributive
description

b) I swear to you with all of my heart... Different evaluative

I'm gonna marry your daughter comment
And make her my wife identical atributive
description
the lyrics above have an effect of identical attributive description, So, the
interpretation that may be build by the listener or hearer or reader are: For part a,
may be the hearer or reader will interpret that making the girl be the man’s wife is
till a hope. But different for part b, if in this part, maybe, the hearer or reader will
interpret that the man is ready and has made a decision that he is going to marry
the girl.
2. The effect of linear sequencing.
a) The first time I saw her
I swear I knew that I'd say I do
I'm gonna marry your daughter
And make her my wife

The lyrics above have the effect of linear sequencing, the placement cannot be
randomized, it must be placed as same as the sequence. In this linear sequencing,
maybe the hearer or reader will interpret that the man makes a promise to make
the girl be his future is began since the first time he saw the girl. And now he is
really going to marry the girl to make her be his wife.
If the lyrics placement be randomized, maybe like this:
The first time I saw her
And make her my wife
I'm gonna marry your daughter
I swear I knew that I'd say I do
The interpretation that is built will be unclear
b) I'm gonna marry your princess
And make her my queen
She'll be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen

The lyrics above have the effect of linear sequencing too. The interpretation that
maybe will be built is like this, the man is going to marry the girl and after
 marrying her, he will never hurt her because she is his queen, the queen in his
live. And he believes that she will be the most beautiful bride in the world.

Beside some consideration, in this lyrics are also there is the effect of presenting same
stimulus in a different context. Namely in this part:

a) Very soon I'm hoping that I... different context

Can marry your daughter
And make her my wife same stimulus

b) I swear to you with all of my heart... different context

I'm gonna marry your daughter
And make her my wife same stimulus

So, the interpretation that maybe perceived is “in paart b, the man is more ready
and serious to marry the girl” because in part a, the man still just hope that he can
marry the girl, but in part b he is more serious by saying a promise.

4.2 THEME

Some matters or things that can influence the theme of these lyrics are:

1. The use of sentential form.

a) Sir, i’m a bit nerveous
b) It would be such a relief if i knew that we were on the same side
c) Very soon i’m hoping that i .....
d) She’ll be the most beautiful bride
e) I’ve got most of my vows done so far
Part a, this lyric uses active form of Simple Present Tense to implies that the
time when man felt a bit nerveous is at the time he said it, not in the past or other.
Part b, this lyric uses conditional sentence, it implies that the man supposes that
what he wants will come true.
Part c, this lyric uses activ form of Present Continuous Tense, it implies that at
that time, when the man said many things to his girl’s father, he is hoping some
thing.
Part d, this lyric uses active form of Present Future Tense, it implies that the
man has a plan for his girl.
Part e, this lyric uses active form of Present Perfect, it implies that in a long time
before he said until at the time he said, he always fulfils his promise.
2. Pause in the middle of the paragraph.
This song uses some connectors and requiring subjects, so it doesn’t have problem to
connect each previous lyric and next lyric. The connectors that is used are the word
that i give red color below:
'Bout being here today
So bare with me please
And make her my wife
 She'll be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen
And the requiring subjects are:
I'm ready to start
I swear to you with all of my heart...
3. Using WH-clause as the beginner of a sentence or text.
This song
Using WH-clause has 3 functions in discourse, namely to Introduce and summarise
the discussion and also indicate explicit contrast.
4. Using adverb or adverbial phrases as the beginner of a sentence.
C. CONCLUSSION