An Analysis of Request Expressions in the Bajo Language of Sagu Village

This study revealed the expressions of requests in the Bajo language spoken in Sagu Village, East Adonara District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. It aimed to identify and analyze linguistic expressions of requests in the Bajo language and to determine whether differences in the age of speakers influenced the choice of request strategies. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected from 15 informants through a Discourse Completion Test consisting of 10 situational scenarios representing various social contexts. Informants were divided into 3 age groups: group 1 (15-25 years), group 2 (26-45 years), and group 3 (46 years and above). The dominant form of requests was tuloh with variations tulohte (to emphasize personal interests) and tulohnu (for social closeness), always combined with kinship greetings as politeness markers and mitigation strategies that softened direct imperatives. Age differences influenced strategies: younger speakers (15-25 years) were direct, middle-aged (26-45 years) more varied, and older (46+ years) emphasized respect and hierarchy. These tuloh variations reflected Bajo cultural values of balancing politeness, hierarchy, and intimacy. Further research was recommended to analyze request strategies in other Bajo dialects and compare with regional languages for universal politeness patterns, alongside developing teaching materials to preserve local culture.