AN INTERCULTURAL STUDY: FORMS AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF SABUNESE AND ROTENESE WOMEN GROUP GOSSIPS
Abstract
This study examines gossip in two different ethnicities living in the city of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara province namely Sabu and
Rote tribes. This study specifically answers two main questions. First, what kind of gossip is usually discussed by women from both ethnicities.
Second, which ethnic group produces more negative impacts from this social conversation. In addition to two questions above, several other
elements were also analyzed in this study such as atmosphere, context, participants, age, ethnicity, education, social distance, and language use.
The study employed observation and interviews method in collecting the data. The interview was done by applying close ended questionnaire. A
total of 36 participants were included as samples and subjects in this study. The result of this study indicates that both ethnicities have a common
topic when gossiping. For example, family problems, recipes, parenting, infidelity and others. Although two ethnicities are equally involved and
experiencing the negative effects of this social conversation, women from the Sabu tribe have a higher level of involvement in terms of verbal
and physical fights.