A Linguistic Study of Metadiscourse Markers in Local Government Regulation for Tourism Development

The study of metadiscourse covers various genres of texts, both academic and non
academic. This study concerns the genre of regulation that is still rarely studied. It aims to
explain the types and functions of metadiscourse in local government regulation. By using
descriptive qualitative design, it studied the local government regulation for Sumenep
tourism development, particularly for the front matter and the section of the core content
of the regulation, excluding part of the explanation or attachment. Data in the form of
clauses and sentences used which contain metadiscourse markers. Results of the study have
shown that there are transitions, endophoric markers, and evidential of interactive
metadiscourse. There are no frame markers and code glosses. Endophoric markers are the
most frequently used functions to refer to information from the text previously stated,
evidentials that refer to information from other texts are mainly used to refer to other forms
of the constitution, laws, ministerial regulation, and other government regulations as the
basis of regulation drafting, and the least is transitions that functions to relate between main
clause to be coherent and easily understood as a whole text. Meanwhile, all categories of
interactional metadiscourse markers are not found in this genre of regulation. The use of
metadiscourse markers can assist in engaging the reader by signaling the writer's attitude,
position, or assessment of the presented information. This can render the text more
interactive and persuasive.