Abstract

This study examines lexical style errors in the speech of television game show hosts on HTV7 and analyzes audience reactions to these linguistic deviations. The dataset includes 139 episodes from eight game shows broadcast between 2021 and 2024, combined with the survey data from 247 television viewers evaluating 43 instances of stylistic lexical errors that led to illocutionary misalignment.

Methodologically, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach. The qualitative component describes and categorizes stylistic lexical errors in host utterances, while the quantitative component employs a questionnaire to measure levels of discomfort, emotional responses, and behavioral tendencies among audiences toward such linguistic errors.

The findings reveal that lexical style errors in hosting discourse primarily fall into the four categories: body-shaming expressions, derogatory remarks targeting intellect, character, or behavior, sexually suggestive or sensitive wording, and inappropriate address forms. Audience responses indicate that 75% of participants rated at least half of the identified utterances as offensive or highly inappropriate, while 63% reported that such language negatively affected their overall impression of the program. Over 61% stated they would discontinue watching these game shows if stylistic language misuse persisted.

The study concludes that unrefined or inappropriate language use in television broadcasting not only causes viewer discomfort but also shapes audience perception and behavior. These findings underscore the urgent need to promote linguistic awareness in mass media contexts.