The Meaning Behind the Song “Timeless” by Playboi Carti and The Weeknd: A Pragmatic Analysis Using Culpeper's Impoliteness Theory

Abstract

This study investigates the linguistic meaning embedded in the song “Timeless” by Playboi Carti and The Weeknd through the lens of Culpeper's Impoliteness Theory (1996, 2005). Employing a qualitative descriptive research design, the study systematically categorizes lyrical utterances into five impoliteness strategies: Bald on Record Impoliteness, Positive Impoliteness, Negative Impoliteness, Sarcasm/Mock Politeness, and Withhold Politeness. The analysis reveals that Positive Impoliteness is the dominant strategy (n = 5), followed by Bald on Record Impoliteness and Sarcasm (n = 3 each), and Negative Impoliteness and Withhold Politeness (n = 2 each). These findings demonstrate that the artists deploy aggressive and dismissive language as a deliberate tool for identity construction, reinforcing themes of power, fame, dominance, and emotional detachment. This research contributes a pragmatic perspective to contemporary lyrical analysis, connecting modern hip-hop and R&B lyrics with broader sociolinguistic discussions on face-threat acts and celebrity identity formation.