Idioms, proverbs, similes and pantun all fall under the category of “metaphor” in Malay. Interestingly, the metaphors are not superficial; instead, they are permeated with philosophy, which in turn convey Malay thought. Clearly, these metaphors are composed using specific objects that have a close connection with meaning. Therefore, it is worthwhile to examine this connection and the meaning that is meant to be conveyed. This study focuses on data concerning idioms about mata[eyes] and kuku [fingernails]. References to ulam-ulaman (herbal plants eaten raw) were chosen for analysis of pantun. All of the data was taken from www.malaycivilization. com. The data analysis was performed using inquisitive semantics in an effort to uncover cognitive philosophical and cultural roles to explain why a particular object is selected for a particular metaphor. The actual meaning is revealed through three steps: literal, cognitive and inquisitive. The findings of this study show that the objects mata and kuku, as well as herbal plants, are aptly used to suggest the meaning that they are to convey. Mata signals feelings, kuku concerns closeness and herbal plants are associated with love, as proven by the data selected. The discussionthen extends to other fields, medicine and nutrition, in reference to proverbs and pantun. Clearly, this kind of multidisciplinary study is able to discuss Malay metaphors scientifically and convincingly.
ABSTRAKKajian dialek geografi di Malaysia sebelum ini telah memberikan maklumat taburan dialek secara umum berdasarkan perbezaan fonologi dan leksikal. Kajian tersebut telah menjadi asas kepada kajian geolinguistik pada hari ini. Dalam kajian kali ini, varian leksikal "daun kari" dan "daun kesum" dalam dialek Melayu Kedah di Pulau Langkawi telah diteliti. Berasaskan analisis geolinguistik, elemen linguistik telah digabungkan bersama dengan faktor bukan bahasa seperti bentuk muka bumi, persempadanan, migrasi dan sejarah. Seramai 90 orang responden telah dipilih yang terdiri daripada golongan remaja, dewasa dan warga tua. Penganalisisan data dilakukan dengan berbantukan perisian Geographic Information System (GIS). Kajian ini telah mencapai matlamat yang telah ditetapkan iaitu mengenal pasti penggunaan varian bagi kedua-dua leksikal yang dikaji. Selain itu, perbandingan dan penyebaran setiap varian leksikal tersebut telah berjaya dipetakan dengan bantuan teknik chloropleth. Seterusnya, penerapan perisian GIS ini telah berjaya membantu menghuraikan faktor geografi yang mempengaruhi pembentukan dan penyebaran varian leksikal di Langkawi. Hasil kajian ini telah dapat membuktikan secara saintifik bahawa kawasan mukim Padang MatSirat, Bohor dan Kuah adalah kawasan asal penutur dialek Melayu Langkawi, manakala Ayer Hangat dan Ulu Melaka mempunyai paling ramai penutur dialek Melayu Satun. Seterusnya, di mukim Kedawang pula terdapat penduduk yang menuturkan dialek Melayu Patani. Penyebaran ini berlaku adalah disebabkan oleh faktor sejarah, geografi dan sosiobudaya. Kajian ini menjadi lebih menarik, sistematik dan meyakinkan kerana disokong dengan kehadiran teknologi GIS dan pendekatan multidisiplin.
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