In previous literature, conceptual metaphor has been used as a comprehensive cognitive tool to explore systematic categorization of concepts in the Quran. Death metaphor themes have either been studied from rhetorical or conceptual perspectives, but metaphor interpretation needs both linguistic and conceptual knowledge. This paper will explore the function of both linguistic and conceptual knowledge in metaphor interpretation in the Quran. This paper has used the technique of key words and phrases for data collection and metaphor identification procedure (MIP) for metaphors identification. Thirteen conceptual metaphors were found in the data. The key conceptual metaphors were analyzed through the lexical concept cognitive model theory (hereafter LCCM) to find out the functions of linguistic and conceptual knowledge in metaphor interpretation. The findings reveal that conceptual metaphor gives only relational structure to the linguistic metaphoric expressions, whereas interpretation needs integration of both linguistic and conceptual knowledge. Conceptual simulation of metaphoric expressions is a multilinear process of multiple conceptual schemas and language. The findings also reveal that LCCM needs the tool of intertextuality for clash resolution of contexts in text interpretation. This paper holds that meaning construction depends upon multilinear processing of conceptual schemas and language. Furthermore, it asserts that the gap in LCCM may be resolved through the tool of intertextuality in metaphor comprehension. This study suggests further studies on relationship between conceptual schemas and lexical behaviour and an elaborate model for text interpretation, combining LCCM and intertextuality.   Keywords: Cognitive model, cognitive semantics, conceptual metaphor, fusion, lexical concept   Cite as: Sardaraz, K., & Ali, R. (2019). A cognitive-semantic approach to the interpretation of death metaphor themes in the Quran. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(4), 219-246. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol4iss2pp219-246

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which originated from China, went global within weeks. At the time of writing, almost 300 million people around the world have been infected by this potent and fast-spreading disease, which in many cases has paralysed economies and normal daily activities. University students are among the people that have been badly affected by the pandemic, as the movement control order (MCO) has resulted in university closure. Hence, many students are unable to proceed with their regular studies and have to be extra vigilant in dealing with the pandemic. During the MCO period, they rely heavily on media for guidance and information. This study was conducted to examine media exposure, attitude, anxiety, and practices towards COVID-19 amongst the students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak, Malaysia. A quantitative research design was used to achieve the research objective. A total of 505 respondents answered an online survey and the findings revealed that respondents were highly dependent on various media for updated information about the pandemic, with the majority of them anxious about their safety. These findings are useful for higher education institutions in developing a better learning environment for students and understand the impact of the pandemic on students.

Abstract. The existing literature has examined the preposition fī ‫ي(‬ ِ ‫)ف‬ in the Quran from lexical syntactic perspective in strict spatio-geometric sense, but its abundant use with abstract concepts, emotions and states needs an elaborate approach to investigate its complex semantic functions. Therefore, this paper has taken a corpus based approach to investigate the functional semantic complexity of the preposition fī in the Quran from a cognitive perspective. The conceptual metaphor perspective holds that the sensorimotor neural structures define the use of spatial preposition in both spatio-geometric positions and abstract states. The linguistic data reveals that the container image schema is at work both in the literal and metaphoric use of spatial preposition fī. However, the preposition fī carries its own distinct semantic argument in each context and sometimes overrides the symmetry of container image schema. This paper recommends a broader perspective for a comprehensive analysis of spatial preposition fī and suggests further studies on its functional semantic complexity in the Quran.

The Internet is a modern Pandora's Box which has exceptionally altered the way we disseminate and receive information messages, particularly news. Despite technological innovations being the apex of our history, it is undeniable that they pose new challenges and threats to a different degree. Hence, this study examined the risks and challenges faced by the Malaysian media professionals in this new age and how technological developments had impacted their work. Situated within the framework of the technological determinism theory, this study employed a qualitative semi-structured interview with thirteen (13) Malaysian journalists. This study found several challenges related to the journalists' safety and their professionalism. Media professionals, such as journalists and editors, often caught in a paradoxical and risky situations, which challenge the process of news production and deliverance ethically and legally. Journalists, who participated in this study, were pressured to produce more story ideas and deliver news assignments with shorter deadlines. This not only impacted the online news quality but also the credibility and transparency of the news organization.