Abstract
Melengkan is a custom in the plateau of Gayo performed at a wedding expressed in poetical, lyrical or proverbial form. The study is aimed at identifying the types and uses of figures of speech in Melengkan of Gayo wedding supported by the concept of figures of speech proposed by Kosasih (2007). The data were collected through observation and a video-recording of the traditional Gayo wedding. as well as interviews with melengkan performers under descriptive qualitative method (Best, 1982). The figures of speech used in Melengkan also reflect the cultural value of Gayo community with points of local wisdom. The findings showed that there were four classifications of figures of speech: Comparison, Substitution, Addition or Amplification, and Omission or suppression used in Melengkan. The cultural values of Melengkan are for remembrance of local wisdom, warnings from customary philosophy, religion, and also for giving advice and recalling the history and beauty of Melengkan speech. The context of using Melengkan is to perpetuate and reflect cultural values, namely, politeness, respect, speaking softly, friendliness and resoluteness. These findings imply the importance of conserving Melengkan as a part of the Gayo culture in every part of life.
Highlights
Figures of speech or figurative language are two words or groups of words used to give particular emphasis to an idea or sentiment
Melengkan is a speech tradition usually performed at important events or social gatherings and the performance of which is through figures of speech; in other words it is clearly seen that melengkan is a manifestation of figurative language
Slip of the tongue, or miscommunication owing to the wrong use of words could be avoided, and melengkan is placed at a significant post at a wedding
Summary
Figures of speech or figurative language are two words or groups of words used to give particular emphasis to an idea or sentiment. A figure of speech expresses an idea or experience vividly, forcefully, and briefly. Sometimes figure of speech may seem even more direct than literal language because it helps the listener grasp important ideas immediately. According to Croll (1986:65) figures of speech are forms of expression that departs from normal word or sentence order or from common literal meanings for words, for the purpose of achieving a special effect. Figure of speech has function to make the listener more impressed to the sentences or the utterances. Figure of speech has function to make the listener more impressed to the sentences or the utterances. (Fasold, 2001)
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