A semantic analysis on Popular Proverbs written by Cecilia G. Samekto

ABSTRACT

Semantic is the major branches of linguistics devoted to the study of meaning of words, sentences, and discourses in language. Kinds of meaning fire also found in the proverbs. Proverb is an old, short, and common saying; phrase, statement, sentence, or expression, which briefly and forcibly contains above all wisdom, truth, moral, experience, and advice concerning life, which has been handed from generation to generation.

This study is intended to investigate a semantic meaning on “Popular Proverbs” written by Cecilia G. Samekto. Then this study is focused on the kinds of meaning and the themes of English proverbs involved semantic analysis.

It is conducted by using a descriptive qualitative design, because the data are in the form of words, phrases, and sentences. Besides, the primary instrument for the data collection is the researcher herself. After the data are read and understood by the researcher, they are categorized into six categories, which are in accordance with the kinds of structure used in the proverbs. Furthermpre, the data were presented, and analyzed based on the kinds of meaning and themes involved of each, category.

Data analysis revealed some finding covering the formulated questions. In accordance with the kinds of meaning, the proverbs on “Popular Proverbs” written by Cecilia G. Samekto contain both sentential meaning and lexical meaning. Related to lexical meaning, the proverbs include contextual meaning, denotative meaning, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, homonymy, and polysemy. In addition, figurative language such as metaphor, personification, simile, and synecdoche are applied in some proverbs. In accordance with the themes, it can be found the proverbs contain love, friendship, and the way of life, religious teaching, and the view of life.

Finally, it is suggested the readers and other researchers to conduct similar study with the broader scope and more complete discussion. Besides, they are able to develop this study by using other types of linguistic aspects in the proverbs of “Popular Proverbs” written by Cecilia G٠ Samekto.