Ecological Metaphors in the Lontar Manuscript of the Megantaka Folklore: An Ecolinguistics Analysis

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Muhammad Azwar Assiddiq, Sri Hariati Mustari, Reski Pilu, Mustakim

2025 Studies in English Language and Education Vol. 12 Issue 3 Article Cited by 1 Quartile

Abstract

This study investigates the ecological metaphors used in the lontar manuscript of the Megantaka folklore of the Sasak tribe in Indonesia. Using an ecolinguistic approach and referring to Halley’s ecological metaphor categories, the data were collected from the Lontar manuscript and analysed using the Metaphor Identification Method (MIP). The findings revealed that the metaphors belong to several categories: 1) the ‘being’ category used in Tembang Sinom and Tembang Dandang, 2) the ‘cosmos’ category appearing in Tembang Durma, Tembang Pangkur, and Tembang Dandang, 3) the ‘energy’ category in Tembang Asmaradana, Tembang Durma, and Tembang Pangkur, 4) the ‘substance’ category in Tembang Durma, 5) the ‘terrestrial’ category in Tembang Durma, Tembang Pangkur, and Tembang Dandang, 6) the ‘object’ category in Tembang Sinom, Tembang Asmaradana, Tembang Pangkur, and Tembang Dandang, 7) the ‘living’ category in Tembang Durma, Tembang Pangkur, and Tembang Dandang, and 8) the ‘animate’ category in Tembang Durma, Tembang Pangkur, and Tembang Dandang. This study is essential for preserving local wisdom, providing an overview of social and cultural life in the past, and serving as material for community reflection in strengthening the national character. This study reflects the ecological conditions of language users and provides insights into the social and cultural lives of the Sasak people. © 2025 by Authors.

Affiliations

Study Program of English Language, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia; Study Program of English Language Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Khairun, Ternate, 97719, Indonesia; Study Program of Safety Engineering, Institut Teknologi dan Kesehatan Tri Tunas Nasional, Makassar, 90222, Indonesia; Study Program of Elementary School Teacher Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Cokroaminoto Palopo, Palopo, 91911, Indonesia; Study Program of Primary Education, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Enrekang, Enrekang, 91712, Indonesia