HOW TO MAP THE MEANING OF “SEE” IN KUPANG MALAY
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How to Map the Meaning of “SEE” in Kupang Malay
David Samuel Latupeirissa
STIBA Mentari NTT
Abstract
Lexicon ‘See’ as an English verb that means ‘perceive with the eyes’has different form of lexicon and different semantics meaning in Kupang Malay Language (KML). The lexicons that refer to ‘see’ are ‘lia’,‘loti’,‘malerok’, ‘maloi’ and‘pe’emata’. Those five lexicons have their own meaning. In order to understand those words deeply, such matters were analysed by a study using Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) theory.By applying descriptive qualitative method and paraphrase/ explication technique, the slightly different semantic features of ‘lia’,‘loti’,‘malerok’, ‘maloi’ and‘pe’emata’ can be comprehensively revealed.
Keywords: KML, NSM, explication
I INTRODUCTION
To say a language is to say a society since there is no society without language. Many facts show that language serves an important role in a society. Therefore, when one understands a language, it can be said that s/he might also understand the society. There are many aspects need to be understood in any language. One of them is understanding meaning of lexicon(s).
Understanding a lexicon in any language deeply is very important. By knowing semantic meaning, one can use the lexicon properly so s/he can act correctly in the society where the language is spoken.Here, the researcher would like to investigateKupang Malay Language so this language might be understood deeper, both by the writer and reader.
Kupang Malay Language (next, it is called KML) is a local language in East Nusa Tenggara Province. East Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia. This province is located nearby Timor Leste Country. Following is a language map that shows the use of KML in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Source: Jacob J, Charles E. Grimes, compilers. 2003. KamusPengantar Bahasa Kupang: EdisiKedua. Kupang: ArthaWacana Press
KML is spoken as a united language for people in East Nusa Tenggara. It is used as the first language or the second language in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Scientifically, this language is a creole language (Jacob andGrimes, 2003: 2).There is onlylittle literature that writeabout this language. Therefore, this research is hoped to be worthwhile to the development of the linguistics studies and for those who want to have information for further research.
Next, this research focuses its data on the lexicon ‘See’ that means to perceive with eyes. In KML, there are five different terms or lexicons to state ‘see’. Those lexicons are‘lia’,‘loti’,‘malerok’, ‘maloi’ and‘pe’emata’.Each of those lexicons has different usage and different semantic meaning. When one uses a lexicon incorrectly in communication, s/he will, of course, get trouble in Kupang society since wrong usage will create a gap of communication. Bearing the matters stated above, the researcher is interested to conduct a study under a title: ‘See’ in Kupang Malay Language: A Metalanguage Study.
II MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data was gained by taking the lexicon(s) from dictionary of Kupang Malay language. First, from the Kupang Malay – Indonesian dictionary, the researcher looked up all lexicons that means ‘melihat’ (Indonesian lexicon that means ‘See’). After getting those lexicons needed, the researcher started to explore meaning of them.The researcher also used exploratory method and introspection method to collect data.The research design used by the researcher
in this study was descriptive qualitative method. This method is appropriate as qualitative method tends to collect data naturally (Creswell. 2009:175).
Theory used in this research was Natural Semantics Metalanguage (Next, will be called NSM). NSM was first introduced by Wierzbicka (1996) and the follower like Goddard (1996). This theory aims to explore meaningof word(s). Meaning that is explored by this theory covers lexical meaning, illocutionary meaning and grammatical meaning.Sudipa (2013), refers to Wierzbika (1996), states that NSM combines philosophical and logical tradition.
‘…..according to Weirzbicka (1996:23), Natural Semantics Metalanguage theory combines the philosophical and logical tradition in the study of meaning with a typological approach to the study of language, and with broadly based empirical cross-linguistic investigations’(Sudipa, 2013).
Philosophical and logical tradition is important in linguistics, especially in semantics. The tradition can express or actualize what is meant by human mind through language (Koroh, 2015).
Goddarfd (2010) gives example of applying this theory using causative verb ‘killed’ and ‘broke’ in English.Causative verb ‘killed’ and ‘broke’, in general linguistic are frequently analyzed as cause to die (or cause to become not alive) and cause to become broken, respectively. But, NSM explications are given below. Aside from the fact that NSM system recognizes because rather (than cause) as its basic exponent in the causal domain, it can be seen that the explications give a more articulated and nuanced account of the event structure. In both cases, the explications depict an action by the agent X with an immediate effect on the patient Y. In thecase of kill, namely, something happening to the person Y’s body.
Someone X killed someone Y:
Someone X did something to someone else Y
Because of this, something happened to Y at the same time
Because of this, something happened to Y’s body
Because of this, after this Y was not living anymore.
For break, namely, X do something to Y as patient, therefore something happening to the thing Y.
Someone X broke something Y:
Someone X did something to something Y
Because of this, something happened to Y at the same time
It happened in one moment
Because of this, after this Y was not one thing anymore
People can think about it like this: ‘it cannot be one thing anymore’.
(Gaddard. 2010)
In simple words, NSM helps the researcher to describe lexicon(s) using language. This breaks concepts/ lexicons of KML down into combinations of simple concept/ words using small connection of semantic primes (Sudipa. 2013).
Next, Technique applied in presenting data was paraphrase/ explication.This was applied by following some rules, as follows: First, paraphrase must combine some meanings since a form cannot be explained only by one meaning. Second, paraphrase can also be done by using a uniqueness of a language. Third, paraphrasing a sentence must follow syntactical rules. Fourth, paraphrase always use simple sentence. The last, sentence of paraphrase sometimes need special identity and space (Sudipa. 2004).
III RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result of this research and analysis are presented based upon those five KML lexicons that refer to ‘see’ in English. As found in KML dictionary, there are ‘lia’,‘loti’,‘malerok’, ‘maloi’ and‘pe’emata’.
‘Lia’ has similar meaning to ‘see’. As ‘see’ can be described ‘perceive with the eyes’(http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/see), ‘lia’, as have mentioned before, can be described‘perceive with the eyes’. Some examples of how ‘lia’ is used in KML are as follows.
‘Liaitubuku dong koambe yang lusuka’
Seedet book PLConj take det 2TG like
See the books and take the one you like
‘Be son liaitusaboak’
1Sing no see det NAME
I don’t see the saboak
‘Jang pi sakolakolianona dong sa’
No go school Conj see girl PL PART
Do not go to school just to see girls
Based on data above, the further explications are as follows.
Someone X sees someone or something Y:
Someone X lia someone or something Y
Someone X does something to someone or something Y
Because of this, something happened to someone or something X at the same time
Because of this, something X can see in her/ his mind about Y
Because of this, after this someone or something Y feel something good and bad
‘Loti’ can be meant ‘see carefully’. It is not only ‘see’ in ordinary way but it is a kind of serious action in perceiving someone or something seriously. The doer ‘loti’ someone or something means s/he focuses of seeing someone or something. Some examples of how ‘loti’ is used in KML are as follows.
‘ Lotikomangarti’
See Conj Understand
See, so you can understand
‘Be su loti dartadi ma son katumujuni’
1Sing Modal seeConj Time Conj No find PART PART
I have tried to see since sometimes ago but (I) haven’t found it yet
‘Lu pi loti di galapbekinapa?’
2 Sing go see Conj dark Conj QW
Why do you go to see in the darkness?
Based on data above, the further explications are as follows.
Someone X sees someone or something Y:
Someone X loti someone or something Y
Someone X does something to someone or something Y
Because of this, someone X can find or understand about someone
or something Y
Because of this, after this someone or something Y can both be reacted and not reacted
Because of this, after this someone or something Y cannot be said as missing or unclear
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3.3 ‘MALEROK’
‘Malerok’ is a kind of seeing at glance to the right or to the left. This kind of activity has negative meaning in Kupang society. When we do it to someone, then s/he might be offended. Some examples of how ‘malerok’ is used in KML are as follows.
‘Lu malerokapa? Son lama be supapokolu’
2Sing see QW No Time 1Sing Prep hit 2Sing
What are you seeing? I will punch you soon
‘Be son baranimalerokpi dia o.
1Sing No brave see Conj 3Sing Part.
I have no courageous to see her.
‘Lu malerok pi datangtarussa. Son lama mulu pica’
2Singsee go come continue Part. No time mouth broken
Just see around then you will get trouble.
‘Betakue. Tediamalerokdatangsinitarusna’
1Sing afraid Part. Part 3Sing see come here continue Part
I am afraid since he is keep looking at me.
Based on data above, the further explications are as follows.
Someone X sees someone Y
Someone X maleroksomeone Y
Someone X do something to someone Y
Because of this, someone Y will be afraid or angry at someone X
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3.4 ‘MALOI’
‘Maloi’ is seeing someone or something in secret. This kind of activity means the doer perceives someone or something with eyes, but the one or the thing that is seen is not realized (at least for the first moment). Some examples of how ‘maloi’ is used in KML are as follows.
‘Inga o, jangsukamaloiorang mandi’
Remember Part. Not like see (spy) someone take a bath
Remember to not spy someone when she/ he is taking a bath
‘Lu pi maloiadabarapaorang di muka do’
2Sing go see QW people Conj front Part
Please see how many people (guests) are there in the living room
‘Be pi maloiambellewatjandela do’
1Sing go see Part Manner window Part
I will go to see through the window
Based on data above, the further explications are as follows.
Someone X sees someone or something Y:
Someone X maloisomeone or something Y
Someone X does something to someone or something Y
Because of this, someone X see something to someone or something Y
Because of this, after this someone or something Y do not know what X do
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3.5 ‘PE’EMATA’
‘Pe’emata’ means someone does not only see in general way, but s/he sees something or someone by opening eyes widely. This kind of seeing has semantic meaning that the doer is angry at somebody or something. Some examples of how ‘Pe’emata’ is used in KML are as follows.
Jang pe’elupungmatabagitu. Lu kira be taku?
Do Not see 2Sing Poss eyes det. 2Sing think 1Sing afraid
Don’t see like that. Do you think I am afraid ?
Baptuaadape’ematadengkatong.Diamsu!
3Sing Part see Conj 1Pl. Silent Part
He is seeing us. Be silent!
Bepe’ematadengdong kodong diam
1Sing see conj 3Pl conj 3Pl silent
I see them so they are not talking anymore.
Based on data above, the further explications are as follows.
Someone X sees someone or something Y:
Someone X pe’emataat someone or something Y
Someone X does something to someone or something Y
Because of this, someone Y knows that someone X is angry at Y Because of this, after this someone or something Y might be afraid or get angry
IV CONCLUSION
Based on data analyzed above, the researcher makes some conclusions. First, There are five different lexicons that describes ‘see’in KMLthat means perceiving with eyes. Those five lexicons are ‘lia’,‘loti’,‘malerok’, ‘maloi’ and‘pe’emata’.Each of them has their own semantic meaning. The semantic meaning can be studied deeply using theory of NSM.
Next, NSM study describes those KML lexicons as follows: ‘Lia’is a natural activity of seeing. ‘Loti’ means someone sees someone other or something seriously. ‘Malerok’ means someone sees someone other or something at glance from the left or right side of himself/ herself. ‘Maloi’ means someone sees someone other or something in secret. ‘Pe’emata’ means someone sees someone other or something because she/he is angry at someone/something that she/he sees.
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