THE USE OF PLANT LEXICONS AS A METAPHOR IN JAVANESE PROVERB

Abstract

Language as a communication system is a medium for expressing our thoughts, feelings, and opinions. One of the kinds of Javanese expressions that are used is Proverb. A proverb is an expression that contains a parable, it means, there is a thing being compared, then the use of certain lexicons in the proverb is a metaphor. This research aims to reveal the classification of plant lexicons and the representation of plant lexicons as a metaphor and the local wisdom contained in Javanese proverb through a cognitive linguistic approach. The research method used is the library research method. In addition, the referential equivalent method proposed by (Sudaryanto, 2015) is applied to analyze the data by showing a reference to a concept, specifically the concept of plant. At the data collection stage, the researcher used three parts, namely determining the units to be analyzed, determining the data sample, and recording the data. The inference is used by researchers to find the results of data analysis by existing theories. In the analysis of data techniques, the researcher uses qualitative analysis techniques where the researcher tries to construct an understanding of the meaning of plant lexicons as a metaphors and the local wisdom in Javanese proverb. The results showed that the plant lexicons used in Javanese proverb can be classified into 9 categories namely lexicons of tree, leaves, wood, flower, fruit, seed, fruit-shell, wild-plant, and rhizome. The plant lexicons used are the plant which can be found easily in Java. Besides, the representation of plant lexicons as a metaphor in Javanese proverb are plant as the representation of weakness, strength, badness, kindness, woman, old and young. The plant lexicons used to represent a metaphor was based on similar physical characteristic and conceptual blending. In addition, Javanese proverb which use plant lexicons as basic concept also convey several local wisdoms which are (1) teaching about good deeds, (2) being a consistent person, (3) awareness in life, (4) accepting of God’s decree, (5) don’t exceed our limit, (6) hardworking, (7) family ethics, (8) be humble and modest, (9) don’t prejudge someone by his/her looks, (10) optimism, and (11) being fair and equitable.