INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (IJHSS)

Analyzing the Expression of Sadness in Indonesian and English Proverbs: A Comparative Study Using Cognitive Semantics Analysis

E-ISSN: 3435-6457

P-ISSN: 8654-3552

DOI: https://iigdpublishers.com/journals/209

This study employs a Cognitive Semantics Analysis and a Contrastive Method to explore the manifestation of sadness in Indonesian and English proverbs. The study assembled a comprehensive corpus of English and Indonesian proverbs related to sorrow and scrutinized the linguistic structures, metaphorical expressions, and cultural connotations embedded within them. The study aimed to discern the underlying cognitive processes that drive the articulation of sadness within each linguistic context. It explored the cultural and social dimensions influencing the selection and evolution of sadness-related proverbs in both languages. The investigation also examines the historical and sociocultural contexts in which these proverbs originate to elucidate how shared experiences of sadness are encapsulated in collective linguistic wisdom. The findings show that (1) one of the most prominent recurring metaphorical domains found in Indonesian and English proverbs is the association of sadness with physical states, such as darkness, heaviness, or sinking, (2) the investigation of sadness-related proverbs in Indonesian and English provided rich contextual insights into the cultural and historical factors shaping these proverbs, and (3) proverbs in both Indonesian and English closely aligned with broader cultural norms and emotional experiences related to sadness. Through this interdisciplinary approach, our study strives to shed light on the universality and cultural specificity of sorrow as a human emotion and the intricate interplay between language, culture, and cognition. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of human emotions and their linguistic embodiment in cross-cultural contexts.

Keyword(s) Sadness, English Proverbs, Indonesian Proverbs, Cognitive Semantics, Contrastive Analysis, Emotion, Expression.
About the Journal Volume. IX, Issue. I | April 2024
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Danang Satria Nugraha

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