Madurese Proverbs Using Color Name Element: An Ethnolinguistic Study

Abstract

Color is a symbolic expression tool used by humans to translate the intentions and ideas of its users, not exception the color names used in proverbs. This research is a qualitative descriptive which aims to describe the meaning of Madurese proverbs which contain color name elements and their relation to the Madurese life principles. The data of this study are Madura proverbs which contain color name elements. Furthermore, primary data sources come from informants and secondary data sources come from books and internet pages. Data were analyzed using an ethnolinguistic approach with ethnoscience methods. The results showed that 6 Madurese proverbs used the color name elements. The colors are potѐ ‘white’, celleng ‘black’, and konѐng ‘yellow’. Each same color can have a different meaning in each proverb. Besides, the six proverbs that use the color name elements become Madurese life guidelines in running their life, such as having to maintain self-esteem, be humble, avoid abuse of power, keep trying, be a person who has good character, and associate with people who bring benefits. Thus, this research is fundamental because the color is not just a symbol of beauty, but it can show the culture of its users in the form of language expression.

Revealing the Implicit Meaning of Language Style in Madurese Proverbs

“…In this case, Madurese people use the white symbol of the eyes as a representation of shame while the white bones are represented as death. Implicitly, this utterance is quite representative of the nature of Madura people in general in upholding the principle in life that is upholding self-esteem from shame (Nugraha, 2017;Fadhilah, 2019, Ratnasari, 2021. Principally, the utterance of this proverb has a large correlation with the proverb of mon lo' bengal acarok je' ngakoh oreng Medureh (extract 12).…”

“…Therefore, Madurese have a strong principle of "it is better to die for fighting rather than living by shame. Everything will be at stake to defend the honor rooted as Madurese self-esteem establishment (Fadhilah, 2019).…”

“…It means that when people have no black pupils and irises, their eyes will not have functioned properly. For that reason, Madurese people analogize the pudency through the white of eyes that cannot see other objects properly (Nugraha, 2017;Fadhilah, 2019). Thus, to make well-interpreted meanings, this issue is required to consider the special background knowledge and specific context of utterance.…”

“…Still, it has implied complex inferences such as courage, righteousness, and toughly upholding self-esteem. In terms of conducting the thorough watchfulness of Madurese proverbs, (Fadhilah et al, 2019) also have revealed the symbolization of color elements that appears in Madurese proverbs, which are semantically approached in the holistic discussion. In her research, she has touched on the whole investigation as ethnolinguistically as particular of its relevance.…”