North Sumatran Malay Folktales: Its Structure, Social Function and Meaning
(Cerita Rakyat Melayu Sumatera Utara: Struktur, Fungsi Sosial, dan Maknanya)
Abstract
This study is a descriptive-qualitative analysis that uses the techniques of observation, interviews and written documents. The Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) approach based on the principle of semiotics is used in this study. The data analysis consists of folktales found in North Sumatra, that is, "Batu Belah Batu Betangkup", "Putri Kuau" and "Sri Putih Cermin". By using the SFL approach this study describes the structure, social function, and meaning of North Sumatran Malay folktales. From the analysis it is found that the structure, function and meaning of all the three NSM folktales are similar. The material and verbal processes found in the texts of the folktales depict life in the palace and the everyday life of North Sumatran Malay society in the past as well as in the present. North Sumatran Malay texts are the representation of culture and meaning in which the value of of North Sumatran Malay society are inherent.
Keywords: folklore, "Batu Belah Batu Betangkup", "Putri Kuau", "Sri Putih Cermin", systemic functional linguistics, North Sumatran Malay values
References
Anderson, John, 1971. Mission to the East Coast of Sumatra in 1823. Singapura: Oxford University Press Halliday 1978.
Bronner, Simon J. (ed.), 2007. The Meaning of Folklore: The Analytical Essays of Alan Dundes. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press.
Eggins, Suzanne, 2004. An Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. 2nd ed. Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Halliday, M.A.K., 2004. An Introduction to Functional Grammar. London: Edward Arnold.
Halliday, M.A.K., 1978. Language as Social Semiotic: The Social Interpretation of Language and Meaning. London: Edward Arnold.
Halliday, M.A.K., Matthiessen C.M.I.M., 2004. An Introduction to Functional Grammar, 3rd ed. London: Edward Arnold.
Maini Trisna Jayawati, Suslistiati, and Yeni Mulyani Supriatin, 1997. Analisis Struktur dan Nilai Budaya Cerita Rakyat Sumatera Utara Sastera Melayu. Jakarta: Pusat Pembinaan dan Pengembangan Bahasa Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.
Martin, J.R., 1992. English Text: System and Structure. Philadelphia/Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Martin, J.R., 1985. English Text: System and Structure. Philadelphia/Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Santoso, Riyadi, 2003. Semiotika Sosial Pandangan terhadap Bahasa. Surabaya: Pustaka Eureka dan JP Press.
Jonathan, Sarwono, 2006. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif dan Kualitatif. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.
Rosmawati R., Anni Krisna Siregar, Ahmad Samin Siregar and Zainal Abidin, 1990. Struktur Sastera Lisan Melayu Serdang. Jakarta: Pusat Pembinaan Dan Pengembangan Bahasa.
Sinar, Tengku Luckman, 2009. Bunga Rampai Cerita Rakyat Seri A. Medan: Medan:Yayasan Kesultanan Serdang.
Sinar, Tengku Silvana, 2003. Teori & Analisis Wacana. Pendekatan Sistemik-Fungsional. Medan: Pustaka Bangsa Press.
