A Linguistic Study: Metaphore in Iberamsyah Barbary’s 1001 Gurindam

Abstract

Metaphors allow us to understand and describe an abstract concept by comparing it to something more concrete and familiar. In this context, Gurindam 1001 by Iberhamsyah Barbary serves as a compelling subject of study, as its rich use of metaphors conveys profound reflections on the relationship between humanity and divinity, the essence of life and love, the significance of moral values, and the preservation of cultural heritage. This research seeks to investigate and interpret the various types of metaphors employed in 1001 Gurindam by Iberhamsyah Barbary, particularly those that convey themes of divinity, life, love, morality, and cultural values. It also aims to understand how the use of these metaphors enhances the depth of meaning and enriches the interpretative dimension of the gurindam. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the types of metaphors based on the theory of Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The findings of this study show that ontological metaphors of the personification type are the most frequently found, reaching 26 (40 %); structural metaphors appear 16 (24,6 %); orientational metaphors 14 (21,5%); and the least frequent are ontological metaphors of the metonymy type, found 9 (13,9 %). The frequent use of ontological metaphors in the form of personification (26 %) indicates that attributing human qualities to objects or abstract concepts makes the complex ideas in the gurindam easier to understand. This shows the poet’s tendency to view these themes through a human lens and to create an emotional connection between the reader and the messages conveyed.The limited use of metonymic metaphors (9 %) in the gurindam suggests that the poet delivers his messages in a more direct, clear, and assertive manner—focusing on moral teachings, reflections on life, spirituality, love, and cultural values—while avoiding overly abstract or complex expressions that might cause confusion or misinterpretation among readers