Structural Conceptual Metaphors of Emotion Expressions Used by Mandailingnese Speakers

Authors

  • Enni Maisaroh

    Faculty of Language and Art, State University of Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Sumarsih

    Faculty of Language and Art, State University of Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Anni Holila Pulungan

    Faculty of Language and Art, State University of Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.11097
Received: 16 July 2025 | Revised: 23 July 2025 | Accepted: 9 September 2025 | Published Online: 28 September 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the structural conceptual metaphors employed by Mandailingnese speakers to express emotions, aiming to elucidate how abstract emotional experiences are mapped onto more concrete concepts through metaphor. The research adopted a qualitative, descriptive design grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), as developed by Lakoff and Johnson. Data were drawn from spoken language, including words, phrases, and clauses, collected through recordings of native Mandailingnese speakers' utterances. An interactive model was applied to analyze the data. The findings indicate that Mandailingnese speakers frequently utilize structural conceptual metaphors such as Time Is Money, Life Is a Journey, and Causation As Forced Movement to articulate emotions. In particular, many emotions were conceptualized in temporal terms, mapping feelings onto the domain of time. This mapping illustrates how speakers draw upon familiar, concrete domains to understand and communicate abstract emotional states. These results suggest that structural conceptual metaphors are central to Mandailingnese emotional expression and may contribute to enhancing emotional intelligence. By framing emotions within metaphorical constructs, speakers are better able to comprehend, communicate, and regulate their emotional experiences. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between language, culture, and cognition, demonstrating how metaphor shapes the expression and perception of emotions within the Mandailingnese community.

Highlights:

  • This study investigates the structural conceptual metaphors employed by Mandailingnese speakers to express emotions, aiming to elucidate how abstract emotional experiences are mapped onto more concrete concepts through metaphor.
  • The research adopted a qualitative, descriptive design grounded in Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), as developed by Lakoff and Mark.
  • Data were drawn from spoken language, including words, phrases, and clauses, collected through recordings of native Mandailingnese speakers' utterances.

Keywords:

Language; Metaphor; Expression; Mandailing; Qualitative

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How to Cite

Maisaroh, E., Sumarsih, & Pulungan, A. H. (2025). Structural Conceptual Metaphors of Emotion Expressions Used by Mandailingnese Speakers. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(10), 824–835. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.11097

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 10 (October 2025): In progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Enni Maisaroh, Sumarsih, Anni Holila Pulungan

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.