Analysis of Semiotic Meaning of Sirih and Rokok in Minangkabau Wedding Invitation Spoken Text

Authors

  • Yenita Uswar

    English Applied Linguistics Study Program, State University of Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia

    English Education Department, University of Potensi Utama, Medan 20241, Indonesia
  • Siti Aisah Ginting

    English Applied Linguistics Study Program, State University of Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Masitowarni Siregar

    English Education Department, University of Potensi Utama, Medan 20241, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.11229
Received: 23 July 2025 | Revised: 30 July 2025 | Accepted: 14 August 2025 | Published Online: 28 September 2025

Abstract

This study explores the semiotic meanings of sirih (betel leaf) and rokok (cigarette) in the spoken texts of Minangkabau wedding invitations. These two items, often overlooked in formal linguistic research, serve as important cultural symbols representing respect, hospitality, and the intention of invitation within the Minangkabau community. Using a descriptive qualitative method, this study relies exclusively on interviews for data collection. The participants consist of members of Sei Jariang Village, particularly Ninik Mamak (clan uncles) from the Koto and Tanjung tribes, as well as individuals from different generations, to capture a variety of perspectives on the meanings and functions of sirih and rokok in traditional ceremonies. The spoken texts gathered through interviews were analyzed using Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and a multimodal semiotic framework. The SFL analysis revealed that relational and mental processes were dominant in the interview texts, indicating a focus on relationships, perception, and cultural values. Logically, the use of hypotactic enhancement (α × β) was found to be the most frequent, reflecting the complexity and layered nature of the spoken wedding invitation discourse. From a multimodal semiotic perspective, sirih and rokok function as communicative signs that go beyond their literal meanings, serving as culturally coded tools of social interaction and ceremonial engagement. This study fills a gap in the existing literature by providing an in-depth analysis of these traditional elements, highlighting how language and cultural objects intertwine to convey meaning in Minangkabau wedding practices.

Keywords:

Semiotics; Minangkabau Culture; Wedding Invitation; Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL); Spoken Discourse Analysis

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How to Cite

Uswar, Y., Ginting, S. A., & Siregar, M. (2025). Analysis of Semiotic Meaning of Sirih and Rokok in Minangkabau Wedding Invitation Spoken Text. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(10), 836–852. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.11229

Issue

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

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Yenita Uswar, Siti Aisah Ginting, Masitowarni Siregar

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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.