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Abstract

In terms of anthropological linguistics, the study aims to explore the interaction of language, culture and cognitive tendencies in the community of Kajang. It particularly looks into the traditional oral expressions (kelong) of the community, including Kelong Basing Rikong, Lok-lok, and Ati-ati Raja, as their understandings of life, death, spirituality, and social values are expressed. A qualitative ethnolinguistic approach, informed by anthropological linguistics, was used in this study. Data collection methods included field observations, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders (Ammatoa), cultural practitioners and community elders, and a documentary analysis of oral texts, especially Kelong. These vocal statements were captured, transcribed and analyzed thematically focusing on spiritual concepts, cultural references and metaphoric expression. The interpretative frameworks of Duranti (2010) were employed to find out the effect of language on thought and on the transmission of cultural values. Beyond the communicative function of the Kelong, the results demonstrate that language is a cognitive framework which affects and organizes the Kajang people's knowledge of abstract concepts and ideas, such as concepts of mortality and moral behaviour. A good example of such abstraction of metaphysical concepts into collective cognition was seen in the form of Paklengukia, which metaphorically represented the boundary between the real and the afterlife. Further, cultural values of humility (longgangi lino...) and social hierarchy (uni-uni patang pulo) are expressed in terms of language, clearly defining its role as a carrier of cultural transmission. Oral traditions of the Kajang community contain a strong expression of their spirituality and the language used is indeed very strong, it is stated in the study.

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