THE MEANING BEHIND THE CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS OF THE MARRIAGE ACCORDING TO THE GORONTALO CUSTOM

Abstract

Currently, the young generation in Gorontalo has difficulty interpreting the form of language in the Gorontalo customary proposal dialogue. It is not surprising that at this time they are unable to play an active role in traditional ritual events. The dialogue on proposal is limited only to parents who have professions and expertise on the motolobalango “peminangan” event such as traditional stakeholders. This research focuses on the meanings behind the cultural expressions in the adat marriage of Gorontalo. This study aims to describe the meaning behind the cultural expressions in the Gorontalo customary marriage. The approaches used in this research are sociolinguistic and pragmatic approaches. The two approaches above are used trianggulatively (simultaneously). The data source in this research is the transcription of the conversation or dialogue of the traditional stakeholders during the marriage ceremony. Data collection was carried out through two methods, namely: (a) observation method or observation method carried out with basic tapping techniques. In this research, it is evident that through the use of old words, figures of speech, and parables, the atmosphere is more familiar, polite, and more beautiful. Familiarity, politeness and beauty reflect refinement in language or speech.