Ontological Metaphors in the Corpus of Sanggau Malay Songs: A Conceptual Metaphor Analysis

Abstract

This study examines ontological metaphors in the corpus of Sanggau Malay songs through the lens of Cognitive Semantics. The analysis integrates Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory with Croft and Cruse's Image Schema Theory to reveal how conceptual mappings between concrete and abstract domains are realized in metaphorical expressions found in song lyrics. The data consist of seven Sanggau Malay songs, which were transcribed using the ELAN and Toolbox linguistic software. The transcriptions were subsequently verified through interviews with native speakers to ensure the accuracy of local meanings and cultural references. The findings indicate that ontological metaphors consistently occur in two songs, namely Lanau Idau and Biar Gonting Inang Putus. These metaphors illustrate cognitive processes in which abstract concepts—such as first impressions, determination, and life journeys—are conceptualized as concrete entities or physical experiences. Furthermore, each metaphor is associated with a particular image schema, including identity, existence, and space, demonstrating how the cultural experiences of the Sanggau Malay community are conceptually represented through metaphorical language. The findings suggest that Sanggau Malay songs function not only as artistic expressions but also as cognitive and cultural representations that preserve local knowledge and worldview.