Abstract

This paper discusses the use of words and expressions in the metaphorical dialogues used in the film Puteri Gunung Ledang (PGL). The Malays are known for their gentle and amiable characters. These features include the way they speak. This can be observed when they covertly deliver messages in a conversation. The habit of not being straightforward and subtly conveying message are nurtured since a very young age. This act is regarded as a way of being courteous and practiced among themselves or others while communicating. As the result, the Malays often use metaphor in communication to make comparison on matters or things, covertly. Such comparison led to the use of different words comparing other things. Since the life of the Malays is heavily connected to their natural environment, they tend to interpret these elements in their daily use of language. In addition, this study has discovered that the Malays are really close with their natural environment. These relationships were expressed through the use of figurative language with words and phrases that are environment-oriented. The use of words oriented by anatomy, natural environment, flora and fauna, behaviour, jewellery and food is distributed as metaphor in PGL movie. These are the elements related to the natural human environment. In fact, due to this close connection, it was found that the Malays feel comfortable to relate these elements with nature and human behaviour in life.

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