Exploring the Socio-Cultural Functions of Metaphors of Ethnic Karo, Indonesia

Abstract

Ethnic metaphors play an important role in the social interaction and national character building of the developing nation, such Indonesia. This research paper upholds the Karo metaphors of Karo ethnic of North Sumatra Province in finding the socio-cultural functions. It should be noted that the theory of metaphor of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (1980) is based on the Anglo-American speakers, so Indonesia needs the theory based on the natives or ethnic languages. A fieldwork study was conducted in Tanah Karo Regency of North Sumatra to observe the use of metaphors in various social interactions in by the end of 2014. A number of informants were observed and interviewed to get the primary data in the community. This research made use of a mapping model from the construction of some of Karo ethnic metaphors that contribute to human relation sustainability and solidarity at various levels. The data show that the mode of expressions in ethnic Karo metaphors has a rich potential of images of nature and animal in mountain area. This model is helpful for the utterances education in the provincial and national levels.