Elements of Nature in the Figurative Language of the Kenyah Uma Badeng Community of Sungai Koyan: An Inquisitive Semantic Study

Abstract

Inquisitive semantics is an approach within semantics and pragmatics that enables the analysis and interpretation of the actual meaning of an utterance, thereby uncovering the worldview and intellectual reasoning of its speakers. This approach emphasises not only the literal meaning of an expression but also the implicit meanings rooted in the speaker’s cultural experiences, beliefs, and way of life. Although numerous inquisitive semantic studies have focused on figurative language in Malay society, such as proverbs and idioms, research on the figurative language of indigenous communities, particularly the Kenyah Uma Badeng, remains limited and underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to examine the implicit meanings embedded in proverbs containing natural elements among the Kenyah Uma Badeng community using the Inquisitive Semantics approach. This qualitative study is based on five data items obtained through interviews with native speakers and the analysis of proverbs that remain in everyday use. Preliminary findings indicate that each proverb conveys moral values such as honouring one’s origins, cooperation, social politeness, and emotional regulation. The inquisitive semantic analysis demonstrates that the true meanings of these proverbs can only be understood through the integration of literal meaning, cultural context, and speaker cognition. This study contributes significantly to the documentation of Kenyah oral heritage, which is increasingly at risk of erosion, and assists younger generations in understanding the wisdom and philosophical outlook of their ancestors. Overall, the study highlights the uniqueness of Kenyah figurative language as a reflection of cultural identity and values of the Uma Badeng community.

Keywords: Inquisitive semantics, figurative language, natural elements, Kenyah community, proverbs, common sense

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