Euphemism among the Orang Asli Mendriq Tribe in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia

Euphemism is used to replace taboo language or sensitive words with politer ones that can be heard by all segments of society. However, the increasingly modern development trend has limited the use of euphemisms because of a more open and straightforward approach in expressing opinions or speaking out. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify the use of euphemisms in Mendriq language and analyze the factors shaping the use of euphemisms among the indigenous Mendriq people in Kampung Kuala Lah, Gua Musang, Kelantan. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach by interviewing a 66-year-old informant selected through the NORM approach to gather data for both objectives. The study was specifically focused on the use of euphemisms among the indigenous Mendriq people. The findings revealed six categories of euphemisms used in Mendriq language based on Allan & Burridge's theory (1991): fear, illness, body parts, hatred, gender, and death. The use of these euphemisms is influenced by factors such as consideration for feelings, customs and beliefs, speech and conversation norms, respect for the deceased, and sensitive or embarrassing matters. Based on these factors, the researcher found that the use of euphemisms can maintain welfare and harmony within the community.

Euphemism, taboo language, Orang Asli

1. Akh Muhammad. (2010, April 7). Ahlan wasahlan: Menjaga aib saudara kita. http://akh-muhammad.blogspot.my/2010/04/menjaga-aib-saudara-%20kita.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Faizatul Farhana Farush Khan. (2019). Henti mempersendakan fizikal orang lain. Berita Harian. https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/komentar/2019/12/639658/henti-mempersendakan-fizikal-orang-lain [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Hamidah Abdul Wahab et. al. (2020). Eufemisme perceraian dalam masyarakat Melayu Sarawak: analisis semantik kognitif. Journal of Language Studies, 20(4), 74-94. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Hasmidar Hassan, Radiah Yusoff, & Nur Sharina Sahar. (2021). Pengetahuan Bersama Tentang Tabu dalam Masyarakat Silang Budaya Sebagai Jaminan Kesantunan Berbahasa. Jurnal Melayu Sedunia, 4(1), 42–74. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. J.K Chambers & Peter Trudgill. (1990). Dialektologi. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Lynn-Sze, J. C. (2021). Female leadership communication styles from the perspective of employees. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 13(3), 83-93. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Muhammad Zaid Daud, Mohammad Shahrul Nizam Abdul Wahid & Remmy Gedat. (2017). Eufemisme Dalam Bahasa Iban: Satu Kajian Kes di Kampung Lebor, Serian, Sarawak. Borneo Research Journal, 11(1), 87–105. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Muhammad Zaid Daud, Mohammad Shahrul Nizam Abdul Wahid, & Remmy Gedat. (2018). Penggunaan Eufemisme dalam Kalangan Penutur Iban. International Journal of Language Education and Applied Linguistics, 8(1), 27-40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Munirah Zulkifli, Norazilah Buhari, & Nor Azlili Hassan. (2019). Eufemisme Cerminan Nilai Sosiobudaya Masyarakat Malaysia. Sains Insani, 4(2), 37–48. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Nasimah Abdullah & Lubna Abd. Rahman. (2019). Eufemisme dalam Wacana Terjemahan Makna al-Quran ke Bahasa Melayu: Analisis Pragmatik. Al-Irsyad Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues, 4(1), 39-56. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Nasimah Abdullah. (2015). Tafsir Pimpinan Ar-Rahman: Tinjauan Terhadap Kesepadanan Terjemahan Kata Ganti Nama Diri Arab-Melayu. Jurnal Pengajian Islam. (8)3, 20-39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Norhafizah Ahmad et al. (2022). Kepercayaan, Adat Budaya dan Amalan Keagamaan Orang Asli Kanaq di Kota Tinggi, Johor. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 19(2), 26–32. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Rus Shafinas Shafie, Wardatul Hayat Adna, Puspalata C. Suppiah & Yuslinda Mat Yassin (2024). Psychosemantics of “us” and “them” in social media warfare. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 16(2), 65-81. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Suku Kaum Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia. (n.d.). Laman Web Rasmi Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli. https://www.jakoa.gov.my/orang-asli/suku-kaum/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Suzieyiana Ritos & Muhammad Zaid Daud. (2020). Strategi Penggantian Disfemisme kepada Eufemisme dalam Komunikasi Lisan Masyarakat Bidayuh, Bau: Analisis Pragmatik. Asian People Journal (APJ), 3(1), 64–83. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Zaliza Mohamad Nasir & Zaitul Azma Zainon Hamzah. (2014). Sikap dan Motivasi Pelajar Terhadap Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 134, 408–415. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Evaluating the Impacts of Mind Mapping Strategy on Developing EFL Students’ Critical Reading Skills
• Significance of Reading Instructions for Language Improvement in Children with Down Syndrome
• Prenasalised Consonants in Liangmai
• Metadiscourse Matters: Definitions, Models, and Advantages for ESL/ EFL Writing
• Blank Minds and Stuck Voices: Understanding and Addressing Cognitive Anxiety in High-Stakes ESL Speaking Tests