Implicature in the Traditional Malay Theatre Script "Mek Mulung": A Research on Meaning

Every traditional theatre performance usually contains a certain message that is intended to be conveyed to the audience. The effectiveness of delivering this message depends on various factors, especially the aspect of language use. The language spoken in theatre not only functions as a medium of communication but is also able to stimulate the audience's thinking to interpret the implicit meaning. A theatre will look bland if there is no diversity in terms of language style. Therefore, theatre actors should take advantage of language strategies such as the use of implicature. For the Malay community, implicature is considered an art of language because the message is conveyed figuratively and not directly, thus requiring the listener to think to understand the meaning that is intended to be highlighted. This study aims to identify and describe conversational and conventional implicature in the script of the Mek Mulung Traditional Malay Theatre Putera Cahaya Bulan based on the philosophy of H. P. Grice. The method used is a qualitative approach through content analysis. The findings of the study show that both types of implicature are used in theatre scripts, but the number is still limited. Therefore, to ensure that theatre remains relevant and continues to be of interest to the community, efforts need to be intensified, including enriching the use of implicature as part of the beauty of language art in scripts. Discussions about language are very important to pay attention to because language is a major factor that contributes to the success of a theatre performance.

Implicature, Traditional Malay Theatre

1. Aminnudin Saimon dan Nur Fatin Afiqah Amran (2024). Implikatur dalam Drama Qanun 99: Analysis Linguistik Forensik Berdasarkan Teori Relevans. LSP International Journal, 11(1), 41–61. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ayu Husnani. (2021). Analysis Implikatur dalam Naskah Drama Teater Enjuku Berjudul Tonosama no Utage (Banquet of The King) Karya Sugako Kaikiri. Tesis Sarjana, Universitas Negeri Jakarta. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Berita RTM. (2023). UNESCO iktiraf seni teater Mek Mulung. https://berita.rtm.gov.my/hiburan/senarai-berita-hiburan/senarai-artikel/unesco-iktiraf-seni-teater-mek-mulung [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Dale, R., & Reiter, E. (1995). Computational interpretations of the Gricean maxims in the generation of referring expressions. Cognitive Science. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Grice, H. Paul. (1975). Pragmatic: A. Reader. New York: Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Horn, L. R., & Bayer, S. (1984). Short-circuited implicature: A negative contribution. Linguistics and Philosophy, 7(4), 397-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00631074 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Levinson, S. C. (2000). Presumptive meanings: The theory of generalized conversational implicature. MIT Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Nurfarhana Idahyu Jaafar. (2022). Pelestarian Warisan Mek Mulung di Negeri Kedah dalam Konteks Sosiobudaya. Penulisan Ilmiah. University Malaysia Kelantan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Nursyafieqa ‘Ifwat Mohmod Rofik & Maizura Osman. (2024). Ungkapan Kesat dalam Penggunaan Implikatur di Media Sosial pada Musim Pilihan Raya. Pertanika J. Soc. Sci. & Hum. 32 (S1), 139 – 160. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Nurul Atiqah Md Yusof & Siti Noraini Hamzah. (2023). Ujaran implisit dalam filem Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004): Analysis Teori Relevans. Jurnal Wacana Sarjana, 7(5), 1-23. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Sadock, J. (1975). The soft, interpretive underbelly of generative semantics. Dalam P. Cole & J. L. Morgan (Eds.), Syntax and semantics (Vol. 4, hlm. 383–396). Academic Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study