Connotative Meanings of Meranaw Lexical Items in Folktales: A Cultural-Linguistic Analysis and Implications for Language Educati

Abstract

Language carries meanings closely tied to a community's beliefs, experiences, and cultural practices. In Meranaw folktales, certain words convey meanings that go beyond their literal definitions and offer insight into how the community understands identity, belief, history, and the natural world. This study examines the connotative meanings of selected Meranaw lexical items in folktales, with particular attention to the cultural meanings attached to these words. Using a qualitative design and semiotic analysis, the study identified culturally significant lexical items and interpreted their meanings in relation to the contexts in which they occur. The analysis yielded four broad thematic categories: socio-cultural and historical significance, cultural heritage, natural and mythical beliefs, and Islamic theology. The findings suggest that Meranaw lexical items carry layers of meaning shaped by shared experiences, social practices, religious beliefs, and cultural memory. The folktales therefore serve not only as narratives for entertainment but also as repositories of cultural knowledge through which meanings and values are passed from one generation to another. The study also suggests that examining culturally embedded words can provide useful materials for language education, particularly in helping learners understand meaning within its social and cultural context. Documenting these lexical items through folktales may likewise support efforts to sustain Meranaw linguistic and cultural knowledge. The study thus demonstrates how the analysis of connotative meaning can provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and identity.