FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE SEMANTIC ANALYSIS

IN ADHITIA SOFYAN'S ALBUM "FORGET YOUR PLAN"

Miya Mawarti

Hasyim Asy'ari University, Tebuireng, Jombang, Indonesia.

[email protected]

Abstract: Figurative language is part of the semantic. As we know that with semantic
we can know the true meaning in a song. Figurative language is language which
employs various figures as speech. This analyzes the figurative languages are used in
Adhitia Sofyan's album “Forget Your Plans”. It is expected that the result of this study
will be useful for the student of linguistics since this study is done based on the theory
of Figurative Language. The benefit of figurative language and category used in this
thesis is that the readers will comprehend that such theory can be used to give clearer
and better understanding about the meanings of figurative language. Kind of figurative
language was found in Adhitia Sofyan song selected songs lyric are paradox, metaphor,
hyperbole, personification, rhetoric, allegory, repetition, and antithesis.

Figurative language in the song could make the readers understand that the lyric of the
song can describe massages that must be known by learning them deeply in terms of
categories. This study attempts to provide a description about figurative language in
human daily life. The type of data that is used in this study is a qualitative data. The data
analyzed in this study are some written texts. The text discuss is song taken from
Adhitia Sofyan's album “Forget Your Plans”. By these classifications, we can recognize
well which one includes each figurative speech. The result of this study will be able to
give contribution to the readers who are interested in learning and understanding or
interpreting those lyrics.

Keywords: Semantic, Figurative Language, Adhitia Sofyan's album “Forget Your

Plans”

PRELIMINARY poetry, making music, and sharing

Language is very important all over the knowledge all require the use of language;

world because through language people in fact, everything we do requires the use

are connected and connected. Language is of language.

also a means of communication between Communication in language occurs

humans, to obtain and share information. through the use of symbols, according to
Reading, writing stories, composing Kreidler (2013). Symbols can be spoken,
written, or physically signed. Humans are politics, economics, and the arts. For
social entities and individuals who are in example, a song is an example of art. Dlis
constant communication. songs to convey human emotions. In
addition, many English songs include
To communicate, humans use language,
deep meaning in their lyrics. Perhaps this
which can be in the form of words,
is why English songs have their own
symbols, or even gestures. The science of
charm.
language is called linguistics. The field of
linguistics known as semantics focuses on Because of the popularity of English
the study of meaning in language. songs, one of the Indonesian artists,
Semantics refers to the study of meaning. Adhitia Sofyan, also created a song with
For those who want to learn English, most of the lyrics in English. Adhitia
meaning is very important. By Sofyan's most popular song, “Forget Your
understanding meaning, individuals can Plans”, is entirely in English. Listening to
infer the speaker's purpose and obtain music is a pleasant pastime that has a
meaning and information. calming effect on the body, but if listeners
don't understand the figurative meaning of
There are many countries on the planet,
a song, they won't be able to enjoy it.
each with its own unique language. And
one of the languages that allows us to The author chose Adhitia Sofyan's album
communicate with each other across "Forget Your Plan" because Adhitia
borders is English. People all over the Sofyan is a unique singer where all songs
world use English to communicate across are recorded in the bedroom, and from
borders as it is mostly accepted as an many Adhitia Sofyan albums the author
international language. chose an album entitled "Forget Your
Plans" because in this song there are many
English is growing in popularity and
deep and varied meanings. theme.
importance. There are many dialects of
English that are used to communicate, Learning the language is also highly
including British, American, and others. recommended for Muslims as quoted
As English has become a universal below:
language, the majority of people from
،‫ال ابت‬: ‫ال اب لمات له لم لم ليه هللا لى هللا ل‬: ‫لى ا هللا‬
other countries choose to study in the UK
‫ل ل‬: ‫ا له‬.
or the US in fields such as science,
Means: RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Review of Relevant Previous Studies

From Zaid bin Thabit said: that the
Messenger of Allah ordered me to learn The first research from Rismayana (2018)
the language of the Jews, he said: By examines the figurative language used in
Allah I do not believe the Jews in my his proposal in his study.
letter, said Zaid; After half a month I
The second is from Arifah (2016). In his
learned my language. was able to master
studies, he examined the figurative
it, when he wanted to send a letter to the
language used in the lyrics of John
Jews, I wrote it to them, and when they
Legend's songs.
wrote to him I read their letter to him.”
Fitria (2018) in her study she examines
We know from the quote below that
the figurative language found in her
language learning is very important to us.
research. From the One Direction album
Usually, a song contains figurative
he found many types of figurative
language. For some people who have not
language used in song lyrics.
studied metaphorical language,
deciphering a song may be difficult. As a The author can conclude from this
result, they may enjoy the sound of the research that the studies mentioned above
song without understanding its meaning. have certain similarities and differences.
Therefore, the writer is interested in The difference between this study and
researching the figurative language of previous research lies in the research
Adhitia Sofyan's songs, because almost subject and the results of the research. The
everyone likes to listen to music, and the similarity stems from the research
writer believes that every song has many questions and research objectives, both of
messages, so it is important to evaluate the which concern the diversity and meaning
meaning of the song for us. To understand of figurative language.
the song as a whole. Therefore, the data
B. Theoretical Background
for this research will be taken from songs,
especially those performed by Adhitia 1. Semantics
Sofyan. The writer chose Adhitia Sofyan's
The term "semantics" comes from a Greek
songs because she is a vocalist who is
word meaning "meaning". Semantics is
quite unique;
the study of the meaning of language.
Semantics, according to Verhaar (2004), 1) Alliteration
is the study of meaning. 2) Assonance
3) Anastrophy
2. Theory of Meaning
4) Apophasis
According to Leech's (2003) theory, the 5) Apostrophe
importance of communication is to 6) Asyndeton
become a medium between the speaker 7) Polysyndeton
and the listener to understand each other. 8) Chiasmus
9) Ellipsis
3. Kind of Meaning
10) Euphemism
A piece of language conveys its dictionary 11) Litotes
meaning, connotations beyond the 12) Hysterone/Hyperbatone
dictionary meaning, information about the 13) Pleonasm and Tautology
social context of language use, the 14) Periphrasis
feelings and attitudes of speakers who 15) Prolepsy
exchange meanings with other meanings 16) Rhetoric
of the same word when it has two 17) Silepsis and Zeugma
meanings and meanings due to habitual 18) Correction/Epanorthosis
occurrences. 19) hyperbole
20) Paradox
4. Figurative Language
21) Oxymoron
There are many ways to express ideas 22) allegory
through language, but one of the most 23) Metaphor
common is through figurative language. 24) Allegory, Simile, Fable
Figurative language allows the 25) embodiment
communication of various thoughts and 26) allegory
emotions. occurs when the speaker speaks 27) eponym
anything other than the actual words or 28) Nickname
sentence meanings. 29) Synecdoche
30) metonymy
5. Types of Figurative Language from
31) Antonomasia
Gorys Keraf
32) Hypalage/Hypalase
 33) Irony, Cynicism, Sarcasm Gundul. After that, Radit immediately
34) satire contacted Adhitia so that the pop music
35) Antiphrase song could be used as a soundtrack.
36) satire
The success of the film "Kambing Male:
37) Pun/Paronomasia
The Movie" also supports the promo song
6. Biography of Adhitia Sofyan "Adelaide Sky". Finally, the name Adhitia
Sofyan began to be considered in the
Wowkeren “Adhitia Sofyan Biography”
Indonesian music scene.
wowkeren.com. March 26, 2022. Adhitia
Sofyan is a musician known for the Adhitia then released her first full album
soundtracks of "Kambing Jantan": The entitled "Quiet Down (Record Bedroom
Movie", "Adelaide Sky". He has Vol. 1)" in 2009. The album which
previously written several songs since contains 11 songs was released in two
1999. However, Adhitia is focusing on her versions. The first version was released
career in the advertising industry as a with the Freemium concept, which fans
graphic designer at Matari Advertising. can download for free via Adhitia's
personal blog. The second version was
He just returned to try his musical career
released as a physical album, CD with 1
by composing several songs in 2007.
bonus track. The album was also released
Adhitia's first mini album, "I'm Not
in Japan by indie music distributor
Getting Any Slimmer, So Here We Go",
Disques Desinee and Tower Records
was released a year later. The album,
Japan.
which contains 5 songs, has topped the
Nubuzz FM radio charts with the singles Adhitia released a second album in 2010
"Adelaide Sky" and "Selecting You". with the title "Forget Your Plans
(Bedroom Recording Vol. 2)". This album
It was "Adelaide Sky" that brought
was also released the same as the first, yes
Adhitia to meet the famous writer Raditya
in freemium and CD and circulated in
Dika. At first Raditya Dika felt that he
Japan. The lyrics in this 12 song album
was busy looking for good songs on
tell about love, life in the city and death.
YouTube. When , Raditya found the
Thanks to this album, Adhitia won the
acoustic video "Adelaide Sky" belonging
Favorite Singer-Songwriter and Favorite
to the singer who is familiarly called Kang
Solo Artist award at the 2010 Indonesian Choosing You. This time Adhit re-
Cutting Edge Music Award. launched his second album which can also
be downloaded on his website. The 12
Adhitia also had the opportunity to tour
songs in Forget Your Plans: Bedroom
Japan in September 2011. Documentation
Recordings Vol. 2 still uses English in
of her performance in Japan was then
writing very poetic lyrics that are inspired
distributed free of charge to fans.
by life and experiences.
Adhitia's 3rd album, entitled "How to Stop
Each song is given an explanation behind
Time", was released in July 2013. This
the lyrics. Things that are rarely done by
album has a double meaning for Adhitia.
musicians in Indonesia in general. There
According to him, he often misses
are also slightly religious song lyrics that
important events in his life.
tell about death, the field of masyhar and
METHOD reckoning at the end which are translated
into a song called Into the Light.
This study uses a descriptive qualitative
research design to describe the One thing that is interesting in the work
metaphorical language contained in the on this album and before, everything is
song lyrics of Adhitia Sofyan. According done in his room both from the ornaments
to Anggito & Setiawan (2018), qualitative of other musical instruments that are
research is collecting data in a scientific included in this song. Adhitia Sofyan
setting to better understand the observed presents a beautiful masterpiece from the
phenomena, with the researcher as the bedroom.
main instrument.
According to Gunawan (2013) from the
The main data analyzed in this study is the analysis of the figure of speech in the
figurative language in the album Forget album Forget Your Plans by Adhitia
Your Plans by Adhitia Sofyan. Secondary Sofyan, researchers will identify:
data Adityo, Fajar. “Adhitia Sofyan:
o Choose a song from Adhitia Sofyan's
“Forget Your Plan”, Beautiful Music
album
From Bed.” Musik. Kapanlagi.com.
o Observing ss web
August 31, 2010. March 26, 2022. After
o Identify based on research problem
the success of his first album, Quiet Down
with the hits single Adelaide Sky and
o Classifying figurative language a. Alliteration
contained in Adhitia Sofyan's album to
Researchers found that there were
answer research problems
seventhe meaning of alliteration in the
o Classifying meaning into semantic
first song, Foget Jakarta. Second, After
meaning
the Rain has an alliteration meaning. In
According to Suhartono (2008: 69-70), the third song, Carnival has four
data collection techniques are methods alliterations. The researcher also found
used to obtain or collect data as well as two alliterations of meaning in gaze, and
possible and processed and analyzed the last one wrapped had four alliterations.
according to the framework of research
b. Assonance
methods. So in this study the data
collection techniques used are: The researcher found that there was one
meaning of assonance in the first song,
o Read and understand the lyrics
Carnival. Second, Secret has two
o Identify the figurative language found
alliteration meanings. In the third song,
in the lyrics
Stalker has two assonances. Researchers
o Paying attention to the figurative
also found four meanings of assonance in
language found in the lyrics
the middle of the night.
o Determine and classify the meaning of
figurative words c. Apophasis or Preterisio

The data analysis technique is that after The researcher found that there was one
collecting the data, the authors analyze meaning of apophasis in the first song,
using several steps according to the theory Carnival. Second, the Secret has an
of Miles et al., (2014) yes, analyzing the apophasis meaning. In the third song,
data in three steps: condensing the data, Gaze has one apophasis
displaying the data, and concluding.
d. Asyndeton
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The researcher found that fourteen songs
1. Types of Figurative Language in from Adhitia Sofyan's song have
Adhitia Sofyan's Album “Forget Your asyndeton meaning. The researcher found
Plans” that there were two meanings of
asyndeton in the first song, Gaze. Second,
The Secret has three asyndeton meanings. meanings. And the last Apology has two
In the third song, The stalker has two meanings Hysteron.
asyndetons. Researchers also found four
h. Eroticism or Rhetoric
meanings of asyndeton in Midnight. And
the last one wrapped has three asyndeton Researchers found there is a rhetorical

meanings. meaning in the first song, Carnival.

Second, Secret has two rhetorical
e. Euphemism meanings. In the third song, Dark Side has
The researcher found that the four songs Rhetoric. The researcher also found three
of Adhitia Sofyan had euphemistic meanings of Rhetoric in In To You. In
meanings. Researchers found a fact, Apology has the meaning of
euphemistic meaning in the first song, Rhetoric.
Forget Jakarta. Second, Carnival has two
i. Sylepsis and Zeugma
euphemistic meanings. In the third song,
Immortal Mellow has two euphemisms. The researcher found that only a song

Researchers also found a meaning of from Adhitia Sofyan's song had the

euphemism in Gaze. meaning of Syllepsis and Zeugma.

Researchers found there is one meaning of
f. Litotes Syllepsis and Zeugma in the first song,

Researchers found that there are two Dark Side.

meanings of Litotes in the first song, Don't j. hyperbole

Look Back. Second, Secret has two
Researchers found a hyperbole in the first
meanings Litotes.
song, Foget Jakarta. Second, After The
g. hysterone Rain has one hyperbole. In the third song,

Researchers found that there were four Dibalut, researchers also found two

meanings of Hysteron in the first song, meanings of hyperbole. The Dark Side,

After Rain. Second, Carnival has two Don't Look Back and The Secret of every

meanings Hysteron. In the third song, song has one hyperbole meaning.

Immortal Mellow has five Hysterons. k. Paradox

Researchers also found two meanings of
The researcher found that there is one
Hysteron in Midnight and Dark Side. In
meaning of Paradox in the first song,
fact, Bandage has eight Hysteron
Forget Jakarta. Second, Midnight has a The Rain and After The Rain has one
paradoxical meaning. Personification which means each song.

l. Oxymoron Discussion

Researchers found that two songs from This discussion describes the data that the
Adhitia Sofyan's song have the meaning researchers found and analyzed in the
of Oxymoron. The researcher found that previous chapter. Based on the data above,
there were four meanings of Oxymoron in the researcher found sixteen types of
the first song, Forget Jakarta. Second, figurative language in Adhitia Sofyan's
Immortal Mellow has one meaning album "Forget Your Plan". Namely
Oxymoron. alliteration, assonance, apophasis or

m. allegory preterisio, asyndeton, euphemism, litotes,

hysterone, eroticism or rhetoric, sylepsis
Researchers found that two of Adhitia
and zeugma, hyperbole, paradox,
Sofyan's songs have simile meanings. The
oxymoron, simile, allegory, parable, fable,
researcher found that there is a parable
metaphor, and personification.
meaning in the first song, Forget Jakarta.
Second, Gaze has a parable meaning. Alliteration is Alliteration is a figurative
language used by repeating the same
n. Allegory, Simile, Fable
consonants (Keraf, 2010) on Adhitia
Researchers found one allegory in Sofyan's album “Forget Your Plan.
Bandaged Song. The second song is In To
The Light has one allegory. Midnight and Assonance is a figurative language used
Gaze have one allegory.
by repeating the same vowel sound
o. Metaphor (Keraf, 2010) on Adhitia Sofyan's album
There is only one meaning metaphor that “Forget Your Plan.
the researcher found in Adhitia Sofyan's
Apophasis is a figurative language in
album "Forget Your Plan".
which a writer tries to affirm something
p. embodiment by denying it, tries to emphasize
something by pretending to let it pass, and
The researcher found three meanings of
tries (Keraf, 2010).
personification in Adhitia Sofyan's album
"Forget Your Plan". First in the song After
The Rain, and the second song is After
Asyndeton is the opposite of Rhetoric is a question that does not have
Polysyndeton which connects words, an answer that is used to emphasize and
phrases, or clauses without using create a strong effect (Keraf, 2010).
connecting words (Keraf, 2010).
Keraf (2010) defines Syllepsis and
Asindeton figure of speech is a figurative Zeugma as figurative language that uses a
language to express phrases, clauses, concise structure to associate a word with
sentences, or discourses without two other words, only one of which is
conjunctions. In this sentence the author related to the first word. When the syntax
tries to beautify the song by not writing used is grammatically correct but not
conjunctions, if given a conjunction it semantically correct, it is called Syllepsis.
becomes "Stay for a while and I'm still different, so if it is connected by
looking at you from afar". conjunction it doesn't match

Keraf (2010) defines euphemisms as Hyperbole is a figure of speech that

figurative language in the form of pleasant contains an exaggerated or exaggerated
or subtle expressions that are used to meaning. The characteristics of hyperbole
replace expressions that may seem are dramatic language style, tend to be
insulting, rude, or malicious. I one unreasonable, and exaggerated (Keraf,
euphemism meaning in Gaze. 2010). The researchers found that six of
Adhitia Sofyan's songs had hyperbolic
Litotes is a figurative language used to
meanings.
express something to humble oneself
where an idea is expressed by denying the Paradox is figurative language that
opposite or mentioning something less involves facts and actual contradictions
than the actual situation (Keraf, 2010). (Keraf, 2010). Oxymoron is a figurative
language where opposite words are used
Hysteron/Hyperbaton is a figurative
in the same sentence (Keraf, 2010). Simile
language that contradicts a logical or
as a comparison of something that directly
ordinary situation, for example something
refers to another thing by using the words
that happens then is placed at the
like, as, etc. (Keraf, 2010).
beginning of a sentence (Keraf, 2010).
Allegory figure of speech is a figure of
speech that expresses figuratively or
pictorially. Allegory is a short story that meaning, affective meaning, social
contains metaphorical words. Parables are meaning, and thematic meaning.
short stories, mostly human characters that
CONCLUSIONS AND
always contain moral lessons. Fables are
SUGGESTIONS
metaphors about the animal world, acting
as if humans, even animals and inanimate A. CONCLUSION
objects (Keraf, 2010). From the discussion, it can be
concluded that the lyrics of Adhitia
Metaphor is a direct comparison without
Sofyan's songs are far beyond their
using words such as (like), like, like (as),
references. Therefore, pragmatic studies
and so on (Keraf, 2010). Only one
are needed to understand the meaning
meaning metaphor that the researcher
contained in these songs. Through
found in Adhitia Sofyan's album "Forget
figurative meanings, language learners
Your Plan".
inevitably learn more about linguistic
Personification is a figurative language knowledge. Having adequate figurative
that states inanimate objects as if alive meaning competence, students are
(Keraf, 2010). " First in the song After expected to be able to use figurative
The Rain, and the second song is After language in their oral and written
The Rain and After The Rain has one performances so that they can make fresh
personification which means each song. and interesting expressions. The use of
figure of speech varies, this is due to the
Broadly speaking, 'meaning' means the
imagination of the songwriter in applying
total amount communicated through
his thoughts into different languages to
language. Words, phrases, and sentences
see the conditions that occur in the song.
have meanings that are studied in
After analyzing and discussing the
semantics. Leech (1974) in his book
lyrics of Adhitia Sofyan's song, the
'Semantic-A Study of meaning' breaks
researcher can conclude that there are
down meaning into seven types or
many types of language found in this
materials that give superiority to
study. In some songs, several types of the
conceptual meaning. The seven types of
same figurative language are found. In
meaning according to Leech are as
this study, the figurative language that is
follows, conceptual meaning, connotative
often found is hyperbole, allegory, and
meaning, collocative meaning, reflective
rhetoric. In addition, the researcher also
found other figurative language such as
paradox, personification, metaphor,
wrinkle and antithesis. The most dominant
type of figure in Adhitia Sofyan's album
“Forget Your Plan” is in alliteration which
is used to express or give a beautiful
impression or special effects. Alliteration
is commonly used in everyday
conversation and also in all kinds of
literature such as prose or drama and song
lyrics. We can conclude that alliteration is
used to make objects larger than real
objects. This statement should not be
taken literally. And finally, music can lead
listeners to better interpret a song.
B. SUGGESTION
Taking into account the
conclusions there are several suggestions.
For the figurative readers to learn about
literary criticism first because this course
leads us to find allegories and their uses.
Applied linguistics students should apply
similar analysis to other texts, because
analyzing songs based on the type of
figure of speech can improve students'
ability to understand figure of speech. For
other researchers to find linguistic fields
or other aspects that can be a way to
conclude new figurative research, and
conduct research on other songs.
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