BAHASA HORMAT DAN KESANTUNAN DALAM KOMUNIKASI PERKAWINAN MASYARAKAT MADURA

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of Madurese language use in the context of communication during traditional wedding ceremonies, focusing on three main aspects: (1) the speech level system (ondhâg bâsa), (2) linguistic politeness strategies, and (3) the influence of social change on the practice of honorific language. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method with a sociolinguistic approach through observation, interviews, and discourse analysis of interactions throughout traditional Madurese wedding rituals. The findings reveal that the ondhâg bâsa system plays a crucial role as a marker of social relations, a symbol of respect, and a means of maintaining cultural harmony. The three main speech levels enjâ’-iyâ, enggi-enten, and enggi-bhunten are used contextually according to social distance, age, and participant status. Linguistic politeness strategies are reflected in forms of address, pronouns, and verb choices such as nyare’ (to ask respectfully), nyanggâ (to approach), and nyolâng (to convey), which signify humility and deference. Politeness is also manifested through indirect communication and the use of soft intonation to preserve the interlocutor’s dignity. The study concludes that language in Madurese traditional weddings functions not merely as a means of communication but also as a representation of identity, morality, and cultural politeness values. Within the context of modernity, the practice of ondhâg bâsa has undergone a transformation into a more flexible form of politeness, without losing its ethical and symbolic meaning as a local cultural heritage.