ISSN: 2302-920X Jurnal Humanis, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Unud Vol 21.1 Nopember 2017: 166-171

Figurative Language Used in Taylor Swift’s Songs in the Album 1989 Putu Nana Lusiana1*, I Nyoman Aryawibawa2, Yana Qomariana3 123English Department Faculty of Arts – Udayana University 1[[email protected]] 2[[email protected]] 3[[email protected]] *Corresponding Author

Abstract Skripsi ini berjudul Bahasa Kiasan yang Digunakan dalam Lagu Taylor Swift di Album 1989. Fokus dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi bahasa kiasan yang digunakan dalam lirik lagu dan juga untuk menganalisis makna bahasa kiasan dan makna leksikalnya. Data diambil dari lima lagu di Album Taylor Swift berjudul 1989. Metode dokumentasi digunakan sebagai metode pengumpulan data. Metode kualitatif diterapkan untuk menganalisis data. Teori utama digunakan untuk menganalisis data berdasarkan teori bahasa figuratif yang diajukan oleh Knickerbocker dan Reninger (1963) dan teori makna leksikal oleh Chaer (2013). Hasil penelitian ini membuktikan bahwa ada delapan jenis bahasa kiasan yang ditemukan pada kelima lagu tersebut. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa arti bahasa kiasan dan makna leksikalnya saling berlawanan. Di mana makna bahasa kiasan jauh lebih dalam dan lebih mengesankan daripada makna leksikal. Kata kunci: Kiasan, Leksikal, Lirik

1. Background of the Study Chaer (2013:2), semantics is the Literature is the creative process technical term used to refer to the study of human language in order to fulfill of meaning. semantic analysis is the desire of human being to use their internally focused on meaning in words language creatively. Song as piece of and sentences. Lexical meaning is the music with words that are sung has a meaning of word in isolation, and is function to express the thoughts and usually considered to be the meaning of feeling. Song has two elements, they are words. This is the one usually given by music and lyrics. Music is a complex the dictionary. social behavior and universal containing Song usually consists of figurative an expression of human thoughts, ideas, language since the figurative language is opinion, and others. Lyrics can be used in the lyric that is writen well. The categorized as part of discourse, lyrics of Taylor's songs in her album because it consists of words or sentences in 1989 is interesting to study because which have different grammatical many lyrics used figurative language functions. By writing a song lyric, and the meanings are portrait of Taylor's people are easy to show their feeling and own life. emotion. Generally, the hearers of the 2. Problems of the Study songs have different interpretations to understand the meaning of the songs. To a. What types of figurative language understand the meaning in text, people are used in five Taylor Swift’s songs must have semantic skills. According to in the album 1989?

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ISSN: 2302-920X Jurnal Humanis, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Unud Vol 21.1 Nopember 2017: 166-171

b. How are the meanings of the First, in order to understand the object of figurative language contrasted with the study, it is very important to read the its lexical meaning? song lyrics carefully, especially to find the meaning of the figurative language, 3. Aims of the Study then classifying the sentence in each song to get the types of figurative a. What types of figurative language language using theory proposed by K.L are used in five Taylor Swift’s songs Knicker bocker & H. Williard Reniger in the album 1989? (1963). Second, finding the meaning of b. How are the meaning of the figurative language and finding its figurative language contrasted with lexical meaning using oxford dictionary its lexical meaning? and some online dictionaries, and then analyzing how the meaning of figurative 4. Research Methods language is contrasted with its lexical 4.1 Data Source meaning. Finally, the analysis was done with the conclusion and became the The data were collected directly answers of the problems that mentioned from five Taylor Swift’s songs in the before. Album 1989. The songs are Blank Space, Style, Bad Blood, Clean, and 5. Analysis New Romantics. The song lyrics were 5.1 Types of Figurative Language and taken from www.azlyrics.com. Discussion 5.1.1 Simile 4.2 Method and Technique of Collecting Data a) Blank Space You look like my next mistake (line 6) The method used to collect the data From the sentence above, it is quite was the documentation method. This clear for us to see the use of simile. It method is a way of collecting data taken i s called simile because the sentence by taking notes, through internet and compares “you” with “my next books as theory. Technique of collecting mistake” using the word “like”. In data consists of steps as in the following: lexical meaning the word “you” means firstly, the song lyrics of the five songs person or people being spoken to or were downloaded and printed out from written to (Oxford, 2015) and “mistake” www.azlyrics.com, then the songs were means wrong action, idea or opinion listened to carefully and repeatedly until (Oxford, 2015). Meanwhile, the meaning the lyrics were understood and the of its figurative language, the word lyrics were read several times until the “you” refers to a man that the writer songs were understood what they were met. She wants to convey that the man is all about. Finally, the types of figurative trouble and will break her heart and it language in the songs were classified will be a big mistake to pursue based on discussion something with him. In fact, she has had at least six mistakes. She also knows that 4.3 Method and Technique of because of the attraction and chemistry Analyzing Data she feels, she knows she will pursue him There were some steps which were regardless. She is ready to commit. used in analyzing the data in this study.

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ISSN: 2302-920X Jurnal Humanis, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Unud Vol 21.1 Nopember 2017: 166-171

b) Bad Blood feeling of deep affection for somebody Salt in the wound like you're laughing or something (Oxford, 2015), “game” right at me (line 15) means form of play or sport with rules This sentence shows the use of (Oxford, 2015) and “play” means doing simile because it is a comparison using things for pleasure, as children do, enjoy the word “like”. In lexical meaning, yourself, rather than work (Oxford, “salt” means substance obtained from 2015). Its figurative meaning could be mine and seawater, used to flavor food the writer compares love to a game ], (Oxford, 2015), “wound” means injury there could be cheaters, losers, and to the body, especially one made with a winner, but none of it is very serious weapon: a bullet (Oxford, 2015), and or important. When she asks him “laughing” means making the sounds “wanna play” she is offering him a and movements of your face that show chance to be on her long list of ex- you are happy or think something is lovers. funny (Oxford, 2015). This is contrasted with its meaning of the figurative a) New Romantics language, the writer wants to convey We're all here, the lights and noise are that the situation is exacerbated when blinding (line 23) her friend doesn’t seem to act like the The sentence above shows the use bigger person by laughing at her when of personification, because it’s giving times are down. human characteristic to an object, animal, or an abstract idea. In lexical c) New Romantics meaning, “lights” means energy from And everyday is like a battle (line 13) the sun, a lamp, etc that makes it The sentence above shows the use possible to see things (Oxford, 2015), of simile because it compares “noise” means sound, especially when “everyday”and “battle” using the word loud or unpleasant (Oxford, 2015) and “like”. In lexical meaning, “everyday” “blinding” means unable to see (Oxford, means daily (Oxford, 2015) and “battle” 2015). In fact, lights and noise are means fight between armed forces abstract things they can’t be blind but (Oxford, 2015). This is contrasted with people can. The writer uses its meaning of figurative language, the exaggeration expression to express her writer wants to convey that the types of feelings. This sentence means at house lives of singers and songwriters have to parties and club which are popular deal with being famous. Their everyday among young adults, there tend to be a lives are just as hard to deal with as good amount of drinking, dancing, and anybody else’s along with the hate they music, all of which can be incredibly get from many people all over. overwhelming if you’re forced to deal with for a long period of time. Noise 5.1.2 Metaphor technically can’t be blinding, since it a) Blank Space comes in the form of sound wave. Love's a game, wanna play? (line 7) However, once it gets to a certain point, This sentence shows the use of it can seem like sensory overload metaphor as an implied comparison on the basis of similarity between literal meaning and the thing or situation. In lexical meaning, “love” means strong

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5.1.3 Synecdoche feelings. In this sentence the writer tries a) Blank Space to explain that she doesn’t expect this I could show you incredible things (line relationship to go anywhere good, but 2) she’s interested in pursuing it anyway From the sentence above we can see just to find out. She suggests that she the use of synecdoche because the views her own relationships the way sentence using the whole thing stands for other people consume celebrity the part of the thing. In this case, relationships, hoping each week to read incredible things stand for “magic, about a terrible breakup or downfall. madness, heaven, sin” this line exists in She is’t going to be at all surprised line 3. In lexical meaning, when the relationship ends up being a “incredible” means wonderful, amazing total disaster , she might even be (Oxford, 2015). This sentence means the disappointed if it weren’t. writer wants to give the boy wonderful experience and memories if they get into b) Style a relationship. Long drive, Could end in burning flames or paradise (line 3) b) New Romantics This line shows the use of hyperbole We're all bored, we're all so tired of as an exaggeration used to emphasize a everything (line 1) point. In lexical meaning, “long drive” From the sentence above we can see means operate and control a vehicle the use of synecdoche because the (Oxford, 2015), “burning” means being sentence using the whole thing stands on fire, producing flames and heat for the part of the thing. In lexical (Oxford, 2015), “flame” means hot meaning, “everything” means all things bright stream of burning gas coming (Oxford, 2015). This lyric means as the from something on fire (Oxford, youth, the writer is looking for 2015), and “paradise” means heaven. something new and exciting, and is The word “long drive” represents bored with the day-to-day monotony of “relationship” it’s impossible a everyday life. Specifically, in the terms relationship ends in a burning gas or in of love, as a young adult, people heaven. “Burning flames” is a build off generally lose the initial fairytale the phrase “to go down in flames” romanticism with which they approached meaning the relationship will fail it in their teenage years. slowly but surely until it disappears. “Paradise” asserts that they could get 5.1.4 Hyperbole back together and live happily ever after. a) Blank Space I'm dying to see how this one ends (line c) Bad Blood 13) You made a really deep cut (line 8) From the sentence above we can This line shows the use of hyperbole see the use of hyperbole because it as an exaggeration used to emphasize a seems to be exaggerated. In lexical point. In lexical meaning, “deep” means meaning, “dying” means stop living going a long way down from the top or (Oxford, 2015). The writer doesn’t surface (Oxford, 2015) and “cut” means really stop living just to see how her making an opening or wound in relationship will end, she used something with something sharp exaggeration expression to express her (Oxford, 2015). In this case, this person

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didn’t really make a deep cut, the writer that the writer spent the night crying in wants to convey that deep cuts leave the bathroom and her mascara smears scars and bring long lasting pain. Her down her face in tear. friend’s acting will leave a permanent mark on her and will not be quickly 5.1.5 Irony forgotten. The “deep cut” also conjures a) New Romantics up the imagery of being stabbed in the Please leave me stranded, It's so back by the one you trusted the most. romantic (line 47) We can see the use of irony in the d) Clean sentence above, because the sentence of Rain came pouring down when I was which the real meaning is completely drowning (line 7) opposed to its professed or surface This line shows the use of hyperbole meaning, according to Knickerbocker as an exaggeration used to emphasize a and Reninger. In lexical meaning, point. In lexical meaning, “drowning” “stranded” means helpless position, means dying in water because o f being unable to move, etc (Oxford, inability to breathe (Oxford, 2015) and “romantic” means having 2015). In this case, the writer wasn’t feelings of love (Oxford, 2015). In this really drowning, she just uses case, the writer is being sarcastic or exaggeration expression to show her ironic. Nowadays, many women think feelings and she wants to convey that that men will leave them stranded after a she felt like she was drowning in water romance. The witer doesn’t actually after having been thirsty (the drought want her significant other to abandon she refers to earlier in the song) for a her, and leaving someone not to be long time. It was difficult but she finally romantic. This sentence could mean that be able to find some peace. This also the writer is waiting for the time he is could mean that when she was going going to disappear leaving her stranded through her toughest times, she learnt or alone and metaphorically emphasizes the most about herself and became on how romantic is of him to leave stronger as a person. The rain may her like that. symbolize tears and strong emotion that she had been keeping in, as she 5.1.6 Dead Metaphor kept struggling accept the end of a) Style relationship And I got that red lip classic thing that you like (line 8) e) New Romantics We can see clearly the use of We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom dead metaphor in the sentence above. (line 9) The sentence actually has lost its This line shows the use of hyperbole figurative sense because of the endless as an exaggeration used to emphasize a use. But if we look carefully, of course point. In lexical meaning, “tears” means this phrase is a figurative language. In drop of liquid that comes from your eye lexical meaning, “classic” means very when you cry (Oxford, 2015) and high quality (Oxford, 2015). The writer “mascara” means colour for darkening wants to convey that a popular style for the eyelashes (Oxford, 2015). In this women in the 50’s and 60’s was classic case it is impossible that someone cries red lipstick. tears of mascara. This sentence means

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b) Bad Blood figurative language and its lexical You know it used to be mad love (line 2) meaning are contrasted, in which the We can see clearly the use of meanings of the figurative language are dead metaphor in sentence above. The much deeper and more impressing than sentence actually has lost its figurative the lexical meaning. sense because of the endless use. But if we look carefully, of course, this phrase 7. References is a figurative language. In lexical meaning, “mad” means very stupid, Chaer, Abdul. 2013. Pengantar Semantik crazy (Oxford, 2015) and “love” means Bahasa Indonesia. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta strong feeling of deep affection for Leech, Geoffrey. 1981. Semantics. somebody or something (Oxford, 2015). Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd The writer wants to convey that she used to be good friends with this Lyons, John. 1979. Semantics. Vol 1. person before. The actual phrase New York: Cambridge University Press “mad love” is reminiscent of young, Knickerbocker, K.L & Williard chill, real friendship. It speaks to the Renigner. 1963. Interpreting nature of what the writer and her friend Literature. New York. Chicago. San had together. Fransisco. Toronto : Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 5.1.7 Paradox a) New Romantics We play dumb (line 7) This sentence shows the use of paradox, a statement of which surface on obvious meaning seems to be illogical even absurd, but making a good sense upon closer examination (Knickerbocker and Reninger, 367). In lexical meaning, “dumb” means unable to speak (Oxford, 2015). The writer wants to convey that girls often think they need to “play dumb” in order to get a partner, but underneath that they are playing a complex game, in which they manipulate their behaviors in a way others will find pleasing.

6. Conclusion Based on the analysis, there are several conclusions that can be drawn. There are eight kinds of figurative language found in the five songs, they are; simile, metaphor, personification, synecdoche, hyperbole, irony, dead metaphor, and paradox. It can be concluded that the meaning of the

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