CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Semantic

Semantic is one of linguistic branch that studies about meaning and

the relationship among form that is contained in language code, or other

representation types1. It means, semantic is linguistic to study or

understand meaning of a sentence in written or spoken form.

If we do not know the meaning of every word, it will be impossible

for us to understand what the author means. It is supported by Yule. She

said that semantic is study meaning of words, phrases, and sentences2.

B. Figurative Language

Language is a meaningful and articulate system of sound symbols,

used as a tool communicating by a group of people to give feelings and

minds. Language is a tool used to form minds and feelings, desires and

deeds, tools used to influence and influenced 3. Almost every time humans

use language because of language has an important role especially in

communicating. Through the use of language, an individual will have a

style of language that characterizes the individual person.

Figurative language is a deviation from which language speakers

apprehend as an ordinary, words sequences or significance, in order to

achieve special meaning or effect4.

1
Horsleys, Green. Introduction to Semantics and Translation. (New York: Summer Institute of
Linguistics, 1980). p.9
2
Yule, G. Pragmatics. (New York: Oxford University, 1985). p.114
3
Wibowo, Revelation. Language Management. (New York: Scholastic, 2001). p.3
4
Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. (America: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College,
1985). p.66

9
 10

Figurative language is a language which has figurative meaning

and incorporates the speaker’s desire to touch the emotions, to cause shock

and to persuade into action 5. By using the figurative language to induce

parallel thoughts and feelings each other, so that he is able to build a

persuasion sense in his speech. In the other hand, figurative is a derive that

can help the speakers to transfer the ideas or thoughts of his mind into the

audiences’ minds. Thus, he can persuade the audience to agree with his

ideas or phrase which is used for special effects and which does not have its

usual or literal meaning.

Figurative language means a way of saying something other than

the literal meaning of the words (Khadijah Arifah: 23) 6. Figurative

language is not only used in literature such as poetry, drama, or prose but

also used in songwriting and daily conversation. Many people do not

realize that their day-to-day conversations also have language styles, this is

because it considers the style of language often in the literature. In this

study we will study some types of the familiar figurative language

including metaphor, simile, metonym, hyperbola, personification and etc.

Based on definition above, the researcher can conclude that lyrics

of song or speak orally because it studies many kinds of figurative meaning

or message.

There are various kinds of figurative language. The following are

kinds of figurative language and the definition:

5
Peter. Figurative Language and Semantics. (Boston: Little Brown and Company, 2002). p.12
6
Arifah, Khadijah. Figurative Language Analysis in Five John Legend’s Song. Thesis. (Malang:
UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim). p.23
 11

1 Comparative Figurative Language

Comparative figurative language consists of simile,

metaphor, and personification

a Simile

A comparison of one thing with another is

always explicit because the words “like” or “as” are

used7. Simile is a style of language used to compare

something attached to a subject with an object that has

certain characteristics. We can find simile quite easily

since the writer will use such connectors “like”, “as”,

and etc.

For example:

As sly as a fox.

The example above means the humans is

crafty like an animal fox. Fox here is symbol of the best

thorough and sensitive men, because fox is one of best

hunter in looking for prey.

The purpose of simile is to give information

about an object that is unknown by the reader or listener

with comparing it to something familiar. Simile can be

explicit or implicit depends on the way the simile

phrased. An explicit simile is the characteristic that is

being compared between two objects. An implicit

simile is a style which listener must know what is being

7
Dennis. Language and Diction in Linguistics. (Barkeley: University of California. 1996). p.62-63
 12

compared. For example, if sentence read or hear, Jhon

is like a mouse. The reader or listener must determine

what is meant. Is the writer trying to say that Jhon is a

corrupt? Or Jhon is fainthearted? Both of these

characteristics are common to mice and possibly

provide information of Jhon but without other context.

Based on the discussion, researcher can conclude the

simile is a comparison of two things that are not alike,

and uses word connection to link them. Simile usually

used to establish a certain characteristic of thing being

described.

b Metaphor

Metaphor is the figurative speech, which

compares one thing to another directly (khadijah

Arifah: 29)8. Differs from the simile only in that

comparison is implied rather than explicit, it has same

way from simile, but is more difficult to recognize since

the comparison may be reduce to phrase or a single

word. It is same with simile but metaphor does not use

connecting word. In other words, metaphor is word that

does not have the true or real meaning9.

For example:

8
Arifah, Khadijah. Figurative Language Analysis in Five John Legend’s Song. Thesis. (Malang:
UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim). p.29
9
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.121
 13

She is feeling blue after his father passed away

The example above means, it is directly

compared without using the connection word. His

father passed away is given a character of feeling blue.

Which is sad, daydreaming and wailing, metaphor is

used as a figure of speech to like an object or person to

another object or person, based on certain similar

qualities that both possess (Nadiyah Suryatini: 13).

Based on this discussion, metaphor is a figure

of speech used to compare two unlike things by

claiming that one thing is another.

c Personification

Personification is a figure of speech in

imaginative something, which doesn’t have soul, as

10
though they have human characteristic .

Personification is the style of language used to live a

dead object like to do something like a living thing.

Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an

animal, or an abstract term (truth, nature) is made

human. It means that things are guessed as animate by

giving attributes inanimate things. So, the reader

guesses it, can do everything like human being.

For example:

10
Kennedy, XJ. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. (Boston: Little Brown
and Company, 1983). p.487
 14

I see the moon follow me wherever I go

Moon is a brightness thing on the sky that

rises when night. It is compared with following

wherever human go, both of them are compare, and can

add reader knowledge.

2 Contradictive Figurative Language

Contradictive figurative languages consist of: Hyperbole,

Litotes, Paradox and Irony.

a Hyperbole

Hyperbole is style used to create the effect of

emphasis by using the word over-casting, strong, and

repetitive11. As in other connotation phrases hyperbole

can be positive and negative, it is a device that is

employed in day-to-day speech. For instance, when you

have said a friend many times, you say, “I have told you

a million times” You may have advised him for two or

three times, but the use of the word “million”

exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your

advises. Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal

exaggeration to emphasize the real situation.

For example:

I am very hungry I could eat a horse.

11
Dennis. Language and Diction in Linguistics. (Barkeley: University of California. 1996). p.62-
65
 15

The writer explains his hungry, meanwhile in

the fact it is contrast. In the fact he could not eat horse

b Litotes

Litotes is a figure of speech. Its meaning is not

intended to be taken literally12. Litotes is a type of

understatement that uses negative words to express the

contrary.

Litotes is a way to state the affirmative

without actually stating the affirmative. Litotes is most

often used in rhetoric and speech.

For example:

That’s not too bad

In this sentence, the negative terms are “not”

and “bad” the meaning of this sentence that “that” is

actually “good”, however it’s not really good; or else

the speaker would have said it. The speaker is trying to

state a positive without being too complimentary,

because the speaker does not really want to be

complementary.

Litotes is confusing because the meaning is

not what it seems.

12
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.131
 16

c Paradox

A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself,

or that must be both true and untrue at the same time.

Paradoxes are quirks in logic that demonstrate how our

thinking sometimes goes haywire, even when we use

perfectly logical reasoning to get there.

But a key part of paradoxes is that they at

least sound reasonable. They’re not obvious non sense,

and it’s only upon consideration that we realize their

self-defeating logic.

For example:

This statement is lie.

Sentence above has five simple words are self-

contradictory: if the statement is true, then it’s a lie,

which means it’s not true. But if it’s not true, then it’s a

lie, which makes it true.

d Irony

The last contradictory figurative language is

irony. Irony is a manner of speaking that implies is a

discrepancy. If the mask says one thing and we sense

that the writer is in fact saying something else.13

Irony is a figure of speech in which words are

used in such a way that their intended meaning is

13
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.133
 17

different from the actual meaning of the words or a

relation between the real condition and the words are

said14. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a

different way than what is generally anticipated. In

simple words, it is a difference between appearance and

reality, often used to express humor and sarcasm.

It is defined that irony as saving the opposite

of what one means, is often confused with sarcasm and

with satire.

For example:

He’s clever, that’s why he got 5.0 in English.

Intrinsically, Clever man normally gets more

than 7, if he gets under 6, so it is opposite from the

clever category.

3 Collative Figurative Language

Correlative Figurative Languages consist of Metonymy,

Synecdoche, Symbol, Allusion and Ellipsis.

a Metonymy

Metonymy is a figure of speech that replaces the

name of a thing with the name of something else with

which it is closely associated15. We can come across

14
Kennedy, XJ. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. (Boston: Little Brown
and Company, 1983). p.488
15
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.134
 18

examples of metonymy both from literature and in

everyday life.

Metonymy is figurative language that uses

character or name of thing that relate to name of person,

something as pronoun, uses words to describe another

things closely associated with it (Nadiyah Suryatini: 17).

Metonymy refers to the use of a phrase associated to an

actual concept of metaphorical in nature are attributed to

an animal.

Metonymy is also different from a metaphor,

which draws resemblance between two different

things. For instance, in the sentence, “You are sunlight

and I moon,” sunlight and the moon, and humans are

quite different things without any association. However,

metaphor attempts to describe one thing in terms of

another based on a supposed similarity.

Metonymy develops a relation on the grounds of

close association.

For example:

The White House is concerned about terrorism.

The White House here represents the people

who work in it.

 19

b Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part

of something represents the whole, “Pars Pro Toto”, or it

may use a whole to represent a part “Totem Pro Parte” 16.

Synecdoche may also use larger groups to refer to

smaller groups, or vice versa. It may also call a thing by

the name of the material it is made, or it may refer to a

thing in a container or packaging by the name of that

container or packing.

Synecdoche is particular for metaphor. The

techniques of synecdoche use a part in order to signify the

whole. Just as a caricaturist draws people in abbreviate

term, presenting a view a characteristics and important

part, so does the poet sometimes choose to present only

the most essential part be used to represent the whole

(Khadijah Arifah: 35).

For example:

Baby drinks milk. (Pars Pro Toto)

Indonesia won a gold medal in an event. (Totem Pro

Parse)

Word “milk” in a sentence above is commonly

used to refer to mother’s milk when, in reality there are

many sources of milk. It means a whole of milk that

16
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.140
 20

consists milk of cow, goat, horse and others. In other

example above, word “Indonesia” in the sentence is

meant some persons who become winner in an event. It

is not all population in Indonesia.

c Symbol

A symbol is literary device that contains several

layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is

representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits

than those that are visible in the literal translation

alone17. Symbol is using an object or action that means

something more than its literal meaning.

For example:

The national flag is the symbol of the practice feeling.

The example above means that a national flag

has strong powerful in a country.

d Allusion

An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a

reference to a place, person, or event. This can be real or

imaginary and may refer to anything, including fiction,

folklore, historical events, or religious manuscripts18. The

reference can be direct or may be inferred, and can

broaden the reader’s understanding.

For example:
17
Kennedy, XJ. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. (Boston: Little Brown
and Company, 1983). p.489
18
Peter. Figurative Language and Semantics. (Boston: Little Brown and Company, 2002). p.12
 21

Many victims caused by Nazi.

Nazi was a military organization that was leaded

by Adolf Hitler. This organization was known as cruel

organization. Its’ members might be killed all its

enemies and did not pay attention toward its enemies,

women, children, old people, all were killed by them.

e Ellipsis

Ellipsis is a figurative language that eliminates

word or part of sentence19.

For example:

She and her mom to Bandung.

The sentence eliminate verb in it, because the

correct sentence is: she and her mom go to Bandung.

4 Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Language

Repetitive or Enforcement Figurative Languages consist of

Pleonasm, Climax, Anti-Climax, Rhetoric and Repetition20.

a Pleonasm

Pleonasm is a figurative language that uses

words improperly to emphasize meaning of word.

For example:

He falls down to the ground.

19
Tarigan, H. G. Berbicara Sebagai Suatu Keterampilan Berbahasa. (Bandung: Angkasa, 1986).
p.144
20
Kennedy, XJ. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. (Boston: Little Brown
and Company, 1983). p.460
 22

The verb falls in the sentence means something

or person who rare to the bottom (ground) and down also

has same meaning with falls that rare to the bottom. So,

both words fall and down are force one to another.

b Climax

Climax is a figurative language that states

something from small to great.

For example:

Children’s, teenagers, old people have same right in

laws.

Subject in the sentence are consecutively based

of age. It begins from young to old.

c Anti-Climax

Anti-Climax is opponent of climax figurative

language.

For Example:

Head master, teachers and students have attended in the

ceremony field.

Subject in the sentence are consecutively based

of job level. It begins from senior to the junior level in

job.

d Rhetoric

Rhetoric is a figurative language in question

that the answer has known by questioner.

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For example:

Who are people don’t want to be happy?

The question in the sentence is not needed

answer from everybody. Because everybody knows that

the answer is yes and all people want to be happy.

e Repetition

Repetition is a figurative language that uses

repetition word to emphasize meaning.

For example:

Good bye my girls, good bye my sweet heart, good by

my angel.

The sentence uses repetition words good bye

and just changes the word after good bye.

C. Biography of The Singer

Maher Zain  is a Swedish R&B singer, songwriter and music producer

of Lebanese origin. He was born July, 16 198121.

In January 2009, Maher Zain began working on an album with Awakening

Records. His debut album, Thank You Allah, with 13 songs and two bonus tracks,

was released on 1 November 2009 with percussion versions and French versions

of some tracks released shortly afterwards. He released his first album “Thank

You Allah”, an internationally successful album produced by Awakening Records,

in 2009. He released his second album “Forgive Me” in April 2012 under the

same production company, and the third album “one” in 2016.

21
Richards, Anne R.; Omidvar, Iraj (2014). Muslims and American Popular Culture. ABC-CLIO.
p. 366. ISBN 9780313379635
 24

Zain and Awakening Records successfully used social media such

as Facebook, YouTube and iTunes to promote tracks from the album. In early

2010, his music very quickly gathered a huge online following in Arabic-speaking

and Islamic countries as well as among young Muslims in western countries. By

the end of 2010, he was the most Googled celebrity in Malaysia for that

year. Malaysia and Indonesia have been the countries where he has had the most

commercial success. The album Thank You Allah has been certified multiple

platinum by Warner Music Malaysia and Sony Music Indonesia. It became the

highest selling album of 2010 in Malaysia22.

Zain sings mainly in English but has released some of his most popular

songs in other languages. The song "Insha Allah", for example, is now available

in English, French, Arabic, Turkish, Malay and Indonesian versions. Another

song, "Allahi Allah Kiya Karo" ("Continuously Saying Allah"), is sung

in Urdu and features the Pakistan born Canadian singer Irfan Makki.[11] Zain has

performed concerts around the world, including in the UK, the United

States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He has fan clubs in several

countries including Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco. He took part in the judging

committee of the Awakening Talent Contest to choose Aw

In January 2010, Maher Zain won Best Religious Song for 'Ya Nabi Salam

Alayka', on Nogoum FM, a major Middle East mainstream music station, beating

other prominent singers including Hussein Al-Jismi, Mohammed

Mounir and Sami Yusuf. In March 2011, Maher Zain released "Freedom", a song

inspired by the events and the actions of the people taking part in the Arab Spring.

Eena Houzyama (2010-10-11). "Thank God for Maher Zain". The Malay Mail, retrieved 10
22

October 2011 Archived 10 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine

 25

Maher Zain was chosen as a Muslim Star of 2011 in a competition

organized by Onislam.net. In July 2011, he featured on the cover of the UK

Muslim lifestyle magazine Emel. Zain was featured on Irfan Makki's track "I

Believe" from his debut studio album of the same name.

Maher Zain has appeared in the 40-episode Indonesian TV drama Insya-

Allah. The show was aired on Malaysian satellite TV channel, Astro

Oasis and Mustika HD, starting 17 July 2012, concurrent with the broadcasting of

the show on Indonesia's SCTV. In 2013, he took part in the Colors of

Peace project constituting songs based on works by Fethullah Gülen on the

album Rise Up where Maher Zain performs the track "This Worldly Life".