Penggunaan Bahasa dalam Ritual Seni Persembahan Opera Teochew di Pulau Pinang berdasarkan Model SPEAKING (Language Use in the Rituals of Teochew Opera Performances in Penang An Analysis Based on the SPEAKING Model)

Abstract

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis penggunaan bahasa dalam seni persembahan opera Teochew di George Town, Pulau Pinang, berdasarkan pendekatan Etnografi Komunikasi oleh Dell Hymes (1974) melalui model SPEAKING. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan melibatkan dua orang informan yang dipilih menggunakan persampelan bertujuan, iaitu Pengarah dan Pengurus Operasi Teochew Puppet & Opera House di Lebuh Armenian, George Town, Pulau Pinang yang mempunyai pengalaman serta pengetahuan mendalam dalam seni persembahan opera Teochew. Data dikumpulkan melalui temu bual separa berstruktur, pemerhatian serta kajian perpustakaan. Data yang diperoleh ditranskripsikan dan dianalisis secara tematik berdasarkan lapan (8) komponen model SPEAKING, iaitu latar tempat (Setting and Scene), peserta (Participants), tujuan (Ends), urutan tindakan (Act Sequence), nada komunikasi (Key), medium komunikasi (Instrumentalities), norma (Norms) dan genre (Genre). Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa opera Teochew bukan sekadar seni persembahan tradisional, sebaliknya berfungsi sebagai medium komunikasi budaya dan ritual yang memelihara identiti, bahasa serta kepercayaan masyarakat Teochew. Setiap komponen dalam model SPEAKING memperlihatkan hubungan yang saling melengkapi antara bahasa, simbol, muzik, pantang larang dan perlakuan ritual dalam membentuk makna komunikasi budaya. Penggunaan dialek Teochew, amalan ritual sebelum dan selepas persembahan, serta pematuhan terhadap norma tradisi menunjukkan bahawa opera Teochew berfungsi sebagai wahana penting dalam pewarisan budaya kepada generasi muda. Implikasi kajian menunjukkan bahawa pendekatan Etnografi Komunikasi berupaya menjelaskan hubungan antara bahasa, budaya dan ritual dalam seni persembahan tradisional, sekali gus menyumbang kepada pengembangan kajian sosiolinguistik, komunikasi budaya serta usaha memelihara warisan budaya tidak ketara di Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Opera Teochew; Model SPEAKING; penggunaan bahasa; Pulau Pinang; sosiolinguistik

ABSTRACT

This study examines language use in Teochew opera performances in George Town, Penang, through Dell Hymes’ (1974) Ethnography of Communication through its SPEAKING model. A qualitative approach was employed, involving two purposively selected informants, namely the Director and the Operations Manager of the Teochew Puppet & Opera House in Armenian Street, George Town, Penang, who possess extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of Teochew opera performances. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and library research. The collected data were transcribed and analysed thematically using the eight (8) components of the SPEAKING model: Setting and Scene, Participants, Ends, Act Sequence, Key, Instrumentalities, Norms, and Genre. The findings reveal that Teochew opera is not merely a traditional performing art but also serves as a medium of cultural and ritual communication that preserves the identity, language, and beliefs of the Teochew community. Each component of the SPEAKING model demonstrates the complementary relationship among language, symbols, music, taboos, and ritual practices in constructing the cultural meanings embedded in the performance. The use of the Teochew dialect, ritual practices conducted before and after the performance, and adherence to traditional norms indicate that Teochew Opera functions as an important vehicle for transmitting cultural heritage to younger generations. The study suggests that the Ethnography of Communication approach provides a comprehensive framework for explaining the relationship between language, culture, and ritual in traditional performing arts, thereby contributing to the advancement of sociolinguistic and cultural communication studies, as well as efforts to preserve Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage.

Keywords: Teochew Opera; SPEAKING Model; language use; Penang; sociolinguistics