Bulian saa: More than words
Keywords:
Bulian Saa, Conceptual Metaphor, Ritual Language, Anthropological Linguistics, Language DocumentationAbstract
This study examines the metaphorical system of Bulian Saa, the ritual language of the Bali Mula community in Bulian village, North Bali. Drawing on linguistic analysis, ethnographic insights from prior studies (Putra et al., 2025), conceptual metaphor theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 2008), and metaphor identification procedure (Group, 2007), the study identifies key conceptual metaphors shaping the community's spiritual worldview, including notions of the divine, ritual practices, and nature. Findings reveal a coherent metaphorical framework in which abstract spiritual concepts are rendered tangible, namely the divine as a sovereign, nature as a purifying force, and devotion as a spiritual ascent. This exploratory analysis highlights the unique cognitive and cultural structure of Bulian Saa, contributing to its documentation, preservation, and the broader understanding of ritual language in anthropological linguistics.
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