A DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF BATAK PROVERBS (UMPASA) AND CULTURAL VALUES
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Batak proverbs (umpasa) are an essential component of North Sumatran cultural heritage, carrying communal wisdom, social norms, and moral guidance. This study applies discourse analysis to examine how Batak umpasa construct and transmit cultural values. Using qualitative document analysis, ten commonly cited umpasa were analyzed for discourse features, including metaphors, directives, prohibitions, and evaluative utterances. The findings reveal that umpasa function as structured cultural discourse, conveying values such as kinship, respect for elders, moral responsibility, collective harmony, religiosity, and balanced personal character. Each proverb performs a social function, guiding behavior, regulating interaction, and reinforcing communal identity. This research highlights the role of umpasa in intergenerational knowledge transmission and emphasizes their importance as a resource for cultural preservation, education, and ethical socialization.
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