Verbal and Non Verbal Expression of Salt Farmers In Gedangan Village, Rembang Regency (An Ethnolinguistic Study)

Abstract

Salt farmers are a fairly unique profession which is usually pursued by coastal communities, for example by the people of Gedangan Village in Rembang Regency. The success in salt farming cannot be separated from the influence of Javanese language and culture in the form of verbal and non-verbal expressions. This study aims to explain the effect of verbal and non-verbal expressions on the success of the salt farmers in Gedangan Village by using ethnographic methods with an ethnoscience analysis model. The results show that there are verbal expressions in the form of words and a series of sounds in Arabic and Javanese languages which function as prayers addressed to God and the figure of Mbok Randha Gedangan who is believed to be the ancestor of Gedangan Village. The verbal expression mentioned is also accompanied by various non-verbal behaviors. Both types of expression are believed to affect the results and smoothness of salt farming activities by salt farmers from Gedangan Village.