Yanong Rikit ay Baling Ganda?: Pagsusuri sa Lexical Semantics at Cultural Descriptions ng Salitang "Rikit"


John Lloyd Cañones

De La Salle University, Manila

ABSTRAK

Malaki ang papel na ginagampanan ng wika sa kultural na paghubog ng identidad ng isang lipunan. Taglay nito ang pag-iral ng pagiging kakaiba ng bawat isa sa kanyang kapwa. Binigyang pokus ng mananaliksik sa pag-aaral na ito ang paggamit ng salitang “rikit” sa social media. Inilahad ang orihinal na kahulugan at pinagmulan ng salitang “rikit” sa pamamagitan ng lexical semantic descriptions, at itinampok ang kaugnayan nito sa kulturang Lucbanin batay sa kontekstwal na gamit sa social media gaya ng Facebook. Lumabas sa pag-aaral na mas madalas gamitin ang orihinal na kahulugan ng rikit (pampuri) kumpara sa kabaliktaran nito na ginagamit bilang panlalait. Subalit mas kapansin pansin na ang paggamit ng “rikit” bilang panlait ay maiuugnay sa mga nagmula o matagal na nanirahan sa Lucban. Ipinakita rin ng pag-aaral ang implikasyong dala ng kultura sa paghubog ng identidad tulad ng sa kung paano ginagamit  sa Facebook ang salitang “rikit” ng mga nagmula sa Lucban. Sa kabuuan, handog ng pag-aaral na ito ang pagbubukas sa kamalayan ng marami na ang mga pag-aaral sa wika at ilang mga nauusong salita ay isang perspektibong dapat ding pagtuunan ng pansin upang makalikha ng ugnayang malinaw sa pakikipagkapwa.

Mga Susing Salita: rikit, Lucban, Tagalog, lexical semantics, cultural descriptions

ABSTRACT

Language plays a significant role in the cultural shaping of a society's identity. It embodies the existence of each individual's uniqueness in relation to others. This study focused on the use of the word "rikit" in social media. The original meaning and origin of the word "rikit" were presented through lexical semantic descriptions, and its relevance to the culture of people who reside in Lucban (or the Lucbanin) was highlighted based on its contextual use in Facebook. The study found that the original meaning of rikit as a compliment is used more frequently compared to its opposite, which is used as an insult. However, it is more noticeable that the use of "rikit" as an insult is associated with those who are from or have lived in Lucban for a long time. Overall, this study contributes to raising awareness that language studies and certain trending words are perspectives that should also be given attention to create clear connections in interpersonal relationships.


Keywords: rikit, Lucban, Tagalog, lexical semantics, cultural descriptions

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