Ecolexicon of Flora and Fauna in Makassarese Proverbs: An Ecolinguistic Study

This study is aimed at examining the Flora and Fauna ecolexicon in the Makassarese language and understanding the metaphorical relationships within the analyzed ecolexicon using Haugen’s (1972) theory. The study employs a qualitative approach. The research data is sourced from documents. The results reveal the existence of 20 flora ecolexicons and 20 fauna ecolexicons, comprising linguistic morphology and biotic semantic morphology categories. The metaphors used by the Makassarese community fall into the conventional classification of Makassarese discourse society’s agreement. The interdependence between flora and fauna that inhabit the Makassar natural environment (ecoregion) serves as the realm of sources interacting with humans. This interaction is connected to their conditions and behaviors as the target domain through a correlated cross-mapping process within the mental and cognitive realms of the discourse community members. This is subsequently realized in Makassarese proverb and in verbal communication within the social life of the discourse community. The ecolexicons, based on the ecophilosophical perspective within eco-linguistics, hold philosophical values. The intended philosophical values encompass local wisdom, consumptive value, productive value, and environmental service value.