CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Language is a human tool to convey information about everything like

feelings, ideas, or issues like news to built an interaction with others in

communication according to Rabiah (2012:1). Mastering any language is

effective for one to have good skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

People who want to learn a language like to know the rules of using a word in one

language, how to write a sentence for text according to a good pattern, what is the

meaning of a phrase when people are produced occur by learning linguistic study.

Linguistics as a language science is the foundation of language knowledge

Syarif (2016:53). Linguistics examines many aspects of language, including

shape, meaning, structure, and context. The different branches of linguistics are

concerned with how languages are organized, what they convey, how they are

acquired and used, and how they change. That is one part in the linguistic study

concerned with the meaning of words deeply it is Semantics Semantics is

the study that focuses on the meaning of the word. Semantics is also at the center

of the study of the human mind because it is concerned with how the meaning is

communicated by the speakers and interpreted by the listeners Wibisono and

Widodo (2019:157). Besides, semantics is the study of meaning in language, so

by doing semantic analysis, people can focus on the internal meaning of words

and sentences. The meaning of whole sentences involved propositional, and the

nation of propositions central to semantics, in any aspect of life learning the

meaning of sentences is hard to know there are so many specific since of it, words

1
in sentences can be useful to show the feeling, one category of semantics studies

figurative language they can be related to it.

Figurative language is a type of semantics in linguistics that involves using

words that have a different meaning than their regular meaning to emphasize a

point. Figurative language can be found in any type of communication, including

daily conversation, articles, the idiom in newspapers, advertisements, novels, and

poetry, although it is most commonly seen in poetry and song lyrics. According to

Perrine in Wibisono and Widodo (2019:158), figurative language is divided into

several types, including Simile, Simile, Symbol, Personification, Apostrophe,

Synecdoche, Metonymy, Paradox, Hyperbole, Understatement, Irony,

Alliteration, Allusion, and Onomatopoeia. Figurative language is very important

to understand when analyzing the writing to get meaning inside especially in most

of the song lyrics, the composer or the songwriters are usually used figurative

language in showing them feeling in song lyrics with more beautiful, interesting,

and imaginative.

The writer is often listening to a variety of songs, figurative language and

song are related to each other and it is an interesting topic to discuss, based on

Writers experience to learning languages can be used with listening to the music

that native made. Unconsciously, people can learn about another language

quickly, learn new words, understand how sentences are produced, and learn

about the song's deep meaning through song lyrics. Because figurative language is

used in well-written lyric, the song usually contains figurative language. The

descriptive words of figurative language have meanings other than literal

meanings, and the words themselves convey precise meaning. When listening to a

2
song, a person may not pay attention to the lyrics, especially if the song contains a

figurative element. Normally, they liked it because the music was good or because

they liked the singer. Knowing the meaning of a lyric is important because we

will understand the song's meaning and purpose.

The writer was motivated to do this study because many readers, including

the writer himself, have difficulty in understanding the meaning of the song lyrics.

Song lyrics are usually poetic and rhythmic. Because songwriters use figurative

sentences to make the song more interesting, memorable, and aesthetically

pleasing. This study is different from other studies because the writer chooses to

explain figurative language using songs to more attract readers and in this study,

the writer chooses songs performed by an international pop singer who is very

famous among children in the 2000s, namely Taylor Swift. the willow song and

several other songs on the Evermore album which was released in 2020 were

chosen by the writer because the album which reached the top charts on the UK

Billboard in the first week of its initial release was made to have hidden meanings

from the author's feelings and also good to listen to. To examine what figurative

meanings are in the songs, the writer chooses to use the theory of figurative types

by Perrine found in wibisono (2019:158) Journal's, because this theory is very

recent, an explanation of the types of meaning The figurative language is easier to

understand and more suitable for use in this study. The writer will conduct a study

entitled "Analysis of Figurative Language in Willow Song Lyrics sung by Taylor

Swift" based on the explanation above.

3
1.2 The Problems of the study

Based on the previous discussion in the background of the study above,

the problem of this study could be formulated as follows:

1. What types of figurative language are used in the song lyrics entitled

willow By Taylor Swift?

2. What is the Dominant figurative language used in the song Lyrics Entitled

willow by Taylor Swift?

1.3 The Objectives of th Study

Based on the problems above, the objectives of the study aim to:

1. To find out what types of figurative language are used in song lyric

Entitled willow by Taylor Swift.

2. To find out the most dominant figurative language that is used in willow

Song Lyrics by Taylor Swift.

1.4 The Scope Of The Study

In this study, the writer focus to find out types of figurative languages

according to Perrine inWibisono and Widodo (2019:158). They are simile,

Simile, personification, synecdoche, symbol, paradox and irony, Apostrophe,

hyperbole, understatement, Alliteration, Allusion, Onomatopeia. The analysis

Focuses in this study are to observation and analysis of figurative language that

used in the willow song by Taylor Swift.

4
1.5 The Significances of the Study

The significances of this study are divided into two, as follow :

1. Theoretically

This study is expected to add references to science-related educational

institutions that related to literature analysis about figurative language,

and also can be used as a comparison in conducting a study in the future.

2. Practically

a For The Writer, This study result will be very useful to develop or

further study of figurative language in song .

b For English Department Students, the result of this study can add

knowledge and understanding of figurative language in songs.

c For English Teachers, the finding of the study will be useful to

enrich their knowledge and added their knowledge about figurative

language so that the teacher can teach their students about

figurative language better.

d For Other Researchers, The finding of the study will be usefull to

be a reference that is related to figurative in song lyrics.

5
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Theoretical Framework

The review of referenced resources is the subject of this chapter.

Language, linguistics, semantics, figurative language, and song lyrics are all

discussed by the author. To convey a clear understanding of the subject, the writer

will discuss theories that are related to it.

2.1.1 Language

Language is one of the most useful instruments for humans to

communicate with one another. People are unable to communicate with one

another without the use of language. Language is required for people to

communicate, interact, and obtain information from others in their daily lives. The

reality of human character is described by language. As a result, any language

must be able to communicate messages about people, things, concepts, and the

connections that exist between them. The process of delivering a message

between at least two speaking subjects, one of whom is the addresser or sender,

and the other is the addressee or receiver, is known as language.

Language according to Cora and Knight (2010:27) is a tool we use to

communicate with others. People can and code against what they want to say

which consists of various components and based on Kristin and Anne (2020:2)

language is what makes people human and all the people seem to be naturally

curious about language, people do much more than just communicate with

language.

6
 Language is the process of thinking to express ideas, emotion, mind, and

intelligence. Kate and Stebbins (2016:2), say that language is a very significant

part of what makes people human and what allows people to communicate with

others as social beings. Language makes the social world go round and for this

reason, it is worth knowing a few things about how it works. Siahaan (2007:1)

states that language is a unique human inheritance that plays a very important role

in human life, such as thinking, communicating ideas, and negotiating with others.

Based on the explanation above, the writer concluded that a language is a

tool used by humans to communicate feelings, ideas, and information to others.

Language is also a way of thinking that allows people to express thoughts,

emotions, minds, and intelligence. People do much more than only communicate

with language in the social sphere. When discussing languages, it means

discussing the human life's thinking process.

2.1.2 Linguistics

Linguistics is a crucial aspect of language research. A greater grasp of the

language is aided by the multiple sub-branches that exist. Linguistics is a part of

cognitive science, according to Carnie (2002:4). The phrase "cognitive science"

refers to a range of disciplines that share the purpose of identifying and studying

human thinking abilities. According to Sinha (2005:7) Linguistics surely studies

the phenomena of language but the study does not end it self, it must benefit

mankind meanwhile Based on Bauer (2012:3), “Linguistics is the word meaning

‘relating to language’ as well as the word meaning ‘relating to linguistics’.

Linguistics awareness should form part of general knowledge alongside such

domains as basic math and science, current affairs, and physical.

7
 It can be concluded Linguistics discusses many different facets of

language, such as form, meaning, structure, and context. Linguistics aims at

providing theories of natural language. Natural language is a human written or

spoken language used by the community. The various sub-branches of linguistics

concern with how languages are structured, what they have in common, how they

are acquired and used, how they change. it means that linguistics study focused to

investigate the meaning of language structure. Linguistics has brought to the

subject of semantics a certain degree of analysis combined with a view of the

study of meaning as an integrated component within the total theory of how

language works.

2.1.3 Semantics

Semantics is central to the study of communication ; and as

communication becomes more and more a crucial factor in social, they need to

understand it becomes more and more pressing Pardede (2016:12). There are

some definitions of semantics that depend on experts, according to Sinha(2005:7),

Semantics is the branch of linguistics that studies a meaning in general.it tries to

know the meaning of a word and a structure in different ages. According to

Aminudin (2008:15) semantics is a meaning in linguistic is got a third or last

component, the relation of three-component ( tone, grammar, and

semantics/meaning) are based on (a) firstly language is the abstract tone that

referred to the existence of certain signs,(b) signs are set of a system which has

certain order and relationship, and (c) a set of sign which has form and relation

associate the existence of certain meaning.

8
 According to Bagha ( 2011: 1411) semantics is the level of linguistics

analysis where meaning is analyzed. it is related closely to the way humans think

logically and understand meanwhile according to Wibisono and Widodo (2019:

157) state semantics is also the center of the study of the human mind – thought

which is classify and convey by our experience of the world through language.

semantics has become the meeting place of various cross-currents of thinking, and

various disciplines of study. Philosophy, psychology, and linguistics all claim a

deep interest in the subject. semantics has often seemed baffling because there are

many different approaches to it, and how they are related to one another is rarely

clear.

Based on all the defenitions by the expert above the writer concludes that

semantics is a study of meaning in language, which means this study is related to

analyze the meaning of sentences and the human mind. Semantic studies can give

more explanations and define any expressions in language and also able to define

their meaning properties and relation. Sometimes people are talking less but they

mean more than that in semantic it learned in figurative.

2.1.4 Figurative Language Theory

Figurative language is the language using figures of speech ( a way of

saying one thing and meaning another). Figurative language was thought of as

being one aspect of what gives a text particularly, a poetic text special esthetic

value. Figurative language is shaping cognitive construal in discourse, it is

typically shaping viewpoint on the relevant content as well Dancygier and Eve

(2014:10). Figurative language usages appear to be pervasive in all languages and

the reason is apparently that they reflect patterns of human cognition. According

9
to Dancygier and Eve (2014:3), Figurative language is a viewpoint for some

reasons although this issue has not been focused on by researchers.

Figurative language is the way of giving expression through a special

language that shows the soul and the writer's personality. Figurative language

refers to words or phrases that do not have the same meaning as their literal

meaning. figurative language was used more often to express intense emotional

states than to express milder ones. According to Deignan et all (2013: 1),

figurative language is often used in speaking and writing to express ideas and

emotions and to affect the views and attitudes of others. When people say

something that appears on the surface to mean one thing but has to be interpreted

correctly to be understood, to make language clearer, more interesting, and more

vivid, or to achieve some other specific effect, people use expressions that are not

true. People are using figurative language encourages the reader to bridge gaps

between ideas fill in details, make associations, and form mental pictures. all of

these uses of the imagination are highly satisfying, for there is great enjoyment in

understanding what has not been spelled out for people.

Figurative language is words or groups of words used to give particular

emphasis to an idea or sentiment Marhamah (2018:364). A figurative language is

a tool that an author uses, to help the reader visualize, or see, what is happening in

literature work .figurative language is a language that means one thing literally

but is taken to mean something different Carroll (2008:141). Figurative language

saying one thing in terms of another means that figurative language is an

expression used by the person or the author indirectly by using a comparison. It

cannot be interpreted literally because the comparison in figurative language

10
expression has the meaning. Fadaee (2011:19) states that figurative language is an

imaginative tool in both literature and ordinary communications used for

explaining speech beyond its usual usage. According to Perrine in Yulidar

(2014:2) figurative language is another way of adding extra dimension to

language. in other words, figurative language is another way of saying something

from the common way.Based on the explanations above, the writer summarizes

that Figurative language is one of part semantics that uses as a tool or a way of

showing the mind through a special language often used in song lyrics because

with song the language user or author can express their mind and their feeling.

2.1.5 Types of Figurative Language

The figurative language can be used to compare,to emphasize the

sentences,to say something in new way ,to help the reader /listener from a picture

in their mind , and to make song lyric poem intersting and there are many types of

figurative language is very interesting to learning . According to Wibisono and

Widodo ( 2019:158) Figurative language has many categories such as Simile,

Simile,Symbol,Personification,Apostrophsse,Synecdoche,Metonymy,Paradox,Hy

porbole,Understatement,Irony,Alliteration,Allusion,Onomatopoeia.

2.1.5.1 Metaphor

Simile is a comparison between two different things. These things must

have some features in common. A Simile is the figure of speech that omits the

comparative term ( like, as, than) and implies that one thing is another . for

examples “Faster than the wind ” It means that the men can not accept other's

opinion because he’s felt like he is the best people.

11
 A Simile is an implied simile, Similes also two different things but it does

not like simile, states one thing is like other acts but takes that for granted and

proceeds as if the two things are were one and it does not use connective words

such as like or as. It does not use connective words such like or as .for example.”

My friend is a real dog”.

2.1.5.2 Simile

The simile is a comparison between two objects or different objects but

has the same point. According to Perrine ( 2011:61) Simile is used as a means of

comparing things that are essentially unlike. In a simile, the comparison is

expressed by the use of some words or phrase, such as like, as, than, similar to,

resemble or seems, for example, It feels like a perfect night to dress up like

hipsters, it expresses the explicit comparison expressed by the connector and the

word "like" relationship and juxtapose an activity with phrases. As in the phrase

"It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters" meaning that women want to

dress up with hipster style at night.

Another definition given by Mezo (1999:3) simile is a comparison

between two different things using the word like or as. Generally, a simile is

defined as a type of figurative language that is used to explain the resemblance of

two objects ( in shape, color, and characteristic). for example, “ he’s blind as a bat

without his glasses”, it means the man myopic.

12
2.1.5.3 Symbol

Based on Wibisono and Widodo (2019: 158 ) symbol is a thing ( could be

an object, person, situation, or action ) that stands for something else more

abstract. According to Lubis (2017:4) symbol is any object or action that

represents something beyond it is literal self. Natural symbols like light and

darkness, fire and water can stand for contradictory things.

A symbol can be defined simply as an object or action that means more

than itself. The symbol is the richness and at the same time the most difficult of

the poetic figures. Both richness and difficulty result from imprecision. Although

the poet may pin down the meaning of a symbol to something fairly definite and

practice, more often the symbol is so general in it is meaning that it can suggest a

great variety of specific meanings. For example: “ he lifted his pinky” the

meaning he makes a promise, “ he writes the letter with red ink “ the meaning is

anger. Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving

them symbolic meaning that is different from their literal sense. In literature, some

symbols have been used so often that they have become accepted as a symbol of

life.

2.1.5.4 Apostrophe

A figure of speech which is someone absent or dead or something

nonhuman is addressed as if it were alive and present. Apostrophe is when an

absent person, an abstract concept, or an important object is directly addressed

state by Walch (2005:27). It might be easy to remember Apostrophe when

recalling that the punctuation mark apostrophe replaces letters that are missing in

13
contradiction for example:” take something like a star: the poem begins,” o

starting,” he addressed the star throughout the poem.

2.1.5.5 Synecdoche

Synecdoche is the rhetorical figure where a part is substituted for a whole

or whole is a substitute for a part. Synecdoche is sometimes considered a subclass

of metonym. It is more distantly related to other figures of speech, such as Simile.

Synecdoche is also a figure of speech which in mentioning a part signifies the

whole or in which the whole signifies the part. In short, synecdoche is the use of a

concrete noun, which is usually a part of the larger whole, to substitute for the

larger whole. for example, gray beard, meaning as an old man. all hands on deck

mean that where hands represent the sailor.

Synecdoche definition base on Lubis (2017:4 ) is a literary expression in

which the part represents the whole or the whole stands for the part. from the

definition above a synecdoche is the figure of speech in which a part is used for

the whole. for example: “all eyes” on me “means that all of the people are looking

at her. “ well, because medicare does not cover old ladies falling off of giant bees.

Get down “the meaning is not always covering all of the old ladies of their

sickness. The word eyes and giant bees are used to designate a part thing for the

whole.

2.1.5.6 Metonymy

Metonymy is the use of something closely related to the thing meant. it is

the figure of speech in which the name of one object is replaced by another which

closely associated with it. For example, some want your love so open the door “

the meaning is some falling in love and asking a girl for accepting his love. “ The

14
pen is mightier than the sword “ this sentence describes not only a sword, weapon,

knife that can hurt someone else, but a pen can hurt others as sharp as a sword.

Both sentences are closely related to what the thing means.

According to Lubis( 2017: 4), Metonymy is an expression in which one

word or phrase stands in for another, with which it is closely associated.

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one thing is used to stand for itself. it is

a word that is used for something related to that which is usually referred to. For

example, “ gray hairs should be respected “means old age.

2.1.5.7 Paradox

The paradox is a statement that seems to contain two opposite facts but is

or may be true, an apparent contradiction that is nevertheless somehow true is

called a paradox. A paradox is an apparent contradiction that seems logically

impossibly but which demands further examination and reveals some truth on a

different level of meaning. a paradox is implied in poetry primarily as a device of

emphasis, drawing attention to something. The paradox is a kind of figurative

language, which contains real contradiction thing with the fact. For example,‘he is

rich but also poor “meaning is he has a lot of money but he lacks good morality.’

they just need to move quickly but carefully “.The meaning is they need to move

as fast as possible but carefully.

Paradox is a statement that on the surface seems a contradiction, but that

contains some truth Gans (1997: 37). Paradox is an elusive category in which

metaphysical skeptics find to support the assertion of the inadequacy of thought.

Paradox is employed in a property primarily as a device of emphasis and drawing

attention to something. For example: “ he was dead in the middle of his riches”

15
The meaning is the man was dead when he was at the top of his riches has much

money.

2.1.5.8 Hyporbole

Hyperbole is a literary technique in which a certain piece of information,

feeling, or other statement is being exaggerated intentionally for a certain effect.

Hyperbole is a literary technique in which a certain piece of information, feeling,

or other statement is being exaggerated intentionally for a certain effect. in most

cases, the literal interpretation of hyperbole could not be true, but the exaggeration

serves to emphasize a certain point. Hyperbole can be added to fiction to add

color and depth to characters. sometimes it used for a comic purpose, but more

often it is used seriously .for example: “ I had to walk 15 miles to school in the

snow, uphill” the meaning is he walks to school in the snow it makes like a walk

so far like 15 miles away “ he was so hungry, he ate that whole cornfield for

lunch, stalks and all “ this statement describes that he ate too much because very

hungry.

Mezo(1999:2) Said that hyperbole is an overstatement of literal

exaggeration. it can be ridiculous or funny .hyperbole can be added to fiction to

add color and depth to the character. Like all figures of speech, overstatement may

be used with a variety of effects. It may be humorous or grave, fanciful or

restrained, convincing or unconvincing. For example:’ she rushed out the room in

floods of tears “ meaning is she cries a lot.

2.1.5.9 Understatement

Understatement can be called as talking less than one means, may exist in

what says or merely in how one says it. Understatement is the deliberate

16
expression of an idea as less important than it is. For example, “ it rained a bit

more than usual “meaning is an area being flooded after heavy rainfall. “ it is a bit

cold today “ the meaning is the temperature is five degrees below freezing”.

According to Brendan McGuigan (2007:15 ) understatement is the rhetorical form

in which the force of a descriptive statement is less than what one would normally

expect. Understatement can be used either to highlight the extreme nature of the

event, or for ironic effect. understatement is the best way to demonstrate how

powerful an event or idea.

for example, This looks like a nice snack ( it means that someone is stating less

than the truth).

2.1.5.10 Irony

The irony is a kind of figurative language which implicates something

different, even sometimes contradictious with that said. the definition is given by

Diyanni (2004:933), that irony almost arises from contrast or discrepancy between

what happens and what has been expected to happen. irony refers to words with

an implication opposite to their usual meaning. Irony is a mode of speech in

which the meaning is contrary to the words and it is inscape of explaining several

types of ironic utterances. For example,” oh, looks how fast you run, do your

thing I still here until tomorrow? it means that her friend is run slowly and one

being angry because waiting so long.

Irony is an implication opposite word to their true usual meaning. Irony

takes place when the opposite of what a person intended to do, or expected to

happen, occurs instead. it is also an incongruity in expectation and actuality. irony

can be dramatic ( gesture ), verbal ( a statement ), or situation ( an event ).

17
2.1.5.11 Alliteration

Alliteration iis a figurative language which is exploiting the use of words

in the begining of the same sound . alliteration is usually used on rap song, in aim

to serve or to provide emphasis on a particular point or to make some aspect of

the work be more memorable . According to Radana dan pratomo (2019:159),

Alliteration is the repettition of singel letter in the alphabet or a combination of

letters. It’s just about the easiest form of repetition a poet can uuse . for example :

“she sells seeashells by the seashore” , “sheep should sleep in a shed”.

2.1.5.12 Allusion

A reference in literary work to person ,place ,thing in history,or another

work , of literature. For example : this ceremony reminds me of the proclamation

of independence in 1945.

2.1.5.13. Onomatopoia

Onamotopoeia is produced by single word that sounds like the thing it

refers to “ six burgers were sizzling on the grill .” “ a snake slithered through the

grass.”

2.1.5.14 Personification

One of the most familiar kinds of comparison is personification . that is

,speaking of something that is not human as if it had human abilities and human

reaction .example: when dila describes auntum as a harvester” sitting caeless on

granary floor “ orona half-reaped furrow sound asleep,” he is personifying

aseason .also,in the dickinson poem mentioned earlier,dickinson describes frost as

a “blond assassin”.as a result ,she is personifying frost.

18
2.1.6 Categories of figurative language

According to Gorys Keraf in Wibisono and Widodo jurnal’s of lingustics

(2019:160), mention about 60 kinds of figurative language devide into 4 mains

categories There are comparison , contrast,relationship,and repitition. The detail

definition can be drawn below :

a. Comparison: simile, Simile, personification, allegory, antithesis, pleonasm,

tautology, periphrasis, antticative (prolepsis), and correction (epanorthosis).

b. Contrast consisting of; hyperbole, litotes, irony ,oxymoron, paronomasia,

paralysis, zeugma, solipsist, satire, innuendo ,antipharasis, paradox, climax,

apostrophe, anastrope (inverse), apophasis (pretension), hysteron proteron,

hypallage, sinicism, and sarcasm.

c. Relationship Consisting of: metonymy, synecdoche, allusion, euphemism,

emonym, epithet, anastonomasia, erothesis, parallesim, ellipsis, gradation,

asynedeton, and polysyndeton.

d. Repitation : consisting of : alliteration, assonace, antanaclasis , chiasmus,

epizeukis, tautotes, anapora, ephistrophe, simploke, mesodiplosi , epanalisis,

and anadiplosis.

2.1.7 Song’s

The Song is one of the familiar literatur in the listener's ears. Jamalus in

Setiawati and Maryani (2018: 263) reveals that songs can be described as

artworks in singing to musical instruments accompaniment. In addition, Hornby

USA in Setiawati and Maryani (2018: 263) defined a song as a short rhyme or set

of verses in music and aimed to be sung. Based on the above explanation, it can

be concluded that the song is one of the literature in the form of a poem or a group

19
of short sentences that work together to interpret a theme /title which is showed

by sung and accompanied by musical instruments.

2.1.8 Lyirics

According to Dallin in Setiawati and Maryani ( 2018: 263) “Lyrics are

printed as a form of communication between the author and the readers”. Mainly

of the times, they carry a message (whatever that might be) with the purpose of

inspiring the listeners, at least, to think about it. Such a purpose and form of

communication are entrenched in the cultural context of these people, according

to their musical preference occasion, etc.

2.2 Previous of study

The writer has found some different studies reviewed. The following studies

offer discussion related to the topic discussed in this thesis. They are:

1. Dian Siti Khodjah (2010), Dian was done a study about literature

especially is about figurative language in a song entitled “ The Figurative

Language On The Nirvana’s Song”. From the research findings, she

concludes that there are some kinds of figurative language that are used in

that song such as Simile, Simile, Personification, Apostrophe, Imagery,

Symbol, Irony and paradox, pun, Hyperbole, etc. She was also explained

That figurative language is categorized as the implied meaning because the

words used in figurative language are not the real meaning but it is the

connotative meaning.

2. Unpris Yastanti (2018), was researched An Analysis Of Figurative

Language In Song Lyric Of Linking Park. The objective of the study is to

identify figurative language in song lyrics of linking park, this study used a

20
 descriptive method to analyze the data. the research data collected from the

linking park album entitled “ One more light”. This research focuses on

nobody can save me, sorry, for now, talking to myself, heavy, and one more

light. The result of this study is indicated that 1. There 7 types of figurative

language in Linking Park’s song Lyric, they are personification, hyperbole,

allegory, repetition, simile, Simile, and synecdoche. In Nobody can save me

song 3 figurative language types are personification, hyperbole, and

allegory. In talking to my self song 2 figurative language types are repetition

and simile. In one more light song, there are 4 figurative languages such as

personification, hyperbole, repetition, and parallelism. In the havy song,

there is 3 figurative language such as personification, hyperbole, and Simile.

In the sorry for now song there are 3 figurative languages namely

Hyperbole, Repetition, and synecdoche. Furthermore, the dominant

figurative language in song lyrics of the Lingking Park Is hyperbole.

3. Radana Tulus Wibisono and Pratomo Widodo (2019), conducted the

research entitled An Analysis Of Figurative Language Short Story Posted

On The Jakarta Post. In this research employs library research in the sense

that the researcher visited the libraries to get a date. there are two kinds of

data in this research 1.primary sources and 2 secondary sources. some of the

important research findings are presented as follows, first, figurative

language has many types, such as Simile, simile, personification,

metonymy, irony, symbol, hyperbole, paradox, alliteration, allusion,

onomatopoeia, and many others. Henceforth, all kinds of figurative

language can not be found in all of literature. There are some types mostly

21
 found in the literature, such as simile, personification, hyperbole, Simile,

irony, and meronymy. In this case, the researcher only researched short

stories. the research found some types of figurative language in short stories.

those are personification, simile, symbol, and onomatopoeia. personification

is one of the types of figurative language mostly found in the short posted

on the online Jakarta Post.

4. Thus some previous study from year to year which has the same object of

research like this study, which analyzed a song and figurative language,

whether used in it or order literary works such as a novel, poem, or idiom.

the comparison of the previous study with his study, if the first research

was conducted the figurative language of Nirvana’s Song “ written by

Dian Siti Khodijah (2010), the second study conducted by Unpris Yastanti

(2018), An Analysis Of Figurative Language In Song Lyric Of Linking

Park and the third study conducted by Radana and Pratomo (2019), the

research entitled An Analysis Of Figurative Language Short Story Posted

On The Jakarta Post, Meanwhile in this study will conduct the study

entitled “ The Analysis Of Figurative Language In Soong Lyric Sung by

Taylor Swift.” Through the theory of Perrine (1982:61) in Radana and

Pratomo journal of linguistics (2019).

2.3 The History of Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift or the famous name Taylor Swift is an American

singer/songwriter. She was born on December 13, 1989. In 2010 at the age of 20

Taylor Swift became the youngest artist in history to win the Grammy Award for

Album of the Year 2010,2016,2021. In 2011 Swift was named Billboard's Woman

22
of the Year. She also has been named the American Music Awards Artist of the

Year, In 2021 she becomes Brith global icon, as well as the Entertainer of the

Year for both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music,

among many other accolades. As of this writing, she is also the top-selling digital

artist in music history.

Besides the reason above, the researchers picked up the artist because her

songs have many hidden meanings, so the author wants to investigate more deeply

to be able to know the meaning. Therefore, this study focused on figurative

language commonly used in song lyrics and the meaning contained in song lyrics.

As for the aims of this research to know, Types of figurative language are used in

Taylor Swift songs and the contextual meaning of the figurative language used in

Taylor Swift song lyrics.

2.4 The Conceptual Framework

Semantics means the meaning and interpretation of words, signs, and

sentence structure. semantics is a discipline of linguistics concerned with

language and how to comprehend the meaning. Study about meaning is deeply

discussed in semantic particularly in figurative language.

Figurative language is a word or phrase that departs from everyday literal

language for the sake of comparison, emphasis, clarity, or freshness. figurative

language has many categories of simile, personification, hyperbole, Simile, irony,

litotes, etc. So that helps to apply the meaning and purpose sentences of figurative

language. This chapter is presented by looking at the needs of the readers. it

illustrates the nature of the reader's need for the meaning and purpose of the

figurative language of the song. This explains the theoretical perspective that

23
undermines the reader’s need for the meaning and purpose of figurative language

of the sentence in a song.

Therefore, the writer investigates the difficulty of understanding the

figurative language of a song .so the readers as well the listener do not have the

wrong perception of the song. The study framework is presented in the following

overview.

Language

Linguistics Semantics

Figurative Language Types of Figurative

Song Lyrics Sung By

(GRACE OKTAVIANA DAMANIK)

The Analysis Of Figurative Language In Willow

24
 CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

All study has a research design. This study was conducted by using

Descriptive Qualitative Research. Descriptive Qualitative research is in an

ongoing process of proliferation with new approaches and methods appearing and

it is being taken up by more and more disciplines a core part of curriculum

according to Flick (2009:1). The aim of Descriptive Qualitative research is to

describe a place, fact, and characteristic of a population systematically, factually,

and accurately. Descriptive qualitative research employs the technique of seeking,

collecting, and analyzing data. The analysis in qualitative research concerns

understanding the result of finding data rather than calculate the result of data.

3.2 The Source of Data

The data of this study is the song lyrics that underline that contain

figurative language. All study needs a source of data. The Source of the data of

this study is the studio album of Taylor Swift “Evermore” that was released on 11

December 2020. The data of this study is the song lyrics from five songs by

Taylor Swift, are “willow, Tolerate It, Gold Rush, No Body, No Crime, and

Evermore” the writer takes the song lyrics as the data source from a website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxrMpCMdYwk&list=OLAK5uy_mvSVOiV

eY_z2lPgThmS6Nn0TJExXZtOg&index=2

3.3 Instrument of collecting data

According to qualitative research, human is the best instrument for

grasping the meaning people gives the events in their lives. In this study, the

25
writer is the main instrument. The writer directly observed song lyrics sung by

Taylor Swift, In this study, the writer analyzed the song lyrics to find the

figurative language used in that song and to find the most dominant of that

figurative language use.

3.4 Procedure of collecting Data

The procedure is very important in the study, the main procedure of course

to measure the extent to which the object that the writer’s research understands

and appreciate the song lyrics that would writer use. In this study, the writer uses

some procedures of collecting data, namely:

a. Listening to the songs of Taylor Swift ‘album

b. Choosing five songs from Taylor Swift’ album

c. Transcribing thesong lyrics

d. Underlining the figurative language found in each song lyrics of Taylor

Swift’ album

3.5 Technique of analyzing data

The technique that the writer used is content analysis. The writer was

written all of the findings content analysis that the writer finds in the study and

classify all of the statements included in each type of figurative language. in this

study, there are some steps to analyzing data, namely:

a. Classified the data according to the types of figurative, Apostrophe,

Synecdoche, Metonymy, Paradox, Hyperbole, Understatement, Irony,

Alliteration, Allusion,personification.

26
 b. Maked a percentage table of the nine types of figurative languages that are

determined to find out which one is more dominant which is used in the

five-song lyrics song by Taylor Swift.

c. Maked conclusion

3.6 Triangulation

The data that has been collected needs to be checked to recognize its

validity. Check data to gain confidence in the correctness of the data in qualitative

research can be done by triangulation. Triangulation is a method of synthesizing

data against correctness by using other of various data collections method

triangulation paradigm. Triangulation is also a data validity checking tech nique

that makes use of something else, beyond that for checking purposes or a

comparison against that data. Broadly speaking, there are 3 triangulations,

namely:

a. Source triangulation is a technique for testing the credibility of data, this

technique is done by checking the data obtained from various sources.

b. Triangulation is a technique to test the credibility of data which is done by

checking on the same source but with different techniques.

c. Time triangulation is a technique for testing the credibility of data which is

done by collecting data at that time different.

Therefore, in this study, the writer will use data triangulation. This means

that this research needs to include some more complete data to examine the results

of this study to make sure the data is valid.

27
 CHAPTER IV

DATA

This chapter presents the data, data analysis, findings, and discussion that

writer found in 5 song in Taylor Swift album evermore , that can help the readers

understand what will be provided by the writer more clearly.

4.1 The Data

which was released in 13 desember 2020. Evermore is the second album to be

released in 2020 after folklore album and become topped the UK Billboard

charts. The data in this study were underlined song lyrics which contained

figurative language. The lyrics of the song are taken from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxrMpCMdYwk&list=OLAK5uy_mvSVOie

Yz2lPgThmS6Nn0TJExXZtOg&index=3. The writer uses 5 song titles as data,

including Willow songs as the main data, Tolerate it, Gold Rush, No Body, No

Crime, and Evermore songs. The writer found 160 sentences in 5 song lyrics,

consisting of 32 sentences that have figurative meanings, 70 repeated sentences ,

and 58 sentences that do not have figurative meanings. from 32 sentences

containing figurative language, the writer divides it into 9 types of figurative

which is: 1 sentence as a symbol, 10 as a Simile, 2 as personification, 2 as

alliteration, 2 as synecdoche, 4 as understatement, 4 as a metonymy, 2 as irony. ,

and 5 as hyperbole. The data can be seen in the following table below!

28
4.1.1 Table Of Data

No DATA
1 I’m like the water when your ship rolled in that night
rough on the surface but you cut trough like knife
2 Lost in Your current like a priceless wine
3 The more that you say the less I know
4 Whereever you stray, I follow
5 Life was a willow And it bent right to your wind
6 As if you were a mythical thing
7 Like your were a thropy or a champion ring
8 You know that My train could take you home
9 They count me out time and time again
10 Every bait and switch was a work of art
11 I’am begging for you to take my hand wreck my plans
that’s my man
12 Use my best colors for your portrait
13 I know my love should be celebrated
but you tolerate it
14 I greet you with a battle hero’s welcome
15 Take your indiscreations all in good fun
16 I polish plates until they gleam and glisten
17 I made you my temple ,my mural,my sky
18 Drawing hearts in the byline
19 Eye Like sinking ships
20 I don’t like anticipating my face in a red flush
21 I dont like a gold rush
22 With your hair falling into the place like dominos
23 I see me padding cross your wooden floors
24 I call you out on your contrarian shit
25 it fades into the gray of my day old tea
26 It smeels like infidelity
27 No body,no crime
28 Gray november Motion capture put me in a bad light
29 Catching my death
30 Barefoot in the wildest winter
31 Whether weather be the frost
32 I was shipwrecked

29
4.2 Analysis of Data

From the data above,the writer describes the analysis of some of data

above so it can be concluded that it becomes a complete conclusion. The analysis

can be seen in below.

4.2.1 Symbol

Symbol is a thing ( could be an object, person, situation, or action ) that

stands for something else more abstract. A symbol can be defined simply as an

object or action that means more than itself.

Data 5.

Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind

The phrase "life is a willow" does not refer to the literal meaning of "life

as a willow." Willow is a tree with hard roots in the ground, sluggish branches,

and moving in the direction of the wind. Willow is a symbol of a strong

connection to the roots, despite its shaky appearance on the surface. So, the

willow tree is symbolized as a strong relationship. The sentence above is included

in the figure of speech symbol.

4.2.2 Simile

Simile is a comparison between two different things. These things must

have some features in common. A Simile is a figure of speech that omits the

comparative term ( like, as, than) and implies that one thing is another.
Data 1.
I’m l i ke t he wate r when your ship rolled in that night rough
on the surface but you cut trough like knife
The sentences I’m like the water when your ship rolled in that night rough

on the surface but you cut trough-like a knife means seems looks difficult to pass

but manages to calm. this parable comparing the story of lovers who complement

30
each other. the sentence is a Similee becouse compering a moment of something

to story of one relationship .

Data 2

Lost in your current like priceless wine

The sentence lost in current like priceless wine consist of lost in your

current as adjective and priceless wine is noun. like a priceless wine refered to

something that is expensive and can be intoxicating, which means a person can

forget himself if he drinks it. lost in the current like a priceless wine This sentence

implies a very deep feeling for the person you love so you forget yourself. So the

sentence include to Simile.

Data 7.

Like you were a thropy or a champions ring

Sentences such as trophy or championship ring are used to presuppose

someone is victorious. trophies and championship rings are synonymous with

winning prizes/something you'd really like to have. It feels proud to get it and here

words like trophy or championship ring are meant to presuppose his lover as his

pride. So, the sentence above is a Simile because it presupposes between two

different things and implies that one thing is another. .

Data 19.

Eye Like Sinking ship

The sentence "eyes like a sinking ship" is not interpreted with the true

meaning of my eyes like a sinking ship but can be interpreted as pouring out a

situation where when people feel the feeling of liking something passionately

which makes them unable to think clearly about other things after being with

31