RESEARCH PROPOSAL

ANALYSIS OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS FOUND IN REALITY CLUB’S SONG

LYRICS IN THE ALBUM “REALITY CLUB PRESENTS” AND ITS POSSIBILITY
TO BE USED IN ENGLISH TEACHING AND LEARNING

WINDU CAHYA MAHARANI

A1B020025

ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
BENGKULU UNIVERSITY
2024
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Research

Language serves as the central means of communication, seamlessly

intertwining with a myriad of social contexts. The versatility and utility of language
as a communication tool are highly valuable. In various situations, language
effectively caters to human communication needs (Manar Abdurra’uf Fatin, 2016).

Over the past five years, the field of language education has experienced a
transformative evolution, marked by a paradigm shift towards dynamic and
immersive methodologies aimed at enriching language acquisition experiences.
Central to this transformation is the burgeoning recognition of the pivotal role that
idiomatic expressions play in nurturing communicative competence, cultural
insight, and a profound connection to language. This research proposal seeks to
embark on an exhaustive exploration of idiomatic expressions found within the
song lyrics of Reality Club's album "Reality Club Presents," delving beyond
linguistic intricacies to uncover their potential implications for English teaching and
learning.

Reality Club is an Indonesian band that plays alternative rock and indie music
with a unique combination. The band members are Era Patigo on drums, Iqbal
Anggakusuma on bass, Elizar Ibrahim on guitar, and Faiz Novascotia on vocals.
Reality Club is well-known for their creative style in Indonesian music, which
skillfully combines global inspirations with a regional flair. Notably, the band's
lyrics stand out for their use of idioms, bringing a depth of cultural complexity to
their tale and expressing the soul of the Indonesian language. The investigation of
several issues, such as human rights, narrative, and spirituality, sets Reality Club
apart from other bands in the music industry and adds to their distinctive and
multidimensional artistic identity. In order to better understand the emotional
resonance of this study idea,

Jack C. Richards, a stalwart in the realm of language education, has offered

profound insights into the significance of idiomatic expressions as integral
components of communicative competence. His seminal work posits that idioms
transcend mere linguistic constructs, contributing significantly to the authenticity of
language use by encapsulating the essence of cultural and contextual nuances
(Richards, 2015). This perspective seamlessly aligns with the contemporary
pedagogical shift that emphasizes the integration of authentic materials in language
teaching, as advocated by Nation (2008).

The intersection of idioms, music, and language learning presents a rich and
fertile ground for exploration. Recent scholarship by Song and Baker (2019) has
delved into the cultural and emotional dimensions of idioms present in song lyrics.
Their study underscores that idioms, when interwoven with the artistic expression
of music, have the potential to offer learners profound insights into the socio-
cultural fabric of language. This synergy between idioms and music makes Reality
Club's discography an intriguing and culturally relevant subject for analysis, given
its embodiment of modern cultural narratives.

Beyond the realms of linguistic analysis, this research aspires to unravel the
transformative potential of idioms in song lyrics for English language teaching and
learning. Idiomatic expressions, as linguistic phenomena deeply embedded in
cultural contexts, offer a unique entry point for learners to connect with the
intricacies of a language. Reality Club's music, being a contemporary reflection of
culture, provides an engaging medium to not only explore the nuances of idioms but
also to decipher their real-world applications.

In navigating a globalized world characterized by the cross-pollination of

cultures and the omnipresence of media, the use of idioms in song lyrics emerges as
a potent tool for language educators. This research is propelled by the conviction
that a nuanced exploration of idiomatic expressions within the realm of popular
music, specifically Reality Club's discography, can furnish language educators with
transformative strategies to authentically engage students and deepen their
understanding of language and culture.

In summation, this research project stands at the confluence of established

principles in language education, the evolving dynamics of language teaching
methodologies, and the transformative potential of idioms within the artistic realm
of music. By dissecting idiomatic expressions within the context of popular music
in songs lyric from Reality Club album, this study endeavors to contribute to the
 ongoing discourse on language pedagogy and provide language educators with
innovative tools to enrich language learning experiences in a rapidly changing
linguistic and cultural landscape.
B. Research Questions
This research proposal guided though following major questions:
1. What types of idiom are found in Reality Club’s song lyrics in album
“Reality Club Presents”?
2. What meaning of idioms are found in Reality Club’s song lyrics in album
“Reality Club Presents”?
3. What is the possibility of the use of Reality Club’s songs as an English
teaching material?

C. Objective of the Research

This research proposal is intended to meet the following objectives:
1. To find out types of idioms found in Reality Club’s Album
2. To find out the meaning of idiomatic expression found in Reality Club’s
song lyrics.
3. To find out the possibility of teaching idiom by media Reality Club’s song
lyrics.
D. Scope of the Research
The scope of this study can be described as follow:
a. Idioms that will be analyzed by researcher were sourced from Reality Club’s
songs in the album "Reality Club Presents".
b. Idiom that will be analyzed by researcher is only the lexical idiom that derived
from book Idiom Structure in English by Adam Makkai.

E. Significance of The Research

The result of this study is expected to be able to give the following benefits:
1. For readers, hopefully this research can give a reference about idiomatic
expression and its meaning.
2. For English teachers, hopefully this research can give a reference of
teaching idiom in teaching learning process.
3. For the writer, hopefully this research can give more knowledge in
learning idiom.
 CHAPTER 2
LITERARUTE REVIEW

A. Definiton of Idioms
The idiom is an expression where the meaning is not immediately evident from its
literal words. This implies that the meaning of an idiom is non-literal and lacks a direct,
explicit interpretation. To comprehend the meaning of an idiom, the most effective
approach is to consider and understand the entire context of the text, as highlighted by
O'Dell and McCarthy in 2003. Additionally, Palmer, in his book "Semantic: A New
Outline," characterizes idioms as having semantic similarities to common single words
but lacking a functional role akin to a standalone word. From a grammatical perspective,
an idiom is a word that may consist of more than one word. Therefore, the meaning of an
idiom can be deduced by understanding the meanings of the individual words within the
context of the text, as articulated by Palmer in 1976.
More over, Burger and Gallina assert that an idiom is a word with a relatively fixed
structure, where the overall meaning is not immediately clear and deviates from the
meanings of the individual words (Burger & Gallina, 2008). This aligns with Cooper's
perspective on idioms, emphasizing that they are conventionalized expressions where the
meaning cannot be anticipated or inferred from the literal meaning of the words in the
written text (Cooper, 1999a). Baker also contributes to this understanding by defining an
idiom as a linguistic expression pattern that frequently carries a meaning that cannot be
logically deduced from its individual components (Baker, 1992).
Hence, based on the various definitions provided earlier, the researcher deduces that
an idiom is a vivid expression commonly found in text, devoid of a literal interpretation.
The significance of an idiom diverges from the meanings of its individual words.
Therefore, to grasp the intended meaning of an idiom, the translator must consider the
broader context of the entire text.
1. Types of Idiom
In order to facilitate comprehension and translation of idioms, it is essential for the
translator to be acquainted with the various types of idioms. As outlined by Fernando
(1996), as referenced in Mustonen (2010), idioms can be categorized into three types:
pure idioms, semi-idioms, and literal idioms.
1. Pure Idioms: Pure idioms are established non-literal multiword expressions whose
meanings cannot be determined by simply adding up the meanings of their
 individual words. Take, for instance:
 'Spill the beans' – it doesn't imply literally spilling beans; instead, it
signifies revealing a secret.
 'Break a leg' – it doesn't involve literally breaking a leg; rather, it conveys
a wish for someone to be lucky.
2. Semi-Idioms: Semi-idioms are idioms incorporated into phrases containing at
least one literal element and one with no literal meaning. Consider:
 'Foot the bill' – it does mean paying the bill, where 'foot' represents the
idiomatic expression, and 'bill' signifies the literal meaning.
 'A dark horse' – it means an unexpected winner, derived from horse races
where a horse unexpectedly wins. Translators can apply this idiom in
various competitions, such as political party elections.
3. Literal Idioms: Literal idioms are less intricate as they possess literal meanings
easily comprehensible even when the phrase is unfamiliar. For example:
 'On the contrary' – it literally means like the written word.
 'On foot' – it literally means on their foot or walking.
Among these three categories of idioms, the type of idiom corresponds to its level of
opacity: the greater the transparency of the idiom, the more foreseeable its meaning. In
cases where the idiom is transparent, the translator can comprehend its meaning even
without possessing prior knowledge of that particular idiom. Conversely, when the idiom
is highly semantic, translators need to acquaint themselves with its meaning through
regular usage in daily language.

B. Definition of song
According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, a song is typically a
brief musical composition accompanied by sung lyrics. Conversely, the Oxford Advanced
Learner's Dictionary characterizes a song as a short musical piece with lyrics meant for
singing. Additionally, another interpretation of a song refers to it as an artistic expression
based on sound, often regarded as an individual musical work with defined pitches,
patterns, and structure. A song may or may not contain lyrics but must involve some form
of vocalization.
A song comprises two distinct elements:
a. Music: The term "music" finds its origin in the Greek words "mousikḕ
téchnē," inspired by the Muses, symbolizing creativity. This evolved into
 the Latin term "mūsica." In English, music is described as vocal or
instrumental sounds, or a combination of both, arranged to create beauty of
form, harmony, and emotional expression. It can also be defined as sound
organized in a manner that is pleasing or exhilarating to the listener.
Another interpretation considers music as patterns of sounds produced by
musical instruments, singing, or computers, intended to provide pleasure to
the audience. In essence, music is vocal or instrumental sounds, or a
combination of both, arranged to evoke pleasure.
b. Lyric: The term "lyric" traces its roots back to the Greek word "lyrikós,"
meaning "singing to the lyre." In contemporary usage, lyrics refer to the
words of a song, with the connection to music established in 1876. The
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines lyrics as the words of a
song, particularly in the context of pop songs. However, the term "lyrics"
has expanded beyond pop songs to encompass various musical genres. The
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary characterizes lyrics as expressions
of personal feelings and thoughts associated with a poem or a song. It
emphasizes that a composition without lyrics cannot be considered a song
but rather music or instrumental music. Therefore, lyrics can be defined as
the expression of personal feelings written for a poem or song, conveying
one's emotions.

C. Previous Research
Considering the topic discussed in this thesis, there are some research
have been done related to this topic. Fiisrt, Anastasiaa Ema Gunawan and
Eropudin, An Analysis of Idiomatic Expression Found in The Adele’s Lyryc
Song, from University of Pasir Pengaraian, 2019. The result of research
showed that there is thirteen of figurative language found in the lyric of Yusuf
Islam songs. Second, this research conduct by Fatkhur Rahman (063411009),
The Use Of Figurative Language In Yusuf Islams Song Lirycs To Express
Religious Values And Its Possibility As TeachingMaterial In English For
Islamic Studies A Descriptive Research Of I Look, I See - Yusuf Islam Friends
& Children Album, from Tarbiyah Faculty, Walisongo State Institute for
Islamic Studies Semarang, 2011. The result of research showed that there are
fourteen figurative meaning found in the lyrics of Yusuf Islam song and can be
It is possible for using song lyrics of “I look I see” Yusuf Islam’s album as a
teaching material in English for Islamic Studies because the lyrics really
contain religious values of Islam which is being material in English for Islamic
Studies. Third, the research from Laela Nur Mukarromah (103411019),
Students’comprehension of recount text (a correlation study on the 4 th semester
of English education of UIN Walisongo Semarang in the Academic year of
2014/2015) from Tarbiyah Faculty, Walisongo State University , 2015. The
result of research showed that there is no correlation between students
understanding in idiom and their reading comprehension recount text.
The difference between his research and those research are in the
object and purposes of the study. First, the research from Yusuf focused at
Islam songs while the writers research focus on Reality Club’s songs.
Moreover, his research researched the possibilities for Islamic studies while
the writer’s research will focus on possibilities for English studies. Second, the
studied about figurative languages if the songs while this writer’s research will
study about idiomatic expressions. Last,another research just focused on
reading and the object was recount text. Whether this research is focus on
Reality Club’s song lyrics.
 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
A. Research Design
The various types of research designs are employed in the execution of a research
endeavor. Qualitative research is utilized to explore and comprehend the meanings that
individuals or groups attribute to social or human problems. This form of research does
not rely on statistics or numerical counts but rather delves into aspects such as
biographies, histories, and attitudes of human beings. Additionally, it encompasses the
study of organizational roles, social movements, and interrelationships.
The research at hand adopts a descriptive-qualitative approach. Qualitative research,
as defined by Berg (1989 in Mariani 2003:45), involves exploring meanings, concepts,
definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and descriptions of various phenomena.
Arikunto (2010:10) asserts that research is a scientific activity aimed at enhancing
knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving in a systematic and logical manner (Ali,
1985:5). Consequently, the inclusion of a research design becomes imperative, serving as
a structured plan for the efficient and harmonious collection and analysis of data aligned
with the research objectives (Nasution, 2006).
The qualitative method proves effective in uncovering and understanding aspects
behind phenomena that are not widely known. It is also instrumental in gathering
information about subjects known to only a select few. In this context, the author has
opted for a descriptive research design, which involves providing a detailed account of
idioms present in Adele's song lyrics and subsequently deciphering the meaning
associated with each of them. Ali (1985:124) emphasizes that descriptive research is
employed to address existing problems by initiating the inquiry, collecting and analyzing
data to respond to the problem, and formulating conclusions based on the research
findings.
Issues in descriptive research pertain to actual conditions or facts. As indicated earlier,
descriptive research is utilized to address contemporary problems and formulate research
conclusions. According to Surakhmad (2004:47), the descriptive method explores
potential solutions to current issues by collecting, organizing, classifying, analyzing, and
interpreting data. In this study, the researcher employed a descriptive qualitative study
design, applying it consistently throughout various aspects of data analysis.
Based on the explanation above, the research design adopted for this study is content
descriptive research, with a specific emphasis on exploring idioms found in Reality Club's
Presents lyrics, meaning and the posibility to be learning media in English subject for
students. The selected research approach, library research, serves as a means to collect
and obtain essential data from published written materials, providing a structured
foundation for the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the idiomatic expressions
within the song lyrics.

B. Techniques of Collecting Data

In the process of data collection, the author employed documentation study, a method
that encompasses a broad array of written materials capable of yielding qualitative
information. As outlined by Suharsimi Arikunto (2013), this technique allows for the
gathering of data from various sources such as notes, transcripts, newspapers, magazines,
ancient inscriptions, meeting notes, and more. To execute this, the researcher followed a
structured approach:
1. Transcribing: The initial step involved transcribing the song lyrics for analysis.
To ensure accuracy and precision aligned with the songwriter's intent, the
author accessed the official spotify of Reality Club Music Group to obtain the
lyrics.
2. Reading: Following the transcription, the lyrics were thoroughly read to
comprehend the entire content, with a specific focus on identifying idioms.
3. Identifying: While reading, the researcher identified idioms through the
following steps:
a. Underlining: Suspected idioms within the lyrics were underlined.
b. Bracketing: In cases where a group of underlined words extended across
multiple lines, the bracketing technique was applied. This method proved useful
in clearly distinguishing and separating suspected idiomatic expressions, as
demonstrated in the example: "You were (Falling down)."

C. Technique of Analyzing the Data

Following the data collection phase, the researcher conducted an analysis utilizing a
descriptive-qualitative study approach. Qualitative research, as defined by Berg (1989 in
Suryanata 2011:25), involves exploring meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics,
metaphors, symbols, and descriptions of various phenomena. The descriptive-qualitative
research, rooted in Palmer's theories (1976:99), aimed to decipher the idiom analysis
within Reality Club’s song lyrics.
 The outcomes of the data analysis were presented to depict the types and
interpretations of idioms in Reality Club’s song lyrics. To facilitate a clear description,
problem-solving, and data analysis, the research findings were organized into tables
categorizing the types of idioms. The analytical process involved the following steps:
1. Identifying Idioms: The researcher identified idioms in the Reality Club’s song
lyrics song based on Reza Pahlevi and M.A Kamus Lengkap Idiom. This
involved a meticulous reading of the song lyrics, line by line and verse by
verse, to identify phrases or clauses constituting idioms.
2. Describing: The interpretation of identified idioms in the Adele lyrics song was
undertaken in this step. The researcher provided a detailed explanation of the
meaning of each idiom using dictionaries.
3. Tabulating Idiom Analysis: To enhance comprehension, the researcher
organized the identified idioms and their interpretations into tables. This
presentation format aimed to provide readers with a clearer understanding of
the idioms discussed in the study.
4. Elaborating: The researcher will provide detailed descriptions and explanations
of the idioms utilized in the song lyrics from Reality Club’s “Reality Club
Present” Album, covering aspects such as: a) Categories of idioms, b) Their
idiomatic meanings, and c) The relevance of idioms in the context of English
teaching and learning.
5. Drawing Conclusions: Subsequently, the researcher will draw conclusions
based on the outcomes of the preceding research.
Once all the essential resources have been identified, the author will devise a set of
instructional steps for incorporating idioms into English teaching and learning.
Amberg, Julie S. andDeborahJ. Vause,“American English: History, Structure, and Usage“,
https://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/52579/excerpt/9780521852579_excerpt.pdf, Accessed in
January, 4th 2023
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https://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/52579/excerpt/9780521852579_excer pt.pdf,
Accessed on January, 4th 2024
Fatkhur Rahman, “The Use Of Figurative Language In Yusuf Islams Song Lirycs To Express
Religious Values And Its Possibility As Teaching Material In English For Islamic
Studies A Descriptive Research Of I Look, I See - Yusuf Islam Friends & Children
Album”, thesis, (Semarang: Tarbiyah Faculty, Walisongo State Institute for Islamic
Studies Semarang, 2011)
Yasin Anwari, “An Analysis of Figurative Language and Education Values Found in The
Lyric of Yusuf Islam’s Songs”, Thesis, (Semarang: Tarbiyah and Teacher Training
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Laela Nur Mukarromah, “Students’ understanding of idiom and their reading comprehension
of recount text (a correlation study on the 4th semester of English education of UIN
walisongo Semarang in the Academic year of 2014/2015)” thesis, (Semarang:
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