Abstract:
This research is mainly investigated to determine the concept of semantics and the
function of Nandong Smong poetry for the people of Simeulue Island.The
theoretical study that underlies this research is the semantic theory proposed by
Chaer (2010: 59) which divides meaning into lexical meaning, connotative
meaning, and grammatical meaning. And for functional use function theory.The
method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method. The research
subject in this study was the poetry of Nandong Smong. The research object in
this study was the semantics (lexical meaning, connotative meaning, and
grammatical meaning) of Nandong Smong poetry in cultural arts on the island of
Simeulue. Data collection techniques in this research are library techniques,
observation techniques, and note taking techniques. The research instruments in
this study were data recording cards and reference books. The data analysis
technique in this research is content analysis. Furthermore, in data presentation
techniques, the author uses informal methods. Based on the discussion of the data
and the results of this study, it shows that in nandong smong poetry there are
semantics related to lexical meaning, connotative meaning, and grammatical
meaning. Functionally, nandong smong is used in various Simeulue cultural
activities such as weddings, circumcisions, welcoming guests, cultural parties,
performances, and others. Meanwhile, the main function of nandong smong is to
inform the symptoms and phenomena of the tsunami and how to save oneself
from the tsunami disaster, plus other functions such as: communication, cultural
preservation, entertainment.
