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This article examines umpasa as the determinant of the validity of the Mangalahat Horbo ritual and as a vehicle for transmitting the cultural values of the Batak Toba people from an anthropolinguistic perspective. Mangalahat Horbo is a buffalo sacrifice ritual that functions simultaneously as a cosmological, political, and linguistic event. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using three theoretical frameworks: Dell Hymes' (1974) SPEAKING model to analyze the ritual as a speech event, Roland Barthes' (1968) semiotics to dissect the denotative and connotative meanings of umpasa, and Kluckhohn's (1953) theory of cultural values and Sibarani's (2014) local wisdom theory to identify embedded cultural values. The findings reveal that umpasa operates on three simultaneous layers of meaning: pragmatic-performative, social-hierarchical, and cosmological-ecological. Umpasa is not merely an aesthetic ornament but a constitutive element of the ritual that shapes the social and cosmological reality of the Bius community. Eight cultural values are identified: communicative courtesy, adat knowledge transmission, self-restraint, collective responsibility, cultural preservation, cosmological reciprocity, distributive justice, and ecological harmony. This study affirms the urgency of anthropolinguistic documentation of Mangalahat Horbo before the Parhata masters of umpasa diminish further.

The phenomenon of emotional healing has become increasingly prominent in popular culture as the younger generation experiences increasing loss, emotional exhaustion, and numbness. Popular music serves as a medium of expression, representing these emotional dynamics through poetic language and symbolic structures. This study aims to analyze the emotional representation of healing in Umay Shahab's song "Perayaan Mati Rasa" using Roland Barthes's semiotic approach. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, analyzing three layers of meaning: denotation, connotation, and myth, through breaking down the lyrics into several lexicons and reading signs. The results show that (1) denotatively, the lyrics construct an emotional arc from inner tension to self-contemplation; (2) connotatively, the use of diction and imagery represents vulnerability, resilience, and emotional reflection; and (3) at the mythical level, the song constructs release as a form of emotional maturity and loss as a process of identity formation. Thus, this song functions as a cultural representation in interpreting the process of emotional healing in popular culture.

Traditional artworks, amidst the tide of modernization and digitalization, face the challenge of being stigmatized as static relics of the past. However, in the midst of increasingly modern civilization, traditional artworks are perceived to possess philosophical values ​​for the younger generation. The meanings contained in traditional songs possess a social perspective lacking in most traditional songs composed in the modern era. The purpose of this article is to examine the lyrics of Ki Nartosabdo's song "Lumbung Desa" philosophically and sociologically, applying Roland Barthes's semiotic theory. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze semiotics, comprising the significance of denotation, connotation, and myth.The analysis shows that the denotation in the lyrics of "Lumbung Desa" depicts agricultural activities occurring in rural communities. Connotatively, the lyrics interpret the values ​​of human spirituality towards God, integrity in work, and food self-sufficiency. From a mythical perspective, the lyrics symbolize the values ​​of harmony in social life and mutual cooperation as a solid foundation for building national stability and progress. Further analysis of the song lyrics' relevance in the modern era shows that the meaning of "Lumbung" has transformed into financial and digital independence, while the value of "Rukun" points to the application of ethics in the use of digital media in the modern era. This article concludes that preserving traditional songs is a strategy to revive culture as a manifestation of material progress that impacts the well-being of modern society.

This study aims to analyze the symbolic meaning of the mangulosi tradition in Toba Batak traditional wedding ceremonies using Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with data collected from visual media such as YouTube and TikTok, supported by informants familiar with Toba Batak culture. The findings reveal that meaning in the mangulosi tradition is constructed through three levels of signification: denotation, connotation, and myth. At the denotative level, mangulosi is understood as the act of giving ulos in a wedding ceremony. At the connotative level, ulos and the ritual process convey symbolic meanings such as blessings, protection, harmony, and the strengthening of social and kinship relationships. At the myth level, the tradition reinforces the cultural ideology that marriage is considered legitimate when it receives recognition and blessings from family and customary authorities. Quantitatively, the findings show that artifacts are dominated by visual connotative meanings (40%), while ritual actions emphasize non-verbal (30%) and verbal (20%) meanings. Therefore, the mangulosi tradition is not only a ceremonial practice but also a medium for preserving cultural identity and social values within the Toba Batak community.

The development of digital media has encouraged various forms of identity representation on video-sharing platforms such as YouTube. In this context, mukbang content functions not only as entertainment but also as a medium for constructing creators’ personal branding. This study aims to analyze how personal branding is constructed in food vlogging and mukbang content produced by Tanboy Kun on YouTube. This research employs a qualitative approach using qualitative content analysis to identify communication patterns, visual representations, and thematic consistency within the videos. The analysis is based on six indicators of personal branding by Montoya and Vandehey (2002): specialization, personality, distinctiveness, visibility, persistence, and goodwill, reinforced by Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach at the levels of denotation, connotation, and myth. The findings indicate that personal branding is constructed through the consistent concept of extreme and spicy food as specialization, expressive communication style as personality, content differentiation as distinctiveness, upload intensity as visibility, format continuity as persistence, and positive image formation through attitudes and interaction as goodwill. These results demonstrate that personal branding in mukbang content is strategically formed through consistent and structured representation. This study contributes to digital communication research, particularly in understanding personal identity construction in video-based media.

Language is part of culture. Not everyone knows the philosophy and meaning behind the names of food. The purpose of this study is to find out the meaning, function, and value of the names of jenang in Purworejo Regency, Central Java. In addition, to find out what the philosophy of naming jenang is in Purworejo Regency, Central Java. From the perspective of semiotics (Roland Barthes' semiotic theory), semantics, culture and philosophy, several conclusions can be drawn. This research method includes a qualitative descriptive research method. Research data were obtained using the technique of listening and speaking. The data analysis method uses qualitative descriptive. Data analysis uses Rolland Barthes' semiotic theory. The author also briefly touches on meaning using a semantic perspective. In Purworejo Regency, eight (8) types of jenang are familiar in the daily lives of the people in Purworejo Regency, namely jenang sumsum, jenang abang putih, jenang procot, jenang candil, jenang katul, jenang pathi kerut (jenang garut), jenang krasikan, and jenang alot.

Penelitian ini mengkaji identitas visual merek Pia Saronde—salah satu produk kuliner khas Gorontalo—dengan menggunakan pendekatan semiotika yang berlandaskan teori Roland Barthes. Sebagai salah satu UMKM yang bergerak di sektor pangan, merek ini sangat bergantung pada peran logo untuk membentuk persepsi konsumen, memperkuat posisi merek, serta membedakannya dari produk lain dalam persaingan pasar. Penelitian ini bertujuan menelaah struktur visual yang membentuk logo, menginterpretasikan makna denotatif dan konotatif yang muncul, serta menilai sejauh mana logo tersebut mampu merepresentasikan nilai-nilai budaya lokal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan memadukan pengamatan visual terhadap logo dan kajian pustaka yang relevan. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa kombinasi warna kuning dan coklat pada logo mampu menimbulkan kesan hangat, manis, dan menggugah selera, sedangkan bentuk tipografi yang melengkung menghadirkan citra tradisional, akrab, dan bernuansa rumahan. Selain itu, penggunaan nama “Saronde” menciptakan hubungan simbolis dengan Pulau Saronde yang terkenal, sehingga memperkuat keterikatan merek terhadap identitas daerah. Secara keseluruhan, temuan penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa logo tersebut berhasil mengomunikasikan keterkaitan budaya dan citra kuliner yang diusung produk. Meskipun demikian, penelitian ini merekomendasikan adanya pengembangan pada beberapa elemen simbolik dan peningkatan adaptasi visual untuk kebutuhan media digital guna memperkuat daya saing merek.

Instagram has become one of the most influential digital platforms for the construction and dissemination of lifestyle meanings, particularly through the presence of social media influencers. Among various lifestyle narratives, luxury is one of the most dominant and ideologically loaded representations circulated by influencers. This study examines how luxury is represented, constructed, and naturalized in the Instagram content of female Indonesian influencers using Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. The object of this research consists of visual and textual Instagram posts that display luxury-related lifestyles, including fashion, travel, leisure, and consumption practices. The main problem addressed in this study concerns how signs of luxury operate at the levels of denotation, connotation, and myth to shape audience perceptions of success, femininity, and social status. The objective of this research is to reveal the ideological meanings embedded in influencer content and to explain how luxury is transformed into a normalized and desirable lifestyle. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method with semiotic analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling of Instagram posts from selected female Indonesian influencers with significant follower engagement. The findings show that luxury is represented not merely through high-priced commodities but through symbolic systems involving aesthetics, body presentation, spatial settings, and narrative captions. At the mythological level, luxury is naturalized as the result of personal effort, self-discipline, and modern femininity, thereby obscuring structural inequalities and reinforcing consumerist ideology. This study concludes that Instagram influencers function as cultural agents who reproduce dominant myths of success and luxury in digital culture.

This study examines the presentation of trauma in the character of River in the film “The Architecture Of Love” through Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis, which includes three levels of meaning: denotative, connotative, and mythological. The focus of this study is on scenes that reflect trauma, categorized according to Cavanagh.M. (1982) theory as situational, developmental, intrapsychic, and existential trauma. The methodology used is descriptive-qualitative with documentation and observation techniques, where all trauma scenes are identified and analyzed in depth. The results of the study show that intrapsychic trauma is the dominant category, followed by existential, situational, and developmental trauma. The representation of trauma in the character River is conveyed through visual symbols such as dark colors, a closed language system, dim lighting, and a quiet urban atmosphere, which create emotional meaning without verbal expression. This finding confirms that films can convey complex psychological experiences through visually rich language, while also revealing new insights into non-verbal communication in film media.

This study aims to determine the representation of the father's role as a single parent in the short film "Mana Janji Ayah." The study used a qualitative method with Roland Barthes's semiotic analysis focusing on three layers of meaning: denotation, connotation, and myth. The analysis was conducted on scenes depicting the father's role, including as protector, patient, breadwinner, caretaker, and bringer of happiness to children. The results show that the representation of fathers is not limited to financial functions but also encompasses emotional and moral roles, such as affection, responsibility, and sacrifice in raising children. The film depicts a single father who works as a bajaj driver to support his children after the death of his wife, despite often facing economic constraints and environmental stigma. This representation is conveyed through visual and audio cues that reinforce the message of a father's struggle and sincerity. This study confirms that film can be a medium that reflects social reality, particularly the complexity of the role of single fathers, which is often overlooked in society.

The film Home Sweet Loan depicts the reality of the lives of young people who face economic and psychological pressures due to the double burden of family. The character of Kaluna represents the sandwich generation, a generation that must meet the needs of both generations, parents and the nuclear family. This study aims to analyze the meaning of denotation, connotation, and myth in this film, as well as how the representation of the sandwich generation is formed through narrative and visual symbols. The approach used is Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis, which divides meaning into three levels: denotative, connotative, and myth. Data were obtained through observation of the film, visual documentation and dialogue, and interviews with semiotics experts and film practitioners. The results show that the film Home Sweet Loan presents a layered meaning that reflects the dilemma of the sandwich generation, especially young women. The representation of the sandwich generation is formed through symbols and narratives that highlight the conflict between personal interests and responsibilities to the family. This film not only reflects reality but also functions as an ideological medium that shapes society's perspective on the role of the younger generation in the modern family. Through the character of Kaluna, the film depicts the pressures experienced by individuals in this position, including the challenge of maintaining a balance between personal ambition and obligations to the family. Thus, this film conveys a message about the importance of balancing personal interests and social demands within the family.

The development of technology and digital platforms such as Netflix has influenced the representation of career women in films, including how career women are depicted in the competitive world of work. This study examines the representation of career women in the film The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, especially through the character of Kiara, a smart, ambitious, and assertive television producer. The purpose of this study is to find out how career women are represented in the film, the values they uphold, and the messages they convey regarding women in the world of work. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis method to analyze the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings in the film. The results of the study show that the character of Kiara represents a modern woman who is independent, professional, and able to compete on an equal footing with men without eliminating her emotional side. This film not only presents women as story sweeteners, but as central figures who bring change to the narrative flow. This representation provides inspiration and motivation for the audience, especially women, in facing stereotypes and challenges in the world of work. This film also conveys an important message about and empowering women in the professional realm.

Women are an interesting subject of analysis in the media, especially in films. The status of single women, meaning those without a partner, is often accompanied by negative stigma and social pressure to meet societal expectations. This phenomenon is often perceived as a failure to fulfill one's expected role, thereby creating various challenges for single women. This study aims to examine the representation of singlewomen through the character Lainy in the film Kinda Pregnant, exploring how Lainydeals with social stigma and pressure related to her status. Using Stuart Hall's theory of representation, this study applies a descriptive qualitative method and a semiotic approach developed by Roland Barthes. This study analyzes 12 selected scenes to identify relevant themes, such as expectations, reproductive myths, social pressure, and negative stereotypes faced by single women. The analysis reveals that single women are often labeled as “old maids” and compared to the ideal married woman. In this context, Lainy is depicted as struggling against societal expectations regarding marriage and motherhood, while striving to find self-acceptance amid the stigma attached to her status. This study aims to provide insights into the challenges faced by single women in social and cultural contexts, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among women.

This research explores how bullying is depicted in the animated film “Jumbo” through the lens of Roland Barthes' semiotic theory. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative approach, the study analyzes the denotative, connotative, and mythological meanings embedded within the film’s visual and narrative elements. Through this lens, the film is interpreted not merely as a piece of children's entertainment but as a medium that carries deeper social messages. The central character, Don, is portrayed as physically different from his peers, which becomes a symbol of broader societal rejection and marginalization. His journey reflects the internal and external struggles faced by individuals who do not conform to mainstream standards. Key symbolic components—such as Don’s unusually large physique, his inherited storybook, and the way he interacts with others—highlight themes of courage, empathy, personal identity, and the desire for social inclusion. The film subtly critiques the normalization of bullying and challenges dominant myths that suggest acceptance and success are only for those who meet certain physical or social norms. Through its narrative, Jumbo promotes values of diversity and encourages viewers, especially young audiences, to question unjust stereotypes and embrace empathy. By decoding the semiotic messages in Jumbo, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how animated films can serve as powerful educational tools. They can raise awareness about social issues, influence attitudes, and inspire critical reflection, especially when they employ symbolism that resonates with real-life experiences. This research ultimately highlights the potential of animation as a medium for moral and social education beyond its entertainment function.

This study aims to analyze the representation of Sultan Agung’s leadership in the film Sultan Agung directed by Hanung Bramantyo, using a descriptive qualitative approach. The research highlights how film as a medium constructs the meaning of leadership through narrative, visual elements, cultural symbols, and character development. Stuart Hall’s theory of representation is utilized to understand meaning construction in film, while leadership analysis refers to charismatic, transformational, and authoritarian models. Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis is applied to examine denotation, connotation, and myth within the film’s elements. Data were collected through observation, documentation, interviews, and literature study, then systematically processed and analyzed. The findings show that Sultan Agung portrays not only a historical figure of leadership but also reflects cultural values and national identity relevant to contemporary Indonesia. The representation of leadership is constructed through cultural symbols, dialogues, and a meaningful storyline, generating new discourse about the ideal leader in modern society. This study is expected to enrich media and leadership studies and contribute to the development of contextual leadership insight among the younger generation.

This study analyzes the representation of the meaning of strong women in the main character, Tari, in the film Bolehkah Sekali Saja Ku Menangis using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory. The film emotionally depicts Tari’s life journey, from psychological pressure and harsh treatment within the family to the long process of rediscovering her true identity. Despite emotional wounds, Tari shows resilience and strength to rise. This study aims to identify how the meaning of a strong woman is constructed through cinematic elements such as visuals, dialogues, body expressions, and symbols in the film. Using a qualitative approach with Barthes' semiotic theory, the analysis focuses on the relationship between signs, denotative meaning, and connotative meaning in key scenes. Data was collected through in-depth observation and sign analysis of scenes that portray Tari's struggle, perseverance, and emotional transformation. The findings show that Tari represents a strong woman not only through physical endurance but also emotional resilience, self-empowerment, mental health awareness, and the courage to seek support. The film delivers a message about the importance of mental strength and women's courage in fighting for their rights and freedom. This study is expected to enrich the study of the representation of strong women in the media.

Film is one of the most effective forms of mass communication for conveying messages to the public. Home Sweet Loan is a film that presents elements of representation reflecting the spirit of a generation in pursuing their dreams. This research aims to identify and understand the various representations of the spirit of pursuing dreams as depicted in the film Home Sweet Loan. Using Roland Barthes semiotic analysis, this study explores the representations by breaking down the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings embedded in the film’s scenes and dialogues as research data. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with data collected through observation, documentation, interviews, and literature review. The findings reveal several representations of the spirit of pursuing dreams, which include: (1) a strong desire to own a home despite limitations, (2) financial discipline in managing income and expenses, (3) independence from social standards and expectations, (4) persistence in facing harsh realities of economic and social pressure, and (5) courage to step out from one’s comfort zone and take risks. These elements collectively reflect the struggles of the younger generation, especially urban communities, in achieving personal independence and long-term aspirations. Overall, the study highlights how Home Sweet Loan functions not only as a medium of entertainment but also as a cultural text that conveys values of resilience, financial awareness, and self-determination. The film illustrates that pursuing dreams requires both perseverance and the ability to resist limiting stereotypes, making it relevant to broader discussions on representation in contemporary Indonesian cinema.

This study aims to reveal the representation of adolescents’ emotional crisis in the music video 0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) by the South Korean boy group TOMORROW X TOGETHER. Using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach, the research analyzes the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings of the visual elements presented in the music video. The main focus is on how emotional crises such as loneliness, instability, alienation, and inner escape are represented through visual symbols such as a dark and messy room, a burning car, and a character standing alone in an open field. The research employed a qualitative descriptive method with a critical paradigm, analyzing eight key scenes in the music video that most strongly depict emotional struggles. The scenes were selected based on their symbolic intensity and relevance to adolescent psychological issues. Data analysis was conducted by interpreting visual signs through Barthes’ concepts of denotation, connotation, and myth. The findings reveal that the music video symbolically narrates the psychological struggles of adolescents who are not only physically isolated but also emotionally detached. The visual symbols construct new meanings that represent the social reality of modern youth, burdened by environmental pressures, societal expectations, and the quest for self-identity. Through the myths it creates, the music video functions not only as a medium of entertainment but also as a reflection and critique of adolescents’ psychological vulnerability. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of emotional representation in popular media, particularly in audio-visual forms such as music videos, while enriching perspectives on how media constructs the narrative of adolescent emotional crises.

This study aims to analyze the representation of national values and friendship in the film Sekawan Limo using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach. The film was selected because it combines horror elements with strong local cultural nuances, making it interesting to examine from the perspectives of visual communication, culture, and social values. The research employed a descriptive qualitative method, with primary data drawn from scenes, dialogues, visual symbols, and narratives within the film. The analysis was conducted through Barthes’ three levels of semiotics: denotation, connotation, and myth. At the denotative level, the film presents visual and verbal signs depicting character interactions and the cultural background of society. At the connotative level, these signs convey deeper meanings related to national values, such as respect for local culture, the importance of unity, and love for the homeland. Meanwhile, friendship values are reflected through solidarity, empathy, mutual support, and sacrifice among the main characters as they face conflicts together. At the myth level, the film illustrates how popular culture can serve as a medium for delivering moral and ideological messages, particularly the importance of preserving national identity while fostering strong bonds of friendship. The findings highlight that local films function not only as entertainment but also as an effective communication medium to convey national and social values to a broader audience. Thus, Sekawan Limo demonstrates that film plays a strategic role in strengthening cultural awareness while instilling moral values.

This study discusses how the application of media wealth by MTA TV's public relations in delivering da’wah messages through Instagram flyers on @mtatv_official in the period of 2021-2025. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis, focusing on denotation, connotation, and myths. The findings reveal that MTA TV has effectively implemented four key elements of media wealth—signal diversity, language variations, personal sources, and regardless—through its use of Instagram flyers. These elements are designed to enhance the communication process, making the messages more engaging and accessible to the audience. The da’wah messages conveyed through the flyers are interpreted by the audience in three primary categories: invitation (76.67%), motivation (16.67%), and solidarity (6.67%). The majority of the audience interprets the messages as invitations to join or engage in religious activities, highlighting the importance of outreach and engagement in MTA TV's approach. The motivational aspect encourages positive actions and attitudes towards religious teachings, while solidarity, though less prevalent, emphasizes the sense of community and support within the Muslim audience. The use of media wealth on social media platforms like Instagram is shown to increase the effectiveness of da’wah messages by making them more visually appealing, interactive, and relatable to a wide audience. This study suggests that employing rich media content, such as Instagram flyers, can play a vital role in enhancing the reach and impact of religious communication. It also underscores the importance of understanding the semiotic elements in shaping how messages are interpreted by different segments of the audience, making it a valuable tool for religious organizations aiming to modernize their communication strategies.