Migration Letters

Volume: 20, No: 8, pp. 956-970

ISSN: 1741-8984 (Print) ISSN: 1741-8992 (Online)
www.migrationletters.com

Linguistic Diversity of the Malay Language of Riau Islands in

Indonesia: Dialectometric Exploration of Phonological and
Lexicon Forms
Ida Zulaeha1, Cahyo Hasanudin2*, Wati Istanti3, Ahmad Fajar Habibi4, Tessa Dwi Leoni5,
Hariani Kustiah6, Suratno7, Areni Yulitawati Supriyono8, Novia Fitriyana9

Abstract
The aim of this research is to determine the diversity of phonological and lexicon forms in
the use of Riau Islands Malay language dialect in Karimun, West Kundur and Moro
areas. This research is dialectometry. The research data is in the form of Malay words
sourced from informants in three districts. This research used two instruments. The data
collection method used field pupuan method and listening method. The data analysis
technique used the translational equivalent method. The conclusions of this study are 1)
there is difference in the phonological distance of 5.6% between TP-1 and TP-2, 5.6%
between TP-2 and TP-3, and difference in the phonological distance of 6.2% between TP
-1 and TP-3. These phonological difference is divided into two parts, namely based on
vowel difference and consonant difference. 2) In Malay TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3, it was
found lexicons that had different onomasiological and semasiological symptoms.

Keywords: linguistics, Malay language, Riau Islands, phonology, lexicon.

1. INTRODUCTION
Language is an important aspect that has become an inseparable part of people's social
life. Language comes in various forms and is closely related to a population group
(Vasanathan et al., 2023). Diekmann & Fröhlich (2020) further stated that language has
played an extraordinary role globally because it is the key to increasing the mobility and
connection of a group, both physically and virtually. Therefore, language often becomes
an important goal and topic for learning or scientific studies (Keyel, 2021).
Apart from that, language in the social life of society cannot be separated from the
function and role of language as a means of communication for one individual with other
individuals in a group. Language can be said to be an innate human ability to represent
ways of communication within the broadest range of groups (De Stefani & De Marco,

1
Universitas Negeri Semarang, idazulaeha@mail.unnes.ac.id, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7694-2895
2
IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro, cahyo.hasanudin@ikippgribojonegoro.ac.id, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7440-103X
3
Universitas Negeri Semarang, istanti@mail.unnes.ac.id, http://orchid.org/0000-0002-1785-9650
4
Universitas Negeri Semarang, ahmadfajarhabibi@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5834-8092
5
Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji, tessadwileoni@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7558-9956
6
Universitas Internasional Batam, harianikustiah44913@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0996-2504
7
Universitas Negeri Semarang, suratno@mail.unnes.ac.id, https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6532-477X
8
Universitas Negeri Semarang, yulitawatisareni@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4007-1623
9
IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro, 21110078@ikippgribojonegoro.ac.id, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0765-9982
957 Linguistic Diversity of the Malay Language of Riau Islands in Indonesia: Dialectometric
Exploration of Phonological and Lexicon Forms

2019). Language has a function for human interaction as a means of exchanging

messages through special signals that can be used either face to face or not (Holler &
Levinson, 2019). The language that functions as a means of communication as a result of
agreement has unique diversity and cannot be compared between one group and another,
especially in terms of sub-plot and dialect (Mishra & Mishra, 2020).
One example of this linguistic diversity can be found in community groups in Indonesia.
Each community group in Indonesia has its own local language, so there are
approximately 718 local languages in Indonesia that are still actively used in everyday
life (Marfauzi, 2023). These languages are spread throughout Indonesia, with a total of
428 languages in Papua, 72 languages in East Nusa Tenggara, 62 languages in Sulawesi,
and many more (Hakim, 2022). However, broadly speaking, each group still uses one
language to communicate between groups, namely Indonesian which is based on the
Malay language of the Riau Islands (Nurlelah et al., 2022).
The Malay language of the Riau Islands is one of local languages in Indonesia which has
developed brilliantly over time and succeeded in becoming the forerunner of the birth of
the unified language, Indonesian. This is because the Riau Islands Malay language has
structure and melody that are considered good and have succeeded in becoming the most
beautiful language like Italian in Europe (Ramli, 2016). Not only that, the Riau Islands
Malay language has a wealth of diverse syllables because the process of acquiring this
language is very varied (Aryananda & Alber, 2022). Variations in language acquisition in
the Riau Islands Malay language also indirectly cause many differences in pronunciation
or dialects to emerge in each province, city, district, sub-district and other areas in the
Riau Islands (Firnando et al., 2022).
The Riau Islands areas studied in this research are Karimun District, West Kundur
District, and Moro District. These three areas were chosen without no reason, but were
based on several reasons. First, Karimun's geographic location, which is flanked by a
trade traffic route from Philip Channel Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Indragiri Hilir
Regency, Bengkalis Regency, Pelalawan Regency, to Batam City, of course makes this
region rich in forms of communication and the use of language variants. Second, West
Kundur District which has various tourist attractions such as the Keramat Layang
Cemetery and Moro District which is a place for the development of the Dangkong
dancing art means that these two places are still closely connected with local culture,
including the use of distinctive local languages with various dialect differences.
Dialect referred to in language use is a grouping of languages with almost the same
characteristics based on the geographical location of the speakers. The use of dialect is
still strong with language use in remote areas and spread locally among certain
community groups (Musurmankulova et al., 2021). Dialect is a dialect that is the basis for
variations in accent, vocabulary, and phrase in the language of a community group
(Imaizumi et al., 2021). Furthermore, dialect is also considered a variety of language
which is influenced by geographic factors of the speaker (Dewi et al., 2017).
Susiati & Iye (2018) explain that the use of different dialects is grouped into three types
starting from, 1) regional dialects which differentiate languages based on the location of a
language region, 2) social dialects which differentiate languages based on certain groups,
and 3) temporal dialects which differentiate language based on the life time of a linguist.
Apart from that, Wiladati (2014) also explained that the differences in dialects in a
language are often marked by differences in phonological levels, both vocal and
consonant, and lexicon levels in terms of semantic field, reference, greeting, social life,
and so on. The same thing was also conveyed in Harahap's (2014) study which stated that
the differences in dialect are shown by phonological, morphological, lexical, syntactic
and semantic elements, where phonological elements regarding sounds and lexical
elements regarding words or vocabulary are the two elements that are more often studied
in the dialect difference Thus, dialects are used based on groups of usage which are
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 958

influenced by several differentiating elements, where the most visible elements are
phonology (sounds) and lexicon (syllables).
A deeper explanation of dialects with differences in phonology and lexicon can be
obtained from various previous studies. Like the study conducted by Afidah &
Mardikantoro (2019) where the dialects used in border areas have many variations at the
phonological and lexicon levels. In this research, 23 variations of vowel sounds were
found at the phonological level and more than 15 differences in the semantic field in
syllable groups as the lexicon level. Apart from that, this research also shows that there is
a mapping of dialect differences in the form of phonology and lexicon based on the
speaker's geography. However, the object of this research is the Javanese dialect on the
Java-Sunda border, whereas in this research the object of research is the Malay language
of the Riau Islands in the Karimun, West Kundur and Moro areas.
Apart from that, there is also research by Afria & Lijawahirinisa (2020) which explains
that dialects in villages also have differences in phonology and lexicon. This research
revealed that the Merangin dialect has variations in 39 vowel sound levels and 31
consonant sound levels. In terms of lexicon, the Merangin dialect has lexical variations
reaching 142 word levels or syllables. Furthermore, Astuti (2022) conducted a study of
phonological and lexicon variations in two dialects of the same language. The research
obtained results that the two dialects had the same number of vowels and consonants, but
had significantly different lexicon variations or semantic field. However, these two
studies also cannot explain the linguistic variations in the form of phonology and lexicon
that exist in the Riau Islands Malay dialect.
The study of variations in the Riau Islands Malay language in the Karimun, West Kundur
and Moro areas is included in language study that need to be carried out to increase
knowledge and information regarding language variations in Indonesia. Indirectly, studies
regarding variations in language use, especially dialects, can be a solution to the scarcity
of information on local languages such as Malay of Riau Islands for young people
(Maharani & Candra, 2018). The study of local language variations is also considered a
study that is able to explain the number of dialects in a language (Silap et al., 2022) as
well as explain the role of local languages as cultural elements as well as the means of
communication for each community group in Indonesia (Andre et al., 2022).
Based on the background description above, this research was conducted as a form of
researchers’ contribution to the study of linguistics in Indonesia. This research is also
different from previous research because it focuses on a different area, so it can generate
new knowledge regarding the use of language variations. Apart from that, this research
also aims to determine the diversity of phonological and lexicon forms in the use of the
Riau Islands Malay dialect in the Karimun, West Kundur and Moro areas.

2. METHODOLOGY
This research is dialectometric research. Quantitative data was calculated using the
dialectometric calculation method and qualitative data was calculated by making direct
observations on the field. This research focuses on the phonological form and lexicon of
the Malay language in Karimun Regency, Riau Islands Province, especially in Karimun
District, West Kundur District, and Moro District. Apart from that, this study also took
into account the cognate words to determine the level of kinship in the Malay language of
the three TPs.
The research data is in the form of Malay words in Karimun Regency of Riau Islands,
spoken by informants in Pasir Panjang Village of Karimun District, Sawang Village of
Kundur Barat District, and Selat Mie Village of Moro District, which are thought to
contain phonology and lexicon sourced from 6 informants in the Riau Islands, 2

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959 Linguistic Diversity of the Malay Language of Riau Islands in Indonesia: Dialectometric
Exploration of Phonological and Lexicon Forms

informants in Pasir Panjang Village of Karimun District, 2 informants in Sawang Village

of Kundur Barat District, and 2 informants in Selat Mie Village of Moro District.
This research uses two instruments, namely, the researchers themselves as the main
human instruments and a list of questions as a supporting instrument. The list of questions
in this research is in the form of 200 basic Swadesh vocabulary which was developed into
a list of 335 questions, which include (1) pronouns and greetings, (2) kinship system, (3)
body parts, (4) house and its parts, (5) equipment household items, bedding and toiletries,
(6) clothing and jewelry, (7) animals, plants and their parts and fruit, (8) food and drink,
taste of food, (9) time, season, condition of nature, natural objects and directions, (10)
things related to the sea and fishermen, (11) activities, (12) temperament, characteristics,
human condition and taste, (13) numbers, folk games, colors and worship places, and (14)
sentences.
The data collection method in this research used the field pupuan method ((a method
where the researchers go to the field to conduct interviews directly to the informants) and
simak (listening) method. The basic listening technique used in collecting data is the
tapping technique. This research was carried out by tapping the use of Malay vocabulary
in Karimun, West Kundur and Moro to match the informants' answers or statements with
everyday language use. Meanwhile, the advanced techniques are simak libat cakap
(listen, get involved and talk) technique, note-taking technique and recording technique.
The simak libat cakap technique was used because the researchers were involved in a
dialogue with the informants or participates in the conversation while listening to the
informants’ speech.
The data validity testing used triangulation. The data analysis technique used the
translational equivalent method. The equivalent method is realized in two techniques,
namely basic technique and advanced technique. The basic technique used is the
technique of selecting the determining elements in the form of Malay speech in Karimun
Regency which contains differences in phonology and lexicon. The advanced technique
used is the hubung banding (connect and compare) technique.
The data analysis procedure was carried out in the following steps, 1) transcription of data
from recordings of community speech in Pasir Panjang Village (DPP) of Karimun
District, Sawang Village (DS) of Kundur Barat District, and Selat Mie Village (DSM) of
Moro District, 2) grouping or categorization of data in the form of community speech, 3)
description of the phonology of the Malay language in Karimun Regency, based on the
grouping of vowel differences and consonant differences, 4) description of the Malay
language lexicon in Karimun Regency, based on the existence of onomasiological and
semasiological differences, 5) carrying out dialectometric calculation, namely calculating
the phonological distance and lexicon distance of the Malay language, 6) carry out
descriptions regarding the phonological and lexicon distances of the Malay language in
Karimun Regency from the calculation activities that have been carried out previously, to
determine the status of the language at three observation points, 7) finally, carry out
lexicostatistical calculation, namely calculation of cognate words in 200 basic swadesh
vocabulary, to determine the level of kinship of the Malay language from each
observation point.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Linguistic diversity in the Riau Islands Malay dialect in terms of both phonology and
lexicon has various difference or variations in language. This can be seen in the results of
the analysis which is based on geographical aspects of the three research areas studied.
These three areas include Karimun District which is then written with the symbol TP-1,
West Kundur District which is then written with the symbol TP-2, and Moro District
which is then written with the symbol TP-3.
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 960

3.1 Phonological Form

Variations in the phonological form of the Malay language in TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3 can
be seen through the phonological distance that have been analyzed as in the following
image.

Figure 1. Dialectometry Map of Phonological Distances of Malay Language in the

Research Areas
Based on the image, there is a difference in phonological distance of 5.6% between TP-1
and TP-2, 5.6% between TP-2 and TP-3, and a phonological distance of 6.2% between
TP-1 and TP-3. This is one of the factors that produces differences in the phonological
form of the Riau Islands Malay language in Indonesia. The phonological difference is
divided into two parts, namely based on vowel difference and consonant difference.
Based on the data obtained, it was found 18 different vowel sounds in the Riau
Archipelago Malay language used in three TPs, namely the difference in sounds [i]~[ε],
[a]~[ø], [u]~[ә], [a]~[o], [ә]~[ø], [a]~[ә], [ә]~[a], [i]~[e], [a]~[u], [ε]~[o], [o]~[u], [u]~[o],
[ø]~[u], [ø]~[ә], [ε]~[a], [ә]~[ͻ], [ә]~[o] and [ә-u]~[o-o]~[u-u].
Table 1. Difference in Vowel Sounds
No Difference TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 Gloss
1 [i]~[ε] [adik] [adεk] [adεk] ‘adik’
(younger brother)
2 [a]~[ø] [aloŋ] [aloŋ] [loŋ] ‘anak pertama’
(the first child)
3 [u]~[ә] [durian] [dәɣian] [dәrian] 'durian’
4 [a]~[o] [pantat] [pontot] [pontot] ‘pantat’
(butt)
5 [ә]~[ø] [bәlәdi] [bәldi] [bәldi] ‘ember’
(bucket)
6 [a]~[ә] [nanas] [nәnas] [nәnas] ‘nanas’
(pineapple)
7 [ә]~[a] [alam] [udә] [uda] ‘anak tengah’
(middle child)
8 [i]~[e] [cicit] [cicet] [cicet] ‘anak dari cucu’
(children of
grandchildren)

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No Difference TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 Gloss

9 [a]~[u] - [lәpak] [lәpuk] ‘memukul’
(hit)
10 [ε]~[o] [mәrεpεt] [mәropεt] [mәropεt] ‘cerewet’
(talkative)
11 [o]~[u] [lori] [lori] [luri] ‘truk’
(truck)
12 [u]~[o] [iduŋ] [idoŋ] [idoŋ] ‘hidung’
(nose)
13 [ø]~[u] [pak su] [pak usu] [pak ucu] ‘adik dari
ayah/ibu’
(father's/mother's
younger brother)
14 [ø]~[ә] [bәrbay] [bәrbay] [bәrәbay] ‘udang kecil’
(small shrimp)
15 [ε]~[a] - [ecεk-ecεk] [ecak-ecak] ‘berpura-pura’
(pretend)
16 [ә]~[ͻ] [kәpalә] [kәpalͻ] [kәpalә] ‘kepala’
(head)
17 [ә]~[o] [duә] [duo] [duә] ‘dua’
(two)
18 [ә-u]~[o-ͻ]~[u-u] [mәrәŋut] [mәroŋͻt] [mәruŋut] ‘cemberut’
(scowl)
From the table above, it can be seen that there are differences in vowel sounds in several
glosses used in the three TPs. The differences in phonological form in vowel speech in
the Malay language of the Riau Islands include, 1) the vowel sound [i] is substituted into
the vowel sound [ε] in the closed ultimate position at the last syllable, 2) the vowel sound
[a] is substituted into [ø] or zero in closed penultimate position at the beginning of the
syllable, 3) the vowel sound [u] is substituted into the vowel sound [ә] in the open
penultimate position at the beginning of the syllable, 4) the vowel sound [a] is substituted
into the vowel sound [o] in the closed penultimate position at the beginning of the
syllable, 5) the vowel sound [ә] is substituted into [ø] or zero in the closed penultimate
position at the beginning of the syllable, 6) the vowel sound [a] is substituted into [ә] in
the open penultimate position at the beginning of the syllable, 7) the vowel sound [ә] is
substituted into [a] in the open ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 8) the vowel
sound [i] is substituted into the vowel sound [e] in the closed ultimate position at the end
of the syllable, 9) the vowel sound [a] is substituted into the vowel sound [u] in closed
ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 10) the vowel sound [ε] is substituted into the
vowel sound [o] in the open penultimate position of the second syllable, 11) the vowel
sound [o] is substituted into the vowel sound [u] in the open penultimate position at the
beginning of the syllable, 12) the vowel sound [u] is substituted into the vowel sound [o]
in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 13) the sound [ø] or zero is
substituted into the vowel sound [u] in the open penultimate position at the beginning of
the syllable, 14) the sound [ø ] or zero is substituted into the vowel sound [ә] in the open
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 962

penultimate position of the second syllable, 15) the vowel sound [ε] is substituted into the
vowel sound [a] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 16) the vowel
sound [ә] is substituted into the vowel [ͻ] in the open ultimate position at the end of the
syllable, 17) the vowel sound [ә] is substituted into the vowel sound [o] in the open
ultimate position at the end of the syllable, and 18) the difference in the vowel sounds [ә-
u]~[o-ͻ ]~[u-u] occurs in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable as well as
the open penultimate of the second syllable.
Apart from differences in vowel sounds, differences were also found consonant sound in
the Malay language of the Riau Islands, there are 16, including the sound difference
[k]~[h], [h]~[k], [h]~[m], [s]~[c], [ɣ]~[r], [b]~[ø], [h]~[ø], [j]~[s], [r]~[ø], [ø]~[k],
[ø]~[?], [ø]~[r], [m]~[r], [r]~[ɣ], [r]~[ø]~[?], and [r]~[ɣ]~[ø].
Tabel 2. Differences in Consonant Sounds
No Difference TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 Gloss
1 [k]~[h] [andak] [andak] [andah] ‘anak ke-5’
(5th child)
2 [h]~[k] [gәroboh] [gәrobok] - ‘lemari makan’
(food cupboard)
3 [h]~[m] [tujah] [tujam] - ‘menikam’
'stab'
4 [c]~[s] [ucu] [usu] - ‘anak terakhir’
(youngest child)
5 [ɣ]~[r] - [ɣantay] [rantay] ‘kalung’
(necklace)
6 [b]~[ø] [besok] [esok] [esok] ‘besok’
(tomorrow)
7 [h]~[ø] [hati] [ati] [ati] ‘hati’
(heart)
8 [j]~[s] [jolok] [jolok] [solok] ‘mengambil
dengan tongkat’
(take with a stick)
9 [r]~[ø] [leher] [lehe] [batang lehe] ‘leher’
(leher)
10 [ø]~[k] [rice] [nasik] [nasik] ‘nasi’
(rice)
11 [ø]~[?] - [lio] [lio?] ‘ludah’
(saliva)
12 [ø]~[r] [laŋsi] [laŋsi] [laŋsir] ‘kain penutup
jendela’
(window covering
cloth)
13 [m]~[r] [pәmәŋis] - [pәrәŋis] ‘pemarah’

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No Difference TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 Gloss

(angry person)
14 [r]~[ɣ] [anak sәdarә] [anak sәdaɣә] [anak sәdarә] ‘anak dari saudara
kandung’
(sibling's child)
15 [r]~[ø]~[?] [bәsar] [bәsa] [bәsa?] ‘besar’
(big)
16 [r]~[ɣ]~[ø] [hair] [ɣambot] [ambut] ‘rambut’
(hair)
From the table above, it can be seen that there is difference in the consonant sounds in
some of the glosses used in the three TPs. The differences in phonological form in
consonant speech in Riau Islands Malay include, 1) the consonant sound [k] is substituted
into the consonant sound [h] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 2)
the consonant sound [h] is substituted into the consonant sound [k] in the closed ultimate
position at the end of the syllable, 3) the consonant sound [h] is substituted into the
consonant sound [m] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 4) the
consonant sound [c] is substituted into the consonant sound [s] in the open ultimate
position at the end syllable, 5) consonant sound [ɣ] is substituted into consonant sound [r]
in the closed penultimate position at the beginning of the syllable, 6) consonant sound [b]
is substituted into [ø] or zero in the open penultimate position at the beginning of the
syllable, 7) consonant sound [h] is substituted into [ø] or zero in the open penultimate
position at the beginning of the syllable, 8) the consonant sound [j] is substituted into the
consonant sound [s] in the open penultimate position at the beginning of the syllable, 9)
the consonant sound [r] is substituted into [ ø] or zero in the open ultimate position at the
end of the syllable, 10) the consonant sound [ø] or zero is substituted into the consonant
sound [k] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 11) the consonant
sound [ø] or zero is substituted into the consonant sound [?] in the closed ultimate
position at the end of the syllable, 12) the sound [ø] or zero is substituted into the
consonant sound [r] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 13) the
consonant sound [m] is substituted into the consonant sound [r] in the open penultimate
position at the second syllable, 14) consonant sound [r] is substituted into consonant
sound [ɣ] in the closed ultimate position at the end of the syllable, 15) difference in sound
[r]~[ø]~[?] occurs in the open and closed ultimate positions at the end of the syllable, and
16) the consonant sound [r] is substituted into the consonant sounds [ɣ] and [ø] in the
penultimate position at the beginning of the syllable.
3.2 Lexicon Form
Based on the differences, lexicon study is divided into two, namely onomasiological
difference and semasiological difference. From the results of data analysis, it is
known that inMalay of TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3, lexicons that experience differences in
onomasiological and semasiological symptoms were also found. The following is a
presentation of the results of data analysis found in TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3
3.2.1 Onomasiological
Onomasiology is the mention of different names based on one concept given in several
different places. It means there are differences in the lexicon for the same gloss in
different places. Onomasiological symptoms found in Malay in TP-1, TP-2 and TP-3 can
be seen in the semantic field (1) kinship system, (2) pronouns and greetings, and (3) time,
season, natural conditions, and direction.
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 964

From the results of the data analysis that has been carried out on the semantic field of
kinship system, there are 9 glosses that contain onomasiological differences. These nine
glosses include the following.
Table 3. Onomasiological Lexicon in Kinship System
No Gloss TP-1 TP-2 TP-3
1 Ayah [bapak] [bapak] [abah]
(Father)
2 Anak laki-
laki/perempuan ketiga [udә] [alaŋ] [anjaŋ]
(Third child)
3 Anak laki-
laki/perempuan
[acik] [otεh] [utεh]
keempat
Fourth child
4 Anak laki-
laki/perempuan kelima
[andak] [andak] [andah]
(Fifth child)
5 Anak laki-
laki/perempuan tengah
[alam] [udә] [uda]
(Middle child)
6 Anak laki-
laki/perempuan terakhir [ucu] [usu] [etεk]
(Last-born child)
7 Anak dari saudara
ayah/ibu
(Child of [sәpupu] [sәpupu] [kәmun]
father’s/mother's
sibling)
8 Ibu dari ayah/ibu [mak tuә] [tok] [mak we]
(Mother of
mother/father)
9 Tetangga [tәtaŋgә] [jiran] [jiran]
(Neighbor)
Onomasiological symptoms in the semantic field of the kinship system are found in the
gloss 'ayah (father)' which is marked with the lexicon [bapak] for TP-1 and TP-2 and the
lexicon [abah] for TP-3, the gloss 'anak dari saudara ayah/ibu (child of mother/father's
sibling)' which is marked with the lexicon [sәpupu] for TP-1 and TP-2 while [kәmun] for
TP-3, the greeting gloss for 'ibu dari ayah/ibu (mother of father/mother)' is marked with
the lexicon [mak tuә] for TP-1, [tok] for TP-2 and [mak we] for TP-3, the 'tetangga
(neighbor)' gloss marked with the lexicon [tәtaŋgә] for TP-1 and [jiran] for TP-2 and TP-
3, and the third, fourth, fifth, seventh and child glosses finally with different names.
In semantic field of pronoun and greeting, there are 5 glosses which contains
onomasiological difference at three points of observation, the 5 glosses are as follows.

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Table 4. Onomasiological Lexicon on Pronoun and Greeting

No Gloss TP-1 TP-2 TP-3
1 Kamu [әŋkaw] [mikә] [dikaw]
(You)
2 Dia [dikaw] [diә] [diә]
(S/he)
3 Panggilan untuk anak
laki-laki dan anak
perempuan (remaja) [anak bujaŋ] / [budak jantan] /
[budak]
[anak gadis] [budak bәtinә]
(Call for boys and girls
(teenagers))
4 Sebutan untuk laki-laki
[laki] [jantan] [jantan]
(A term for men)
5 Sebutan untuk
perempuan [pәmpuan] [bәtinә] [bәtinә]
(A term for women)
Onomasiological symptom in the semantic field of pronoun and greeting are found in the
gloss 'kamu (you)' which is marked by three different lexicons in each TP. In TP-1 the
gloss 'kamu' is called the lexicon [әŋkaw], in TP-2 it is called [mikә] and in TP-3 it is
called [dikaw]. Apart from that, there is also the gloss 'dia (s/he)' which is marked with
two different lexicons in each TP, the greeting gloss for 'remaja (teenager)' is marked with
the lexicon [bujaŋ/gadis] for TP-1, [budak] for TP-2 and [budak jantan/bәtinә] for TP-3,
gloss 'sebutan untuk laki-laki
(term for men)' is marked with the lexicon [laki] in TP-1, and [jantan] for TP-2 and TP-3,
and gloss 'sebutan untuk perempuan (term for women)' marked with the lexicon
[pәmpuan] for TP-1 and [bәtinә] for TP-2 and TP-3.
In the semantic field of time, season, natural conditions and direction, there are 10 glosses
that contain onomasiological difference, the 10 glosses are as follows.
Table 5. Onomasiological Lexicon on Time, Season, State of Nature, and Direction
No Gloss TP-1 TP-2 TP-3
1 Guntur [pәte] [guroh] [gunto]
(Thunder)
2 Dua hari yang lalu [duә ari lәpas] [duә ari lәpas] [ari etә]
(Two days ago)
3 Angin [aŋin] [aŋen] [ribut]
(Wind)
Kabut asap [kabut] [kabot] [jәrәbu]
4
(Smog)
Kering [kәriŋ] [kәɣeŋ] [kәban]
5
(Dry)
6 Kilat [kilat] [lightning] [pәte]
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 966

No Gloss TP-1 TP-2 TP-3

(Lightning)
7 Percikan air hujan [tәmpias] [tәmpias] [rәnjis]
(Rain water splash)
8 Belok kiri/kanan [pusiŋ [puseŋ [puta
kiri/kanan] kiɣi/kanan] kiri/kanan]
(Turn left/right)
9 Sore [sore] [pәtaŋ] [petaŋ]
(Afternoon)
10 Kemarin siang [ari etә] [sәmalam] [sәmalam]
(Yesterday afternoon)
Onomasiological phenomena in the semantic field of time, season, natural condition and
direction was found in 10 glosses. Of the 10 glosses in the semantic field of time, season,
natural conditions and direction, there is only one gloss which is marked by three
different lexicons. The gloss is the gloss ‘guntur (thunder)’. The gloss 'guntur' is
characterized by three different lexicons in each TP, namely [pәte] for TP-1, [guroh] for
TP-2 and [gunto] for TP-3. Furthermore, there are 9 glosses characterized by two
different lexicons. Of the three TPs used in this research, there are two TPs that have the
same mention of the lexicon in the gloss. Given the similarities in the two TPs, gloss is
only characterized by two lexicons from three different TPs. The lexicon similarities in
the two TPs are divided into 2, namely the lexicon similarities that occur in TP-1 and TP-
2 and the similarities that occur in TP-2 and TP-3 as shown in the table above.
3.2.2 Semasiology
Semasiology is a symbol or use of the same name for different concepts in several
different places. This means that semasiology is the opposite of onomasiology, namely
the mention or naming of the same lexicon in different places and has different meanings.
Semasiological symptoms found in TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3 are found in the semantic field
(1) kinship system, (2) pronouns and greetings, and (3) time, season, natural conditions,
and direction.
In the semantic field of kinship system, semasiological symptom is found in the lexicon
[tok] which is used to mark two different glosses, namely the gloss 'kakek (father of
father/mother)' or commonly called grandfather in TP-2 and TP-3 and the gloss 'nenek
(mother of father /mother)' or grandmother in TP-2.

Figure 2. Semasiological Lexicon on Kinship System

From the data above, it is found that the lexicon [tok] is used to mean two different
glosses in TP-2 and TP-3. The first gloss concerns the kinship system of 'kakek' or
grandfather. The second gloss concerns the kinship system of 'nenek (mother of
father/mother)'. In TP-2 and TP-3 lexicon [tok] is used to mean the gloss 'kakek' or
grandfather, while in TP-2 lexicon [tok] is used to mean the gloss of ‘nenek’ or
grandmother. From this data we can also see that in TP-2 there is a similarity in the

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mention of the lexicon for two different glosses. In other words, in TP-2 there is a
similarity in the lexicon [tok] to express two glosses at once, namely the gloss ‘kakek’
and the gloss ‘nenek’. Thus, the TP-2 area does not differentiate gender in the mention of
the gloss ‘kakek’ and ‘nenek’. This is clearly different from TP-1 and TP-3 which
differentiate the mention of the gloss of grandfather and grandmother.
In the semantic field of pronoun and greeting, there is a semasiological phenomenon
found in the code or lexicon [dikaw]. From the results of data analysis, it is known that the
lexicon [dikaw] is used to mark two different glosses, namely the lexicon [dikaw] for the
gloss 'kamu (you)' in TP-3, and the lexicon [dikaw] for the gloss 'dia (s/he)' in TP-1.

Lexicon:

Figure 3. Semasiological Lexicon on Pronoun and Greeting

From the picture above, it can be seen that the lexicon [dikaw] in the Riau Islands Malay
language has two different glosses at two points of observation. In the TP-3 lexicon
[dikaw] is usually used as a pronoun and greeting of the gloss 'kamu (you)'. Different from
TP-3, the lexicon [dikaw] in TP-1 is used to express pronouns and greetings of the gloss
'dia (s/he)'. It can be seen that at these two observation points there is similarity in the
lexicon, but they have different meanings. From the similarity of lexicon in different
glosses, the data above can be classified as difference in lexicon caused by semasiological
phenomena, namely phenomena where the same lexicon has different meanings.
In the semantic field of time, season, natural conditions and direction, there are
semasiological phenomena found, namely in the lexicon [ari etә] and lexicon [pәte] which
are each used to mark two different glosses in different places. The two lexicons are as
follows.

Lexicon:

Figure 4. Semasiological Lexicon in Time

First, semasiological phenomena in the semantic field of time, the same lexicon is found
to express two different glosses. The gloss is the gloss 'kemarin siang (yesterday
afternoon)’ for TP-1 and the gloss 'dua hari yang lalu (two days ago)' for TP-3. These two
glosses are both called lexicon [ari etә] by the people in TP-1 and TP-3. However, the
similarity in naming the lexicon has a different meaning. In TP-1 the lexicon [ari etә] is
interpreted with the gloss ‘kemarin siang (yesterday afternoon)', while TP-3 uses the
lexicon [ari etә] to interpret the gloss 'dua hari yang lalu (two days ago)' in the semantic
field of time.
 Ida Zulaeha et al. 968

Lexicon

Figure 5. Semasiological Lexicon on the Condition of Nature

Second, semasiological phenomena in the semantic field of natural conditions, the same
lexicon is found to express two different glosses. The gloss is the gloss 'kilat (lighting)’
for the TP-3 and the gloss 'guntur (thunder)’ for the TP-1. These two glosses are both
called the lexicon [pәte] by the people in TP-3 and TP-1. However, the similarity in
naming the lexicon has a different meaning. In TP-3 the lexicon [pәte] is interpreted with
the gloss 'kilat (lightning)', while TP-3 uses the lexicon [pәte] to mean the gloss 'guntur
(thunder)'.
The results obtained in terms of variations in phonological and lexicon forms in the Riau
Islands Malay language are in line with the research results of Afria & Lijawahirinisa
(2020) and Astuti (2022). Afria & Lijawahirinisa (2020) through their research explained
that variations in a language are shown by differences in phonological form through the
level of vowel and consonant sounds as well as differences in the lexicon in certain
regions. On the other hand, research by Astuti (2022) which examined the use of two
dialects in one language also showed that regional dialects often cause differences in the
lexicon or semantic field in the vocabulary even though they are still the same language.
However, these two studies have not studied the differences in onomasiological and
semasiological phenomena which influence variations at the lexicon level, so in this study
onomasiological and semasiological phenomena are the components to be considered in
studying differences in the Riau Islands Malay language lexicon to provide something
new to the development of linguistics.

4. CONCLUSION
The conclusions of this study are 1) there is a phonological difference of 5.6% between
TP-1 and TP-2, 5.6% between TP-2 and TP-3, and a phonological difference of 6.2%
between TP -1 and TP-3. The phonological difference is divided into two parts, namely
based on vowel difference and consonant difference. There are 18 different vowel sounds
and 16 consonant sounds in the Riau Islands Malay language used in the three TPs. 2) In
Malay of TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3, lexicons that had different onomasiological and
semasiological symptoms were found. There was difference in the lexicon for the same
gloss in different places. Onomasiological symptoms found in Malay in TP-1, TP-2 and
TP-3 can be seen in the semantic field (1) kinship system, (2) pronoun and greeting, and
(3) time, season, natural condition, and direction. In the semantic field of kinship system,
there are 9 glosses that contain onomasiological differences. In the semantic field of
pronoun and greeting, there are 5 glosses. In the semantic field of time, season, natural
condition and direction, there are 10 glosses that contain onomasiological difference.

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