THE LANGUAGE STYLE OF PANTUN IN HIKAYAT ISMA YATIM

Abstract

Hikayat Isma Yatim is a classic Malay manuscript. This work has been published by P.P. Roorda van Eysinga in Jakarta in 1825. The oldest copy of this work known as Malay 3 in stored at John Rylands University Library. By using conventional phonological methodology, the results found that Hikayat Isma Yatim uses various forms of language style to move the story plot. Among them are ‘gurindam’, ‘pantun’, ‘syair’, ‘seloka’ and so forth. The main focus of this article is the style of ‘pantun’ language due to its major usage in Hikayat Isma Yatim. This is because the use of pantun is the most. This ‘pantun’ is said to suit the circumstances of the characters involved. The ‘pantun’ delivery is not specifically only focused to the main character, Isma Yatim, but also by its fictional character like peacocks, candlesticks and Dang Saji. The role of ‘pantun’ the poet in moving the plot of the event will be further examined in this article. The selection of ‘pantun’ language style coincides with Malay traditions so that it is not immersed in today’s modern world.