Semantic Structure of Emotion Words in Indonesian Language

Abstract:     
This study examined the semantic structure of emotion terms in Indonesia. 45 kinds of emotion terms as measured by adjective 10 pairs in semantic differential. All emotion terms is chosen based on familiarity derived from Indonesian Dictionary. We hypothesized that semantic structure of emotion terms can be reduced into three dimensions, consistent with semantic differential scale factor by Osgood (evaluation, potency, activity). Based on 115 participants, our findings indicate that structure of emotion term's load in two dimensions by multidimensional analysis (evaluation, activity). For two dimensions loading, multidimensional stress value can be reduced in 0,38. Lower stress value indicated that two dimensions loading for semantic structure of the emotion words more appropriate than three dimensions. Mapping of a series of emotion terms from a proximities matrix (similarities or dissimilarities) based on the semantic structure produced nine clusters of emotion terms.

Keywords: Emotion Words, Semantic Structure, Dimension of Emotion

Accepted Paper Series