How The Sasak People Position Themselves in the Dimension of Time and its Reflection on Cultural Behavior: an Anthropological Linguistic Study

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of human life is the concept of time. Without an understanding of the concept of time, it is difficult for humans to record, recognize, and comprehend important events in their lives. The concept of time is a universal element that determines human value systems and cultural behavior. This study aims to understand (a) how the Sasak people position themselves within the cultural dimension and (b) the meaning and manifestation of cultural behavior represented by this cultural system. To achieve this goal, linguistic data on time terms from native Sasak speakers is required. Data were collected from four speech areas of the Sasak language variant using interview methods using descriptive, structural, and contrastive questioning techniques. Data analysis was conducted simultaneously with the data collection stage. Data were analyzed using the matching method, using the conjunction-comparison technique of equating, conjunction-comparing, and conjunction-comparing. The results indicate that traditional Sasak people have a temporal orientation toward the past, present, and future. The importance of time in Sasak life is characterized by the mandatory presence of time markers, which occupy the initial position of every sentence that expresses the meaning of activities, states, and processes. The perceived temporal orientation is the past and the future, which are close to the present. These two types of cultural value orientation reflect specific cultural behaviors in the lives of traditional Sasak people.