IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite

Concrete-Abstract Metaphor: Critical Investigation on Figurative Language in Ariana Grande Song Lyrics

Apriliyanti, Abel (Unknown)
Ariyaningsih, Ni Nyoman Deni (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Sep 2025

Abstract

Metaphor provides emotions as an important role in literary works. Especially for personal emotional experiences in a modern song lyric. This research highlights the use of concrete-to-abstract metaphor to represent emotional experiences in a song lyric. While most previous studies only focus on classifying the types of metaphor. This study fills the void by analyzing how concrete-to-abstract metaphors are used in a modern song lyric to express personal emotion. This study aims to learn deep understanding about figurative language by analyzing the concrete-to-abstract metaphors that are found in Ariana Grande song lyrics. This study used descriptive-qualitative methods to analyze the data based on theory that was used in semantics. The data were collected from three songs in Ariana Grande’s album entitled Eternal Sunshine. Data analysis utilized Knickerbocker and Renninger (1963) figurative language theory for the metaphor analysis and Stephen Ullman (1964) for the metaphor types analysis. The study shows lyrics using concrete-to-abstract metaphor. In addition, these findings can expand the understanding of the song writer’s characteristics. It is hoped that this study can be referenced in the study of music, language, literature, and enrich further understanding and appreciation about figurative language and metaphor in various modern music.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

ideas

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

IDEAS Journal is published twice a year in the months of June and December (P-ISSN 2338-4778 and E-ISSN 2548-4192); it presents articles on English language teaching and learning, linguistics, and literature. The contents include analyses, studies and application of theories, research report, ...