<![CDATA[Language in multicultural societies is a potent tool that can construct social cohesion or instigate discrimination and domination, particularly evident in agrarian conflicts. This study examines the semantic, metaphorical, and cultural dimensions of hate speech within a palm oil land ownership dispute at the Langkat District Court. The research focuses on the utterance "Hai Cina Anjing, Kontol, Pukimak, aku punya kuasa di sini kuratakan semua ini" to identify the forms and types of hate metaphors, analyze their semantic meanings and cultural contexts, and explain their function in shaping cultural narratives and social identities. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the analysis utilizes Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) and Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) to deconstruct the linguistic data derived from court transcripts and news reports. The findings reveal a complex interplay of animal, sexual, power, and violence metaphors that systematically dehumanize the opponent. The animal metaphor "dog" frames the target as morally degraded, while sexual profanities attack personal honor, and claims of power assert territorial dominance. These metaphors construct a rigid cultural narrative of "us" versus "them," reinforcing social boundaries and legitimizing symbolic violence. The study concludes that this hate speech functions as an ideological instrument for identity formation and the maintenance of social hierarchy within the context of land disputes. This research offers significant implications for legal practice by providing a semantic-metaphorical framework to detect and address harmful speech, and for society by highlighting the critical need for language ethics and reconciliation in conflict resolution.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
