Bentuk Kebahasaan dan Fungsi Sosiopragmatik Humor Peribahasa Jawa di Media Sosial: Representasi Isu Kesehatan Mental

Arif Fadillah

Authors

Arif Fadillah Pendidikan Profesi Guru, Universitas Islam Malang

Keywords:

digital mental health, Javanese proverbs, sociopragmatics, social media, verbal humor

Abstract

Background: Javanese proverbs are oral traditions that transmit cultural values across generations. In digital spaces such as Threads and TikTok, these proverbs are increasingly transformed into humorous variations reflecting contemporary social realities. However, studies examining these transformations through verbal humor and mental health discourse in digital spaces remain limited. Purpose: This study aims to describe the linguistic forms of transformed Javanese proverbs and interpret their representations of humor related to digital mental health discourse. Methods: This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach using a sociopragmatic perspective and the General Theory of Verbal Humor (GTVH). The data consisted of 29 transformed Javanese proverbs collected from public posts on Threads and TikTok. Data were gathered through observation and note-taking and analyzed using three GTVH Knowledge Resources, namely Script Opposition, Language, and Target, supported by an interactive model of data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. Results: The findings reveal transformations at word, phrase, and clause levels through lexical substitution, code-mixing, rhyme-based wordplay, and semantic shifts. Humor is constructed through script oppositions between traditional values and contemporary realities. These variations function as social criticism, identity negotiation, and expressions of socio-economic and psychological pressures, particularly concerning economic insecurity, consumerism, social validation, and emotional burdens. Conclusion: The transformation of Javanese proverbs demonstrates the continued relevance of oral traditions in digital culture. Humorous proverb variations serve not only as entertainment but also as symbolic resources for expressing emotions, negotiating identities, and articulating mental health-related concerns among contemporary social media users

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