Conceptual Metaphor of Promise Expressions in Indonesian

This research focuses on the cognitive aspect of language, specifically the mental organisation of knowledge acquired from life experiences. This study investigated the concept of promise, its source domain mapping, and its cognitive frame in Indonesian. By examining language cognition via conceptual metaphors, this research aimed to contribute to cognitive linguistics theory. A qualitative study was conducted to examine conceptual metaphors used to express promise in Indonesian. Data were acquired from 200 respondents at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, using Google Forms distributed via WhatsApp. Surveys were the primary tool for collecting participants' promise expressions. Using a distributional technique, utterances were classified based on promise type, source domain mapping, and the promise expression frame. The analysis revealed that promise is conceptualised through several modes, including: modal promise, announcing reality, contract, bond, bill, hidden motive, habit, phony, and assertion. Furthermore, conceptual metaphors such as PRAYER, TANTALIZING, AGENDA, DEBT, FACT, REQUEST, and QUOTATION were mapped to Indonesian promise phrases. Indonesian promises focused on abilities, demands, hope, and belief, with a concentration on needs, ambitions, and beliefs. The unifying feature of the promise expression frame in Indonesian is the desire for something to be achieved by a particular party. Differences in the frame arise due to variations in the respondents' life experiences.