Morphology, Stylistics, and Conceptual Metaphor in Alex Warren's Ordinary

Mita Setriana Gultom; Teza Aditra Ginting; Tulus Maruli Purba; Rahmadsyah Rangkuti

doi:10.31764/leltj.v14i1.39029

Morphology, Stylistics, and Conceptual Metaphor in Alex Warren's Ordinary

Mita Setriana Gultom, Teza Aditra Ginting, Tulus Maruli Purba, Rahmadsyah Rangkuti

Abstract

This study examines how meaning is constructed in the song Ordinary by Alex Warren using three linguistic frameworks: morphological theory, discourse stylistics, and conceptual metaphor theory. Most previous studies on song lyrics analyze only one linguistic aspect at a time, such as morphology, stylistics, or metaphor, which limits the understanding of how these elements work together. This study addresses that gap by combining all three frameworks in one analysis, making it possible to see how different linguistic levels interact to build meaning. Therefore, this study aims to analyze how word structures, stylistic patterns, and conceptual metaphors together represent the theme of love in the song. The data are taken from the song lyrics and analyzed through word formation processes, stylistic features such as repetition and pronoun usage, and metaphorical expressions. The findings show that the lyrics mostly use simple word forms and contractions, which make the message clear and easy to understand. Repetition and direct address create a strong emotional and intimate tone. Love is represented through religious and spiritual metaphors, presenting it as a sacred and meaningful experience. This study shows that song lyrics work as a complex linguistic system where multiple levels of language interact to create meaning. The findings offer a useful analytical model for studying popular music from a linguistic perspective and highlight how language shapes emotional and symbolic expression..

Keywords

morphological analysis; discourse stylistics; conceptual metaphor; song lyrics analysis; meaning construction; popular music

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/leltj.v14i1.39029