From Morphemes to Meaning
Analysing the Names of Traditional Kelantan Kuih
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22361127 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Komalata Manokaran (University of Malaya), Manokaran Komalata (0009-0002-6781-5741), Ong Shyi Nian (0000-0002-7639-4662), Nurul Huda Hamzah (0000-0001-8143-3032, University of Malaya) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 63-93 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Communication, Language and Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2805-444X • E-ISSN: 2805-444X |
| Publisher | Multimedia University (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.33093/jclc.2026.6.1.4 |
| OpenAlex | W7125416441 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 21 |
The morphological influence in Kelantanese traditional kuih is part of a broader cultural context of Malay culinary traditions. In Kelantan, traditional foods play a significant role in wedding customs, with specific items like pulut, sirih junjung, and various kuih included in the hantaran (wedding gifts) exchanged between families. Kelantanese kuih often have distinctive, eccentric names, many of which are deeply embedded in the Kelantanese dialect, customs, and historical context. These names may perplex individuals from other regions because they rely on local phrases or metaphorical meanings that are not often recognised outside Kelantan. This qualitative study aims to identify the semantics of the quirky names of traditional Kelantanese kuih and analyse the factors that influence the word-formation of these kuih-muih. This paper examines the etymology of word-formation and the folkloric elements embedded in the distinctive names of traditional Kelantanese kuih. Lexical variations in Kelantanese kuih result from this combination of words, showcasing the rich tapestry of Malaysian and Indonesian culture, where language and food intersect to create a unique culinary identity. Traditional desserts are open compounds, with Malay words and the Kelantanese dialect as the source words. The visual appearance factor mainly influences the naming of traditional Kelantanese desserts. This study aims to deepen the discourse on Malaysia's culinary and cultural history by analysing linguistic aspects and regional influences
Etymology · Folklore · Indonesian · Malay · Morpheme · Toponymy · Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia · Education and Islamic Studies · Linguistic, Cultural, and Literary Studies
| Highly cited | No |
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