Citation

Manokaran, Komalata and Shyi Nian, Ong and Hamzah, Nurul Huda (2026) From Morphemes to Meaning: Analysing the Names of Traditional Kelantan Kuih. Journal of Communication, Language and Culture, 6 (1). pp. 63-93. ISSN 2805-444X

Text hairulanuar,+4.+1675.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB)

Abstract

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 arenot 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, show casing 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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	morpheme, semantics, etymology, morphology, Kelantanese kuih
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF3000-4055 By region or country
Divisions:	Others
Depositing User:	Ms Suzilawati Abu Samah
Date Deposited:	08 Jul 2026 04:57
Last Modified:	08 Jul 2026 04:57
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/16236

Downloads

Edit (login required)