IMPLICATURE IN MOTIVATIONAL SONG LYRICS AS POTENTIAL PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL MEDIA

Abstrak

Motivational song lyrics, as part of popular discourse, function not only as aesthetic expressions but also as media of psychological reflection embedded with implied meanings. Through figurative language and indirect expressions, such lyrics often communicate messages of resilience, hope, and self-awareness without stating them explicitly. This study aims to describe the implicatures found in the lyrics of Untungnya, Hidup Harus Tetap Berjalan by Bernadya and Jalan Pulang by Yura Yunita, as well as to explore their potential as psychoeducational media. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method with a pragmatic approach. The data, consisting of lyric excerpts containing implied meanings, were collected through close reading and note-taking techniques. The analysis is based on Grice’s theory of implicature, particularly through the identification of the Cooperative Principle reflected on four maxims such as quantity, quality, relevance, and manner. The findings reveal that the fulfillment of the maxim of quality is the most dominant aspect in both songs, indicating that the lyrics largely reflect truthful, emotionally authentic, and relatable experiences. In contrast, the violation of the maxim of manner appears most frequently, as many expressions are conveyed through metaphorical, ambiguous, and indirect language to create deeper emotional and reflective meanings. In Untungnya, Hidup Harus Tetap Berjalan, the implicatures are reflective in nature, expressing acceptance of destiny, acknowledgment of past mistakes, emotional maturity, and the conscious decision to persist rather than surrender in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, in Jalan Pulang, the implicatures are more symbolic, represented through the metaphor of “returning home,” which implies a process of self-reconciliation, rediscovery of identity, and inner healing. Most of the data belong to generalized conversational implicature because the meanings can generally be understood without requiring highly specific contextual assumptions. Overall, the implicatures construct meanings related to resilience, emotional regulation, self-reflection, and adaptive coping. This study demonstrates that motivational song lyrics function not only as artistic expressions but also as subtle psychoeducational media that encourage positive meaning-making and psychological growth among contemporary audiences.