Relasi Bunyi dan Pemaknaan dalam Surah az-Zalzalah: Analisis Fonosemantik Terhadap Sound Symbolism

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between sound and meaning in Surah Az-Zalzalah through a phonosemantic approach based on sound symbolism. Traditional studies of the Qur'an generally focus on lexical semantics, syntax, and thematic interpretation, while the role of sound as a meaning-making element has received less attention. Considering the oral-aural nature of the Qur'an, this study examines how sound structures including phonemes, syllables, and patterns of phonological repetition contribute to the construction of meaning. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method, using the text of Surah Az-Zalzalah as its primary data source, which is analyzed through a documentary approach. The analysis is conducted by identifying significant sound units, presenting relevant verse excerpts along with their phonological descriptions, and interpreting the relationship between sound and meaning based on the principles of sound symbolism. The findings reveal a functional and structured relationship between sound and meaning. Fricative and intense plosive sounds in the opening verses depict cosmic upheaval and chaos, while the predominance of long vowels and stable sound patterns in the subsequent verses signifies human response and the certainty of moral recompense. Sound functions not merely as an aesthetic ornament but as an agent of meaning-making that constructs both acoustic and visual experiences of meaning for the listener.