Culinary Metaphors as Cultural Symbols in Riau Malay Food Naming: A Pragmatic Analysis

Food traditions not only fulfill biological needs but also serve as powerful mediums for cultural communication, reflecting the social values of a community. This study explores the use of metaphors in the naming of traditional foods and beverages in Riau Malay culture through a pragmatic approach. By employing linguistic ethnography and critical discourse analysis, the research identifies the conceptual metaphors used and examines their socio-cultural functions. The findings highlight that Riau Malay culinary metaphors represent values of history, aesthetics, religion, and social harmony. This study contributes significantly to the field of pragmatic cultural studies and the preservation of Riau Malay local wisdom. It offers a novel perspective by bridging pragmatics with cultural inquiry, analyzing Riau Malay culinary metaphors not only as linguistic constructs but also as cultural signifiers that embody ethnic identity, preserve culinary heritage, and transmit shared social values.