Komunikasi Antarbudaya dalam Masyarakat Multietnis di Ambon: Studi Semiotika Sosial antara Etnis Ambon dan Buton

Abstrak

This study examines the dynamics of intercultural communication between the Ambonese and Butonese ethnic groups in the context of a multiethnic society in Ambon City using a social semiotic approach. Using qualitative methods through in-depth interviews, field observations, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) at Mardika Market, Ambon, this study identified three main focuses: (1) identity contestation in the semiotic landscape of public space, (2) transcultural semiosis practices in the informal economic space, and (3) semantic disconnection and power negotiation in intercultural interactions. The findings indicate that the expression of ethnic symbols in public spaces tends to be minimized (76% of respondents stated that they rarely saw ethnic symbols) as an adaptation strategy after the 1999-2002 conflict. Meanwhile, the practice of code-switching between the Ambonese Malay dialect and the Butonese language occurs massively (80% of respondents) as a form of transcultural semiosis that facilitates economic interactions. This study also found a latent semantic disconnection phenomenon, where the same sign is interpreted differently by the two ethnic groups. The Hybrid-Semiotic Model is proposed as an interpretive framework for understanding the continually negotiated coexistence between the two communities. FGD results indicated a 97% willingness to engage in intercultural dialogue, indicating strong social capital as a basis for building multi-ethnic harmony in Ambon.

Kata kunci

• Buton
• Intercultural communication
• Komunikasi antar budaya
• Social semiotics
• multi-ethnicity
• semantic disconnection
• semiotika