Climbing Mountain – Tracing Valley: Myth behind Sexual Activities

Abstract

Sexual activity is an activity that is done by relying on a person's sexual desire to getsatisfaction by using genitalia and through certain actions. The meaning of this activity varies greatly depending on the context. In the view of the biological perspective, sexual activity is interpreted as the use of sexual organs to perform reproductive actions. The meaning of course is different from the meaning of sexual activity as an activity to meet sexual desires and drives. The above explanation seems to affirm that the meaning of sexual activity has evolved as human understanding of the activity. In addition, the development of meaning affirms the ideas of poststructuralists who believe that the signification system will always evolve. Barthes (1957) in his book entitled Mythologies states that development does not only occur on the meaning side but also on the side of the form or expression of language or known as metalanguage. This article is intended to discuss themyths behind sexual activity. By applying linguistic and semiotic approach, this article discusses in depth the development of meaning behind sexual activity and metalanguage formed through this development process. The author conducted interviews with thirty (30) couples (husband and wife) on topics related to sexual activity. Interviews are recorded and then transcribed to be used as primary data in this article. This research confirms the process of meaning that is very dynamic along with the human capability in interpreting. Every human being will have their own appropriate repertoire in interpreting the sexual activity. The difference of metalanguage affirms the existence of its own peculiarities in terms of meaning. This article is generally expected to enrich the study of linguistics, semiotics, and ethnography-related research