ARAMAITI AS A LINGUISTIC CODE FOR DAILY CASUAL EXPRESSION: AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISM AND SOCIAL COHESION IN SABAH

Abstract

Abstract Although social cohesion in Sabah is widely recognised, the micro-mechanism through everyday communication that binds this harmony is still underexplored.  This review paper explores the role of aramaiti as an everyday linguistic code and symbol of casual expression of friendliness, openly used by Sabah’s multicultural community without touching on religious and ethnic sensitivities. A systematic narrative review was conducted using a hand-searching method based on purposive sampling. A total of 29 literature articles were selected and analyzed thematically. Based on the Intergroup Contact Theory and Social Identity Theory, the findings this paper proposes a conceptual model suggesting that the use of aramaiti in everyday conversation may function as a sociolinguistic cue that help attenuate intergroup anxiety and liguistic bias. Based on the Cognitive Compartmentalization Theory, the symbol of everyday casual interaction allows the community to create inclusive and safe social spaces without touching the boundaries of personal theology. The synthesis of global studies shows that aramaiti represents a natural manifestation of everyday cosmopolitanism. The spirit of togetherness eliminates the desire to dominate between races in the daily lives of the multi-ethnic communities. The implications of this study suggest that ethnic harmony in Sabah is maintained through the sharing of peaceful cultural codes that are free from religious and ethnic sensitivities. Hence, future empirical studies are recommended to examine the extent to which this casual expression can contribute to the sustainability of ethnic relations.