The Power of Small Talk Discourse as Mitigating Conflict in Different Religious Communities in Ntaram

Abstract

Objective: This research analyzes explicitly the tiny talk (fatik) discourse used by the Ntaram (Manggarai) Flores community as a verbal force to mitigate conflict in plural communities (different religions) in Ntaram, Manggarai-Flores.   Method: This research chooses qualitative (interpretive) because the data collected and analyzed is in words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with informants, which were determined purposively. In addition, the observation method is used to observe the daily communication of the plural community in Ntaram. Data were validated through (1) data source triangulation and method triangulation. (2) Checking validity through Focus Group Discussions involving key sources.   Results and Discussion: Small talk (fatik) in communicating between people of different religions in Ntaram: (1) Small talk in the form of greetings. Ntaram people call "ite" which means we (first person plural personal pronoun). The word addresses the speech partner (second person personal pronoun). (2) Small talk in the context of greetings, such as nia ngaok, which means "noisy." These pleasantries explain sociologically that the social behavior of the Ntaram people is cheerful and happy to accept anyone. (3) Typical terms of respect related to religion are ata sili mai wae and ata le mai tana golo. Ata silimai wae means people who come from the coast or riverbanks. (4) Ethics of Interrupting Conversations. Ntaram people have small talk about interrupting conversations ethically through small talk such as eta ulu keta ite and no ramping dite. Eta ulu keta means that I uphold your opinion above my head. These four types of pleasantries are most productively used in the context of building brotherhood amidst religious and ethnic differences in Ntaram.   Recommendations: The research findings recommend that (1) it is necessary to revitalize the small talk discourse in Ntaram in the form of content taught in schools. Thus, endemic inheritance is carried out well. (2) further research is needed regarding the antecedent factors that influence the harmony of multiethnic society in Ntaram. (3) Research in other areas must reveal how multicultural societies mitigate social conflict through small talk.