CHRESENSIA ASTRID NATARA Pengarang SEBASTIANUS FERNANDEZ Dosen Pembimbing 1 ELISNA HUAN Dosen Pembimbing 2 Sebastianus Fernandez Penguji 1 Elisna Huan Penguji 2 Marcelinus Akoli Ketua Penguji

This research has two problems, The first is, (1) what are the forms of SPEAKING elements of Dell Hymes involved in the Saiso ceremony? (2) what are the meanings of each SPEAKING element involved in the Saiso ceremony? There are two aims that the writer would like to achieve in this thesis. Firstly, this research aims to find out the form and meaning of Saiso a traditional ceremony in Letekonda Village, West Sumba. Secondly, this research aims to analyze the problem, the researcher used Dell Hymes's theory, the SPEAKING model as the main theory. The method was a qualitative descriptive method. Data collecting techniques in this writing were observation, unstructured interviews, and recording. The data was transcribed in order to get written data and then translated from the Sumba language to English. After that, the writer analyzes the forms and meanings of the data. The result of this research shows that are two forms of each SPEAKING elemen, The firstly forms of language used in Saiso traditional discussions, namely formal and polite language, and secondly forms is has four genres of Saiso namely, ordering, begging, dancing, and singing and six meanings in eight parts of each SPEAKING element, the firstly meaning is Setting of this research is in Living Room (Balitonga), Land of the year (Tanah Arro Ummah), and A Small Hut (Teda), the Secondly meanings is Participants they are Host, Family, Three Elders, and Guests. The thirdly meaning is to restore the souls of those who were died unnaturally, the fourthly meaning is Act Sequence in this section has five parts namely, preparing, greetings, the purpose, dinner together, and offerings, the fiftly meaning is the ceremony has Norms before the service or during the service, every participant must commit any sin, such as adultery, stealing, and speaking unclean words, the sixtly meaning is key used by the traditional elders was in a polite and directed way. Keywords: Saiso traditional ceremony, forms, and meanings