Hipotesis Sapir-Whorf, Pentopikalan, dan Kesantunan Berbahasa dalam Bahasa Minangkabau

Linguistic relativity theory and Sapir-Whorf hypothesis may be debatable among linguists. In accordance with this, they should be consulted to and faced toward various linguistic data. This article, which is based on a part of fundamental research conducted in 2006, discusses to what extent the theory and hypothesis are acceptable by having linguistic and cultural data of Minangkabaunese, especially, topicalization construction and language politeness in Minangkabau society. The data analysis and discussion were primarily done by means of linguistic typology, especially grammatical typology, and supported by anthropological linguistic and sociolinguistic theories. The data were the spoken and written forms of words, clauses, sentences, or utterances of Minangkabaunese, including ideas, opinions, or judgments given by native speakers. The data were collected through field research and library study. It was found that the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is highly accepted then, and the topicalization construction in Minangkabaunese conveys the value of polite language.