LEXICAL MEANING IN PUBLIC FAREWELL STATEMENTS TOWARD VALENTINO ROSSI: A LEXICAL SEMANTICS STUDY

Abstract

Language plays an essential role in shaping meaning and public perception, particularly in major events such as Valentino Rossi’s retirement from MotoGP. The responses of global public figures to this event reveal the use of lexically meaningful and emotionally charged expressions. This study aims to analyze the lexical meanings in farewell statements addressed to Valentino Rossi and to explain how these lexical choices construct his image as a sports legend. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach. The data were obtained from a farewell compilation video uploaded on the official MotoGP Instagram account on November 15, 2021. Data were collected through observation, transcription, and note-taking, and analyzed using a lexical semantic approach. The findings indicate that dominant lexical meanings include appreciation, affection, symbolic legitimacy, and identity transition from a professional athlete to an inspirational figure. These results highlight the importance of lexical semantic studies in understanding public discourse and the formation of collective memory toward global figures.