1.4. Grammar Focus
Reduplication
In the Indonesian language, reduplication, also known as “kata ulang” or “pengulangan,” is a linguistic phenomenon where a word or a part of a word is repeated to convey certain meanings. Reduplication is a common and distinct feature of the Indonesian language and is used in various ways to modify the meaning of a word.
Reduplication serves several functions in Indonesian:
1. Indicating plurality
Reduplication is often used to indicate plurality or the presence of multiple instances of an object or noun. The repetition of a word creates a plural noun. Example: “rumah” (house) becomes “rumah-rumah” (houses).
- Rumah-rumah di pinggiran kota banyak diburu oleh pembeli. (Homes in the suburbs are much sought after by buyers.)
- Mobil-mobil itu terparkir dengan rapi di depan gedung sekolah. (The cars are parked neatly in front of the school building.)
2. Indicating similarity
Reduplication can convey the idea of similarity or resemblance. It is used to describe something that is similar to or resembles another thing. Example: “mobil” (car) becomes “mobil-mobilan” (toy car).
- Adit punya banyak koleksi mobil-mobilan Hotwheel. (Adit has many Hotwheel toy car collection.)
- Adik membuat kapal-kapalan dari kertas daur ulang. (My sister makes ships out of recycled paper.)
3. Indicating repetitive action
Reduplication is employed to indicate repetitive or repeated action or activities. Example: “memukul” (to hit) becomes “memukul-mukul” (to hit repeatedly).
- Karena jengkel, anak itu memukul-mukul meja di depannya. (Out of annoyance, the child bangs the table in front of him.)
- Anak nakal itu mencoret-coret dinding rumah tetangganya. (The naughty boy scribbled on the walls of his neighbor’s house.)
4. Indicating “Several”
This meaning appears when the reduplication is done to words with the prefix ber- that indicates time. Example: “bulan” (month) becomes “berbulan-bulan” (for several months).
- Sudah berbulan-bulan ibu itu tidak bertemu dengan anaknya. (It has been for several months that the mother has not seen her child.)
- Nenek itu merindukan putranya yang pergi merantau selama bertahun-tahun. (The grandmother missed her son who had gone abroad for many years.)
5. Indicating a trait or intensity
Reduplication can be used to express a trait or intensity. Example: “anak” (child) becomes “kekanak-kanakan” (childish).
- David masih kekanak-kanakan meskipun dia akan lulus kuliah sebentar lagi. (David is still childish even though he will be graduating from college soon.)
- Daun di depan rumah kami berwarna kekuning-kuningan karena sekarang sudah memasuki musim gugur. (The leaves in front of our house are yellowish because it’s already autumn.)
Conclusion
Overall, reduplication is a versatile and expressive feature of the Indonesian language, enabling speakers to convey various nuances and shades of meaning efficiently. It is a key aspect of the language’s grammar and lexical structure, adding richness to everyday conversations and written texts.
