Function of Suffix-nya (Indonesian '-nya')

2.4 Function of Suffix -nya

Suffix [-nya] also principally has its own functions in Indonesia. According to Sneddon, suffix [-nya] can be divided into seven functions, among those: as a possessive pronoun, object pronoun, an agentive object, a determiner, nominalizer, an adverbializer, and indefinite number. Each function of suffix [-nya] is explained below:

2.4.1 Suffix [-nya] as possessive pronoun

Possessive pronoun in English is described as a pronoun which shows a possessive of something or someone. In Indonesian, suffix [-nya] can be used to show a possession, in this case as a possession of a singular or plural person. This suffix has several functions within the noun phrase. It can functions as third person possessive pronoun (Sneddon, 1996: 150)

For examples:

1)      SL: Dia menantikan Ola, suaminya.

TL: he a waited Ola, her husband (Sneddon, 1996: 158)

2)      SL: Dimana rumahnya?

TL: Where do you live?(Literally: where is her/his house) (Sneddon, 1996: 163)

In example above, all suffix [-nya], function as a possessive pronoun. This suffix is attached to nouns, such as to the nouns suami, and rumah. Because its functions as possessive pronouns, it means that all suffix [-nya] attached to the words above show possession. Because of showing possession, so the words in examples above can be further defined into suami dia or suaminya, and in another example rumah dia or rumahnya.

2.4.2 Suffix [-nya] is translated into Object Pronoun

Suffix [-nya] functioning as object pronoun can be gotten after noun in active sentences. It has the meaning of dia. It is translated into object pronoun like her and him.

Example:

            SL: Narti menunggunya (Sneddon, 1996: 165)

           

            TL: Narti is waiting for him (Sneddon, 1996: 165)

In example above suffix [-nya] in the word menunggunya is translated into him in target language. And if we look at English function suffix [-nya] has functions as object pronoun.

2.4.3 Suffix [-nya] as an Agentive Object

Suffix [-nya] functions as an agentive object means that the [-nya] receive an action of the object. It is usually found in passive sentences. The example of the [-nya] which as an agentive object is:

1)      SL: Narti ditunggunya

TL: He is waiting for narti (Sneddon, 1996: 166)

The function of the [-nya] in this example is an agentive object. The [-nya] in this sentence is placed after a passive verb like ditunggu + nya. In this case it does not have function as possession. In the example above suffix [-nya] is translated into he in English.

2.4.4 Suffix [-nya] as a Determiner

The [-nya] functioning as determiner means that suffix [-nya] in this case as a determining word, which is usually put after noun. It can also attached to the head of noun, being translated into the. This can occur where the noun has not been mentioned before, but is understood within the context of the utterance (Sneddon, 1996: 150)

1)      SL: Kalau mau makan, nasinya dilemari

TL: If you want to eat, the rice is in the pantry (Sneddon, 1996:      151)

2)      SL: Saya mau kekantor pos tetapi tidak tahu jalannya

TL: I want to go to the post office but I don’t know the way (Sneddon, 1996: 151)

In the examples above, all the [-nya] are used as determiner. Determiner means the words that modify a noun. In this situation the [-nya] does not have lexical relation meaning with dia. The [-nya] in (1) nasinya and (2) jalanya are determiners, the [-nya] only functions to determine a thing expressed by the speaker.

2.4.5 Suffix [-nya] as an Adverbializer

The use of the [-nya] functioning as an adverbializer means that suffix [-nya] is used to form an adverbial phrase or an object complement of a sentence. The function of suffix [-nya] as an adverb can be seen from the sentences bellows:

SL: Rupanya dia tidak akan lulus

TL: It seems as if he will not pass (Margono, 1999: 19)

In example above, the word rupanya is translated into the word seems in English. Rupanya is combined with the word rupa + suffix [-nya]. In this sentences, suffix [-nya] functions as an adverbial phrase. In example above, it is used to form adverb rupanya as adverbializer.

2.4.6 Suffix [-nya] as Nominalizer

Nominalized adjectives of measure only take [-nya] obligatorily if there is no other possessor expressed. In the presence of a first or second person possessor [-nya] cannot occur (Sneddon, 1996: 306)

1)      SL: Beratnya sepuluh kilo.

TL: Its weight is ten kilos (Sneddon, 1996: 306)

2)      SL: Gunung itu tingginya 2000 m (Margono,1999:19)

TL: The Mountain, its height is 2000 m (Margono, 1999:19)

In example (1) Suffix [-nya] changes the adjective which is stated by word berat into noun beratnya as nominalizer. And in example (2) suffix [-nya] changes the adjective which is stated by word tinggi into noun tingginya as nominalizer which refers to the noun gunung itu.

2.4.7 Suffix [-nya] as indefinite numbers

According to Sneddon in her book entitled Indonesia Reference Grammar, several indefinite numbers can occur as pronouns, in which case they taken suffix[-nya] (Sneddon,1996: 175). The [-nya] functions as indefinite numbers can be given in examples bellow:

1)      SL: Semuanya (Sneddon: 1996: 175)

TL: All of them (Sneddon: 1996: 175)

2)      SL: Seluruhnya (Sneddon: 1996: 175)

TL: All of it (Sneddon: 1996: 175)

In example (1) suffix [-nya] indicates an indefinite number from word semuanya and when it is translated into English, suffix [-nya] refers to the pronoun which is stated by pronoun them. And in example (2) suffix [-nya] shows indefinite number from word seluruh and when it is translated into English suffix [-nya] refers to the pronoun which is expressed by pronoun it. 

Credits: Dana