The Patterns of Ablaut Reduplication in Toba Batak: A Construction-Based Approach

Esron Ambarita; Milisi Sembiring

doi:10.31849/reila.v7i1.17024

Authors

Esron Ambarita Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia
Milisi Sembiring Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3834-6897

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31849/reila.v7i1.17024

Keywords:

Ablaut reduplication, Toba Batak language, Construction-based approach, Morphology, Endangered languages

Abstract

The study addresses a critical gap in morphological research by investigating the understudied patterns of ablaut reduplication in Toba Batak (TB), an endangered Austronesian language, through a construction-based approach. While ablaut reduplication has been widely examined in Indo-European languages like English and German, its manifestations in TB remain largely unexplored, despite the language’s cultural significance and vulnerability. This study fills this gap by employing a modified version of Halle’s (1973) generative morphology model, tailored to TB’s unique linguistic features, to analyze data collected from 12 native speakers in Samosir Regency. The findings reveal three distinct categories of ablaut reduplication in TB: verbal (VAR), nominal (NAR), and adjectival (AAR), each exhibiting specific vowel patterns. For instance, monosyllabic words typically alternate between [u]/[e] and [a]/[u], while disyllabic words follow a [u-a] to [a-I]/[a-u] sequence. Notably, the study demonstrates that TB’s ablaut reduplication is unproductive, lacking grammatical meaning and affixation, with lexical meaning derived solely from vowel alternations. The modified Hallean model, incorporating orthographic and phonological rules, proves effective in capturing these nuances, offering a novel framework for analyzing non-Indo-European languages. By documenting these patterns, the study not only enriches the understanding of TB’s morphological system but also contributes to broader linguistic typology and the preservation of endangered languages. The implications extend to applied fields such as language education and cultural revitalization, underscoring the urgency of safeguarding regional languages like TB amidst globalization. This research thus bridges theoretical linguistics and practical conservation efforts, advocating for further studies on underrepresented languages.

Author Biographies

Esron Ambarita, Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia

Dr. Esron Ambarita, S.S., M.Hum. is a distinguished linguist and academic affiliated with the Faculty of Letters at Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia, where he currently serves as Vice Dean II. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Universitas Katolik St. Thomas Sumatera Utara, his Master’s degree in English Applied Linguistics from Universitas Negeri Medan, and his Doctorate in Linguistics from Universitas Sumatera Utara. His scholarly interests center on morphology, syntax, phonology, semantics, and applied linguistics, with a particular focus on the Toba Batak language.

Dr. Ambarita has published extensively on linguistic structures and language phenomena, including studies on affixation patterns and code-switching. Beyond his academic activities, he actively contributes as an editorial board member for international journals and remains committed to advancing linguistic research and the preservation of indigenous languages.
Milisi Sembiring, Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia

Prof. Dr. Milisi Sembiring, Drs., M.Hum. is a distinguished scholar in translation studies and linguistics, serving as the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and a senior lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at Universitas Methodist Indonesia (UMI), Medan. He earned his Doctorate in Translation Studies from Universitas Sumatera Utara in 2014.

Dr. Sembiring's research primarily focuses on translating Karonese cultural texts into English, addressing the complexities of culture-bound terms and linguistic politeness. His notable publications include "Translating Culture-Bound Terms in Wedding Speech Texts of Karonese Society into English" and "Translating Nure-Nure Texts in Karonese Society Into English: Applying Translation Techniques."

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