Nominalization Patterns in Tombatu Language: A Generative Morphological Analysis of Affixal Noun Formation

Verra Ellen  Manangkot; Jola Kristiani   Liuw; Lucky Herliawan Yanuarsyah   Amalputra; Metty Ribka   Manila; Fergina   Lengkoan

doi:10.31849/prbf9s30

Authors

Verra Ellen Manangkot Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia.
Jola Kristiani Liuw Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia
Lucky Herliawan Yanuarsyah Amalputra Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
Metty Ribka Manila Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia
Fergina Lengkoan Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31849/prbf9s30

Keywords:

Nominalization, Tombatu language, Generative morphology, Austronesian linguistics , Minahasan languages, Morphological rules

Abstract

Regional languages preserve complex grammatical systems that reveal how communities organize experience, identity, and cultural knowledge. However, nominalization in Tombatu, an underdescribed Austronesian language of Minahasa, has not been systematically examined through an explicit rule-based morphological framework. This study addresses this gap by investigating the structural patterns, semantic functions, and generative mechanisms of affixal noun formation in Tombatu. Employing a descriptive-taxonomic design, data were collected over six months in Tombatu Village from proficient speakers through naturally occurring speech, elicitation, recording, note-taking, and informant validation. The final dataset found unique nominalized forms. These forms were classified into three major processes comprising 11 noun-forming prefixes, one noun-forming suffix, and 14 affix combinations, yielding 26 identified affixal configurations. The analysis applied Word Combination Rules, Derivation Rules, the Boundary Insertion Convention, and relevant morphological constraints. The findings show that prefixation exhibits the greatest structural and semantic variation in the dataset, producing agentive, person-denoting, instrumental, object-related, and result-related nouns. For example, /tapə-/ combines with /lukuʔ/ ‘to drink’ to form /tapəlukuʔ/ [tapəlukuʔ] ‘drinker’. Suffixation is more restricted, with /-an/ forming locative nouns, as in /tawoi/ ‘to work’ plus /-an/, which produces /tawoian/ [tawoian] ‘workplace’. Complex affix combinations form nouns denoting places, processes, objects, states, results, and entities. This study provides the first systematic generative account of Tombatu nominalization, expands empirical evidence for Austronesian word formation, strengthens regional-language documentation, and offers a linguistic basis for language maintenance and potential contrastive morphological activities in multilingual education.

Author Biographies

Jola Kristiani Liuw, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia

Jola Kristiani Liuw is a researcher affiliated with Universitas Negeri Manado, Indonesia. Her academic interests include language education, educational research, and innovative teaching practices. Her academic commitment is reflected in her efforts to support educational improvement through research, scholarly writing, and the dissemination of knowledge that benefits educators, students, and the broader academic community.
Lucky Herliawan Yanuarsyah Amalputra, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia

Lucky Herliawan Yanuarsyah Amalputra is a researcher affiliated with Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia. His academic interests include education, language learning, educational technology, and interdisciplinary research.
Metty Ribka Manila, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia

Metty Ribka Manila is a researcher with a strong interest in education, language learning, and academic research. Her interests include educational development, innovative learning approaches, and collaborative research that addresses current issues in education. She believes that research plays an important role in improving educational practices and promoting lifelong learning. Through her academic contributions, she aims to support meaningful research that benefits educators, students, and the wider academic
Fergina Lengkoan, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia

Fergina Lengkoan is researcher affiliated with the English Language Education Study Program at Universitas Negeri Manado, Indonesia. Her academic interests include English language teaching, language education, educational research, and innovative instructional practices. She actively participates in collaborative academic and research activities that promote the improvement of teaching and learning.

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