Structure of Phrase in Muna Language

Abstract

The research intended to identify and analyses the structures of phrase in Muna language which based on the structuralism theory. This study used qualitative method. The data collected from folklores and descriptive texts in “Muatan Lokal Pelajaran Bahasa Muna untuk SMP/Mts” textbooks of Muna language. In collecting the data, the researcher used several steps; identified phrases in folklores and texts and obtained them, classified the phrases into 5 classes. In analysing the data, the researcher identified the constituents that formed the phrase, described and made a formula for the constituent, analysed the constituent and last drew conclusion and reported the result. The result of this study showed there are 15 structures of noun phrase. The heads were noun, pronoun, proper noun, or relative pronoun and the modifiers include a suffix of possessive adjective (“-no”, “-ku”, etc.), determiners (Art + N, NumP + N, IndP + N, and N + Dem), adjectives (N + Adj), and certain nouns (N + Nm). There are 17 structures of verb phrase. The heads were intransitive verb, transitive verb, or adjective. The head can be presented after premodifier adverb/negation or before the postmodifier adverb (Adv/Neg + V, V + Adv). There are 4 structures of adverbial phrase. It was made up by two adverbs, premodifier adverb comes before postmodifier adverb (Adv + Adv). There are 2 structures of adjective phrase; (Adj + Adv) and (Adv + Adj). There are 2 structures of prepositional phrase. It was made up by a preposition which is followed by a noun phrase or locative noun (P + N/NP).