Naturalness of verbs in Kupang Malay language

This paper investigates the naturalness of verbs in Kupang Malay Language (KML). It is introductory research that aims at knowing which verb is more natural: active verbs or passive verbs. The researcher conducted the current study using Morphological Naturalness (MN) Theory proposed by Mayerthaler (1981). Data of KML were taken randomly from Alkitab Bahasa Kupang, Tapaleuk column in Pos Kupang Newspaper, and directly from KML speakers. After gaining data, it was discussed using the descriptive qualitative method. The finding of the current research is as follows. Most active verbs in KML have got morphological markedness while passive verbs have not got markedness at all. Therefore, it is stated that passive verbs in KML are more natural than active verbs. The finding of the current research is proposed to be a pilot project in investigating the origin of KML, as an Austronesia language. 

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