Page:An introduction to Indonesian linguistics, being four essays.djvu/72

 60 103. In the case of substantival word-bases there are probably no limitations whatsoever. 104. In regard to adjectival word-bases there is much divergence betAveen the different IN languages. In many languages, e.g. Mal., Gayo, and Tettum, we find no sort of limitation in this matter either. In other languages, however, the adjectival word-base, in order to fit it for use in a sentence, has to undergo some extension, which mostly consists in the prefixing of the formative ma-, as Humboldt (“Kawisprache”, II, 77 seqq.) rightly showed. In Mlg. a minority of the adjectives needs no such extension, but the majority requires ma- ; in Toba ma- can be added or omitted, but in the latter case the accent is thrown on to the final syllable; “this tree is high” is accordingly expressed by matimbo hau on or timbó hau on. — And similarly in other languages.

Examples of adjectival word-bases used in the sentence without any further formative: Mai., Hang Tuah, edited by Niemann, p. 49: bĕndahara mantĕri yaṅ tuwa, baraṅ sĕmbah ña harus-lah diturut = “The Bĕndahara ( = chief minister) is a councillor who (is) aged, every word of his (therefore) should be comphed with”. — Mlg., the text Ny Fambara in Julien's grammar, p. 158: nisi kusa natauni-hue fambara sua = “There were also good omens, so-called”. — Mak., Jayalangkara, l : baraṅ bajik aq aqbaine maraeṅ = “(It were) perhaps well (that) I marry another (one)”.

105. In many IN languages the verbal word-base is an imperative :