QUESTION WORDS IN THE INTERROGATIVE CONSTRUCTION IN JAVANESE: IN X-BAR THEORY

Abstract

This study examines the syntactic behavior of question words (tembung pitakon) in the interrogative construction in Javanese. This study aimed to analyze the question words of all interrogative types in the language. Therefore, the research data cover question words known as tembung pitakon in Javanese which are derived from the relevant literature. The theoretical framework used in this study is the X-bar theory proposed by Haegeman (1992). The data analysis techniques used in this research were distributed methods which use the language element determination tool itself. The results show that the Javanese partial sentence has a grammatical and complementary grammatical function, while the total question sentence has a complement function. Javanese question words can be constructed by specifier, complements, and adverbials. The Javanese question sentence formed by specifier functions as an internal structure occupied by the NP and joined by I’ to form an IP. Furthermore, the question words formed by complement functions as an internal structure occupied by PP or NP and joined by V to form the first V'. Finally, the question words formed by adverbial functions as an internal structure that can be occupied by PP or NP to join the first V' then form the second V'

Keywords

• syntax, interrogative construction, javanese, x-bar theory