AN EXAMINATION OF PHONOLOGICAL CHANGES AND VARIATIONS IN THE DAYAK BAKUMPAI BUNTOK LANGUAGE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand and illustrate the phonological changes and their implications in the Dayak Bakumpai Buntok language. Using a qualitative approach, examples were precisely analyzed leading to explanations encompassing Diphthongization, Monophthongisation, Prothesis, Epenthesis, Apheresis, Apocope, Metathesis, and Phonotactics. The study illuminated the unique features of the language through various examples. For instance, the transformation from “Pahit,” meaning bitter in English, to “Bapait” underwent systematic linguistic modifications including the addition of a diphthong and removal of a consonant indicating a departure from convention in Bahasa Indonesia. In understanding these phonological changes, the study further underscores the intricate and multifaceted dimensions of the Dayak Bakumpai Buntok language and provides significant insights into the understanding of broader linguistic trends in the region. The research reveals how a deeper understanding of these processes could offer a more profound appreciation for linguistic diversity and richness in the context of Southeast Asia.