Analysis of Standard Indonesian Lexical Borrowing in the Ambai Language

Abstract

This study examined the incorporation of loanwords into the Ambai language, particularly from Indonesian and Dutch. The findings show that most borrowed words belong to the noun category, including terms related to household tools, clothing, food, and daily necessities. These loanwords have been fully integrated into Ambai speakers’ daily communication, with slight phonetic adaptations. However, the study also reveals that borrowed verbs are rare, indicating that while nouns are easily adopted, verbs may require more structural modifications to fit Ambai grammar. This research employs a descriptive analysis approach, focusing on spoken language data. The data were collected using elicitation, where researchers presented sentences in Papuan Malay to informants to identify borrowed lexical items. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of language contact and adaptation, demonstrating how the Ambai language integrates external influences while preserving its unique linguistic identity. Sentence examples illustrate how loanwords function within Ambai syntax, showing their phonetic and morphological adaptation while maintaining their original meanings. This study contributes to understanding language contact and borrowing, highlighting how Ambai speakers preserve their linguistic identity while incorporating external influences.