From Theory to Practice: A Contrastive Analysis of English and Indonesian Noun Clauses for Educators and Learners

Abstract

This study conducts a contrastive analysis of noun clauses in English and Indonesian, focusing on their structural and functional characteristics. Given the fact that both of them have different verbal patterns, it is interesting enough to have a look at their nominal clauses, which should be one of the linguistic focuses based on their functional relationship towards the major elements involved in the process. Using a qualitative descriptive method, the research examined noun clauses from English and Indonesian context. The analysis revealed significant similarities in the functionality and positioning of noun clauses in both languages, serving as subjects, objects, objects of prepositions, and subjective complements. Both languages employ specific connector words to introduce noun clauses, although with some variations in usage. Key differences emerge in the contextual usage of connector words and the explicitness of prepositions, with Indonesian tending towards more direct expressions and explicit preposition use compared to English. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the linguistic structures in both languages and have implications for language teaching and learning. It is recommended that learners avoid using easily accessed helping verbs only in English noun clauses. For more emphasis, learners should also practice using modal sentences and modals themselves. A suggestion to avoid critical examination times of tenses and moods, and singular and plural noun forms, especially for Bahasa-speaking learners, should be facilitated by more language exposure. The Indonesian language has no relative pronouns, and almost all that is required are prepositional pronouns. With respect to this feature, the insertion of conjunctions and the use of 'that' can be good alternatives. Generally, fewer errors are made by inserting conjunctions, but they could also be indicated.