Derivational suffixes in Leila S. Chudori’s Laut Bercerita

Abstract

This study investigates the use of derivational suffixes -kan, -an, and -nya in the novel Laut Bercerita by Leila S. Chudori from a morphological perspective. The research aims to identify their morphological structures, grammatical functions, semantic meanings, and emotional implications within the narrative. A qualitative descriptive method was employed, with data collected through intensive reading and note-taking techniques. The data consist of base words undergoing pure derivational processes through the attachment of a single suffix without prefixes or confixes. The findings reveal that the suffix -kan primarily forms causative and transitive verbs, reflecting intentional actions, emotional control, and psychological endurance. The suffix -an functions to derive nouns representing results, processes, and abstract emotional states such as memory, suffering, and artistic expression. Meanwhile, the suffix -nya serves as a possessive marker, definite marker, and nominalizer, contributing to referential clarity, intimacy, and emotional emphasis. Overall, the use of these derivational suffixes demonstrates high morphological productivity and plays a crucial role in expressing emotional depth, psychological tension, and socio-political experiences in the novel. This study concludes that derivational morphology is not merely a linguistic mechanism but a significant expressive device that enriches meaning beyond the lexical level in literary discourse.