Dense process nominalization
The peN-...-an pattern transforms transitive verbs into abstract nouns that focus on the process or execution of an action. It is a hallmark of formal, academic, and bureaucratic Malay.
How It Works
The peN-...-an nominalization chain is used to create 'dense process nominals.' It is primarily derived from verbs that use the meN- prefix.
1. Morphophonemic Rules:
The nasal 'N' changes based on the first letter of the root word, following the same rules as the meN- prefix:
- pe-: Before l, m, n, ng, ny, r, w (e.g., pelaksanaan from laksana).
- pem-: Before b and replaces p (e.g., pembentukan from bentuk).
- pen-: Before c, d, j, z and replaces t (e.g., pendengaran from dengar).
- peng-: Before g, h, vowels, and replaces k (e.g., penggunaan from guna).
- peny-: Replaces s (e.g., penyusunan from susun).
- penge-: For monosyllabic roots (e.g., pengecatan from cat).
2. Dropping Suffixes:
When a verb with -kan or -i is nominalized using this pattern, the suffixes are removed. For example, mencadangkan (to suggest) becomes pencadangan (the act of suggesting).
3. Usage and Register:
This pattern is extremely common in formal writing (news, law, academia) but is rarely used in casual conversation. It allows writers to discuss abstract concepts and actions as subjects or objects in a sentence.
4. Process vs. Result (peN-...-an vs per-...-an):
It is crucial to distinguish this from per-...-an. Generally, peN-...-an relates to transitive meN- verbs (the act of doing something to an object), while per-...-an relates to intransitive ber- verbs.
Consider the root kembang:
- Pengembangan (from mengembangkan): The active development or expansion of something (e.g., developing a product).
- Perkembangan (from berkembang): The growth or evolution of something (e.g., the development of a child).
Examples (4)
- Pelaksanaan projek itu akan bermula pada bulan hadapan.
The implementation of that project will begin next month.
Word by Word: Implementation project that will begin at month front.
Here, 'pelaksanaan' (from 'laksana') describes the process of implementing the project.
- Penggunaan teknologi digital telah mengubah cara kita bekerja.
The use of digital technology has changed the way we work.
Word by Word: Usage technology digital already change way we work.
'Penggunaan' (from 'guna') refers to the act or process of using technology.
- Pihak polis sedang menjalankan penyiasatan rapi.
The police are conducting a thorough investigation.
Word by Word: Side police progressive carry out investigation thorough.
'Penyiasatan' (from 'siasat') describes the ongoing process of investigating.
- Proses penyusunan jadual itu mengambil masa yang lama.
The process of arranging that schedule takes a long time.
Word by Word: Process arrangement schedule that take time which long.
'Penyusunan' (from 'susun') emphasizes the act of organizing or arranging.
Common Mistakes
Retaining verbal suffixes like -kan or -i in the nominalized form.
pelaporankanpelaporanWhen nominalizing a verb with peN-...-an, the verbal suffixes -kan and -i are dropped. For example, 'melaporkan' (to report) becomes 'pelaporan' (reporting), not 'pelaporankan'.
Failing to elide (drop) the initial letters P, T, K, or S.
penkembanganpengembanganJust like the meN- prefix, the 'k' in 'kembang' must be replaced by the 'ng' sound in the peN- prefix.
Using peN-...-an as a verb.
Kerajaan sedang pembangunan negara.Kerajaan sedang membangunkan negara.PeN-...-an creates a noun. You cannot use it with 'sedang' to mean 'is developing'; you must use the verbal form 'membangunkan'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The peN-...-an nominalization chain is a formal Malay feature where complex verbs (often causative or applicative) are turned into nouns. To understand this, a learner must first be comfortable with the basic peN-...-an process noun, the nasalization rules for the peN- prefix, and how these relate to the underlying active verb forms like meN-...-kan.
- peN-...-anProcess Nouns with PeN-...-an
The nominalization chain is an extension of the basic peN-...-an process noun construction applied to complex verbal roots.
Level 3 - meN-...-kanCausative MeN-...-kan
Dense process nominalization often involves causative verbs (meN-...-kan) being transformed into nouns, where the peN- prefix replaces the meN- prefix.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- peN-People and Tools with PeN-
The peN- prefix alone creates the person or tool (agent) performing the action, while peN-...-an creates the process noun.
Level 2 - peN-...-an / per-...-anChoosing Process Nominalizers
These two are often confused; peN-...-an usually relates to meN- verbs (process), while per-...-an often relates to ber- verbs (state/result).
Level 4 - -anResult or Object Nouns with -an
The suffix -an alone typically creates nouns representing the result or object of an action, rather than the process.
Level 2 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The nasal assimilation rules for peN-...-an are identical to those used for the meN- active verb prefix.
Level 2 - Agency in formal nominalizations
In formal Malay, using peN-...-an allows a writer to discuss an action without explicitly naming who is doing it.
Level 6
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dense process nominalization in Bubblegum
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