Satisfying the Minimal Size of Banjarese Prefixes through Vowel Lengthening and Glottal Insertion

This article aims to analyse the minimal size of Banjarese prefixes, a language native to people in South Kalimantan. In written form, most prefixes exist in the open syllable form, though there are some that exist in the closed syllable form. Data gathered through a word list method has shown that Banjarese prefixes seem to take the same form, which is monosyllabic bimoraic. This size is satisfied through two different processes, namely vowel lengthening and glottal insertion. Vowel lengthening happens when a prefix is followed by a root with an initial consonant segment. On the other hand, glottal insertion happens when a prefix is followed by a root with an initial vowel segment. Since most Banjarese prefixes are open syllables, a sequence of adjacent vowels (one from the prefix and one from the root) known as vowel hiatus will emerge. In order to overcome this vowel hiatus, a glottal segment is inserted between these two vowels. From this analysis, it is shown that Banjarese is one of the languages that applies size restrictions to its prefixes. Stem-affix complementarity is also being shown by this language when the way minimal size is satisfied is determined by the initial segment of the root. This study is hoped to add some value to the previous studies as well as become a pioneer for upcoming studies.