Comparative language
Every language needs ways to compare and describe
things - to decide which is better or worse, longer or shorter, older or
younger. In English we often do this by adding an '-er' suffix to the
adjective.
In Indonesian, it is done by using 'lebih ... dari
pada' for 'more ...than'' or 'kurang ... dari pada'
for 'less ... than'. 'Lebih' is almost always followed by an adjective.
Give students the comparative
language sheet (in Word or PDF). Share and
discuss their work.
Share these further examples with
students:
- 'lebih banyak' which means 'more' (in number). For
example, Ada lebih banyak rumah di dekat pantai ini.
- 'lebih dari' which means 'more than'. For example,
Penyu jantan kawin dengan lebih dari satu betina pada musim kawin.
- 'lebih lanjut'
which means 'further'. For example,
Klik di sini untuk informasi lebih lanjut.
Have students noted the examples of 'lebih'
and 'kurang' phrases in Perjalanan berbahaya as they find them.
Further extensions would be to
introduce:
- the superlative - comparing more than two
things. This is usually done in English by adding the suffix '-est' to
the adjective. For example, 'smallest', 'oldest'.
In Indonesian this is done in two ways: by adding the prefix 'ter-' or
using the word 'paling' before the adjective. For example, 'pohon yang
tertinggi' or 'pohon yang paling tinggi'
- comparing two objects that are the same. In
English we might say 'as ... as'. For example, 'as big as'. In
Indonesian we add the prefix 'se' to the adjective. For example, 'sebesar'.
Have students work in collaborative groups to write a
range of comparative sentences using known vocabulary. Each sentence
written correctly could be worth one point, with an extra point given
for any correct sentence expressing facts about the Leatherback turtle
using comparative language. For example, Penyu-penyu
(Leatherback turtles) berenang lebih jauh dari pada kura-kura lain.
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