Why do people misspell this?
This error occurs due to confusion in applying phoneme assimilation rules. Linguistically, base words beginning with the letters p, t, k, and s (PTKS) must be suppressed or assimilated if followed by a vowel when given the 'MeN-' prefix. However, many speakers feel that retaining the 't' provides stronger emphasis on the base word.
Etymology & History
The root of this word comes from the noun 'terjemah', borrowed from the Arabic 'tarjamah' (ترجمة), meaning the transfer of meaning from one language to another. In Indonesian grammar, this word takes the prefix 'MeN-'.
Cultural Context
In a social context, the form 'menterjemahkan' is often perceived as more formal or intellectual by some segments of society despite being technically incorrect. This phenomenon indicates a linguistic resistance toward assimilation rules that are thought to obscure the identity of the base word in daily communication.
Usage Context
“Seorang ahli bahasa bertugas untuk menerjemahkan dokumen hukum tersebut ke dalam bahasa Indonesia yang baku.”
A linguist is responsible for translating the legal document into standard Indonesian.