73 The possible causes the misconception would be analyzed from the students’
background knowledge of Indonesian and English language which possibly affected the students’ production of articles. The researcher found that one of the
causes was a process of mixing their English and Indonesian language background knowledge, which led the students to make errors. Further explanation of the
possible causes of the addition will be elaborated in the two subchapters below.
a. The Absence of Plural Generic Nouns in Indonesian Language
Analyzing the students’ possible background knowledge of Indonesian language, the researcher assumed that several students who addedthe for plural generic
nouns might have been affected by the absence of plural generic nouns in Indonesian language. This assumption was supported by the statement from
Moeliono and Dardjowidjojo. They state that the words marking plurality, such as repeated words or para, are not acceptable for generic nouns in Indonesian
language Moeliono and Dardjowidjojo, 1988 :201. Those words are usually used for definite nouns. The detailed explanation is elaborated in the explanation of the
examples in table 4.10.
Table 4.10: The Use of Indonesian Plural Nouns in the Test
No Concept
Indonesian sentences The Correct English Sentences
Correct Answer
1. Plural generic
nouns 73 Unicorn hanya ada di
dongeng-dongeng.taken from the test part II,number
7 A unicorn only exists in
tales. 58.96
2. Plural definite
nouns
74 Para pemenang olimpiade
matematika akan tiba di bandara Adi Sucipto pagi
ini. Ini adalah suatu kehormatan bagiku.
The winners of mathematic Olympic will arrive at Adisucipto airport this
morning, and I will be their guide. This is an honor for me.
87.26
74 Table 4.10 shows the comparison of the use of plural nouns in Indonesian
language. The first example was taken from the item for plural generic nouns, and the second example was taken from the item for plural definite noun. According
to Moeliono and Dardjowidjojo 1988, the acceptable use of the plural words is in the second example. In Indonesian language, plural words refer to definite
noun.
The phrase para pemenang olimpiade matematikareferred to the winners of
mathematic Olympic recently of which reference was already understood by both speaker and listener. Those phrase did not refer to all winners mathematic
Olympic in the world.
The researcher assumed that when the students did the test, there was a translation process in students’ mind. The Indonesian grammar rule of the plural nouns was
already set in several students’ mind unconsciously. Subsequently, when they found a plural noun, they translate it as a definite noun. When the students were
asked to choose an article for plural generic noun Ø, they chose the article for plural definite noun the. Thus, the students translated dongeng-dongeng to
fairytales and add the before it since they thought it was a plural definite noun. In other words, the students who added the for plural generic nouns might not aware
that plural nouns could be used as either generic or definite nouns in English.
75
The first example,Unicorn hanya ada di dongeng-dongeng
,
actually violated Indonesian grammar rules. However, it was done since the researcher intended to
give a clue for the students that the intended answer was in the form of a plural noun. It was effective for most students, yet several students may still feel
awkward with the sentence.
In overall, the students who added the for plural generic nouns might not have realized that plural nouns were not only for definite nouns. The rule that plural
words were for definite nouns in Indonesian language led the students to answer the items for plural definite nouns correctly. At the same time, it led the students
to make an error on answering the items for plural generic nouns. This could be proven from the difference of the correct answer percentage of the plural generic
nouns 58.96 and plural definite nouns 87.26.
b. The Students’ Hesitation in Choosing the Correct Article
