The Kinship of Karo, Pakpak and Gayo Language

Abstract

Aims: To investigate and to know the kinship of Karo, Pakpak and Gayo language. Study Design:  This research used quantitative research Place and Duration of Study: Medan, North Sumatera, March 2022-June 2022 Methodology: In this case, the writers used a lexicostatistic approach to determine the level of kinship in Karo, Pakpak, and Gayo languages ​​by comparing the vocabulary contained in these languages ​​and then seeing and determining the similarity of the vocabulary of the three languages. In this case, the basic swadesh vocabulary of 200 words was used to determine the percentage of cognates. Results: The result of the research shown that the kindship of Karo and Pakpak is at family level. The number of cognate words of Karo and Pakpak 140 word and non-cognate 60 words. Furthermore, the kinship of Pakpak and Gayo is at family level with the number of kindship of Pakpak and Gayo 82 words and non-cognate 118 words and the kinship of Pakpak and Gayo is at family level with the number of kindship of Pakpak and Gayo 76 words and non-cognate 124 words. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was found that the level of kinship between Karo and Pakpak languages was 70% with a separation period about 500-2500 years ago. From this percentage, it can be stated that Karo and Pakpak languages have a close relationship. While the level of kinship between Pakpak and Gayo languages is 41% whereas Karo Gayo 38%, it means that the kinship relationship between Pakpak and Gayo languages and also Karo and Gayo Language are not close even though the relationship between the two languages belongs to the family. However, if it is seen from the percentage, both of them is not close. And the separation period of Pakpak and Gayo languages was around 500-2500 years ago. This means that the two languages have been separated for a long time.