International Journal of Language and Linguistics 2015; 3(3): 110-115 Published online April 15, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijll) doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20150303.11 ISSN: 2330-0205 (Print); ISSN: 2330-0221 (Online) Contrastive Analysis of Between Mekongga and English Syntax Kadaruddin Abdul Kadir English Study Program, Teacher Training and Education Faculty, Sembilanbelas November University of Kolaka, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia Email address: s.kadaruddin@yahoo.com To cite this article: Kadaruddin Abdul Kadir. Contrastive Analysis of Between Mekongga and English Syntax. International Journal of Language and Linguistics. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2015, pp. 110-115. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20150303.11 Abstract: The contrastive analysis is usually used in a foreign language acquisition research. The contrastive analysis is also used in linguistics level, for instance in morphology, syntax, and semantics. This research was conducted to provide useful information which was expected to give contribution in teaching of English especially at SMAN 1 Wundulako. The result of the research is expected to be useful to improve the teaching of English and to develop teachers’ professionalism itself. Other reason for this research is to give benefit for the next researcher. Based on the above statements, the researcher is interested in analyzing the patterns and types of Mekongga language sentences compared to English language sentences; moreover, to overcome problems which was found by the native speakers of Mekongga in studying English language. The design of study was a qualitative descriptive research. The data of Mekongga language sentences were obtained from free stories, linguistic books, informants, and from the researcher itself. The data concerning difficulties which might be faced by the native speakers of Mekongga in studying English language sentences were obtained by carrying out a translation test from Mekongga to English language. Mekongga sentences consist of two types of model, namely kernel sentences and derived or transform sentences. The result showed that the pattern of Mekongga kernel sentences is the same as the English’s; however, the patterns of Mekongga derived sentences are different from English sentences. Besides, the use of verbs, auxiliary verbs, article, determiner, noun phrase formulation, possessive pronoun formulation, the using of negative marker, and question words were also become distinctive features for both languages. Those differences become problems faced by the native speakers of Mekongga in studying English language sentences. Based on that, a teacher, particularly English language teacher in Kolaka district, need to improve his/her ability to overcome students’ difficulties in studying English, for instance by emphasizing in the presentation at difficult part of the subject matter and on the exercises which was prepared for the students. Keywords: Contrastive, Mekongga, English, Syntax 1. Introduction Indonesian society in general belongs to bilingual society, they master first language (L1) regional language and second language (L2) Indonesian language. nevertheless, the mastery of both languages varies according to Indonesian society development. Mekongga language is one of the local languages in Indonesia. It has the same status as the other local languages in Indonesia. It is one of the local languages used as a communication tool in Wundulako Sub-district Kolaka city Southeast Sulawesi Province. English is spoken through out the world. It is taught in all junior and senior high schools as a required subject, even in some elementary schools in Indonesia. It has a position in the educational system in Indonesia. Students from different kinds of level have to learn English because it is also one of selection tests to enter a university. These indicate the importance of English in the educational system in Indonesia. Teaching English as a foreign language faces some problems. One of the main problems is teaching syntax. Syntax as one of language components is also taught to support writing and speaking skill. Without having good and correct forms, it will bring a bad influence on them. Mothertongue influences towards foreign language or on the contrary can happen in every system or language element because speaker uses system or mothertongue element in using foreign language. Language system that is used can be in the form of phonological system, morphological system,