Conveyed and Unconveyed Meaning of "MAKSUT LO?"

#1

A asked B about something  he did not not understand well. A: “Pencernaan kimiawi dimulai dari mulut, memecah karbohidrat jadi disakarida ” B: “Maksud lo?”

A: “Mulut itu kan punya enzim, namanya ptialin, jadi dia bisa memecah zat karbohidrat menjadi disakarida, contohnya sukrosa...”

B: “Oo gitu, aku paham sekaraang!”

It is considered as literal meaning of ‘maksud lo’. Thus, it has falling intonation—truly interrogative. The speaker is literally say this to ask hearers about the information he/she has just heard. Speakers are curious about it and simply need to get the answer from his/ her question which is ‘maksud lo?’

#2

A said that Mr.X, his biology lecturer moved into another school. He already heard and he was so  surprised. 

A: “Pak X udah nggak ngajar di sekolah ini lagi lho”

B: “Hah? Maksud lo?”

A: “Yaa beliau udah pindah, nggak ngajar kita lagi...”

In this case, the use of ‘maksud lo’ has been modified to convey surprise. The speaker’s intention is not merely asking the information but speakers try to express that what they have already heard is something they do not expect/ believe.

#3

B wants to convey something he is not very sure. Therefore, he says his supposition to B.

A: “Nonton The Avengers di Cinema XX1 yuk”

B: “Tiketnya mahal”

A: “Siapa bilang lo harus bayar tiket?”

B: “Maksut lo........lo mau bayarin gue?”

‘Maksud lo’ is used by speakers to say something they are not very sure. It is expected that hearers can respond toward speakers’ guess concerning a particular thing which the hearers probably know. It is usually followed by either hearer’s or speaker’s guess.

#4

A gossiped B and his ex. B was very angry because what was told by A was all fake.

A: “Eh, tahu nggak sih kalo si B itu masih ngejar-ngejar mantannya..”

C: “Waah, iyakah? Gimana, gimana?”

A: “Iya, si B masih suka telpon, sms-an, jemput mantannya gitu...”

B: “Eh, A, maksud lo apa hah?”

The use of ‘maksud lo’ is also found in a respond toward the insulted utterances. Someone may say something rude and offensive then the speakers react with this kind of utterance. It is not intended to ask him/her to say that insulted utterance again, or even explain what it means exactly. It is just the speaker who is really insulted and perhaps simply gives a scolding for him/her.

#5

A was going to have the final examination and he would like to study. However, B was very busy of playing cars. A was annoyed.

A: (studying)

B: “Buuum, buum, ngeeeeeng (playing cars)”

A: “Sst...”

B: “Ciiiiiit, brrm brrrm, ngeeeeng”

A: “Heeeei, MAKSUD LOOO?”

The purpose by uttering ‘maksud lo’ may be recognized as the condition of speakers who are not willing to be disturbed. They can be angry and make it slower in pronouncing such utterances. People use this way to give more emphasis instead of simply saying ‘what’s on earth are you doing here?’

A PRAGMATICS task. Having this course is somewhat ridiculous by ‘keep staring’ on what people have already said  :D