Chapter 10
Modifications to argument structure
Madurese contains two suffixes that have been referred to as applicative suffix-
es in other Indonesian languages. The suffix -e, which carries a general locative
meaning, is cognate to Indonesian -i and Javanese -(n)i. The suffix -agi is a bit
more difficult to pin down. Cognate to Indonesian -kan and Central Javanese -
ake, it occurs when benefactive, causative, instrumental, and other elements are
core arguments, that role depending on the argument structure and semantics of
the verb. Here the uses of these suffixes are detailed, along with causative con-
structions. The potential role that these suffixes play in the voice system is dis-
cussed in section 4.
1. ‘Locative’ -e
Of the two applicative suffixes, -e has a fairly constant use, with verbs taking a
locative argument. Its most common use is as a suffix on the verb of a clause in
which a locative argument which in basic structure occurs as a prepositional
object is a core argument, i.e. either subject or object.
1.1 Ditransitives
Locative -e is frequently used with ditransitive verbs such as kerem ‘send’, sa-
ba' ‘put’, toles ‘write (to)’, baca ‘read’, keba/giba ‘carry (to)’, juwal ‘sell’, nge-
din ‘let/give permission’, and others. This is illustrated in (1) and (2).
(1) a. Embuk ngerem paket ka Ebu'.
eld.sister AV.send package to mother
‘Big Sister sent a package to Mother.’
b. Embuk ngerem-e Ebu' paket.
eld.sister AV.send-LOC mother package
‘Big Sister sent Mother a package.’
(2) a. Ebu' nyaba' paket neng meja.
mother AV.put package at table
‘Mother put the package on the table.’