The Function of Balinese Suffix

By Wayan Sidhakarya, Dosen STIBA Saraswati Denpasar
The suffix - ang is a verbal case marking in the Balinese language. Its existence as a suffix of the verb has a functional syntactic load which can be categorized into three main semantic criteria, i.e. transitive, causative and benefactive. A transitive verb might be made out various roots or stems. Semantically the effect of this type of transitive construction is on the agent of the doer of the action. When the effect is on the object the result is affected object or causing something to change its state of appearance. The root of the verb may have already been a transitive verb. In this case the additional of - ang would increase its transitivity by the bringing in more argument or valency of the verb. This is when the verb becomes a benefactive verb.