Details

General

Morphemic form: V{nəq}N (Combinations)
New orthography: +neq
Proto-eskimoic root: nəʀ
Morpheme type: Nominaliser
Left sandhi: ə-eliding (additive)
Right sandhi: None

Description

Form and usage:

Abstract participle, comparative/superlative of adjectival stems (stems of state). The CED actually records this as two different morphemes with exactly the same form, but it is not certain that it actually originally is two different morphemes. Regardless, I have here decided to record it as just one morpheme, but with different meanings, since the two forms also have the exact same sandhi behaviour.

Note that the affix N{-u}V 'is N' joins onto this affix with weakening of /q/ to /r/ (like a vowel-initial ending), instead of deleting /q/ as usual; i.e. V{nəq}N{-u}V ⇒ -neru-. Note also the specialised constructions with {ajuq}V, {sapiq}V, {nalu}V and {aqtuq}V, which are here registered as independent 'pseudo-affixes'.

Left sandhi:

This affix is usually additive (regular). However, on old ə-stems, it can optionally elide /ə/ and instead join onto the preceding consonant. This is seen in some lexicalised nouns formed with this affix, especially


Declension information

Stem type: Strong q-stem
Declension type: up-declined
Declension sandhi: Weakening
ABS.sg ERG.sg ERG.pl ALL.sg ABS.3sg/sg Special forms
New orthography +neq +nerup +nerit +nermut +nera
Phonemic notation nəq nərup nərit nəqmut nəra
Notes on declension:

Declension with weakening is the regular form of declension today. However, note that some older, lexicalised stems formed with this affix may instead decline with metathesis.


Stem type: Strong q-stem
Declension type: up-declined
Declension sandhi: Metathesis
ABS.sg ERG.sg ERG.pl ALL.sg ABS.3sg/sg Special forms
New orthography +neq +rngup +rngit +nermut +rnga
Phonemic notation nəq qnup qnit nəqmut qna
Notes on declension:

Declension with metathesis is mostly seen in older, lexicalised stems formed with this affix.


Meaning(s)

Meaning Notes
the act of Vb'ing This is the 'abstract participle' meaning; i.e., the affix creates a noun representing the verbal action itself. Note that for patient-preserving stems, this will require the addition of a HTR-morpheme before V{nəq}N. Examples
the Vb'ing of Possessor When used with possessive endings on divalent stems. This can either be understood in an active or passive sense:

  • If the stem is non-patient preserving, or if there is a HTR-morpheme, then the meaning is active; i.e. 'Possessor's (act of) Vb'ing'. Thus Possessor will be understood as the Agent of the verbal action.
  • If the stem is patient-preserving, and there is no HTR-morpheme, then the meaning is passive; i.e. 'Possessor's (act of) being Vb'ed.' Thus Possessor will be understood as the Patient of the verbal stem.

If the action is future, this is often expressed by adding the nominal future affix N{kcaq}N to V{nəq}N, before the possessive ending, rather than adding V{ssa}V to the verbal stem before V{nəq}N.

 Examples
while/during Possessor Vb'ed When used with possessive endings and the locative case; so literally 'in Possessor's Vb'ing'. Examples
before Possessor Vb'ed When preceeded by the negation affix V{ŋŋit}V, and used with possessive endings in the locative case; so literally 'in Possessor's not Vb'ing'. Examples
because of Vb'ing When used with the ablative case in singular. Some instead use the allative case in this sense. Examples
the more/most Vb'ing This is the comparative/superlative meaning (only useful when the affix is added to an 'adjectival' stem). Examples