Details
General
| Morphemic form: | N{(q)viaq}N |
| New orthography: | +piaq, -rpiaq |
| Old orthography: | -piaĸ, -rpiaĸ |
| Sources: | [13, 17, 16, 19] |
| Combinations: | View list |
| Constituents: | ? + N{-vik}N + N{-aq}N |
| Variants: | *{-qviaq}, V{(q)viaq}V, N{(q)viaq}V |
| Left sandhi: | Default |
| Right sandhi: | Default/none, /aq/ drop |
| Inflection sandhi: | Default/none |
| Stem type(s): | Weak q-stem |
Description and behaviour
Form and usage:
The meaning of this affix is 'precisely N' or 'real(ly), exactly N' or similar. According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [21], it derives from the same historical morpheme as N{-vik}N, 'real N', but unlike that affix, the present affix always has its initial consonant strengthened to [p]. Thus, there is an epenthetic /q/, which is injected whenever the affix is added to a vowel. The second component is not explained in the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [21], but it is likely N{-aq}N, which is commonly used to derive a variant form with a more specialised meaning.
The present affix is sometimes also used on particles and even on top of endings, thus behaving like an enclitic. We record this usage separately; see *{-qviaq}. There is also a verbal variant with a related meaning; see V{(q)viaq}V and N{(q)viaq}V.
Left sandhi:
Some of the examples in Kleinschmidt [13] seem to indicate that this affix could be used truncatively, i.e. having the form N{-qviaq}N, thus always preferring the consonant /q/ in front of it. However, in Oqaatsit [19], this does not appear to be the case. Thus, we record the affix here as default (additive) with an epenthetic /q/, since this presumably reflects the present-day usage.
Right sandhi:
According to Kleinschmidt [13], the absolutive 3sg/sg possessive form of this affix may be either -rpiaa (regular) or -rpia (with aq-drop). Thus, it seems that this affix may optionally drop /aq/ before at least this ending. However, this is likely not used nowadays.
Inflection
Declension pattern:
| Stem type: | Weak q-stem |
| Declension type: | p-declined |
| Declension sandhi: | Default/none |
| Stem before consonant | Stem before vowel | Notable forms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New orthography | +(r)pia | +(r)pia | +(r)piaq, +(r)piap, +(r)piat, |
| Phonemic orthography | (q)via | (q)via | (q)viaq, (q)viap, (q)viat, |
Notes on declension:
The inflection recorded here is just the regular p-declension of a weak q-stem. We do not record the optional /aq/ drop, since it does not appear to be used regularly.
Meanings and examples
Also with connotations of 'real'.
- noorpiaa, its real (i.e. exact) tip of the promontory
[13]
From nuuk, 'promontory'. Note that this is irregularly formed with deletion of the final /k/.
- qaarpiaa, its real/exact top point
[13]
I.e. of a mountain, from qaaq, 'surface'.
- nalerpiaa, a place that is exactly at the same level as it
[13]
From nali, here in the sense of 'level'. Also nalerpiaaniippoq, 'it is located exactly across from/opposite of it' (at the same level/height).
- nunarpia, his real home(land)
[16]
From nuna, 'land', and here with /aq/ drop before the ending.
- nunaqarfippiaq, the actual settlement
[19]
From nunaqarfik, 'settlement'. This is a newer example, where we see that the /q/ is not injected.