Details

General

Morphemic form: N{Cyuminaq}V
New orthography: -kkuminarpoq
Old orthography: '-kuminarpoĸ
Combinations: Click here
See also: V{yuminaq}V,
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: Subjective
Valency change: None
Valency:
Monovalent,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The meaning of this affix is 'Actor is good for/as N'. Surprisingly, it seems to be used monovalently (at least with 3rd person subjects), despite containing V{naq}V, which is normally only used in an avalent sense.

This affix is formed through a combination of V{yuminaq}V, 'is good/easy to Vb' and some unknown verbalising morpheme N{C}V, which must consist of a single consonant, causing /Cy/ to become [kk]. Unfortunately, the old orthography gives no indication of what this morpheme may be, and the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary does not explain it either: it simply mentions that {yuminaq-} has the form {kkuminaq-} on noun stems in Kalaallisut. I suspect, the unknown morpheme might be N{-gə}V, having fused with V{yuminaq}V through an irregular drop of /ə/, but this is currently unverified. Hence, the initial consonant is now simply given as /C/, representing an arbitrary, unknown consonant phoneme.


Meanings and examples

  • nerisakkuminarpoq, it is good/suitable as food
  • atsakkuminarpoq, she is a nice aunt (to have)
  • ikinngutikkuminarpoq, he is a good friend (to have)
  • nunakkuminarpoq, it is a good country (to live in)

References