Details

General

Morphemic form: N{kci}V
New orthography: -ssivoq
Old orthography: -gssivoĸ
Sources: [12, 14]
Combinations: Click here
Constituents: N{kcaq}N, N{-li}V,
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Assibilation (t⇒s),
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: Vowel stem
Diathesis: Subjective
Valency change: None
Valency:
Avalent,
Monovalent,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The meaning of this affix is 'Actor behaves just like N'. However, it can also be used in an avalent, impersonal sense: 'it is (stereo)typical for N to act like that'.

The origin of the affix is unknown: It does not appear in older dictionaries, i.e. neither Kleinschmidt (1871) nor Schultz-Lorentzen (1958). The earliest mention is in Ordbogeeraq (1951), where it is recorded as -gssivoĸ. This suggests that the affix is a recent combination. However, it is not mentioned in the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary, so it is not clear how it was formed. Given the old-orthography spelling and the meaning, I suspect that the first morpheme may be N{kcaq}N, and followed by a second morpheme which has caused removal of the final /aq/. My best guess here is that the second morpheme may be N{-li}V, 'become', even though this morpheme does not normally cause /VC/ drop and fusion. Thus, the recorded combination here should be viewed as a hypothesis.


Meanings and examples

  • Jensissivoq, it is typical for Jensi to act in that way [14]
  • arnassivoq, it is typical for a woman to behave like that [14]

  • kalassivoq, he acts like a stereotypical Greenlander [14]

    From kalak, which is a somewhat derogatory term for a stereotypical (old-fashioned) Greenlander.

  • angutissivoq, he acts like men typically do [14]