Details
General
| Morphemic form: | V{-utaq}N |
| New orthography: | -utaq, -qutaq, -qqutaq, -lutaq |
| Old orthography: | -utaĸ, -ĸutaĸ, -rĸutaĸ, -lutaĸ |
| Sources: |
[9]
[11]
[10]
|
| Combinations: | Click here |
| Constituents: | V{-(cc)utə}N, ?, |
| Left sandhi: | Truncative,
/aq/ deleting,
Truncative,
Irregular,
|
| Right sandhi: | Default/none,
|
| Inflection sandhi: | Geminating,
|
| Stem type: | Weak q-stem |
Description and behaviour
Form and usage:
According to Kleinschmidt [9] and Schultz-Lorentzen [10] , this affix is a non-productive variant of V{-(cc)utə}N, i.e. 'tool/means for Vb'ing'. It is unclear what (if any) difference, there is in meaning.
Etymology:
This affix is not listed in the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [15] .
However, according to Kleinschmidt [9] and Schultz-Lorentzen [10] , it is derived from -ut, i.e. V{-(cc)utə}N, although these authors do not explain what the final component is.
Given the meaning, it could be N{-aq}N, 'thing resembling' or N{taq}N 'thing pertaining to'.
However, how this combination should yield the present form is unclear.
An entirely different hypothesis is that it could be a variant form of the passive participle of the affix V{-(cc)ut(ə)}V, which normally yields -(ss)ussaq. However, Kleinschmidt [9] does mention, that it also may have the form -taq, which thus could yield the present form. This construction does not explain the meaning, nor the geminating inflection sandhi behaviour, though.
Alternative forms:
Kleinschmidt [9] , Schultz-Lorentzen [10] and Ordbogeeraq [11] also list two variants of this affix: -ĸutaĸ, -rĸutaĸ and -lutaĸ, i.e. -qutaq, -qqutaq, -lutaq, with no difference in meaning.
These only appear to be used in a few cases:
- nalunaa(q)qutaq from {nalunaiq}V; and najoqqutaq from {najuq}V.
- oqimaalutaq from {uqimait}V.
These are the only cases in Oqaatsit [13] , where -qutaq, -lutaq appear in lexicalised stems, that seem to have been created from verbal stems. There are a few other examples, oqimaloqutaq and nalequtaq, where it is unclear what the stem is, and whether it is nominal or verbal. Most of the examples of -qutaq occurring therein seem instead to have been built from a nominal stem; for this, see N{-qutaq}N. As these examples are few, and with no clear difference in meaning, we shall not here attempt to account for these alternative, non-productive forms, but merely note that they exist.
Left sandhi:
The affix is regularly truncative. However, as mentioned, there are some irregularly formed words, where the affix instead appears as -(q)qutaq and -lutaq. As the examples are very few, it is not possible to find a pattern explaining these alternative forms. One possibility, though, is the following:
- The form -(q)qutaq appears on original q-stems, which may be by influence from N{-qutaq}N.
- The form -lutaq appears on original t-stems, as in {uqimailutaq}N from {uqimait}V.
- Otherwise, (i.e. with k-stems and vowel stems), the form -utaq is used.
However, this should only be seen as a hypothesis.
Inflection sandhi:
This affix has a rare form of gemination, where /t/ doubles to /tt/. For example:
- nalunaa(q)qutaq, nalunaa(q)quttat.
This is unusual, since /t/ is not a fricative, and therefore normally does not geminate.
Inflection
Declension pattern
| Declension type: | p-declined |
| Declension sandhi: | Geminating |
| Gemination type: | t⇒tt |
| Stem before consonant | Stem before vowel | Notable forms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New orthography | -utta | -uta |
-utaq
-uttap
-uttat
|
| Phonemic orthography | -utta | -uta |
-utaq
-uttap
-uttat
|
Notes on declension:
This is the inflection for the form -utaq. We do not show inflections for the other, variant forms -qutaq, -lutaq, since they are similar, except for the initial consonant.
Meanings and examples
Kleinschmidt [9] describes the meaning of -qutaq as a variant of -qut, which he translates as 'something by which the Subject is caused to be thus', but given the examples, it is unclear whether or how this differs from the meaning of the other variants.
- nammaataq, carrying strap (with a band over the forehead)
[10]
From nammappaa, nammappoq (nangmagpâ, nangmagpoĸ), 'he carries something on his back'.
- nivaataq, shovel
[10]
From nivappaa, nivappoq (nivagpâ, nivagpoĸ), 'he shovels snow'.
- pituutaq, rein (for a sled dog)
[10]
From pituppaa (pitugpâ), 'he ties him to something'.
- issiaataq, skin to sit on (in a kayak); saddle
[11]
From issiavoq, 'he sits'.
- nalunaaqutaq, watch/clock
[10]
From nalunaarpoq, 'he announces something', from nalunarpoq, 'it is unknown/unknowable' and V{-iq}V. Presumably, a clock is a thing that announces something, namely the time. Note that Schultz-Lorentzen [10] spells this nalunaerĸutaĸ, i.e. nalunaaqqutaq in the new orthography. Kleinschmidt [9] mentions this spelling too under the entry for -qutaq, and nalunaaqqut, but this spelling does not appear in newer dictionaries. This may be influenced by the lexicalised word nalunaaqqut, 'mark/sign', cf. V{(q)qutə}N.
- oqimaalutaq, weight; pound
[10]
I.e., weight for a scale. Lexicalised, from {uqimait}V, i.e. oqimaappoq, 'it is heavy'. Note that this example uses the form -lutaq, with initial /l/, but there is no explanation for why this is the case.