Details

General

Morphemic form: V{(q)cuq}V
New orthography: +sorpoq, -rsorpoq
Old orthography: -rssorpoĸ
Combinations: Click here
Variants: N{(q)cuq}V,
See also: V{tuq}V,
Left sandhi:
Default,
ə-eliding,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,
HTR morpheme:
ði,
HTR stem: (q)cui,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix indicates 'repeated action' or that the action is performed 'one by one' or 'bit by bit' or similar. It is probably not commonly used in ordinary word construction nowadays, but it can be found in many lexicalised words.

The affix seems to be related, at least w.r.t. its meaning, to V{tuq}V, although they descend from different morphemes according to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary. There is also a nominal variant N{(q)cuq}V, although its meaning seems to be rather different: 'use N'.


Left sandhi:

On t(ə)-stems, this affix attaches to /t/ as expected, since it is additive. However, /tc/ assimilate to [cc]; it does not become 'ts'.

In some lexicalised constructions, this affix seems to have removed a preceding /ə/ from the stem; for example apersorpaa, 'he questions him' from {apərə}V, 'Agent asks Patient (something)'.


Meanings and examples

Or 'one by one' or 'piece by piece' etc.

  • apersorpaa, he questions him
    [6]

    From aperaa, 'he asks him (something)'. This is a ə-stem, {apərə}V, where the affix caused elision of the final /ə/.

  • qinngarsorpaa, he hates him
    [4]

    From qinngaraa, 'he hates him/is angry at him'. This is again an example of /ə/ elision. This affix seems to indicate that the anger/hatred is of a longer duration.

  • annissorpai, he brings them out, one after the other
    [4]

    Old orthography: áníssorpai. From annippaa, i.e. {annət(ə)}V, which is formed from {anə}V, 'go out' and V{'-t(ə)}V, the geminating variant of V{-(cc)ut(ə)}V. This example illustrates the form on t(ə)-stems.


References