Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-Vmi}V
New orthography: -umivoq, -imivoq, -amivoq
Old orthography: ^-mivoĸ
Sources: [9, 12, 11, 14]
Combinations: Click here
Left sandhi:
Truncative,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: Vowel stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

According to Kleinschmidt [9], the meaning of this affix is: 'Subject Vb a little'. As he writes: "Not a lot, but enough that it can be felt/sensed." He also notes that it is often combined with V{tciaq}V, here in the same sense as the present affix, so the combination actually is a pleonasm.


Left sandhi:

The affix is truncative. The initial /V/ represents a variable vowel, that always takes the sound of the preceding vowel, if possible. If the preceding stem (possibly after removal of a final consonant) already ends in a long vowel, the initial /V/ will simply be dropped, according to the examples in Kleinschmidt [9]. Thus, the affix will always begin with a lengthened vowel.


Meanings and examples

  • appaamivoq, it has gone a bit deeper down [9]

    From apparpoq, 'it goes/falls down'.

  • ajorunnaamivoq, he has become a bit better (after an illness) [9]

    From ajorunnaarpoq, 'he has become better'. Note that the extra vowel has been reduced away here.

  • nipaalliimivoq, it has become more quiet [9]

    From nipaallivoq, 'it becomes quiet'.