Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-kaallak}V
New orthography: -kaallappoq
Old orthography: -kâtdlagpoĸ
Sources: [12, 11, 14]
Combinations: Click here
Constituents: V{-kaq}V, V{-ja}V, V{llak}V,
Left sandhi:
Truncative,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: k-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The meaning of this affix is unclear. Two different dictionaries give quite opposite definitions of its meaning:

The affix appears to be a combination of V{-kaq}V and V{-(j)allak}V, both of which mean something like 'suddenly', i.e. indicating a sudden change of state. The latter is itself a combination of V{-ja}V, denoting that the Subject may easily begin to Vb; and V{llak}V, 'abruptly'. Neither of these meanings seem related to either of the two proposed meanings above.

We shall here record both meanings, but presumably the meaning 'a little' is the productive one, since it is from the most recent of the two dictionaries.


Meanings and examples

This is the definition from Schultz-Lorentzen [11], from 1958. It is likely not productive today.

  • silagissikaallappoq, the weather will be really good [11]

    From silagissivoq, 'the weather becomes good'.

  • ajakaallappaa, he pushes him hard [11]

    From ajappaa, 'he pushes him'.

This is the definition from Oqaatsit [14], from 1997. Presumably, this is the present-day meaning, since this dictionary is newer.

  • pillukaallappoq, it is a little out of joint [14]

    E.g. a shoulder. From pilluppoq, 'it is out of joint'.

  • unikaallappoq, he stops for a moment [14]

    From unippoq, 'he stops'.

  • uppikaallappoq, it starts to lean a bit; it tilts a bit [11]

    From uppippoq, 'it topples (and falls)'. Thus, the meaning here is that it is starting to lean over, implying that it eventually may topple/fall after tilting completely.