Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-ləqtuq}V
New orthography: -lertorpoq
Old orthography: -lertorpoĸ
Sources: [9, 12, 11, 14]
Combinations: Click here
Constituents: ?, V{tuq}V,
Left sandhi:
Truncative,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency:
Preserving,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix has two entirely different, almost diametrically opposite meanings. In the first sense, the affix denotes Vb'ing for only a short duration:

In the second sense, it denotes:

According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [16], the affix derives from a morpheme {ləʀ-}, 'quickly', which has no direct descendant in Kalaallisut. However, this only seems to be the first sense of this morpheme. It is unclear, whether the second sense is also derived from this morpheme, since this meaning is not mentioned in that dictionary.

With no further information on the origin of the second meaning, and with no way to distinguish the two different usages, we shall here record them both under the present morpheme.


Meanings and examples

It indicates a short duration. This can also be translated as 'quickly', when the stem denotes a transition.

  • inilertorpaa, he finished it quickly [9]

    I.e., 'he finished it in a short while'. From inerpaa, 'he finishes it'.

  • ilagilertorpaa, he has him with him for a short while [9]

    I.e., but they will part soon. From ilagaa, 'he has him with him'.

  • pinngilertorpaa, He does nothing with/about it for a short while [9]

    I.e., but soon he will start doing something with/about it. From the dummy root {pi}V, here used with a transitive ending, indicating 'he does something with/about it', followed by the negation affix V{ŋŋit}V.

  • tamaaniilertorallassaanga, now I shall (temporarily) stay there for a short while [9]

    From taamani, 'there', and *{ət}V, verbalisation of the locative case, V{gallaq}V, 'temporarily', and V{ssa}V, future/'shall'.

  • tikilertorpusi, you arrive quickly [11]

    I.e. 'the process of your arrival lasted only a short while'. From tikippoq, 'he arrived'.

  • arpalertorpoq, he has run for a while [14]

    From arpappoq, 'he runs'.

  • inuulertorpoq, he has lived quite long [14]

    From inuuvoq, 'he lives'.

  • oqalulertorpoq, he has been speaking for a while [14]

    From oqaluppoq, 'he speaks'.

  • qangatalertorpoq, it has been floating in the afir fora while [14]

    From qangatavoq, 'it floats in the air'.