Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-luaq}V
New orthography: -luarpoq
Old orthography: -luarpoĸ
Sources:
[9]
[11]
[10]
Combinations: Click here
Constituents: ?, V{-aq}V,
Left sandhi:
Truncative,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This is a non-productive or only marginally productive affix. Kleinschmidt [9] gives an elaborate definition of its meaning:

However, Schultz-Lorentzen [10] translates it as 'almost, a little'. This seems to suffice to subsume both of Kleinschmidt's definitions.

Etymology:
According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [15] , the affix derives from a morpheme {tluk-}, '(too) much', which however does not have a direct descendant in Kalaallisut. It is not explained how the initial /t/ has disappeared. However, this fits with Kleinschmidt's definition: the Subject is Vb'ing a little bit, which is just a little bit too much; i.e. a little bit too much for it to be said that the Subject is not Vb'ing.

The second part of the morpheme is not explained in [15] , but I assume that it is V{-aq}V, meaning 'repeated/prolonged activity', although it is not clear how this fits with the meaning of this affix. Thus, this should only be viewed as an hypothesis.


Meanings and examples

I.e., 'Subject is almost not Vb'ing'.

  • takiluarpoq, it is a bit too long
    [9]

    From takivoq, 'it is long', i.e. 'if it had been a bit shorter, it would not have been too long' = 'it is almost not too long'.

  • mikiluarpoq, it is a bit too small
    [10]

    From mikivoq, 'it is small', i.e. 'if it had been a bit bigger, it would not have been too small' = 'it is almost not too small' = 'it is almost big enough'.

  • tarrisimaluarpoq, it is almost entirely hidden
    [10]

    From tarrisimavoq, 'it is hidden (behind something)'.

  • meeqqat qiimavallaaluatsiarput, the children are almost a little too
    [10]

    From qiimavoq, 'he is happy, excited', with V{vallaaq}V, 'too much', and V{tciaq}V, 'fairly much'.