Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-qə}V
New orthography: -qaaq, -qisoq
Old orthography: -ĸaoĸ
Sources: [19, 16]
Combinations: View list
See also: V{-ŋaaq}V
Left sandhi: Truncative
Right sandhi: Default/none
Inflection sandhi: ə-contraction
Stem type: ə-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency: Preserving

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix is used for emphasis and can often be translated as 'very/highly'. However, it may often be used for vivid narration or adding expressiveness, rather than its literal meaning. As an analogy, consider English 'so' and compare the sentences I am done with this vs. I am so done with this. The latter is comparable to the use of V{-qə}V.


Meanings and examples

  • ajoqaaq, it is (very) bad [16]
  • kiisami oqaqaaq, finally he said something! [16]

    Here the affix intensifies the expression of impatience.

  • orloqaanga, I fell [16]

    From orluvoq, 'he falls'. Here the affix only expresses vividness of narration.