Details

General

Morphemic form: V{-rataqə}V
New orthography: -rataqaaq
Old orthography: -rataqaoĸ
Sources: [13, 16]
Combinations: View list
Constituents: V{-rataq}V + V{-qə}V
Left sandhi: Truncative
Right sandhi: Default/none
Inflection sandhi: ə-contraction
Stem type: ə-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency: Preserving, Preserving

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix is a combination of V{-rataq}V, 'suddenly/surprisingly', and V{-qə}V, which here appears to emphasise the sense of 'after a while, it finally happened'. Thus, we shall translate this affix as 'Subject finally Vb'ed', implying that there has been a long while of not Vb'ing, such that when it finally happens, it comes as a surprise.


Meanings and examples

  • nuisarataqaaq siallinngissanani, now it is finally going to rain [16]

    From nuisavoq, 'it is visible', presumably referring to the rain clouds. Thus 'now it is finally visible that it shall not not rain' i.e. 'that it shall no longer be drought'.

  • aallarataqaaq, finally, he left [16]

    From aallarpoq, 'he left/departed'.

  • perataqaara, I finally got it [16]

    From pivaa, 'he gets/catches it'.

  • aperataqaaq, it finally snowed [13]

    From apivoq, 'it snows'.