Details

General

Morphemic form: V{gallaq}V
New orthography: +gallarpoq, -kkallarpoq, -rallarpoq
Old orthography: -atdlarpoĸ
Combinations: Click here
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Irregular,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The general meaning of this affix seems to be to delimit a time frame for the verbal action. It can be literally translated as 'for a moment' or 'for the time being', although this translation will often seem awkward in English. Note also the entry for the combination V{ŋŋitgallaq}V, literally 'not for the time being', which is used to express 'before'.

The affix is also used with the causative mood to create a verbal time specification, locating the verbal action within a specific/bounded (past) time frame. This can be translated as during the time when, or back in the time when, although again it will often be the case that a reformulation will be necessary to make it feel more natural. For example, meeraagallarama literally means 'during the time when I was a child', but the natural way to express this in English would be 'in my childhood'.

Lastly, the affix also has a special meaning when used with the imperative mood, where it acts as a softener of the command, somewhat like adding 'for a bit' or 'for a moment' in English.


Inflection sandhi:

This affix has a few irregular forms in imperative 2.sg, i.e. the endings V{-git} and V{-guk}, where it, for unknown reasons, drops its final /q/ and deletes /g/ from the ending, instead of having /qg/ merge to /r/ as usual. Thus:


Meanings and examples

Or 'temporarily', i.e. denoting a limited stretch of time.

  • suligallarpoq, he is working, for the time being
    [8]

    From sulivoq, 'he works'.

  • naammakkallarpoq, it is sufficient for the time being
    [4]

    From naammappoq, 'it is sufficient'.

  • unikkallarpoq, he takes a break
    [8]

    From unippoq, he stops, so literally 'he stops for a while'.

  • usserallassavara, I shall first try it
    [4]

    From usserpaa, 'he tries it'. This example illustrates that the valency of the stem is preserved, and the future affix V{ssa}V occurs after this affix.

When used together with the causative mood. This could also be translated e.g. as 'during'.

  • meeraagallarama, in my childhood

    Literally: 'back then, when I was a child', from meeraq, 'child' + N{-u}V, 'to be N', and causative 1.sg V{gama}.

When used with the imperative mood, this affix acts as a softener of the command, which sometimes (depending on context) can be translated as 'for a moment'. Note the special sandhi rules for endings with 2.sg as subject.

  • unikkallaat!, Hey, stop (thou) for a moment!
    [4]

    From unippoq, 'he stops', with the imperative 2.sg ending V{-git}.

  • anigallaat!, go (thou) outside for a moment!
    [8]

    From anivoq, 'he goes out'.

  • nerigallaat!, bon appetite
    [8]

    Literally 'eat (thou)!', but with a softer meaning than a direct order. An alternative translation could be 'dig in!' or similar.

  • qaagallaat!, come (thou) here for a moment!
    [8]

  • sangugallaat!, change (thou) the direction (please)
    [8]

    Here, the 'for a moment' translation does not work, so the meaning is just a generic softening of the command.

  • iserallaat!, come (thou) inside for a moment (please)
    [8]


References