Details

General

Morphemic form: V{galuaq}V
New orthography: +galuarpoq, -raluarpoq, -kkaluarpoq
Old orthography: -aluarpoĸ
Combinations: Click here
Variants: V{galuaq}N,
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency change: Preserving
Valency:
None,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix expresses something like the English counterfactual clauses, i.e. those expressed with 'would', 'could', 'should', 'might', 'ought to' etc.; a difference between reality and the expected. Thus, there is always an implied 'but/however' in a sentence with this affix, although it need not always be explicitly specified. As an example, consider the word

from suli-, 'to work'. The meaning is something like 'I was working' or 'I had intended to work', but it is implied by V{galuaq}V that something came in the way, or I didn't get much work done, or similar. Thus it expresses a difference between the 'expected' state of affairs (if instead I had said sulivunga 'I worked'), and the actual state of affairs (e.g. that the work isn't finished).

Note: this is an extremely common affix, even though its meaning can be difficult to grasp initially. It may also have slightly different meanings when used in particular moods. Note also the nominal variant V{galuaq}N with a somewhat different meaning.


Meanings and examples

  • suligaluarpunga (kisianni akornguserneqartuarpunga), I was (actually) working (however, I was interrupted all the time)
  • pisiniarumagaluarpunga, I _would_ have liked to shop (but something prevented me from doing it).

When used with the causative, contemporative, or participial moods, i.e. +galuarmat, +galuarluni, +galuartoq etc.

  • nuliarsarpoq uffa nuliaqaraluarluni, he proposed, even though/although he (already) had a wife

When used with the conditional mood, and possibly preceded by V{ssa}V if the meaning is future, i.e. (-ssa)galuarpat etc.


References