Details
General
| Morphemic form: | V{mmiqsuq}V |
| New orthography: | -mmersorpoq, +mersorpoq |
| Old orthography: | '-mersorpoĸ |
| Sources: |
[9]
[11]
[10]
[13]
|
| Combinations: | Click here |
| Constituents: | ?, V{'-q}V, V{tuq}V, |
| 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 denotes 'Subject Vb long' or 'for a long time' or similar.
It is not listed in the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [15] , which may indicate that it is a fairly recent combination, although it is mentioned by Kleinschmidt [9] .
Thus, it has at least been in use since 1871.
It is unclear, what it consists of, but I hypothesise the following:
- The initial part is some morpheme V{mi}V of unknown meaning, possibly the morpheme V{(m)mi}V, although this morpheme normally appears last in the stem, and it does not quite fit with the meaning.
- The second part is the morpheme V{'-q}V, changing a stem denoting a state of being into one denoting the beginning of a process. This morpheme is geminating, causing the /m/ to double to /mm/ in the preceding morpheme. Thus: V{mi}V{'-q}V ⇒ /mmiq/.
- The final part is the morpheme V{tuq}V, denoting an extended period of time; i.e. 'long; lengthily' etc. This fits with the meaning of the combined affix. The preceding true /i/ in the stem then causes assibilation of /t/ to /s/. Thus: V{mi}V{'-q}V{tuq}V ⇒ /mmiqtuq/ ⇒ /mmiqsuq/.
According to Oqaatsit [13] , the affix is phonotactically truncative, since it begins with a double consonant. This appears to be the regular behaviour today. However, Kleinschmidt [9] and Schultz-Lorentzen [10] both mention examples, where it instead appears to be epenthetic, i.e. having the form V{(m)miqsuq}V instead. These are:
- atormersorpâ, besides the regular form atúmersorpâ.
- pisungmersorpâ, where the consonant cluster 'ngm' reveals that the final consonant of the stem was assimilated, rather than deleted by an initial /mm/.
This can be explained by the presence of the geminating affix V{'-q}V, which causes a preceding single consonant to double. Thus, the initial /m/ of the hypothetical morpheme V{mi}V would necessarily double on vowel stems, i.e. /V'miqsuq/ ⇒ /Vmmiqsuq/; but on consonant stems, the double consonant would suppress gemination, i.e. /C'miqsuq/ ⇒ /Cmiqsuq/. The present-day form can then be explained as a generalisation of the behaviour on vowel-stems.
Left sandhi:
The affix is regularly phonotactically truncative nowadays, which follows from the form with an initial double consonant, i.e. V{mmiqsuq}V. However, some of the examples given by Kleinschmidt [9] and Schultz-Lorentzen [10] suggest an alternative form of this affix, V{(m)miqsuq}V. However, this form does not appear to be regularly used nowadays, so we do not record it.
Meanings and examples
Or 'for a long time', or 'lengthily' etc.
- inuummersorpoq, he lives long
[10]
From inuuvoq, 'he lives; he is alive'.
- atummersorpaa, he uses it for a long time
[10]
From atorpaa, 'he uses it'. Note: Schultz-Lorentzen also mentions the alternative form atormersorpoq.
- pisummersorpoq, he walks for a long time; he goes on a long walk
[10]
From pisuppoq, 'he walks'. Note that this is a k-stem, i.e. pisugpoĸ in the old orthography. Schultz-Lorentzen writes pisungmersorpoĸ, which indicates that the final consonant was assimilated by /m/, rather than deleted by /mm/. However, this difference between assimilation and deletion is not visible in the new orthography, since both yield the same spelling.