Details

General

Morphemic form: {pu(g)uq}N
New orthography: pooq, puggut
Old orthography: pôĸ, puggut
Sources: [13, 17, 8, 16, 19]
Combinations: View list
Right sandhi: Default/none
Inflection sandhi: Geminating, Default/none
Stem type(s): Weak q-stem, Weak q-stem

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

According to Kleinschmidt [13], the basic meaning of this stem seems to be a container for something else. If used without a possessive ending, it is usually translated as 'bag', but with a possessive ending it is perhaps better translated generally as 'container for Possessor', which (depending on Possessor) can be e.g. 'sheath' (for a knife), 'box/barrel' (for some material, e.g. sand), 'condom' (usuup puua), or even 'bell-tower'.

According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [21], the historical form of this stem is {pu(ɣ)uq}, where (ɣ) corresponds to /g/ in Kalaallisut. This consonant is not written, but appears in geminating forms, which we indicate here as (g).


Inflection sandhi:

According to Schultz-Lorentzen [8] and Ordbogeeraq [17], this stem declines with gemination of the unwritten (g). This (g) is not written in un-geminated forms, but it appears in geminated forms, where /g/ is doubled to /gg/. This cluster is not strengthened to [kk] as usual, but instead devoiced to [xx]; thus pooq, puggut, which is a rare form of gemination.

However, Schultz-Lorentzen [8] also notes that the stem alternatively may decline without gemination; thus pooq, puut is also possible.


Inflection

Declension pattern:

Stem type: Weak q-stem
Declension type: p-declined
Declension sandhi: Geminating
Gemination type: uu⇒uggu

Stem before consonant Stem before vowel Notable forms
New orthography puggu puu pooq, puggup, puggut,
Phonemic orthography puggu puu puuq, puggup, puggut,

Notes on declension:

This is the declension with gemination of the unwritten /g/.


Declension pattern:

Stem type: Weak q-stem
Declension type: p-declined
Declension sandhi: Default/none

Stem before consonant Stem before vowel Notable forms
New orthography puu puu pooq, puup, puut,
Phonemic orthography puggu puu puuq, puup, puut,

Notes on declension:

This is the regular declension without gemination.


Meanings and examples

This is the standard meaning without a possessive ending.

This is the general meaning with a possessive ending; the exact translation will depend on the Possessor.

  • usuusap puua, a plaque of bone or horn covering the tip of a kayak [13]

    From usuusaq, literally 'something that looks like a penis'.

  • sioqqat puuat, sand box; barrel of sand [13]

    I.e. the box/barrel in which one has sand.

  • pattagissap puua, box for an accordion [13]

    I.e. the box in which the accordion is kept.

  • siarngup puua, bell-tower [13]

    Literally 'the bell's container'.

  • usuup puua, condom [19]