Details
General
| Morphemic form: | N{-ralak}N |
| New orthography: | -ralak |
| Old orthography: | -ralak |
| Sources: | [13, 17, 16, 19] |
| Combinations: | View list |
| Variants: | V{-ralak}V |
| Left sandhi: | Truncative |
| Right sandhi: | Default/none |
| Inflection sandhi: | Default/none |
| Stem type(s): | Regular k-stem |
Description and behaviour
Form and usage:
This affix appears to have two different meanings:
Kleinschmidt [13] translates it as 'small N' and notes that it is commonly used with words that also denote smallness. In this sense, it is commonly followed by N{ŋŋuaq}N, i.e. -ralannguaq, 'tiny', and he furthermore notes that N{-ralak}N may be repeated multiple times for further emphasis, i.e. -ralarala...ralannguaq, similar to N{-rujuk}N in the combination -rujorujo...rujussuaq.
This meaning is also mentioned in Schultz-Lorentzen [16], alongside with the second meaning. However, this meaning is not indicated in Oqaatsit [19], so it is not clear whether the affix still is used in this sense.
Schultz-Lorentzen [16] also describes a different meaning: 'bad/despicable N', and this meaning is also indicated by the examples in Oqaatsit [19]. These examples also indicate that it may sometimes be used affectionately, thus actually in the opposite sense: 'dear N'.
There is also a verbal variant of this affix, V{-ralak}V, with a similar meaning.
Inflection
Declension pattern:
| Stem type: | Regular k-stem |
| Declension type: | up-declined |
| Declension sandhi: | Default/none |
| Stem before consonant | Stem before vowel | Notable forms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New orthography | -ralak | -rala | -ralak, -ralaap, -ralaat, |
| Phonemic orthography | -ralak | -rala | -ralak, -ralaup, -ralait, |
Notes on declension:
The inflection is described in Ordbogeeraq [17] as a regular k-stem with up-declension.
Meanings and examples
This is the old meaning described in Kleinschmidt [13]. Often with N{ŋŋuaq}N.
- mikisoralannguaq, something tiny
[13]
From mikisoq, 'something small'. Schultz-Lorentzen [16] also gives the example mikisoralaralaralannguaq.
- immaralannguaq; immaralaralaralannguaq, a tiny, tiny, ..., tiny bit
[13]
Here, the affix has been injected before the final affix in immannguaq, 'a little bit'.
This is the new meaning described in Schultz-Lorentzen [16], along with the old meaning, and the only meaning indicated in Oqaatsit [19]. This can also be used affectionately (ironically?) as 'dear N'.
- umiarsuaralak, a pathetic fishing boat
[16]
According to Schultz-Lorentzen: An American fishing boat.
- inoralak, a pathetic person
[16]
From inuk, 'human'.
- anguteralak, ram (male goat)
[16]
Lexicalised, from angut, 'man'.
- qimmeralak, a bad dog
[19]
From qimmeq, 'dog'.
- Oleralak, dear/bad Ole
[19]
This can either be in the 'bad' sense or affectionately.
- pujortaateralak, a dear/beloved old pipe
[19]
From pujortaat, 'smoking pipe'.