Details
General
| Morphemic form: | N{nnaaq}N |
| New orthography: | -nnaaq |
| Old orthography: | -ngnâĸ, -nâĸ |
| Sources: | [9, 12, 11, 14] |
| Combinations: | Click here |
| Left sandhi: | Default,
|
| Right sandhi: | /aq/ drop,
|
| Inflection sandhi: | Default/none,
|
| Stem type: | Weak q-stem |
Description and behaviour
Form and usage:
The meaning of this affix is 'preferred N' or 'favourite N' or similar. Given its meaning, the affix will often be used with a possessive ending, or with the verbal possessive affix N{-gə}V. For this latter combination see N{nnaarə}V.
Right sandhi:
According to Kleinschmidt [9], the absolutive 3sg/sg possessive form is -nnaa, with the ending N{-a}, thus indicating that the affix declines with aq-drop before vowel-initial endings, rather than injecting a consonant to comply with phonotactics. It is unclear whether this also extends to combinations with other aq-dropping affixes.
Inflection
Declension pattern:
| Declension type: | p-declined |
| Declension sandhi: | Default/none |
| Stem before consonant | Stem before vowel | Notable forms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New orthography | -nnaa | -nna |
-nnaaq
-nnaap
-nnaat
|
| Phonemic orthography | nnaa | nna |
nnaaq
nnaap
nnaat
|
Notes on declension:
According to Ordbogeeraq [12], the affix declines like a weak q-stem with p-declension, which is standard. However, according to Kleinschmidt [9], the affix is often (he says always) used with a possessive ending, although the examples in Oqaatsit [14] do not indicate this.
Also according to Kleinschmidt, the affix drops its final /aq/ before vowel-initial endings. This is indicated in the inflection table by the stem-form before vowels being /nna/.
Meanings and examples
- aappannaanngua, his dearest companion; the one who most often accompanies him
[9]
From aappaq, 'companion' (also the word for 'second'), and with N{ŋŋuaq}N for endearment.
- ikinngutinnaara, my best friend
[9]
From ikinngut, 'friend', and with absolutive possessive 1sg/sg N{-ga}.
- asasannaa, his dearest dear; his most beloved
[9]
From the passive participle form of asavaa, 'he loves him'.
- tammaarfinnaaminnut tammaarput, they have camped at their preferred campsite
[9]
From tammaarfik, 'campsite', and with allative possessive 4pl/sg N{məknut}.