Details

General

Morphemic form: N{-it}V
New orthography: -ippoq, -appoq
Old orthography: -ípoĸ
Sources: [19, 16, 11]
Combinations: View list
Variants: N{-ilaq}N, V{-it}V
See also: V{ŋŋit}V, N{kcaisua}V
Left sandhi: Truncative
Right sandhi: Assibilation (t⇒s), tð⇒ts
Inflection sandhi: Default/none
Stem type: t-stem
Diathesis: Subjective
Valency: Avalent, Monovalent

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This affix is a variant of V{-it}V, meaning 'is N-less'. It is also related to the negation affix V{ŋŋit}V, which, according to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [21], is {nʀit}, formed through a (non-standard) combination of {nəʀ} (i.e. V{nəq}N) with metathesis/loss of /ə/.


Right sandhi:

Like the variant V{-it}V, this affix is a true t-stem which, in combination with intransitive participial mood marker {ðu}, and intransitive participle V{ðuq}N, will yield 'ts' from the combination /tð/. This feature is then inherited by every stem derived with this affix.


Meanings and examples

Or 'it is N-less', 'it is without N'. Depending on N it may also be used in a monovalent sense, i.e. with an actual subject.

  • sikuippoq, there is no ice
  • aputaappoq, there is no snow [16]

    From {aputə}N, 'snow', old orthography aputáipoĸ.

  • puisaappoq, there are no seals [16]

    From {puəðə}N, 'seal', old orthography puissáipoĸ.

  • meqquippoq, he/it is hairless [16]

    And from this we get meqquitsoq, 'barren, rocky land' (without 'hair', i.e. 'cover' in the form of plants).


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