Details

General

Morphemic form: N{kcit}V
New orthography: -ssippaa, -ssiivoq
Old orthography: -gssípâ
Sources: [16, 19, 11]
Combinations: View list
Constituents: N{kcaq}N + N{-liq}V + V{-t}V
Left sandhi: Default
Right sandhi: tð⇒ts
Inflection sandhi: Default/none
Stem type: t-stem
Diathesis: Reflexive (BP)
Valency: Agent increasing, Divalent
HTR-morphemes: V{ði}V

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The meaning of this affix is 'Agent gifts N to Patient'. According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [21], this affix derives from {kðit}, which is formed through a combination of {kðaʀ}, i.e. the nominal future affix N{kcaq}N, and a morpheme {lit-}, 'provide with N', which however does not have a descendant in Greenlandic according this dictionary. It is presumably related to {liʀ-}, i.e. N{-liq}V, 'equip with N', but the source of the /t/ is unexplained. It might be the non-productive causative morpheme V{-t}V, which fits with the meaning, i.e.

seems reasonable to interpret as 'Agent gives N to Patient'. Thus, we tentatively record this affix as a combination

Note that Schultz-Lorentzen [16], in contrast, claims it is a variant of V{-(cc)ut(ə)}V, but this cannot be the case as evidenced by the HTR-form, which reveals that there is no stem-final (ə). However, the HTR-form {kcii}, i.e. -ssiivoq is nevertheless strange, since t-stems normally have HTR-forms ending in -tsivoq, with the HTR-morpheme V{ði}V and /tð/ not fully assimilating.

Nielsen [11] further adds that this affix is not used on N{kcaq}N, since this affix is already contained in the present affix. Thus, even in cases where a composite stem containing N{kcaq}N is lexicalised, such as periafissaq, iliniagassat, nerisassat etc., the present affix will be added to the stem without this preceding N{kcaq}N.


Right sandhi:

Right sandhi is inherited from the right-most component, V{-t}V. See this for details.


Notable forms:

Meanings and examples

As a gift.

  • atisassippaa, he gives him some clothes [19]
  • mattassippaa, he gives him some mattak [19]
  • pujortaatissippaa, he gives him a (smoking) pipe [19]
  • tupassippaa, he gives him some tobacco [19]
  • inissippoq, he finds a place to stay [11]

    From ini, 'place/room', so literally 'he finds a place for himself', thus illustrating the reflexive usage.

  • nerisassippaa, he gives him food; he feeds him [11]

    From nerisassat, 'food'. Note that the preceding N{kcaq}N has here been removed first.

  • ilinniagassippai, he gives him homework (to do) [11]

    From ilinniagassat, 'homework'. Note that the preceding N{kcaq}N has here been removed first.


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