Details

General

Morphemic form: V{(n)niq}V
New orthography: +nerpoq, -nnerpoq
Old orthography: -nerpoĸ
Sources: [9, 12, 11]
Combinations: Click here
See also: V{(n)naaq}V, V{(n)niit}V, V{(n)narə}V,
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Assibilation (t⇒s),
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: Subjective
Valency:
Decreasing,
Avalent,
Monovalent,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This is a non-productive affix found in a number of common, lexicalised words, which all have an adjectival quality. Kleinschmidt [9] translates it thus: "it is pleasurable to Vb", thus suggesting an avalent meaning. However, some words derived with this affix can also be used monovalently, and in these cases, it seems more fitting to translate the affix as 'Actor Vb in a good/enjoyable manner'. In either case, the affix appears to be valency-decreasing, if the stem is not already avalent/monovalent.

According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [16], the affix derives from an affix {n(n)iʀ-}, which seems to be related to V{(n)naaq}V, in the sense that several words derived with that aforementioned affix also have a form derived with the present affix. All words derived with the present affix can also be extended with the privative affix V{-it}V to obtain the opposite meaning; see the combination V{(n)niit}V.


Right sandhi:

The true /i/ in the stem will regularly assibilate an initial /t/ in the following morpheme.


Meanings and examples

When used with a 3sg/4sg ending without an explicit Subject, the meaning may also be avalent: 'it is good/enjoyable to Vb'.

  • tusarnerpoq, it is good to hear; it is pleasurable to listen to [11]

    Lexicalised, from tusarpaa, 'he hears it'.

  • takorannerpoq, it is good/beautiful to look at [11]

    Lexicalised. The base is {taku}V, 'see', but it is not clear what the /ra/ segment is. However, compare takorannaarpoq 'he is joyous/happy to see something beautiful', which is similarly derived with V{(n)naaq}V.

  • inussiarnerpoq, he is friendly [11]

    Lexicalised. This word seems to be derived from {inuk}N, 'person' and N{si}V, here in the sense of 'encounter'.

  • nuannerpoq, it is good/enjoyable [9]

    Lexicalised. The base itself is not used independently, but compare nuannaarpoq, 'he is happy', which is similarly derived with V{(n)naaq}V.

  • pinnerpoq, he is beautiful [9]

    Lexicalised, from the dummy root {pi}V, giving the pure meaning of the affix.


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