Details

General

Morphemic form: V{qnaq}V
New orthography: -rnarpoq
Old orthography: -rnarpoĸ
Sources: [9, 11]
Combinations: Click here
Variants: V{qŋaaq}V,
Left sandhi:
Default,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Default/none,
Stem type: q-stem
Diathesis: None
Valency:
Preserving,

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

According to Kleinschmidt [9], the meaning of this affix is 'Subject Vb for the first time', and this commonly implies that the Subject is inexperienced in Vb'ing. The affix does not appear to be used productively, but it may be found in some lexicalised words. As Kleinschmidt also notes, it is usually used with the dummy base {pi}V, i.e. pernar-, giving the pure meaning of the affix, and this stem is usually used in the contemporative mood as a verbal modifier of the main verb, to express 'Vb for the first time', rather than adding the present affix directly to the verbal stem.

However, Oqaatsit [14] lists a different affix, V{qŋaaq}V, which is used in the same meaning, and which does appear to be used productively. This is a variant form of the present affix, and according to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [16], both derive from an historical morpheme {n(ə)ʀaʀ(aʀ)(-)}, with loss of the /ə/. The combination /nʀ/ may be pronounced either as -rn- or -rng-, so it is possible that the present affix may also be spelt -rngarpoq. However, that form is not recorded in any of the dictionaries, so we do not include that in the morphemic form here.


Meanings and examples

Implied: 'and Subject is therefore inexperienced in Vb'ing'.

  • takornarpaa, he sees it for the first time [11]

    From takuaa, 'he sees it'.

  • pernarlunga allaffigaara, I write to him for the first time [11]

    Here with pernar- from {pi}V, used in the contemporative mood to construct a verbal modifier, rather than using the affix on the main verb stem directly.


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