Details

General

Morphemic form: N{kci}V
New orthography: -ssivoq
Old orthography: -gssivoĸ
Sources: [JP67], [CBBJRPIKJR97], [FAJN19]
Combinations: View list
Constituents: N{kcaq}N + N{-li}V
Left sandhi: Default
Right sandhi: Assibilation (t⇒s)
Inflection sandhi: Default/none
Stem type: Vowel stem
Diathesis: Subjective
Valency: Divalent, Avalent, Monovalent

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

The meaning of this affix is 'Actor behaves just like N'. However, it can also be used in an avalent, impersonal sense: 'it is (stereo)typical for N to act like that'.

The origin of the affix is unknown: It does not appear in older dictionaries, i.e. neither Kleinschmidt [SK71] nor Schultz-Lorentzen [CWSL58]. The earliest mention is in Ordbogeeraq [JP67], where it is recorded as -gssivoĸ. This suggests that the affix is a recent combination. However, it is not mentioned in the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [MFSJLK10], so it is not clear how it was formed. Given the old-orthography spelling and the meaning, I suspect that the first morpheme may be N{kcaq}N, and followed by a second morpheme which has caused removal of the final /aq/. My best guess here is that the second morpheme may be N{-li}V, 'become', even though this morpheme does not normally cause /VC/ drop and fusion. Thus, the recorded combination here should be viewed as a hypothesis.


Meanings and examples

  • Jensissivoq, it is typical for Jensi to act in that way [CBBJRPIKJR97]
  • arnassivoq, it is typical for a woman to behave like that [CBBJRPIKJR97]

  • kalassivoq, he acts like a stereotypical Greenlander [CBBJRPIKJR97]

    From kalak, which is a somewhat derogatory term for a stereotypical (old-fashioned) Greenlander.

  • angutissivoq, he acts like men typically do [CBBJRPIKJR97]

Tags

References