calling or writing to someone

CALLING OR WRITING TO SOMEONE

Inuktitut uses a structure that is different than English to indicate that you are calling or writing to someone:

uqaalavigijaanga He calls me.
titirarvigijanga She writes to him.
To build these phrases:


1. Begin with the basic verb:

uqaala- to call
titiraq- to write

 

2. Add the affix –vik. This is normally used to indicate a place. When it is added to uqaala- or titiraq- it means the person who is being called or written to.

3. Add the affix –gi.

4. Add the transitive ending to indicate who is calling/writing and who is being called or written to:

uqaalavigiviuk? Are you calling her?
  Did you call her?
   
uqaalavigijara I am calling her; or
  I called her.
   
Ippassaq uqaalavigilauqtaatit. She called you yesterday.
titirarvigivauk? Is she writing to him?
titirarvigijanga She is writing to him.
Pinasuarusiulauqtumi titirarvigilauqtarma irngiinaaqtautikkut.

You e-mailed me last week.

(literally, You wrote to me last week by e-mail).