allakkat

Greenlandic

Etymology

From Proto-Inuit *aɣla-ɣ- (“letter, decorative drawing, write”), from Proto-Eskimo *alŋa-(ʁ) (“letter, drawing, write”). Compare allak (“stripe, patter, mark”) and allappoq (“writes”).

Pronunciation

• (Nuuk) IPA^(key): /allakkat/, [aɬ.ɬək.kət]

Noun

allakkat

1. letter, post
   • 2002, Stephen Hammeken, Harry Potter Ujarallu Inuunartoq, Nuuk: Atuakkiorfik, translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling, →ISBN, page 19:

     "Illu taanna massakkut Harrymut isumannaannersaavoq," Dumbledore aalajangersimarpalulluni oqarpoq. "Akkaavata atsaatalu perorpat sunik tamanik nassuiaassinnaanngussavaat. Allakkatigut nassuiaappakka."
     "Allakkat?" Professor McGonagall uperinnippasinnani oqarpoq naatsiiviullu qarmaanut iigarluni. "Tusaalaariarit, Dumbledore. Isumaqarpit taakku tamaasa allakkani nassuiarsinnaassallugit?..."

     "It's the best place for him," said Dumbledore firmly. "His aunt and uncle will be able to explain everything to him when he's older. I've written them a letter.
     "A letter?" repeated Professor McGonagall faintly, sitting back down on the wall. "Really, Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter?..."

Derived terms

• allakkanut nakkartitsisarfik (“mailbox”)
• allakkat ammasut (“open letter”)
• allakkat qulequtaat (“letterhead”)
• allakkatigut qinersineq (“postal vote”)

References

• allakkat in Katersat