11 The Chukotko-Kamchatkan Languages
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Michael Dunn
Abstract
The Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages are a family in the so-called “Paleosiberian” or “Paleoasiatic” languages, a group of genealogically unconnected language families indigenous to northeastern Eurasia. Speakers of Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages were traditionally either nomadic reindeer herders or sedentary hunter-fishers. On linguistic grounds the family can be divided into two groups (which do not correspond to traditional subsistence type). The Itelmen language is the sole well-documented languages of the Kamchatkan (or Kamchadal) branch of the family. The Koryako-Chukotian branch can be further divided into at least three sub-branches: the Chukchi, Alutor, and Koryak/Kerek languages. Alutor and Koryak are divided into several dialects each. Ethnic identification of speakers within this branch of the family maps only approximately onto the linguistic classification. Many of the languages of the family are extinct or moribund, and only a few varieties have more than 100 speakers. All the languages in this family are characterized by rich verbal agreement morphology cross-referencing both subjects and objects of transitive verbs, as well as elaborate nominal case systems.
Abstract
The Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages are a family in the so-called “Paleosiberian” or “Paleoasiatic” languages, a group of genealogically unconnected language families indigenous to northeastern Eurasia. Speakers of Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages were traditionally either nomadic reindeer herders or sedentary hunter-fishers. On linguistic grounds the family can be divided into two groups (which do not correspond to traditional subsistence type). The Itelmen language is the sole well-documented languages of the Kamchatkan (or Kamchadal) branch of the family. The Koryako-Chukotian branch can be further divided into at least three sub-branches: the Chukchi, Alutor, and Koryak/Kerek languages. Alutor and Koryak are divided into several dialects each. Ethnic identification of speakers within this branch of the family maps only approximately onto the linguistic classification. Many of the languages of the family are extinct or moribund, and only a few varieties have more than 100 speakers. All the languages in this family are characterized by rich verbal agreement morphology cross-referencing both subjects and objects of transitive verbs, as well as elaborate nominal case systems.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of contents V
- List of Contributors IX
- Introduction XI
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I Major language groups of Inner Eurasia
- 1 The Turkic language family 1
- 2 The Mongolic language family 75
- 3 The Tungusic language family 123
- 4 The Samoyed languages 167
- 5 Khanty dialects 253
- 6 Mansi dialects 281
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II Microfamilies of Siberia and Asia’s North Pacific Rim
- 7 The Yukaghir language family 307
- 8 The Yeniseian language family 365
- 9 The Amuric language family 481
- 10 The Ainuic language family 541
- 11 The Chukotko-Kamchatkan Languages 633
- 12 The Eskaleut language family 669
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of contents V
- List of Contributors IX
- Introduction XI
-
I Major language groups of Inner Eurasia
- 1 The Turkic language family 1
- 2 The Mongolic language family 75
- 3 The Tungusic language family 123
- 4 The Samoyed languages 167
- 5 Khanty dialects 253
- 6 Mansi dialects 281
-
II Microfamilies of Siberia and Asia’s North Pacific Rim
- 7 The Yukaghir language family 307
- 8 The Yeniseian language family 365
- 9 The Amuric language family 481
- 10 The Ainuic language family 541
- 11 The Chukotko-Kamchatkan Languages 633
- 12 The Eskaleut language family 669
