38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family
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Richard Compton
Abstract
The Inuit-Yupik-Unangan language family, more commonly known as the Eskimo-Aleut or Eskaleut language family, encompasses approximately seven languages spoken in the North American Arctic and on the Chuckchi Peninsula in north-eastern Siberia: Unangam Tunuu (Aleut), Sirenikski, Central Siberian Yupik, Naukanski Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Yup’ik, Alutiiq Alaskan Yupik, and Inuit (Inuktut). The latter language is known by many names-Inupiaq, Sallirmiutun (formerly Siglitun), Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuttitut, Kalaallisut (Greenlandic), etc.-each representing a portion of a geographically extensive dialect continuum stretching from Alaska to Greenland. This chapter gives an overview of the inventories of phonemes found in these languages, common phonological processes, the set of lexical categories, and synopses of such phenomena as polysynthesis, noun incorporation, and rich agreement. The chapter also outlines the various writing systems used by speakers of these languages, including Roman orthographies and Inuktitut Syllabics. Finally, some of the challenges for transmitting these languages and an overview of efforts to develop resources are presented.
Abstract
The Inuit-Yupik-Unangan language family, more commonly known as the Eskimo-Aleut or Eskaleut language family, encompasses approximately seven languages spoken in the North American Arctic and on the Chuckchi Peninsula in north-eastern Siberia: Unangam Tunuu (Aleut), Sirenikski, Central Siberian Yupik, Naukanski Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Yup’ik, Alutiiq Alaskan Yupik, and Inuit (Inuktut). The latter language is known by many names-Inupiaq, Sallirmiutun (formerly Siglitun), Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuttitut, Kalaallisut (Greenlandic), etc.-each representing a portion of a geographically extensive dialect continuum stretching from Alaska to Greenland. This chapter gives an overview of the inventories of phonemes found in these languages, common phonological processes, the set of lexical categories, and synopses of such phenomena as polysynthesis, noun incorporation, and rich agreement. The chapter also outlines the various writing systems used by speakers of these languages, including Roman orthographies and Inuktitut Syllabics. Finally, some of the challenges for transmitting these languages and an overview of efforts to develop resources are presented.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Table of contents VII
-
VII Language revitalization
- 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
- 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
- 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
- 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
- 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
- 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
-
VIII Language families and isolates
- 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
- 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
- 40 Algonquian 931
- 41 Michif 951
- 42 Tsimshianic 985
- 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
- 44 Salish 1053
- 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
- 46 Sahaptian 1139
- 47 Karuk 1169
- 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
- 49 Pomoan 1223
- 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
- 51 Chumashan 1275
- 52 Yuman 1303
- 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
- 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
- 55 Caddoan 1407
- 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
- 57 Chitimacha 1519
- 58 Tunica 1545
- 59 Muskogean 1577
- 60 Iroquoian 1601
- 61 Unclassified languages 1627
- List of Authors 1649
- Index of languages 1673
- Index of names 1685
- Index of subjects 1695
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Table of contents VII
-
VII Language revitalization
- 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
- 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
- 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
- 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
- 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
- 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
-
VIII Language families and isolates
- 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
- 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
- 40 Algonquian 931
- 41 Michif 951
- 42 Tsimshianic 985
- 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
- 44 Salish 1053
- 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
- 46 Sahaptian 1139
- 47 Karuk 1169
- 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
- 49 Pomoan 1223
- 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
- 51 Chumashan 1275
- 52 Yuman 1303
- 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
- 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
- 55 Caddoan 1407
- 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
- 57 Chitimacha 1519
- 58 Tunica 1545
- 59 Muskogean 1577
- 60 Iroquoian 1601
- 61 Unclassified languages 1627
- List of Authors 1649
- Index of languages 1673
- Index of names 1685
- Index of subjects 1695
