Inuinnaqtun (ᐃᓄᐃᓐᓇᖅᑐᓐ‎, Inuinnaqtun pronunciation: [inuinːɑqtun]; natively meaning 'like the real human beings/peoples') is an Inuit language. It is spoken in the central Canadian Arctic. It is related very closely to Inuktitut, and some scholars, such as Richard Condon, believe that Inuinnaqtun is more appropriately classified as a dialect of Inuktitut. The government of Nunavut recognises Inuinnaqtun as an official language in addition to Inuktitut, and together sometimes referred to as Inuktut. It is spoken in the Northwest Territories as well and is recognised as an official language of the territory in addition to Inuvialuktun and Inuktitut.

Inuinnaqtun is used primarily in the communities of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk and Gjoa Haven in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. Outside Nunavut, it is spoken in the hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, where it is also known as Kangiryuarmiutun, forming a part of Inuvialuktun. It is written using the Roman orthography except in Gjoa Haven, where Inuit syllabics are used (as for Natsilingmiutut).

Phrases

Stop sign in Cambridge Bay, Nutqarrit in Inuinnaqtun
EnglishInuinnaqtunpronunciation
GoodbyeIlaanilu/ilaːnilu/
Good morningUblaami/ublaːmi/
How are you?Qanuritpin/qanuɢitpin/
I am fineNaammaktunga/naːmːaktuŋa/
I am goodNakuyunga/nakujuŋa/
How about you?Ilvittauq/ilvitːauq/
What are you doing?Huliyutin?/hulijutin/
What are you going to do?Huliniaqpin?/huliniaqpin/
I'm not going to do anythingHuliniahuanngittunga/huliniahuaŋːitːuŋa/
I love youPiqpagiyagin/piqpaɡijaɡin/
I don't knowNauna/nauna/
Yes/YeahIi/iː/
NoImannaq/imanːaq/
Who are you?Kinauvin?/kinauvin/
Where are you from?Namirmiutauyutin?/namiɢmiutaujutin/
Where am I?Namiitunga?/namiːtuŋa/
Who is that person?Kina taamna?/kinataːmna/
Where is the store?Nauk niuvirvik?/naukniuviɢvik/
How much is this?Una qaffitaalauyuk?/unaqafːitaːlaujuk/
Do you have a phone?Talafuutiqaqtutin?/talafuːtiqaqtutin/
Do you have a camera?Piksaliutiqaqtutin?/piksaliutiqaqtutin/
Can you cut this?Una pilakaalaaqtan?/unapilakaːlaːqtan/
Would you like to go for a walk?Pihuuyarumayutin?/pihuːjaɢumajutin/
This is niceUna pinniqtuq/unapinːiqtuq/
I am going to workHavagiarniaqpunga/havaɡiaɢniaqpuŋa/
I am going home nowAngilrauniaqpunga/aŋilɢauniaqpuŋa/
I am hungryKaagliqpunga/kaːɡliqpuŋa/
I need help (help me)Ikayullannga/ikajulːaŋːa/
I like thoseAliagiyatka taapkua/aliagijakta/taːpkua/
I will see you tomorrowAqaguttauq/aqaɡutːauq/
My name is...Atira.../atiɢa/
I have a daughterPaniqaqpunga/paniqaqpuŋa/
I have a sonIrniqaqpunga/iɢniqaqpuŋa/
ThanksQuana/quana/
Thank youQuanaqqutin/quanaqːutin/
Thank you very muchQuanaqpiaqqutin/quanaqpiaqːutin/
You are welcomeIlaali/Ilaːli/
May I ask you a question?Apirillaglagin?/apiɢilːaɡlaɡin/
OneAtauhiq/atauhiq/
TwoMalruuk/malɢuːk/
ThreePingahut/piŋahut/
FourHitaman/hitaman/
FiveTalliman/talːiman/
KnifeHavik/havik/
ForkKapuraut/kapuɢaut/
SpoonAluut/aluːt/
PlateAkkiutaq/akːiutaq/
CupQallut/qalːut/
That's all!Taima!/taima/

See also

Further reading

  • Harnum, Betty; McGrath, Janet; Kadlun, Margo. Inuinnaqtun Lessons Phase 1 : Copper Dialect of the Inuit Language. Cambridge Bay, N.W.T.: Kitikmeot Inuit Association, 1982.
  • Harper, Kenn. Current Status of Writing Systems for Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun and Inuvialuktun. [Yellowknife, N.W.T.]: Northwest Territories, Culture and Communications, 1992.
  • Ohokak, Gwen; Kadlun, Margo; Harnum, Betty. Inuinnaqtun-English Dictionary. Cambridge Bay, Nunavut: Nunavut Arctic College, 1996.

External links

  • Inuktut Lexicon Atlas:
  • Anglican liturgical text in Inuinnaqtun