/r/Inuktitut

Photograph via //r/Inuktitut

For those knowledgable or interested in Inuktitut.

Inuktitut (ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ) is the language spoken by Inuit living in the eastern part of the Canadian Arctic. Inuktitut is just one part of what is known as “the Inuit language”, spoken from Alaska in the west to Greenland in the east. It might best be understood as a spectrum of dialects that vary enormously from one end of the Arctic to the other.

Even within Nunavut, vocabulary and pronunciation vary from place to place and between generations.

More Information
Inuktitut Tusaalanga -Online Lessons
Inuktitut Dictionary
Omniglot Inuktitut - Syllabary Information & Useful Links

Other Subreddits
r/Nunavut
r/languagelearning
r/linguistics

Discord Server

ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ - dialect most spoken in discord is Qikiqtaaluk nigiani (South Baffin)

/r/Inuktitut

809 Subscribers

1

Unintentional cultural name choice

Hello, I recently began writing a character for a fantasy world that I am creating. When picking the name for one of the main characters, I originally went with the name Kallik. I like to do research on the names so that I do not intrude on any cultures I am not associated with, as such I went onto a reddit of people who are good at finding the history of names. Upon them finding the name, it lead me here and the person suggested that I change the name to Kalik or Kallic as to not disrespect the original community of the name.

I am now here to ask if you believe these alternative variations are too similar to this name and if so, please offer any advice on what name would not be offensive to choose.

Thank you. (I'm sorry if I am offending in any way)

6 Comments
2025/01/29
21:17 UTC

0

Made up Inuktitut place names for a fantasy story

Hello, I wished to make up two names for a fantasy story with a few Inuit lore references; most of those elements are actually just taken from mythology or astronomy with their actual name intact, I just need to invent two place names for my story, and the combination of infixes is very fascinating but requires the right amount of a study for a newcomer. While I am interested in learning the Inuktitut grammar rules in due time, since my story is practically finished and I need only these two names to go, I hoped to receive some grammar tips here. I hope this does not sound pretentious.

So, I wanted to make up a name meaning “house with points” (an iceberg’s name), which could also become “house of the points” or simply “sharp house”, and was thinking about forming something with illua for "house" and ipittuk, “sharp”, so like “house with sharp points”, Illuipittuk (not sure why in my notes I had written months ago the name "Illukipittuk"). What could that be translated? In case, another addition might be the “big” suffix, “aluk”, like Illualukipittuk.

 

The second word, which is the name for the glacier from which the iceberg broke off, should mean something like “subterranean night”, like conveying the sense of finding oneself within the night as if it were a place, “within the night”, so I had found the words Unnuak and unani and wanted to combine them in the proper way.

Thank you so much for any answer! What I am most interested in is that the words are grammaticaly correct, even if no Inuktitut speaker should have read the story.

3 Comments
2025/01/27
17:50 UTC

3

Spelling help?

Hi all, I'm currently self-studying Inuktitut on Tusaalanga, North-Qikiqtaaluk dialect. I am wondering what the correct spelling of the word for "where", "nami", is. I see the proposed syllabic spelling is ᓇᓂ, however, this confuses me as the roman translation for this would be "nani" instead of "nami".

In the sentence ᓇᓂᕐᒥᐅᑕᐅᕕᑦ? this would translate to "nanirmiutauvit, rather than the roman "namimiutauvit" that Tusaalanga proposes. Is this just a little dialect-related fault on the website? What is the correct spelling?

9 Comments
2025/01/13
18:08 UTC

8

tunga vs junga verb endings

Hey!

I'm currently making my way through Tusalaanga's courses in Inuktitut, South Qikiqtaaluk Dialect. I'm on the third unit currently.

I love the grammar focus! I'm a huge grammar and language nerd so I feel right at home.

However, I have one question. I've seen two distinct forms of the present tense - t-ending and j-ending.

ex. Nirijunga (I eat) vs Kaapituqtunga (I drink coffee)

I assume this difference must be based on the ending of the root - But I don't think Tusalaanga explains when to use which one and I don't know enough verbs yet to draw definitive conclusions myself.

Is there a rule to know when to use which one? Right now, my theory is that it is an ending-in-a-vowel vs an ending-in-a-consonant thing. Is that correct?

Thanks!!

5 Comments
2024/12/27
05:22 UTC

3

Translation of a song

Hello! For one of my classes, I am analysing the song Ikpigijatti by Hyper-T. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the lyrics of a translation of them anywhere. Could you help me with that? Do you know any ressources that could help me?

Here is the ling to the song:

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/6ldx4fZXpC3RI124vJbLx8?si=d65a3db6f28e4e66

0 Comments
2024/12/08
15:26 UTC

5

Need help translating the text on this drawing.

Its a colored pencil drawing made in 1996 by Kananginak Pootoogook (1935–2010) from Kinngait.

Thank you! I work in museum collections and its making me sad that this piece is just titled "[Untranslated Title]" in the database.

https://preview.redd.it/71m8n4e9zg3e1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=066f0c2d184a25be5a867c561934cd1487abb566

3 Comments
2024/11/27
16:19 UTC

7

Nalligilaurakku (dialect and affixes)

Hi! Very new the Inuktitut languages and hoping for some help. I was listening to the Jerry Cans’ Northern Lights which has this word as one of the lyrics: Nalligilaurakku. Does anyone know which dialect this is and what affixes it uses?

I’m trying to learn South Qikiqtaaluk via Tusaalanga, but this is as far as I got breaking it down:

Nalli (to love) + gi (connection between people)

Which leaves me: “laurakku”. Nothing on Tusaalanga seems to match, Google Translate translates this phrase to “I loved her” but wouldn’t that make the suffix “lauqtunga”? I’m sure there is way more to it that I just can’t crack at my current level! Sorry if it’s a silly question and thank you for any help!

2 Comments
2024/11/16
22:27 UTC

9

cat in inuktitut

what is "cat" in inuktitut?

5 Comments
2024/10/28
17:13 UTC

5

Need help to translate this text

ᓄᕐᖃᕋᓯᐊᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖃᑦᑕᓗᑎᑦ

ᓂᐱᓱᓂᒃ

ᑯᑦᓱᓂᒃ

ᐃᕐᖃᒐᕐᓂᓗᓐᓃᑦ

Where is this from?

0 Comments
2024/10/17
14:40 UTC

6

Anger management 101 or resources in Inuit language?

Any basic anger management resources in the Inuit language? My Mom's native tongue is that so I feel like she'd be more comfortable reading that and I wish to help her.

Images preferred, will accept articles or such written in the language

Ps. Forgive me if I don't use proper terminology, I've never been close to my people. Feel free to RESPECTFULLY correct me in replies, the main focus is not that however.

5 Comments
2024/09/26
04:01 UTC

5

Any Inuktitut speakers that could tell me how to pronounce ᑭᓂᖅᑎᕈᑏᑦ and ᕼᐄᐅᓪ?

Or maybe know about a translating tool that actually speaks the words? I have found some translators, but none of them have audio of this particular language, which is a shame. I would like to learn these words for a specific project, and would like to say it properly, as well as other words.

5 Comments
2024/08/12
20:45 UTC

7

How do I go with writting names that have sounds outside the Inuktitut syllabics?

So I'm learning Inuktitut (Nunavik dialect) and I'm trying to grasp the alphabet and the sounds by writting random words and names I hear. I got curious and tried to write my own name (Fabrice), but... There's no syllabic symbol for the F and B sounds.

How do I go with writting names that have sounds outside the Inuktitut syllabics, like my own name?

2 Comments
2024/07/18
23:37 UTC

8

The closest Inuktitut dialect to Kalaallisut

From the dialects available on tusaalanga.ca, which one is the closest to Kallallisut?

How close are North and South Baffin dialects to Kalaallisut? Is it possible intercommunication?

Edit: thank you for the answers!

4 Comments
2024/07/10
13:07 UTC

5

Anyone here who speaks Inuinnaqtun and can help with a short translation? We pay per word

Hi everyone!

We are looking for someone who speaks Inuinnaqtun to help us with a short translation. It's a small project, and we are willing to pay per translated word. If you speak Inuinnaqtun or know someone who does, please get in touch with us.

Thank you!

0 Comments
2024/06/26
14:23 UTC

3

Any Inuktitut speakers or learners want to join our language learning community?

Hello guys! I wanted to let you know about our language learning Discord server. Make friends from all over the world, study, and teach languages with us in our vibrant, diverse, active community. Join today here: https://discord.com/invite/Y7cEd2h8ZQ

0 Comments
2024/06/22
17:37 UTC

1

AMA: LangX | Practice, Learn, Succeed! – A New Era in Language Learning! 🌟

0 Comments
2024/06/22
12:22 UTC

4

Which dialect should I learn?

Hi. I'm interested in learning Inuktitut. I'll be using the website Tusaalanga. However, there are a plethora of dialects available there. Which one is the most widespread or more recognizable?

Also, the website appears to not include exercises. Has anyone studied Inuktitut from there? If so, how did you do it?

4 Comments
2024/06/17
09:53 UTC

6

Twenty two in Inuktitut numerals

I found these Inuktitut numbers online, but I haven’t been able to find how to make numbers like 53 or 341 ect. Specifically I am interested in the number 22 in Inuktitut because I’d like to use it on a birthday card I’m making for my brother who is turning 22. 1 ᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ (atausiq) 2 ᒪᕐᕉᒃ (marruuk) 3 ᐱᖓᓱᑦ (pingasut) 4 ᑎᓴᒪᑦ (tisamat) 5 ᑕᓪᓕᒪᑦ (tallimat) 6 ᐱᖓᓲᔪᕐᑐᑦ (pingasuujuqtut) 7 ᑎᓴᒪᐅᔪᓐᖏᒑᕐᑐᑦ (tisamaujunngigaaqtut) 8 ᑎᓴᒪᐅᒑᕐᑐᑦ (tisamaujuqtut) 9 ᖁᓕᐅᓐᖏᒑᖅᑐᑦ (quliunngigaaqtut) 10 ᖁᓕᑦ (qulit) 11 ᖁᓕᑦ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᓗ (qulit atausirlu) 12 ᖁᓕᑦ ᒪᕐᕉᒡᓗ (qulit marruuglu) 13 ᖁᓕᑦ ᐱᖓᓱᓪᓗ (qulit pingasullu) 14 ᖁᓕᑦ ᑎᓴᒪᓪᓗ (qulit tisamallu) 15 ᖁᓕᑦ ᑕᓪᓕᒪᓪᓗ (qulit tallimallu) 16 ᖁᓕᑦ ᐱᖓᓲᔪᕐᑐᓪᓗ (qulit pingasuujuqtullu) 17 ᖁᓕᑦ ᑎᓴᒪᐅᔪᓐᖏᒑᕐᑐᓪᓗ (qulit tisamaujunngigaaqtullu) 18 ᖁᓕᑦ ᑎᓴᒪᐅᒑᕐᑐᓪᓗ (qulit tisamaujuqtullu) 19 ᖁᓕᑦ ᖁᓕᐅᓐᖏᒑᖅᑐᓪᓗ (qulit quliunngigaaqtullu) 20 ᐊᕙᑎᒃ (avatit) 100 ᐅᓐᑦᕆᑎ (untriti)

1 Comment
2024/06/03
07:11 UTC

3

Join r/AskAlaska! We need more experts/locals from your region and culture <3

0 Comments
2024/05/07
20:14 UTC

3

Some good comprehension links, sorry, not all Inuktitut specifically but Inuit languages

This playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN3mP542YH4&list=PL7MvFkX-UbOQB5uslwUzGblO6wTYMiApq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJu04EMNhCk

I am happy I can now understand 90% of these. I can understand, but I can't speak well whatsoever.

0 Comments
2024/05/03
20:27 UTC

3

Translation help?

I've been wanting to see Uvavnuk's poem "The Great Sea" translated back into Inuktitut. Here's the text:

"The great sea moves me, sets me adrift. It moves me like algae on stones in running brook water. The vault of heaven moves me. Mighty weather storms through my soul. It carries me with it. Trembling with joy."

Is anyone able to help me?

0 Comments
2024/04/20
01:17 UTC

4

hi!

I’m interested in learning the language however most language learning apps such as duolingo and others don’t have it, I’d like some suggestions and some help

1 Comment
2024/03/30
18:52 UTC

2

Literal translation of the word nuvvugittuq

I have heard that there often are complex meanings behind the names of places. But I couldn't find a single source for the etymology of the word. I know nothing about the inuktitut language and would be grateful for any insights

0 Comments
2024/03/22
06:26 UTC

1

Panigoniak Lyrics translation

I recently discovered Charlie Panigoniak, but I cannot speak the language. Is there any translations of his lyrics available? Specifically the lyrics to the song Ka'jat. I can't even find the original lyrics but I'm really curious as to what he was singing about, I like the melody

0 Comments
2024/03/05
15:09 UTC

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