Description | InupiaQ | English |
Pictures
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a is pronounced most frequently like the vowel in "fun" and "the". When next to "q" or "b" it sounds like "a" in "father". | amaaq | root | |
Double aa and any other double letter is held longer than a single letter. | aatqan | mitten |
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ch resembles "ch" in "church" | natchiq | seal | |
ch resembles "ch" in "church" | ivgich | grass |
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g before another consonant is like "g" in "go". | aglaun | pencil | |
Elsewhere it is pronounced much softer as a continued sound, not as a stopped sound. | ivgun | towel |
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b is similar to "g", but is spoken farther back in the throat. Between vowels it is sometimes very soft and easily missed. | abviq | whale |
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b is similar to "g", but is spoken farther back in the throat. Between vowels it is sometimes very soft and easily missed. | tabbaq | shadow |
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h resembles English "h". | aahaaliq | Old Squaw duck |
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i is pronounced like " i" in "police". Next to b and q it sounds like "i " as in "tin". | ikun | match | |
i is pronounced like "i " in "police". Next to b and q it sounds like "i " as in "tin". | siilik | pike |
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i is pronounced like "i " in "police". Next to b and q it sounds like "i " as in "tin". | kukik | fingernail |
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k sounds like "k" in "ski" or "skill". It lacks the puff of air that follows "k" in "kill". | ukpik | snowy owl | |
l resembles "l" in "leave". | ulu | woman's knife | |
l resembles "l" in "leave". | qallun | cup |
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j is like "l" in "cleave" only more "breathy". It is voiceless. | pajuqtaq | beaver | |
j is like "l" in "cleave" only more "breathy". It is voiceless. | kamikjuuk | pants |
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x is pronounced something like the letters "li" in "peculiar" or "million" (is the same as Spanish caballero). | kixxiq | cut |
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x is pronounced something like the letters "li" in "peculiar" or "million" (is the same as Spanish caballero). | kixibniq | knot | |
m sounds like English "m". | mannik | egg |
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n is pronounced like English "n". | nanuq | polar bear |
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e is pronounced like the letters "ny" in "canyon" (is the same as Spanish maeana). | ieuk | human being |
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e is pronounced like the letters "ny" in "canyon" (is the same as Spanish maeana). | siqieiq | sun |
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f is pronounced like the letters "ng" in "king". | tifmisuun | airplane | |
f is pronounced like the letters "ng" in "king". | afun | male being |
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p sounds like "p" in "spot". It is pronounced without the puff of air that accompanies "p" in "pot". | papik | bird's tail | |
p sounds like "p" in "spot". It is pronounced without the puff of air that accompanies "p" in "pot". | putu | hole |
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r sounds like "r" and "z" pronounced at the same time. | argaich | hand, fingers | |
r sounds like "r" and "z" pronounced at the same time. | ugruk | bearded seal |
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s is pronounced between English "s" and "sh". | suluk | wing feather | |
sr sounds like "r" and "sh" pronounced a the same time. Where Kobuk River people use "sr" between vowels, coastal Eskimos pronounce "s". | siksrik | ground squirrel | |
sr sounds like "r" and "sh" pronounced a the same time. Where Kobuk River people use "sr" between vowels, coastal Eskimos pronounce "s". | iqsraq | cheek |
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t is pronounced like "t" in "steam". It lacks the puff of air that follows "t" in "team". | tuttu | caribou | |
u sounds like "u" in "rule". Next to b and q it sounds like "u" in "pull" or "o" in "okay". | uqaq | tongue | |
u sounds like "u" in "rule". Next to b and q it sounds like "u" in "pull" or "o" in "okay". | uuktuun | a measure |
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v is pronounced somewhat like English "v" but with lips touching. | nuviivak | fly |
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y is pronounced like English "y" in "yes". | nauyaq | seagull | |
ai is pronounced like "ie" in "pie" and ia is pronounced like "ea" in "area" in North Alaska dialect. In Kobuk River dialect, they are pronounced alike, as in "air". | aiviq | walrus | |
ai is pronounced like "ie" in "pie" and ia is pronounced like "ea" in "area" in North Alaska dialect. In Kobuk River dialect, they are pronounced alike, as in "air". | tifmiaq | goose | |
au is pronounced like "ow" in "pow" and ua is pronounced like "wa" in "how about" in North Alaska dialect. In Kobuk River dialect, they are pronounced alike, as "au" in "caught". | qauq | forehead | |
au is pronounced like "ow" in "pow" and ua is pronounced like "wa" in "how about" in North Alaska dialect. In Kobuk River dialect, they are pronounced alike, as "au" in "caught". | quaq | frozen food |
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ui is pronounced like "ui" in "quick" in both North Alaska and Kobuk River dialects. | qugruich | swans | |
ui is pronounced like "ui" in "quick" in both North Alaska and Kobuk River dialects. | siun | ear |
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In some places where coastal dialects use a "k", Kobuk River people use a glottal spelled ( ' ). | Ani'ami tautukkaa. | As he went out, he saw it. |
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