The Inuktitut syllabary was adapted from the Cree syllabary in the late 19th century by John Horden and E. A. Watkins, missionaries from England. In 1976 the Language Commission of the Inuit Cultural Institute approved two standardized writing systems for Inuktitut in Canada: one using the syllabary and the other using the Latin alphabet.
Today the Inuktitut syllabary, which is known as titirausiq nutaaq (ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖅ ᓄᑕᐊᖅ) or qaniujaaqpait (ᖃᓂᐅᔮᖅᐸᐃᑦ), is used mainly in Canada, especially in the territory of Nunavut (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ), the population of which is 85% Inuit, and in Nunavik (ᓄᓇᕕᒃ), Quebec. The Latin alphabet, known as qaliujaaqpait is used in other parts of Canada, Alaska and Greenland, while in Siberia the Cyrillic alphabet is used.
Notable features
- Type of writing system: syllabary.
- Writing direction: left to right in horizontal lines.
- The Inuktitut syllabary consists of a small number of basic signs, the vowel sound attached to each one depends on their orientation.
Common Sayings (English - Inuktitut - Phonetic)
How are you? - Qanuipit? (Ka-nwee-peet?)
I am fine - Qanuingittunga (Ka-nweeng-ni-toon-ga)
What is your name? - Kinauvit? (Kee-nau-veet?)
Do you understand? - Tukisiviit? (Too-kee-see-veet?)
Thank you - Qujannamiik (Coo-yan-na-mee-ick)
That’s all - Taima (Tay-ma)
You are welcome - Ilaali (Ee-lah-li)
I am hungry - Kaatunga (Kak-toon-ga)
I am cold - Qiuliqtunga (Key-u-lick-toon-ga)
Help ! - Ikajunga ! (Ick-eang-nak-took)
Did you make this? - Una sanajait? (Oo-na san-ai-yate?)
How many? - Qatsiit? (Cat-seet?)
Yes - Ii (Ee)
No - Aakka or Aagaa (Ah-ka or ah-gah)
Maybe - Atsuuli (At-soo-lee)
What is it? - Una suna? (Oo-na soo-na?)
Goodbye(to one person) - Tavvauvutit (Tah-vow-voo-teet)
Goodbye to you all - Tavvauvusi (Tah-vow-voo-see)
Good Morning - Ulaakut (Oo-lah-coot)
Good Afternoon - Unusakut (Oo-nah-sa-coot)
Good Evening - Unukut (Oo-new-coot)
Me too - Uvangatau (Oo-va-naw-taa-u)
Come here - Qaigit (K-eye-geet)
Sun - Siqiniq (Sick-awn-nick)
Sled - Qamutik (Caw-moo-tick)
Polar Bear - Nanuq (Naa-nook)
Walrus - Aiviq (Eye-vick)
Seal - Nattiq (Naa-tick)
Caribou - Tuktu (Took-two)
Dog - Qimmik (Kim-mick)
Musk Ox - Umimmak (Oom-mim-mack)
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| Pardon me - did you say Grey Poupon? |
