PrintLanguage
The Inuvialuit belong to three linguistic groups. Collectively the three dialects they speak are known as the Inuvialuktun language:
- Uummarmiut meaning "people of the evergreens and willows" is spoken in the tree-lined inland communities of Aklavik and Inuvik.
- Siglit (its meaning is debated) is spoken in the coastal communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour.
- Kangiryuarmiut meaning "people of the large bay" is spoken in the community of Ulukhaktok (Holman) on Victoria Island. However, the people of Ulukhaktok (Holman) prefer to call their dialect Inuinnaqtun due to their strong ties with the people of the Central Arctic.
| Uummarmiut | Siglit | Kangiryuarmiut | |
| Hello | atitu | atitu | haluuqtuq |
| Good Bye | ilaatnilu | ilaannilu or qakugulu | ublaakun |
| Good Morning | uvlaami | ublaami | ublaami |
| Thank You | quyanaq or quyanainni | quyanainni | quana |
| You're Welcome | amiunniin | amiunniin | nam-maktak |
| How Are You? | qanuq itpit? | qanuq itpit? | qanuq ipit? |
| I'm Fine. Good. | nakuurunga | nakuuyumi or nakuuyumi assi |
naammaktunga |
| Yes | ii | ii | ii |
| No | naagga | naaggai | imannaq |
| That's All! | taima or tahamma | taima | taima |
Unfortunately, Inuvialuktun is classified as an endangered language because it is spoken by fewer than 50% of the population, many of whom are elders.
The Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre was opened in May 1998. Together with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation it has supported several oral history projects. Its mandate includes:
- Developing a language plan for the Region,
- Creating an Inuvialuktun Language Curriculum,
- Providing Inuvialuktun teachers with resource materials, and
- Preserving and modernizing the language.