Language

The Greenlandic language

1st day at school

Kalaallisut - "the Greenlanders’ language"
Greenlandic belongs to the Inuit-Aleut family of languages that is spoken by some 80,000 Inuits in Alaska, Canada and Greenland. In terms of its structure the language is completely different to Indo-European languages, and as a visitor to Greenland you will find that you understand absolutely nothing when Greenlandic is spoken – or ‘kalaallisut’, as it is called, which actually means ‘the Greenlanders’ language’.

Other languages in Greenland
Danish is the first foreign language learnt in Greenland’s schools, and the majority of the population also speak good Danish, especially those living in the towns. Danes can therefore easily get by with Danish when visiting Greenland. Many young people who have attended a course of study in Denmark or abroad also speak good English. Tourist offices often have personnel that are able to speak German and sometimes also French. Guided excursions are usually available in several languages. Contact your local tourist office to hear which language services they are able to provide.

A couple of useful expressions in Greenlandic
The Greenlandic sound that is spelt with a /q/ can cause some problems, but is pronounced almost like /kr/. Another special sound is /ll/ or /rl/ which is pronounced almost like /sl/.

English		Greenlandic
What’s your name?		Qanoq ateqarpit?
When shall we leave?		Qaqugu aallassaagut?
Today?		Ullumi?
Tomorrow?		Aqagu?
Thank you		Qujanaq

You can read much more about the Greenlandic language in the handbook “Greenlandic for Travellers”, which can be bought on the Internet or at good bookshops. The book should be able to expand your vocabulary from the three words you perhaps already know: Kayak, igloo and anorak.

Qujanarsuaq! (Thank you very much)

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