Alutiiq Word of the Week | June 1, 2014
NaRiaciik (N); NaRaciik (S) – Boat Captain Kugyasigtaangama naRaciyutaallianga. – When I was fishing (seining), I used to be a captain. (Click sentence to hear Alutiiq words spoken.) The Alutiiq word for boat captain, naRiaciikor naRaciik, comes from Russian. It includes a small capital R to indicate an “r“ sound, as in the English […]
Alutiiq Word of the Week | May 25, 2014
Cukiq – Thorn; Sliver Allrani aigaqa cukirtaartuq. – Sometimes I get a sliver on my hand. (Click sentence to hear Alutiiq words spoken.) The Alutiiq word for thorn, cukiq, can be used to mean sliver, thorn, barb, quill, or even spruce needle, and the word for the prickly devil’s club, cukilanarpak, means “plant with […]
Alutiiq Word of the Week May 18, 2014
Itgaq (Literally, “foot”) – Flipper Gui wiinam itgai pingaktaanka. – I always like the sea lion’s feet. (Click sentence to hear Alutiiq words spoken.) Sea mammals propel themselves through Alaska’s coastal waters with strong, sleek flippers. Flippers not only help animals swim, they can be important tools for exiting the water and moving on […]