Language and Traditional Knowledge
Language and traditional knowledge are intimately linked. The indigenous peoples of the Arctic have developed language in order to express the specialized knowledge necessary for living the traditional way of life. For example, Inuit have an intricate vocabulary relating to snow and ice, while Saami have dozens of words to describe various aspects of reindeer herding. The concepts expressed by this specialized vocabulary are particular to a people's traditional way of life and can scarcely be translated into other languages, as they lose meaning when divorced from the associated experiences of travelling over the Arctic ice or herding reindeer, for instance.
These articles describe examples of the connection between language and traditional knowledge.
Diversity in Saami terminology for reindeer and snow - Ole Henrik Magga
The physical environment leaves its mark on every culture. The Saami culture bears evidence of a long intimate relationship with the arctic environment. The Saami languages have a rich terminology for reindeer, snow and ice.