We have posted video clips with language samples from several Arctic peoples. We hope to include content from every Arctic indigenous language, so please contact us if you would like to make a contribution in your language.

 

Language Examples (Video)

Digital video is an excellent tool for recording indigenous languages. These brief clips taken with simple digital cameras provide a small illustration of what can be undertaken on a much larger scale.

Rena Skifte, Greenland
Language: Greenlandic

"Language matters."

Pavel Sulyandziga, Udege, Russia
Language: Russian

"Indigenous language is very important for indigenous peoples. Without language (without people speaking the language) there is no "people". Therefore it is crucial for indigenous people to maintain their language(s). I unfortunately do not speak my indigenous language, but I am trying hard to make sure that my children will speak the language."

Kirsti Guvsám, Sapmi, Norway
Language: Julevsaami

"Saami is the language of my heart. I only speak a little Saami...and I want to learn more."

Naja Lund, Greenland
Language: Greenlandic

"Our Greenlandic language is important."

Gunn-Britt Retter, Saami Council, Norway section
Language: Saami

"Saami is a golden language, and the language of my heart."

Alexander Arbachakov, South Siberia Sakha Republic
Language: Shor

"Our language is our history, our culture, our traditions."

Alona Yefimenko, Chukotka, Russia
Language: Chukchi

"My language is my life. Without language, my culture will disappear, and the people disappear as well."

Lars Anders Baer, Saami Council, Sweden section
Language: Saami

"We have an old saying among the Saami that the Saami language is the golden language, because this is the most valuable, and because this is a part of our identity. This also relates to our land, and to our past history."

Carl Christian Olsen, Puju, Greenland
Language: Greenlandic

"Language matters. Language is important. Since language can teach the knowledge that we have, we have to bring the language through to the coming generations."

Rosemary Cooper, Nunavut
Language: Inuktitut (Nunavut dialect)

"Inuktitut, our Inuit language, is our past and our current language, and we need to hold on to it because its a part of our culture."

Jelena Pushkarova (Nenets), Russia
Language: Nenets

Rosemarie Kuptana, Inuvialuit Region
Language: Inuvialuit Region dialect

"Our language must never be forgotten. Our ancestors used it to survive as we do today. Our future generation will speak our language like our forefathers."

Apolinaria, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia