Qrius
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Finance
    • Investment Guide
    • Policy
    • SMEs
    • Net Worth
    • Startup
    • Pros and Cons
  • World
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • Sports
      • Scrabble
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Science & Technology
    • Archaeology
    • Nature
    • Space
    • Tech
    • AI
    • Fintech
    • Futuristic Technologies
    • IOT
  • India
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Contributors
    • Digital Marketing Guest Post
    • Education Guest Post
    • Travel Guest Post
    • Fashion Guest Post
    • Fintech Guest Post
    • Health Guest Post
    • IOT Guest Post
    • Politics Guest Post
    • Sports Guest Post
    • AI Guest Post
    • Technology Guest Post
    • Literature Guest Post
  • Content Services
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Finance
    • Investment Guide
    • Policy
    • SMEs
    • Net Worth
    • Startup
    • Pros and Cons
  • World
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • Sports
      • Scrabble
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Science & Technology
    • Archaeology
    • Nature
    • Space
    • Tech
    • AI
    • Fintech
    • Futuristic Technologies
    • IOT
  • India
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Contributors
    • Digital Marketing Guest Post
    • Education Guest Post
    • Travel Guest Post
    • Fashion Guest Post
    • Fintech Guest Post
    • Health Guest Post
    • IOT Guest Post
    • Politics Guest Post
    • Sports Guest Post
    • AI Guest Post
    • Technology Guest Post
    • Literature Guest Post
  • Content Services
15 Jan, 19
15 Jan, 19
Culture and Society, Heritage

Revitalizing the Inuktitut language on social media, one word at a time

Language preservation is an integral part of building pride among Inuit, particularly young Inuit.

By Qrius

By Eduardo Avila

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) has taken to social media to encourage the increased usage of Inuktitut, the Inuit language. Based in the Qikiqtani (Baffin) Region of Nunavut, Canada’s youngest territory, the organization works to “safeguard, administer and advance the rights and benefits of the Qikiqtani Inuit”.

Their social media efforts are in keeping with their mission to promote the Inuktitut language. In an email interview with QIA, a representative of the organization wrote:

Language preservation is an integral part of building pride among Inuit, particularly young Inuit. Learning, speaking-in and thinking-in Inuktitut helps young Inuit feel more connected to our community and traditional values.

This is especially important because researchers note “a decline in the quality of Inuktitut in Nunavik — including poor grammar, a low level of vocabulary and increased mixing of Inuktitut with English.” According to the researchers’ report, contributing factors may include the influence of non-Inuktitut-language media and an insufficient number of teachers fluent in Inuktitut.

According to information collected from various sources by the Endangered Languages Project, there are between 14,000 and 30,000 native speakers of Inukutit, but the language is considered to “vulnerable” according to UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger.

The online campaign being conducted on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, introduces Inuktitut words written in Canadian Aboriginal syllabics and pairs them with prints produced by the Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop in Cape Dorset. The illustrations illuminate many aspects of Inuit culture.

The Word of the Day project is another of several initiatives designed to promote the language. The QIA sponsors an annual Inuktitut song and poem contest, as well as the production of early childhood education materials. In collaboration with Inhabit Media, an Inuit-owned publishing company based in Nunavut, the QIA produces children’s books authored by Inuit authors from the territory.

To see the full set, visit the @Qikiqtani_Inuit Instagram account.


Eduardo Avila Joined Global Voices in 2005 as a volunteer author writing about Bolivia .

This article was originally published on GlobalVoices.


Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius

About Author

Qrius

what is qrius

Qrius reduces complexity. We explain the most important issues of our time, answering the question: "What does this mean for me?"


Featured articles

1

Before Christ

What Does BCE Mean? Difference between BCE, CE, BC and AD
2

GDP

Revealing the Top 10 GDP Countries of 2024: A Deep Dive into Global Economic Powerhouses
3

Android

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Car Racing Games for Android in 2024
4

cars

Best Family Car in India in 2024: Experience Memorable Journeys with Loved Ones
5

Extreme sports

Hidden Chess Rules: Elevate Your Game with Secret Strategies
6

adventure sports

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better
7

40 Top GK Questions: Boost Your Knowledge Quotient!
8

Why has increased productivity not led to more free time?
9

gita

Gita quotes on karma: Want to live your best life? Laws to live by…
10

Facebook

Facebook and Instagram down: What reason did Meta give?

About Qrius

  • About Us
  • Content Services
  • Contributors
  • Become a Contributor
  • Contact

Contribute

  • Digital Marketing Guest Post
  • Education Guest Post
  • Travel Guest Post
  • Fashion Guest Post
  • Fintech Guest Post
  • Health Guest Post
  • IOT Guest Post
  • Literature Guest Post
  • Politics Guest Post
  • Sports Guest Post
  • Technology Guest Post
  • AI Guest Post

Quick Links

  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Climate
  • Culture
  • Economy
  • History
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & Tech
  • Archaeology
  • Nature
  • Space
  • Tech
  • AI
  • Fintech
  • Futuristic Technologies
  • IoT
  • India
  • Culture
  • Economy
  • History
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Climate
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
2018 QRIUS. All Rights Reserved