Alutiiq language facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alutiiq
Pacific Gulf Yupik Sugt’stun, Alutiit’stun
Native to	United States
Region	coastal Alaska (Alaska Peninsula to Prince William Sound)
Ethnicity	3,500 Alutiiq people (2010)
Native speakers	80  (2020)
Language family	Eskimo–Aleut Eskimo Yupik Alutiiq
Writing system	Latin
Official status
Official language in	Alaska

The Alutiiq language, also known as Sugpiaq or Pacific Gulf Yupik, is spoken by the Alutiiq people along the coast of Alaska. It is very similar to the Central Alaskan Yup'ik language, which is spoken in other parts of Alaska. However, Alutiiq is considered a separate language.

There are two main types, or dialects, of the Alutiiq language:

• Koniag Alutiiq: This dialect is spoken on the upper part of the Alaska Peninsula and on Kodiak Island. It was also spoken on Afognak Island until people moved away after the big Good Friday earthquake in 1964.
• Chugach Alutiiq: This dialect is spoken on the Kenai Peninsula and in the Prince William Sound area.

The names used for the Alutiiq people can be a bit confusing. Terms like "Aleut," "Alutiiq," "Sugpiaq," and "Pacific Eskimo" have all been used to describe this group of Native people in Alaska.

Saving the Alutiiq Language

Out of about 3,000 Alutiiq people, only about 400 still speak the Alutiiq language today. Many Alutiiq communities are working hard to bring their language back to life.

For example, in 2010, the high school in Kodiak started teaching the Alutiiq language. Students had asked for these classes. At that time, only about 50 elderly people spoke the Kodiak dialect, and it was in danger of disappearing completely. By 2014, Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage also began offering Alutiiq classes. They use a special teaching method called "Where Are Your Keys?" to help people learn the language.

How Words Compare

Here's a look at how some numbers and month names are said in the two main Alutiiq dialects:

See also

In Spanish: Idioma alutiiq para niños