Humans all over the world define our knowledge, values, culture, and worldviews through the language we use. Today Division 3 looked at Inuktitut syllabics and listened to the language.

Inuktitut includes many different dialects, and is written today using two methods: Qaniujaqpait (syllabics) and Roman orthography. Many Inuit communities are working on revitalizing and continuing to teach/learn Inuktitut to maintain traditional knowledge. Inuit use their language to describe places, phenomena, and relationships unique to them. This is reflective of the deep relationship they have with the land, as well as the complex understandings about nature they have learned from their environment. Like in other languages, Inuktitut ties Inuit to their ancestors, family members, and neighbours. It is a way for them to unite and ensure that their cultures endures for generations to come.

Check out some of these games made for children (and really anyone) to develop some understanding of Inuktitut.

Syllabic Spotter

In the Syllabic Spotter game, players must guide the narwhal to the syllabic characters using the arrow keys on a keyboard or by pressing the arrows on screen. The narwhal directs players to find a particular syllabic character using latin script.

Press the green flag to begin
Controls:
Up arrow – move forwards
Down arrow – move backwards
Left arrow – turn anticlockwise
Right arrow – turn clockwise
R – reset high score

Syllabic Matching Game

In the Syllabic Matching Game there are three sprites with Inuktitut words and three sprites with matching pictures. Students can click on a word then click on the animal they think it matches with, and the game will draw a line to connect the two.

Click the green flag to start playing. Click one of the Inuktitut words, then click the corresponding picture. Once you’ve made your guesses, the game will show you which are correct. See if you can get them all right!

Animal Name Announcer

In the Animal Name Announcer game students practice their pronunciation. In this example, animals  are used as the characters in the game. Students can record the pronunciation of each animal’s name.

Press the green flag to begin Move the mouse pointer to move the Narwhal. Hover over an animal or syllabic to hear it pronounced – be sure to have your sound on!