Inuktitut, Greenlandic

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A language of Greenland

ISO 639-3
kal
Alternate Names
Greenlandic, Kalaallisut
Population

50,000 in Greenland (2007 I. Larsen). 3,000 East Greenlandic, 44,000 West Greenlandic, 800 North Greenlandic. Population total all countries: 57,000.

Location

About 80 communities of populations over 10. Also in Denmark (Greenlandic Kalaallisut).

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1978, Home Rule Act No. 577 of 29 November, Article 9.1).

Classification
Eskimo-Aleut, Eskimo, Inuit-Inupiaq
Dialects

East Greenlandic, Iniktun (Inuktun, North Greenlandic, “Polar Eskimo” (pej.), Thule Inuit), West Greenlandic. Dialects border on being different languages (1995 M. Krauss).

Language Use

Vigorous in Greenland. Also use Danish [dan].

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Bible: 1900.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Inuktitut, Greenlandic
Writing
Latin script.

Also spoken in:

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