This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7671137.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Why you should avoid 'mingqutnguaq' Why you should avoid 'mingqutnguaq'
(3 days later)
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Yup'ik Eskimo Grant Kashatok speaks about his life on ice in Newtok, AlaskaYup'ik Eskimo Grant Kashatok speaks about his life on ice in Newtok, Alaska
By Stephen Chittenden BBC News, Newtok, AlaskaBy Stephen Chittenden BBC News, Newtok, Alaska
The number of Eskimo words for snow has long been a point of debate.The number of Eskimo words for snow has long been a point of debate.
In the Yup'ik Eskimo Dictionary published by the Native Language Centre at the University of Alaska, and found in schools throughout Alaska's Yukon Delta, there are 37 ways of referring to it.In the Yup'ik Eskimo Dictionary published by the Native Language Centre at the University of Alaska, and found in schools throughout Alaska's Yukon Delta, there are 37 ways of referring to it.
When snow falls from the sky, an Eskimo can say "it's snowing" in four different ways: aniu, cellallir, ganir or qanunge.When snow falls from the sky, an Eskimo can say "it's snowing" in four different ways: aniu, cellallir, ganir or qanunge.
Once the snow is on the ground, things can get more complicated. Light snow is kannevvluk, soft and deep snow is muruaneq and drifting snow is called natquik.Once the snow is on the ground, things can get more complicated. Light snow is kannevvluk, soft and deep snow is muruaneq and drifting snow is called natquik.
Crusted snow, corniced snow and fresh snow all have their own word too.Crusted snow, corniced snow and fresh snow all have their own word too.
SafetySafety
Grant Kashatok, the principal at Newtok school, explains one reason there are so many words for snow.Grant Kashatok, the principal at Newtok school, explains one reason there are so many words for snow.
"When we say a word, instead of saying 'That is not safe snow!' we say one word and people know if it's safe or not." Cold is very good because it means we will have safe conditions... to cross the rivers Grant Kashatok, Newtok School"When we say a word, instead of saying 'That is not safe snow!' we say one word and people know if it's safe or not." Cold is very good because it means we will have safe conditions... to cross the rivers Grant Kashatok, Newtok School
If you are out hiking and an Eskimo shouts "Mingqutnguaq!" you should stop immediately. It means "rotten ice", and you could be about to fall through the ice.If you are out hiking and an Eskimo shouts "Mingqutnguaq!" you should stop immediately. It means "rotten ice", and you could be about to fall through the ice.
For the same reasons, Eskimos like Grant Kashatok prefer the cold to warm weather,For the same reasons, Eskimos like Grant Kashatok prefer the cold to warm weather,
"Cold is very good because it means we will have safe conditions...to cross the rivers," he says. "Cold is very good because it means we will have safe conditions... to cross the rivers," he says.
Autumn can be a dangerous time in Alaska. While they wait for the ice to harden, children can be tempted to play on frozen pools before it is thick enough to bear their weight.Autumn can be a dangerous time in Alaska. While they wait for the ice to harden, children can be tempted to play on frozen pools before it is thick enough to bear their weight.
Winter activityWinter activity
Once winter takes grip on Alaska, the land, rivers and seas all freeze, opening up the interior and allowing ice roads to be built across the tundra which gives access for hunting.Once winter takes grip on Alaska, the land, rivers and seas all freeze, opening up the interior and allowing ice roads to be built across the tundra which gives access for hunting.
Stanley Tom, the tribal leader in Newtok, says it is an essential part of their livelihood.Stanley Tom, the tribal leader in Newtok, says it is an essential part of their livelihood.
"We have to have ice", he says. "We are called Qaluyarmiut, the dip-net people. We do under-ice netting, catching whitefish." "We have to have ice," he says. "We are called Qaluyarmiut, the dip-net people. We do under-ice netting, catching whitefish."
The winter season has been given human characteristics and a harsh winter is male, or angun, and if it is milder it is described as arnaq, the Yup'ik word for female.The winter season has been given human characteristics and a harsh winter is male, or angun, and if it is milder it is described as arnaq, the Yup'ik word for female.
Yup'ik has three dialects: Central, Siberian and Alutiiqthere. There are three Yup'ik languages: Central, Siberian and Alutiiq.
There are also two other Eskimo languages apart from Yup'ik: Inupiat and Aleut, and that means plenty of ways of referring to snow and ice. There are also two other native languages apart from Yup'ik: Inupiat and Aleut, and that means plenty of ways of referring to snow and ice.