Proto-Eskimoan language

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Proto-Eskimoan
Proto-Eskimo, Proto-Inuit-Yupik
Reconstruction ofEskimo languages
Eraby ca. 2000 BCE
Reconstructed
ancestor
Lower-order reconstructions

Proto-Eskimoan, Proto-Eskimo, or Proto-Inuit-Yupik, is the reconstructed ancestor of the Eskimo languages.[1] It was spoken by the ancestors of the Yupik and Inuit peoples. It is linguistically related to the Aleut language, and both descend from the Proto-Eskaleut language.[2]

Comparative studies of Eskimo and Aleut languages suggest that the Proto-Eskimoan and Proto-Aleut languages diverged between 4000 and 2000 BCE.[3][4]

Phonology

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According to the International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, "Eskimo languages show variation primarily in their phonology and lexicon, rather than in syntax." In addition, "Proto-Eskimo had four vowels */i a u ə/, but few or none of the long vowels or diphthongs found in the modern languages."[5]

See also

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Wiktionary has a list of reconstructed forms at Appendix:Proto-Eskimo reconstructions
For a list of words relating to Proto-Eskimoan language, see the Proto-Eskimoan language category of words in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

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  1. ^ Fortescue, Michael, Steven Jacobson, and Lawrence Kaplan. 1994. Comparative Eskimo Dictionary with Aleut Cognates. Alaska Native Language Center.
  2. ^ BERGE, A. (2010). Origins of Linguistic Diversity in the Aleutian Islands. Human Biology, 82(5/6), 557-581. Retrieved from JSTOR 41466704
  3. ^ Bergsland, K. 1986. Comparative Eskimo- Aleut phonology and lexicon. J. Soc. Finno-Ougrienne 80:63-137.
  4. ^ Bergsland, K. 1989. Comparative aspects of Aleut syntax. J. Soc. Finno-Oug
  5. ^ International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: AAVE-Esperanto. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 2003. pp. 522–523. ISBN 9780195139778.


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