5 Indigenous Terms Used In Canadian English, Part III

Written By Brandon Douglas

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The English language is rich with diverse vocabulary that is often borrowed or inspired by other tongues. Each variant of the English language features its own lendings and inspirations. Canadian English is no exception, as it has evolved to adopt a plethora of words from local Indigenous languages, among others. Let’s take a look at five more words that come from Indigenous origins.*

*NOTE: These words are not necessarily unique to Canadian English. They are, however, commonly used in the English language spoken in Canada.

KAYAK

The word, “kayak,” is known to come from three Indigenous origins: Inuktitut, Yup’ik, and Aleut. In all three languages, this word roughly translates to “hunter’s boat,” and is a reference to a narrow, light-weight boat that is propelled by the use of a double-sided oar. Traditional designs allow for but one passenger, and the use of the boat was typically for hunting or transportation purposes. Nowadays, however, kayaks are used all over the world in athletic competitions, recreational activity, transportation, and more.

“Woman Kayaking in Nordegg, Canada.” Photo courtesy of Kalen Emsley on Unsplash

QUONSET

From the Algonquian language family comes the word, “quonset,” meaning “small, long place.” Such is quite an accurate description of the English-language quonset, which is a prefabricated building made of corrugated metal and is shaped like a long dome or semi-circle, but the term did not originally refer to this type of structure, rather it was in reference to the peninsular land of Quonset Point in Maryland, USA. This became the first mass-manufacturing origin of this building type in North America, so while the concept of such an architecture is of British origin, known there as the Nissen Hut, “quonset” became the term of choice to describe this structural design in North America, particularly in Canada.

Generally speaking, quonsets are known to be cheap but durable building solutions for hangars, garages, workshops, sheds, warehouses, barns, storage, and even for stores and homes.

“Quonset in Ontario” photo courtesy of Achim Hering - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.

NUNAVUMMIUQ

Every province and territory in Canada has a demonym, meaning a word that is used to describe a person or thing from a particular place. “Canadian” is a prime example of this; if someone or something comes from Canada, that person or thing is considered Canadian. In the same vein, a person who comes from the Canadian territory of Nunavut is called a Nunavummiuq. In the plural, Nunavummiut. These words derive from one of the territory’s local languages, Inuktitut (ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᖅ (nonafommiuq) and ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᑦ (nonafommiut)), and has been adopted into general use in Canadian English to refer to the people of the region.

INUK

Speaking of Inuktitut, other words borrowed from this language include the singular Inuk and the plural Inuit. In their original tongue, these terms mean “human being” and “human beings,” respectively. In Canadian English, however, these words serve as specific reference to members of an Indigenous people group that are native to the colonized lands of Alaska, northern Canada, and Greenland, where Inuk describes a single person and Inuit describes more than one person of this people group.

Like their Inuktitut siblings, “Nunavummiuq” and “Nunavummiut,” “Inuk” and “Inuit” can act as both nouns and adjectives in Canadian English. However, unlike most adjectives in the English language, number agreement is required when using these Inuktitut terms to describe a noun. For example, it is correct in Canadian English to say an “Inuk child” or “Inuit children,” but it is incorrect to say an “Inuit child” or “Inuk children”; the singular form, “Inuk,” must precede a singular noun; likewise, the plural form, “Inuit,” must precede a plural noun. “Nunavummiuq” and its plural counterpart also observe this grammatical rule: a “Nunavummiuq person” and “Nunavummiut people.”

Exception to this structure occurs with abstract nouns, meaning words that represent intangible or uncountable concepts or ideas (e.g., “information,” “culture,” “family,” etc.). In such situations, the plural forms are commonly used:

  • Inuit information

    NOTE

    “Information” is uncountable.

  • Inuit culture

    NOTE

    “Culture” can be countable (in contexts of distinction) or uncountable (in contexts of concept). In countable contexts, the word “Inuk” is used to distinguish one Inuk culture from another. In conceptual contexts, the word “Inuit” is used to refer to something that generally connects all Inuit people: Inuit culture.

  • Inuit family

    NOTE

    “Family” can be countable (in contexts of distinction) or uncountable (in contexts of concept). In countable contexts, the word “Inuk” is used to distinguish one Inuk family from another. In conceptual contexts, the word “Inuit” is used to refer to something that generally connects all Inuit people: the structure of the Inuit family.

INUKSHUK

Some more vocabulary borrowed by Canadian English from the Inuktitut language is the singular noun inukshuk (alternatively spelled “inuksuk”) and its plural form, inuksuit. In their original language, both words mean “to act like a human” and are represented by a tower of stacked stones. These stones can form many shapes, including that of a human figure, known by the Inuit as inunnguaq, meaning “the imitation of a human.” However, in Canadian English, this human-like structure is, mistakenly or not, generalized into the same category of inuksuit.

While many inuksuit nowadays may be constructed out of artistic merit by peoples of all backgrounds, these rock formations are still traditionally used as a means of communication by the Inuit and hold spiritual significance. Among their many expressions, inuksuit serve as aids in navigation and hunting, acting as an instruction for direction for Inuit hunters and travellers. Inuksuit that take the form of inunnguaq are known to spread the message that humans are present, potentially indicating a point of meeting, a nearby civilization, or the former occupation of the land by Inuit ancestors, and so on.

While residents of other countries might see these terms as something rather niche, inuksuit are actually so commonly found in Canadian society that they have become a sort of unofficial symbol of Canadiana; regardless of their northern origin, inuksuit can be seen from coast to coast to coast, standing on rocky or sandy shores, found along trails in forests and cities, or displayed in academic centres like schools or museums. Most notably, however, an inukshuk can be seen prominently displayed on the flag of Nunavut, a territory in Northern Canada.

“Flag of Nunavut” photo courtesy of Kooma (original), Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.

Have you come across any of these words in your English language learning journey? What about in your Canadian travels? Do you know any other Indigenous words that the English language uses? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

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Brandon Douglas
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