During our fall language training, we were encouraged to enlist a language helper to aid us in learning Kalaallisut, the heart language of the Inuit in Greenland. This advice resonated deeply with us, especially after hearing UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay’s words:

“A language is far more than a means of communication; it is the very condition of our humanity. Our values, our beliefs, and our identity are embedded within it. It is through language that we transmit our experiences, our traditions, and our knowledge. The diversity of languages reflects the incontestable wealth of our imaginations and ways of life.”

This insight fueled our determination to master Kalaallisut, the language we will use in Nuuk starting in January. Greenlandic, or Kalaallisut, is the official language of Greenland and belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut language family, which includes Inuit languages spoken in Alaska and Canada.
Greenlandic has three main dialects:

West Greenlandic (Kalaallisut): The most widely spoken and the official language of Greenland, taught in schools across the country.

East Greenlandic (Tunumiit oraasiat): Also known as Tunumiisut, it is spoken in East Greenland and is nearly a distinct language.

Thule Greenlandic (Inuktitut): Also known as Avernarsuaq, it is spoken in Northern Greenland around Qaanaaq.

The Greenlandic orthography, or system of writing, is constructed in the Roman alphabet. Its establishment in 1851 significantly boosted literacy rates, with modern Greenlandic borrowing extensively from Danish.

We eagerly anticipate connecting with the Inuit community through their heart language, Kalaallisut. As we prepare for many midnight suns in Greenland, we ask for your prayers and support in our mission to grasp the heart language of the Inuit. Your support will help us bridge cultural gaps and share in the rich tapestry of Inuit life and traditions.

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