Multilingual Animal Names
Welcome to our celebration of a few of the many languages of Alaska. Here we will share different ways to honor the same creature in the words used by Alaska's diverse linguistic heritage.
Languages referenced include Lingít (also known as Tlingit), Xaad Kíl (also known as Haida), Sm’algyax (also known as Tsimshian), Eyak and Alutiiq.
Map showing Indigenous Peoples and Languages of Alaska
Map credits go to Krauss, Michael, Gary Holton, Jim Kerr, and Colin T. West. 2011. Indigenous Peoples and Languages of Alaska. Fairbanks and Anchorage: Alaska Native Language Center and UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research.
English - bear-black bear
Eyak - ts'iyuh
Lingít - s'eek
Sm’algyax - 'tu'utsgm ol
Xaad Kíl - táan
Alutiiq - tańeŕliq
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English - bear-grizzly bear, brown bear
Eyak - lixah
Lingít - xóots, s'uḵkasdúk
Sm’algyax - madeeg, mashgm'ol, mish'ol
Xaad Kíl - xúuj
Alutiiq - laq'laq
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English - beaver
Eyak - k'uXaasgg
Lingít - s'igeidí
Sm’algyax - sh'dsoal
Xaad Kíl - ts'áng
Alutiiq - shniq
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English - Porcupine
Eyak - XaangAdiinuanh
Lingít - xalak'ách'
Sm’algyax - awta
Xaad Kíl - xahlk'ats'
Alutiiq - qangataaq
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English - sea lion
Eyak - K'umah
Lingít - taan
Sm’algyax - deebn
Xaad Kíl - kíid
Alutiiq - wiinaq
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English - squirrel
Eyak - dAlduudeh
Lingít - kanals'áak
Sm’algyax - dushck
Xaad Kíl - dasĝaa, gahlts'áagw
Alutiiq -
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English - Whale - Orca, Killer Whale
Eyak - k'uzu'tl
Lingít - kéet
Sm’algyax - 'naackhl
Xaad Kíl - sGáan
Alutiiq - arlluk
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English - wolf
Eyak - Guujih
Lingít - Gooch
Sm’algyax - gibaaw
Xaad Kíl - Gúuj
Alutiiq -
English - bald eagle
Eyak - gujgAlaG
Lingít - ch'áak'
Sm’algyax - ckshgeeg
Xaad Kíl - ts'áak'
Alutiiq - kuckalaq
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English - gull, seagull
Eyak - AdLa'niiq
Lingít - kéidladi
Sm’algyax - ggagoom
Xaad Kíl - sk'ín
Alutiiq - nanhqwaq
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English - hummingbird
Eyak - leeLgush'u'
Lingít - digitgiyáa; dagatgiyáa
Sm’algyax - ahlyeeggawsh
Xaad Kíl - dagdagdiyáa, hldánts'iid
Alutiiq - mekktarrpak
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English - kingfisher
Eyak - nigaadAshiin
Lingít - tlaxaneis'
Sm’algyax - tsiyol'g
Xaad Kíl - k'ut'ún
Alutiiq -
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English - raven
Eyak - Ch'iileh
Lingít - yéil
Sm’algyax - ggaagg
Xaad Kíl - yáahl
Alutiiq - abalanaq
English - sockeye salmon; red salmon
Eyak - Cha'ch'
Lingít - Gaat
Sm’algyax - mishoa
Xaad Kíl - sGwáagaan
Alutiiq - niklliq
Credits
- Online Dictionary Resources for Alaska Native Languages
- Indigenous Peoples and Languages of Alaska
- Sealaska Heritage Institute
- Tlingit text excerpted from Dictionary of Tlingit
- Tsimshian text excerpted from Dictionary of Sm’algyax.
- Haida text excerpted from Dictionary of Haida.
- The Chenega Dictionary, Chenega Culture Preservation Program (CCPP)
- Eyak Corporation