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The claim that Eskimo words for snow are unusually numerous, particularly in contrast to English, is a cliché commonly used to support the controversial linguistic relativity hypothesis. In linguistic terminology, the relevant languages are the Eskimo–Aleut languages, specifically the Yupik and Inuit varieties.
There has been a long-running linguistic debate about whether or not the speakers of the Eskimo-Aleut language group have an unusually large number of words for snow. The general modern consensus is that, in multiple Eskimo languages, there are, or have been in simultaneous usage, indeed fifty plus words for snow. [80]
Most words of Native American/First Nations language origin are the common names for indigenous flora and fauna, or describe items of Native American or First Nations life and culture. Some few are names applied in honor of Native Americans or First Nations peoples or due to a vague similarity to the original object of the word.
to hear -tsiaq- well -junnaq- be able to -nngit- not -tualuu- very much -junga 1SG. PRES. IND. NSP tusaa- -tsiaq- -junnaq- -nngit- -tualuu- -junga {to hear} well {be able to} not {very much} 1SG.PRES.IND. NSP I cannot hear very well. This sort of word construction is pervasive in the Inuit languages and makes them very unlike English. In one large Canadian corpus – the Nunavut Hansard – 92 ...
An igloo (Inuit languages: iglu, [1] Inuktitut syllabics ᐃᒡᓗ (plural: igluit ᐃᒡᓗᐃᑦ)), also known as a snow house or snow hut, is a type of shelter built of suitable snow. Although igloos are often associated with all Inuit , they were traditionally used only by the people of Canada's Central Arctic and the Qaanaaq area of ...
Our Language, Our Selves Archived 2005-11-11 at the Wayback Machine; Alt.folklore.urban on Eskimo words for snow. Arctic Languages: An Awakening, ed: Dirmid R. F. Collis. ISBN 92-3-102661-5 Available in PDF via the UNESCO website (chapter with Inuit grammar).
The claim that Eskimo–Aleut languages (specifically, Yupik and Inuit) have an unusually large number of words for "snow", has been attributed to the work of anthropologist Franz Boas. Boas, who lived among Baffin islanders and learnt their language, reportedly included "only words representing meaningful distinctions" in his account. [53]
Eskimo became unacceptable usage for anyone not in elementary school decades ago. Unless, of course, you are referring to an ice cream treat. I understand the historical reference to "Eskimo words for snow" is historical, and therefore correct. The references to "Eskimo languages," etc. are utterly obsolete.