Proto-Eskimoan language explained

Proto-Eskimoan
Also Known As:Proto-Eskimo, Proto-Inuit-Yupik
Familycolor:Eskimo–Aleut
Era:by ca. 2000 BCE
Ancestor:Proto-Eskaleut
Child1:Proto-Inuit
Child2:Proto-Yupik
Target:Eskimo languages

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

According to the International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, "Eskimo languages show variation primarily in their phonology and lexicon, rather than in syntax. Aleut phonology is quite unremarkable, compared to the interesting phenomena exhibited by most varieties of Eskimo. 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]

References

  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
  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. Book: International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: AAVE-Esperanto. Vol. 1. 2003. Oxford University Press. 9780195139778. 522–523. en.

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