Inuinnaqtun

Inuinnaqtun is a Western variety of the Inuit language Inuktitut, part of the Eskimo-Aleut language family. It is spoken in Canada, primarily in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, with communities such as Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq), Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak reporting active use. Some speakers are in neighboring areas of the Northwest Territories.

Unlike Inuktitut varieties written in syllabics, Inuinnaqtun uses a Latin-based orthography that was standardized in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This orthography is taught in some schools, used in government communications, and appears in local media and dictionaries.

The language shares much of its grammar and core vocabulary with other Inuktitut varieties, but exhibits regional phonological and lexical differences.

Inuinnaqtun is closely related to Inuktitut dialects and is mutually intelligible to varying degrees with nearby varieties, though speakers often identify it as a distinct written form and cultural tradition.

In Nunavut, Inuinnaqtun is recognized alongside official languages and forms of Inuit language, and revitalization efforts include education programs, language resources, and community media.

Overall, Inuinnaqtun serves as a key part of Inuit identity in western Nunavut, with ongoing efforts to document, teach, and promote its use in daily life.