Word for the Travel Wise (10/02/06)

So here's a confession: I'm a big wimp when it comes to cold weather. Yup, I'm the type that moans and groans during the acclimation process, but it's my moaning that gets me by and my groaning along with several extra layers that allows me to stay warm. Having just arrived in Fargo, North Dakota today something about the place feels slightly different than Florida and it's not just the temperature. I feel so far away. Almost as if I was in say, Greenland or some place.

Today's word is a Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) word used in Greenland:

ilaasortaat - boat

Greenlandic also known as Kalaallisut language is spoken by 54,000 people and is closely related to Canadian Inukitut. In my own opinion I'd say most words are dizzying and longer than the length of the country itself, but that is just me. You can visit the Greenland Language Council online, but their site is in full Greendlandic so without any prior skill you won't get too far. Wiki and Ethnologue report, both have great background info and lastly there is this Greendlandic for Travelers (silly Engleeshes) to check out. I didn't get it, but maybe you will.

Past Greenlandic words: mattak

Filed under: Learning, Europe