CHAP. XVI.

Of their Language.

THOUGH the Greenland language has not affinity¹ with other European tongues, yet it seems to have borrowed some words from the Norwegians, who formerly² inhabited part of the land; for such words agree both in name and signification; as, for example, Kona, a Woman; Nerriok, to eat, from the Norway word Noerrie. The herb Angelica, which they in Norway call Quaun, the Greenlanders call Qvaunnek. A Porpoise³, in Norway called Nise, they call Nise. Ashes, in Norway, Aske, in Greenland, Arkset. A Lamp, in the Norwegian, Kolle, in the Greenlandian, Kollek. Some of their words resemble Latin words of{166} the same signification; as, Gutta, a drop; in the Greenland tongue, Gutte, or Kutte. Ignis, Fire, they call Ingnek. And some they have got from Hebrew roots, as, Appa, a word the children use to name their father, and some others.

The accent and pronunciation of it is hard and difficult, because they speak very thick, and in the throat. The same language is spoke⁴ throughout the whole country, though the accent and pronunciation differs here and there as different dialects; chiefly towards the Southern parts, where they have received and adopted many foreign words, not used in the Northern parts. But the angekuts, or divines, make use of a particular speech, whenever they conjure⁵; for then they use metaphorical⁶ locutions and words in a contrary sense. The women-kind also have a particular pronunciation peculiar⁷ to themselves, and different from that of the men, making use of the softest letters at the end of words, instead of hard ones; for example, Am for Ap, that{167} is, Yes. Saving, for Savik, a Knife. Their language, in common, wants the letters, c, d, f, q, x. They have besides many double and unknown consonants⁸, which is the cause, that many of their words cannot be spelt according to their manner of pronouncing them. For the rest, their expressions are very natural and easy, and their constructions so neat and regular, that one would hardly expect so much from a nation so unpolite and illiterate⁹. The language is very rich of words and sense, and of such energy, that one is often at a loss and puzzled to render it in Danish; but then again it wants words to express such things as are foreign, and not in use among them. They have monosyllables and polysyllables, but most of the last. Their words, as well nouns as verbs, are inflected at the end, by varying the terminations, without the help of the articles or particles, like the Greek and Latin. The adjectives always follow their substantives¹⁰; but the possessive pronouns are joined to the{168} nouns, as the Hebrew suffixa[35]: nor have the nouns alone their suffixa, but the verbs also. To satisfy the reader’s curiosity, I have hereto joined a list of some of the words and a sketch¹¹, showing the construction and inflections of this language.
VOCABULARY

OF THE

LANGUAGE OF GREENLAND.
    Singular.    Dual¹².    Plural¹³.
Innuk, Mankind,    Innuk,    Innuit.
Angut, a Man,    Angutik,    Angutit.
Arnak, a Woman,    Arnek,    Arnet.
Niakok, the Head,    Niakuk,    Niakut.
Irse, an Eye,    Irsik,    Irsit.
Kingak, the Nose,    Kingek,    Kinget.
Kinak, the Face,    Kinek,    Kinet.
Kannek, Mouth,    Kannek,    Kangit.
{169}Okak, Tongue,    Okek,    Oket.
Kiut, a Tooth,    Kiutik,    Kiutit.
Kartlo, a Lip,    Kartluk,    Kartluit.
Suit, an Ear,    Siutik,    Siutit.
Nyak, Head of Hair,    Nytkiek,    Nytkiet.
S?kik, the Breast,    S?kkirsek,    S?kkirset.
Iviange, Bubby,    Iviangik,    Iviangit.
Tue, Shoulder,    Tubik,    Tubit.
Tellek, Arm,    Tellik,    Tellit.
Ikusik, Elbow,    Ikivtik,    Ikivtit.
Arkseit, Hand (that is the Fingers), is plural only.
Tikek, Finger,    Tikik,    Tirkerit.
Kukik, Nail,    Kukik,    Kuket.
Nak, Belly,    Nersek,    Nerset.
Innelo, Bowel,    Inneluk,    Inneluit.
Okpet, the Thigh,    Okpetik,    Okpetit.
Sibbiak, the Hip,    Sibbirsek,    Sibbirset.
Serkok, Knee,    Serkuk,    Serkuit.
Kannak, Shank,    Kannek,    Kannerset.
Isiket, Foot, is only of the plural number.
Kimik, Heel,    Kimik,    Kimikt.

The construction with Possessive Pronouns is thus.
Iglo, a House,    Igluk,    Iglut.
My House,    Igluga,    Igluka,    Igluka.
{170}Thy House,    Iglut,    Iglukit,    Iglutit.
His House,    Igloa,    Igluk,    Iglo?i.
His own House,    Iglune,    Iglugne,    Iglune.
Our House,    Iglout,    Iglogat,    Iglovut.
Your House,    Iglurse,    Iglursik,    Igluse.
Their House,    Iglo?t,    Iglo?k,    Igl?eit.
Their own House,        Iglurtik,    Iglutik,    Iglutik.

This same Noun’s construction with the suffixas at Prepositions, mik and nik, mit and nit, which signifies from; mut and nut, to; me and ne, on or upon, is thus performed.
    Singular.    Dual.    Plural.
To the House,    Iglomut,    Iglugnut,    Iglunut.
To my House,    Iglumnut,    idem,    idem.
To thy House,    Iglungnut,    idem,    idem.
To his House,    Igloanut,    Igloennut,    Iglocinut.
To his own House,    Iglominut,    Iglungminut,    Iglominut.
To our House,    Iglotivnut,    Iglutivnut,    idem.
To your House,    Iglusivnut,    idem,    idem.
To their House,    Iglo?nut,    idem,    Igl?einut.
To their own House    ,    Iglomingnut,    idem,    idem.

As to the verbs, they are either simple or compounded: there are five conjugations, to which may be added a sixth of negative verbs. There are three tenses in all, the present,{171} preterit, and future; and six moods, viz. indicative, interrogative, imperative¹⁴, permissive, conjunctive, and infinitive¹⁵.

The examples of the simple verbs are these. The first conjugation ends in kpok, as Ermikpok, he washes himself: Aglekpok, he writes.

The second ends in rpok, as Mattarpok, he undresses himself: Aularpok, he sets out on a journey: Ajokarsorpok, he teaches.

The third conjugation ends in pokpurum; that is, in pok preceded by a vowel¹⁶, as Egipok, he throws away; Inginok, he sits down; Akpapok, he runs.

The fourth ends in ok or vok, as Pyok, he receives: Aglyok, he grows: Assavok, he loves.

The fifth conjugation ends in au, as Irsigau, he ogles¹⁷; Arsigau, he resembles; Angekau, he is tall.

The sixth conjugation of negative verbs ends in ngilak, as Ermingilak, he does not wash himself: Mattengilak, he does not undress himself: Pingilak, he receives not: Egingilak, he throws not away: Irsigingilak, he ogles not.{172}

Inflexion of a Verb with the suffixes¹⁸ of a person agent of the first conjugation in kpok.
Indicative.          Present.
  Singular.       Dual       Plural.
He washes himself,    The two wash themselves,    They wash themselves,
Ermikpok.    Ermikpuk.    Ermikput.
I wash myself,    We two wash ourselves,    We wash us.
Ermikpunga.    Ermikpoguk.    Ermikpogut.
Thou wash thyself,    You two wash yourselves,    You wash yourselves.
Ermikpotit.    Ermikpotik.    Ermikpose.

The inflexion with suffixes of a person patient is formed this way.
Thou washest me.    Ye two wash me,    You wash me,
Ermikparma,    Ermikpautiga.    Ermikpausinga.
He washes me,    The two wash me,    They wash me,
Ermikpanga.    Ermikpainga.    Ermikpanga.
I wash him,    We two wash him,    We wash him,
Ermikpara.    Ermikparpuk.    Ermikparput.
He washes him,    The two wash him,    They wash him,
Ermikp?.    Ermikp?k.    Ermikp?t.
Thou washest him,    Ye two wash him,    You wash him,
Ermikpet.    Ermikpartik.    Ermikparse.
I wash thee,    We two wash thee,    We wash thee,
{173}Ermikpaukit.    Ermikpautikit.    Ermikp?utigit.
He washes thee,    The two wash thee,    They wash thee,
Ermikpatit.    idem.    idem.
Thou washest us,    Ye two wash us,    You wash us,
Ermikpautigut.    ——pautigut.    Ermikpausigut.
He washes us,    The two wash us,    They wash us,
Ermikpatigut.    idem.    idem.
I wash you,    We two wash you,    We wash you,
Ermikpause,    idem.    idem.
He washes you,    The two wash you,    They wash you,
Ermikpase.    idem.    idem.
I wash them,    We two wash them,    We wash them,
Ermikpaka.    Ermikpauvut.    idem.
He washes them,    The two wash them,    They wash them,
Ermikpei.    Ermikpatik.    Ermikpase.
Thou washest them,    Ye two wash them,    Ye wash them,
Ermikpatit.    Ermikpatik.    Ermikpeit.

Inflexion of the Negative Verb.
He washes not    The two wash not    They wash not
himself,    themselves.,    themselves.,
Ermingilak.    Ermingilek.    Ermingilat.
I do not wash    We two wash not    We wash not
myself,    ourselves,    ourselves,
{174}Ermingilanga.    Ermingilaguk.    Ermingilagut.
Thou dost not wash    Ye two do not wash    You do not wash
thyself,    yourselves,    yourselves,
Ermingilatit.    Ermingilatik.    Ermingilase.

With the suffixes of the patient person the negative verbs are inflected like the affirmatives; as,
He washes me not,    Ye two wash me not,    They wash me not,
Ermingilanga.    idem.    idem.
Thou washest me not,    Ye two wash me not,    You wash me not,
Ermingilarma.    Ermingilautinga.    Ermingilausinga.

And in the same manner you may inflect all verbs whatsoever¹⁹.

The preterits and futures²⁰ have the same suffixa as the present tense.

Concerning the compounded verbs, it is to be observed, that, whereas their auxiliary²¹ verbs are but few, they make use of several particles to supply their place, which are annexed²² to the simple verbs, and so make them compounded verbs, yet these particles by themselves are not used,{175} nor of any signification. And by this connection or composition the simple verbs change their conjugation. As for example,

First, in this expression, they used to do so and so, the composition is formed thus; of the simple verb Erminpok, he washes himself, in the composition is made Ermingarace, he uses to wash himself. Kieavok, he weeps; Kieeillarau, he uses to weep; Aularpok, he goes from home; Aulararau, he uses to go from home.

Second, when the expression runs thus, he comes to do this or that, it is turned in this manner. Ermigiartorpok, he comes to wash himself; Aglegiartorpok, he comes to write. And so in all other compositions.

But there are not only verbs compounded with one, but sometimes with two, three, or more particles joined to the verb, when there is a longer sentence to be expressed. And for this reason, the words and particles undergo a great many changes and variations, inasmuch as they retain but certain radical²³ letters, the rest{176} either being thrown away and quite lost, or else changed for others. As for instance, Aulisariartorasuarpok, he made haste to go out a fishing. Here three verbs are joined together in one. Aulisarpok, he fishes; Peartorpok, to go about something; and Pinnesuarpok, to make haste. Again, Aglekkinniarit, endeavour to write better. Here we have another threefold composition. First, Aglekpok, he writes; then Pekipok, to mend, or do better, and at last Pinniarpok, to endeavour. From whence comes the verb Aglikkinniarpok, he endeavours to write better; in the imperative mood, Aglekkinniarit, as above.

The Creed²⁴, and the Lord’s Prayer, translated into the Greenland Language.

ARTICLE I.

Operpunga Gud-mun Attatavnut, ajuakangitsomut, killagmik nunamiglo sennarsomut.{177}

ARTICLE II.

Operpunga Jesus Christusmut, Ernetuanut, Nallegautimut, Annersamit helligmit pirsok, Niviarsamit Mariamit erniursok; anniartok Pontius Pilatus-mit; Isektitaursok, tokkorsok, illirsorto, allernum akkartok. Ullut pingajuane tokkorsonit makitok; Killangmut Kollartok; Angume Gub tellerpiet tungane ipsiarsok; tersanga amma tikiytsomaryok, umarsullo tokongarsullo auiksartitsartorlugit.

ARTICLE III.

Operpunga Gub Annersanut, opertokartoniglo nuname: Innungliglo helligniglo illegeinik, Synderronermiglo, Timiniglo umaromartonik, tokkorsublo Kingorna tokkoviungitsokartomik. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer.

NALLEKAM OKAUSIA.

Attavut killangmepotit, akkit usorolirsuk; Nallegavet aggerle; pekorset Killangme nunam{178} etog tamaikile: Tunnisigun ullume nekiksautivnik; pissarauneta aketsorauta, pisingilaguttog akectsortivut; Ursennartomut pisitsaraunata; ajortomin annautigut: Nallegauet, Pisarlo, usornartorlo pigangaukit isukangithomun. Amen.

1 affinity   

n.亲和力，密切关系

参考例句：

• I felt a great affinity with the people of the Highlands.我被苏格兰高地人民深深地吸引。
• It's important that you share an affinity with your husband.和丈夫有共同的爱好是十分重要的。

2 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

3 porpoise   

n.鼠海豚

参考例句：

• What is the difference between a dolphin and porpoise?海豚和和鼠海豚有什么区别？
• Mexico strives to save endangered porpoise.墨西哥努力拯救濒危的鼠海豚。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 conjure   

v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法

参考例句：

• I conjure you not to betray me.我恳求你不要背弃我。
• I can't simply conjure up the money out of thin air.我是不能像变魔术似的把钱变来。

6 metaphorical   

a.隐喻的，比喻的

参考例句：

• Here, then, we have a metaphorical substitution on a metonymic axis. 这样，我们在换喻（者翻译为转喻，一种以部分代替整体的修辞方法）上就有了一个隐喻的替代。
• So, in a metaphorical sense, entropy is arrow of time. 所以说，我们可以这样作个比喻：熵像是时间之矢。

7 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

8 consonants   

n.辅音，子音( consonant的名词复数 )；辅音字母

参考例句：

• Consonants are frequently assimilated to neighboring consonants. 辅音往往被其邻近的辅音同化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Vowels possess greater sonority than consonants. 元音比辅音响亮。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

9 illiterate   

adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲

参考例句：

• There are still many illiterate people in our country.在我国还有许多文盲。
• I was an illiterate in the old society,but now I can read.我这个旧社会的文盲，今天也认字了。

10 substantives   

n.作名词用的词或词组（substantive的复数形式）

参考例句：

11 sketch   

n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述

参考例句：

• My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
• I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。

12 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

13 plural   

n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的

参考例句：

• Most plural nouns in English end in's '.英语的复数名词多以s结尾。
• Here you should use plural pronoun.这里你应该用复数代词。

14 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

15 infinitive   

n.不定词；adj.不定词的

参考例句：

• The use of the split infinitive is now generally acceptable.分裂不定式的用法现在已被广泛接受。
• Modal verbs generally take the bare infinitive.情态动词通常用不带to的不定式。

16 vowel   

n.元音；元音字母

参考例句：

• A long vowel is a long sound as in the word"shoe ".长元音即如“shoe” 一词中的长音。
• The vowel in words like 'my' and 'thigh' is not very difficult.单词my和thigh中的元音并不难发。

17 ogles   

v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He'll get a bad name for himself if he ogles at every girl he meets. 他要是对他碰见的每个姑娘都使媚眼，就会名声扫地。 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 suffixes   

n.后缀，词尾( suffix的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many domain name suffixes have failed to gain general popularity. 很多域名后缀没有获得一般的通用性。 来自互联网
• For example, consider the use of prefixes and suffixes. 例如，那前缀和后缀的使用来说。 来自互联网

19 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

20 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

21 auxiliary   

adj.辅助的，备用的

参考例句：

• I work in an auxiliary unit.我在一家附属单位工作。
• The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of blackout.这家医院装有备用发电系统以防灯火管制。

22 annexed   

[法] 附加的，附属的

参考例句：

• Germany annexed Austria in 1938. 1938年德国吞并了奥地利。
• The outlying villages were formally annexed by the town last year. 那些偏远的村庄于去年正式被并入该镇。

23 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。

24 creed   

n.信条；信念，纲领

参考例句：

• They offended against every article of his creed.他们触犯了他的每一条戒律。
• Our creed has always been that business is business.我们的信条一直是公私分明。