# Alyutor language > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alyutor_language > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alyutor_language.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyutor_language > Source revision: 1354205111 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Chukotkan language of Kamchatka, Russia This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Alyutor language" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Alyutor алуталг’у alutalg'u Native to Russia Region Kamchatka Ethnicity Alyutors Native speakers 172 (2021 census)[1] Language family Chukotko-Kamchatkan Chukotkan Alyutor Dialects Alutor Palana [ru] Koryak Karagin [ru] Koryak †?[2] Writing system Cyrillic script Language codes ISO 639-3 alr Glottolog alut1245 ELP Alutor Pre-contact distribution of Alyutor (light purple) and other Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages Alutor is classified as Severely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.[3] This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. **Alyutor** (also called **Alutor**, **Aliutor** or **Olyutor**)[4] is a severely endangered language of [Russia](/source/Russia) that belongs to the Chukotkan branch of the [Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages](/source/Chukotko-Kamchatkan_languages), by the [Alyutors](/source/Alyutors). It is spoken by 172 speakers in the [2021 Russian census](/source/2021_Russian_census). ## Sociolinguistic situation The Alutor are the indigenous inhabitants of the northern part of the [Kamchatka Peninsula](/source/Kamchatka_Peninsula). The language is unwritten and moribund; in the 1970s residents of the chief Alutor village of Vyvenka under the age of 25 did not know the language. In recent years, the Vyvenka village school has started teaching the language. Until 1958, the language was considered the "village" (settled) dialect of the [Koryak language](/source/Koryak_language), but it is not intelligible with traditionally nomadic varieties of Koryak. The autonym [ˈnəməlʔən] (also Нәмәлъу) means "villager" or "settled person".[4] ## Phonology ### Vowels Alyutor has six vowels, five of which may be long or short. The [schwa](/source/Schwa) /ə/ cannot be long. Front Central Back Close i iː u uː Mid e eː ə o oː Open a aː ### Consonants There are 18 consonants in Alyutor.[5] Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar Uvular Pharyngeal Glottal plain palatalized Nasal m n nʲ ŋ Plosive p t k q ʔ Fricative v s ɣ ʕ Approximant w l lʲ j Trill r ### Stress Stress generally falls on the second syllable of polysyllabic words, and on the first syllable of disyllabic words, e.g.: - /ˈmi.məl/ 'water', /ˈɣəl.ɣən/ 'skin', /ˈta.wə.ja.tək/ 'to feed', /qə.ˈla.vul/ 'husband', /pə.ˈla.kəl.ŋən/ '[mukluk](/source/Mukluk)'. An [open syllable](/source/Syllable#Open_and_closed) containing schwa cannot be stressed. As a consequence, if a disyllabic term begins with such a syllable, the stress is shifted to the last syllable and thereafter a new, epenthetic syllable is added at the end, e.g.: - */ˈmə.tan/ -> /məˈtan.**nə**/ 'mosquito'. The final syllable of a word is never stressed.[6] ### Syllable structure All Alyutor syllables begin with a single consonant. If the vowel is short, including a schwa, they may also close with a single consonant. Consonant clusters are not permitted in the word initial or word final positions. The schwa is used to break up disallowed clusters. Examples are /ˈvi.tak/ 'to work', /ˈtil.mə.til/ 'eagle', /ˈʔitʔən/ 'parka'. Alyutor word boundaries always coincide with syllable boundaries. ## Orthography The Alyutor language does not have a standard orthography. ## Typology Alutor is a [polysynthetic](/source/Polysynthetic) language.[7] ɣəmmə I.ABS t-ə-plak+tavamjat-ə-tkən 1SG.S-E-boot+crumple-E-IMPERF ɣəmmə t-ə-plak+tavamjat-ə-tkən I.ABS 1SG.S-E-boot+crumple-E-IMPERF 'I soften boots ' The morphology is [agglutinative](/source/Agglutinative), with extensive prefixes and suffixes. qəlʲippə bread+NOM+SG tətu-kki eat.with.something-CVB ɣeqə⟩masla⟨ta ASSOC⟩butter⟨ASSOC n-ə-mal-qin. good qəlʲippə tətu-kki ɣeqə⟩masla⟨ta n-ə-mal-qin. bread+NOM+SG eat.with.something-CVB ASSOC⟩butter⟨ASSOC good 'Bread (eaten) with butter is excellent.' The argument structure is [ergative](/source/Ergative%E2%80%93absolutive_language). ən-an(nə) he-ERG ɣəmmə me+ABS ina-ɣal-i. 1SG.P-walk.past-3SG.A ən-an(nə) ɣəmmə ina-ɣal-i. he-ERG me+ABS 1SG.P-walk.past-3SG.A 'He walked past me.' The [word order](/source/Word_order) is variable, and it is difficult to say which typology is basic. The verb-absolutive orders AVO and VAO are perhaps most common. tita·qa once qutkinʲnʲaqu-nak (name)-ERG+SG maŋ.ki·ʔana somewhere ɣa⟩laʔu⟨lin RES⟩see⟨RES+3SG.P ʔənnə-ʔən. fish-ABS+SG tita·qa qutkinʲnʲaqu-nak maŋ.ki·ʔana ɣa⟩laʔu⟨lin ʔənnə-ʔən. once (name)-ERG+SG somewhere RES⟩see⟨RES+3SG.P fish-ABS+SG 'Once Qutkinnyaqu saw a fish somewhere.' ɣa⟩nvə⟨lin RES⟩poke⟨RES+3SG.P qutkinʲnʲaqu-nak (name)-ERG+SG təlɣə-lŋən finger-ABS+SG ŋan.tiŋ. there ɣa⟩nvə⟨lin qutkinʲnʲaqu-nak təlɣə-lŋən ŋan.tiŋ. RES⟩poke⟨RES+3SG.P (name)-ERG+SG finger-ABS+SG there 'Qutkinnyaqu stuck his finger there.' ## Morphology Alyutor has the following parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, numerals, pronouns, verbs, participles, adverbs, postpositions, conjunctions, and particles. ### Nouns Nouns are inflected for number, case, definiteness, and grammatical person. There are three [grammatical numbers](/source/Grammatical_number): singular, dual and plural. There are eleven cases: [absolutive](/source/Absolutive), [ergative](/source/Ergative_case), [locative](/source/Locative), [dative](/source/Dative), [lative](/source/Lative), [prolative](/source/Prolative), contractive, [causative](/source/Causative), [equative](/source/Equative_case), [comitative](/source/Comitative), and [associative](/source/Associative_case). Number and case are expressed using a single affix. A suffix is used for all cases except the comitative and associative, which are expressed using [circumfixes](/source/Circumfix). There are two [declensions](/source/Declension), taught as three noun classes. The first class are nonhuman nouns of the first declension. Number is only distinguished in the absolutive case, though verbal agreement may distinguish number when these nouns are in the ergative. The second class are proper names and kin terms for elders. They are second declension, and distinguish number in the ergative, locative, and lative cases, as well as the absolutive. The third class are the other human nouns; they may be either first or second declension. 1st declension 2nd declension singular dual plural singular dual plural absolutive (stem) -t/-ti -w/-wwi (stem) -nti -w/-wwi ergative -a/-ta -ənak -ətək locative -k/-ki -ənak -ətək dative -ŋ -ənaŋ -ətək lative -kəŋ — prolative -jpəŋ/-ɣəpəŋ (-e ~ -i) contactive -jit ~ -jita causative -kjit ~ -kjita equative -u/-nu -u/-ənu comitative ɣa⟩…⟨a/-ta awən⟩…⟨ma associative ɣeqə⟩…⟨a/-ta — #### Case roles - The absolutive case is the citation form of a noun. It is used for the argument ("subject") of an intransitive clause and the object of a transitive clause, for "syntactic possessives",[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] and for the [vocative](/source/Vocative). - The ergative is used for the agent ("subject") of a transitive verb, as an [instrumental case](/source/Instrumental_case), and as the argument of an [antipassive](/source/Antipassive) clause. - The locative is used for position and direction ([essive](/source/Essive) and [lative cases](/source/Lative_case)), as well as arguments which are "driven away",[8] e.g.: ənnu he-ABS.SG ɣilŋatə-tkən drive-IMPERF ujatiki-k. sledge-LOC ənnu ɣilŋatə-tkən ujatiki-k. he-ABS.SG drive-IMPERF sledge-LOC 'he drove away the sledge.' - The dative is used for recipients, benefactors, directional objects ([allative case](/source/Allative_case)), and subjects of experiential verbs - Lative is used for motion toward a goal - Prolative is used for movement along and movement from ([perlative](/source/Perlative) and [elative cases](/source/Elative_case)) - Equative is used with the meanings 'like X', 'as X', usually with verbs like 'to become', 'to turn into', 'to work as,' etc. - Contactive is used for objects that make contact - Causative is used for noun phrases that cause or motivate an action - Comitative is used for ... [*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*]. It is primarily used with high-animacy referents. - Associative is used for secondary or passive accompaniment. [*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] It is only attested in the declension of nouns of the first declension, usually inanimate. #### Grammatical person Grammatical first and second person suffixes on nouns are used to equate a noun with participants in the discourse. They only appear in the absolutive, with an intervening *j* on nouns ending in a vowel and an *i* on nouns ending in a consonant. singular dual plural 1st person -j-ɣəm -muri -muru 2nd person -j-ɣət -turi -turu - ...ʡopta am-ʡujamtawilʔ-ə-muru "yes we the people" - japlə=q ʡujamtawilʔ-iɣəm "and I'm a man" ### Numerals Alyutor has simple numerals for the numbers one to five, ten, and twenty. All other numbers are compounds based on these numerals. Ordinal[9] English[9] ənnan one ŋitaq two ŋəruqqə three ŋəraqqə four məlləŋin five ənnanməlləŋ(in) six (one-five) ŋitaqməlləŋ(in) seven (two-five) ŋəruqməlləŋ(in) eight (three-five) ŋəraqməlləŋ(in) nine (four-five) mənɣətkin ten mənɣətək ənnan eleven qəlikkə twenty (a score) qəlikək ənnan twenty one ŋəraqmənɣətkin forty (four tens) ŋəraqmənɣətkin ŋəraqqə forty four ŋitaqməlləŋin mənɣətkin seventy (seven tens) mənɣətək mənɣətkin hundred (ten tens) ### Verbs There are finite (conjugated) and non-finite verbs. There are several conjugations. #### Polypersonal conjugation Finite verbs agree in person and number with their nuclear [arguments](/source/Argument_(linguistics)); agreement is through both prefixes and suffixes. Transitive verbs agree with both arguments (ergative and absolutive), whereas intransitive verbs agree with their sole (absolutive) argument. Verbs distinguish two aspects, [perfective](/source/Perfective), the bare stem, and [imperfective](/source/Imperfective), using the suffix *-tkə / -tkəni*. There are five moods, [indicative](/source/Realis_mood), [imperative](/source/Imperative_mood), [optative](/source/Optative_mood), potential (marked by the circumfix *ta…(ŋ)*), and conjunctive (prefix *ʔ-/a-*). #### Monopersonal conjugation Monopersonal verbs[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] include two conjugations, one with the third-person singular in *ɣa-...-lin,* and the other in *n-...-qin*. #### Impersonal conjugation For impersonal forms of conjugation include verbal predicate (formed with the circumfix a...ka) and imperative (formed by circumfix ɣa...a/ta). Non-finite forms Impersonal forms include the verbal predicate[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] with the circumfix *a…ka,* and the imperative in *ɣa…a/ta.* #### Non-finite forms These include the infinitive, [supine](/source/Supine), gerunds, and participles. ## Sample Text ### Text Амто тийкәтий! Нәӄасғәваъа юнати Камлэ, нәпуттәӈъа Оммәӄо. Камлэ ӄураӈтаткән, Оммәӄо наӄам ойиткән. Камлэнак нәкита йәг'илғән пәӈлунин, ғатаӄлаӈ әнкәт итәлъу г'уямтав'илъу.[4] ### Translation Hello sun! Kamle lived poorly, Omməqo lived richly. Kamle works in the herd, but Omməqo only has one. Kamle asked Luna at night why people live like this.[4] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-census2021_1-0)** ["Владение языками и использование языков населением Российской Федерации согласно переписи населения 2021 года"](https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Tom5_tab4_VPN-2020.xlsx). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230326024701/https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Tom5_tab4_VPN-2020.xlsx) from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2025-06-18. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["ALYUTOR LANGUAGE"](https://old.bigenc.ru/linguistics/text/5199809). *(Большая российская энциклопедия (Great Russian Encyclopedia, in Russian)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Alutor in Russian Federation"](https://en.wal.unesco.org/countries/russian-federation/languages/alutor). *UNESCO WAL*. Retrieved 15 September 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_4-3) ["Alyutor language, alphabet and pronunciation"](https://www.omniglot.com/writing/alyutor.htm). *www.omniglot.com*. Retrieved 2025-11-30. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Nagayama, Yukari (2003). *Ocherk grammatiki aljutorskogo jazyka*. Osaka: Osaka Gakuin University. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Nedoluzhko, Anja (2016). Variability of languages in time and space: Linguistic typology - phonology 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Nagayama, Yukari (2010). *Grammatical Sketches from the Field: Alutor*. ILCAA: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Wdzenczny, Dibella (2011). *The Case for Fewer Cases in Pre-Chukotko-Kamchatkan: Grammaticalization and Semantics in Internal Reconstructions*. Eastern Michigan University. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_9-1) ["Numbers in Alyutor"](https://www.omniglot.com/language/numbers/alyutor.htm). *www.omniglot.com*. Retrieved 2025-12-03. ## Bibliography - Kibrik, A.E., S.V. Kodzasov, I.A. Murav'eva. 2000. *Jazyk i fol'klor aljutorcev.* Moscow: IMLI RAN Nasledie. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [5-9208-0035-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/5-9208-0035-6) - Nagayama, Yukari. 2003. *Ocherk grammatiki aljutorskogo jazyka* ([ELPR](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326002402/http://www.elpr.bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp/index_e.html) Publication Series A2-038). Osaka: [Osaka Gakuin University](/source/Osaka_Gakuin_University). ## External links - [The Aliutors](http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/aliutors.shtml) - [The Aliutor Language](https://web.archive.org/web/20060714081303/http://lingsib.unesco.ru/en/languages/aliutor.shtml.htm) - [Alutor: Bibliographical guide](https://web.archive.org/web/20110526032352/http://www.l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~kmatsum/kaken/Rusbiblio/Alutor.html) v t e Paleo-Siberian languages Chukotko-Kamchatkan Chukotkan Alyutor Chukchi Kerek Koryak Kamchatkan (Western) Itelmen Eastern Itelmen Southern Itelmen Yeniseian Northern Ket Yugh Southern Arin Assan Kott Pumpokol Jie? Yukaghir Chuvan Omok Southern Yukaghir Tundra Yukaghir Nivkh Nivkh Ainu Hokkaido Ainu Kuril Ainu Sakhalin Ainu Emishi? Eskaleut Yuit Naukan Sirenik Proposed groupings Dené–Yeniseian Karasuk Uralo-Siberian Uralic–Yukaghir Chukotko-Kamchatkan–Amuric Almosan Italics indicate extinct languages Authority control databases National United States Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alyutor language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyutor_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyutor_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.