Oqaasileriffik The Language Secretariat

Annual Report 2009

Oqaasileriffik – The Greenland Language Secretariat Manutooq 1 – PO Box 980 – DK 3900 , Greenland. Tel. +299 36 23 26, Fax +299 36 23 21 e-mail: [email protected] - Home page: www.Oqaasileriffik.gl Staff at Oqaasileriffik – The Greenland Language Secretariat 2010……….3 Members of Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee …………………….4 Aqqinik Akuersisartut – Personal Names Committee………………………….4 Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Authority………4

Annual Report 2009 Inquiries to Oqaasileriffik – The Language Secretariat in 2009………………….….5 Inquiries to the Oqaasiliortut – Greenland Language Committee re. terminology in 2009…………………………………………………………………………...5

Place names…………………………………………………………………………………….10

Greenlandic Personal Names – 2009……………………………………………………14 Cooperation with institutions which gives recommendations on Greenlandic names…………………………………………………………………………………………… Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut (IAA) – the Personal Names Committee…………….. Registering names and research on meaning of names…………………………….15 Inquiries re. Greenlandic personal names in 2009…………………………………..15 Registration and collection of responses ……………………………………………….16 Approved names, names on our web page, and a future names lexicon……..…16 A names’ index ………………………………………………………………………………18

Language technology………………………………………………………………………..18 Kukkuniiaat, the Kalaallisut speller…………………………………………………….19

Co-operation with institutions in Greenland and abroad…………………….….20 International Mother Language Day…………………………………………………….21 Greenlandic as the official language ……………………………………………………21 Dictionaries……………………………………………………………………………………21 Collaboration with institutions……………………………………………………………21 Collaboration with …………………………………………………….22 The Arctic Region and the United Nations………………………………………….….22

Travels, meetings and lectures activities……………………………………………23 Seminar/workshop on Greenlandic Grammar, April 27th 2009…………………24 Nordterm, June 9.-12th 2009, Copenhagen, …………………………….24 Nordic Phoneticians Seminar, Sept. 23-24th 2009, Nuuk, Greenland……….…25

Planned activities for 2010…………………………………………………………….….26 Dictionaries ……………………………………………………………………………….….26 Continued cooperation with KNR (Greenlandic Broadcasting Corp.)……………26 The International Mother Language Day ……………………………………………...27 Registration of place names…………………………………………………………….…27 Tasks re. personal names……………………………………………………………….…27

Words approved by Oqaasiliortut in 2009………………………………………..…28

Publications from Oqaasileriffik…………………………………………………….…32

2 Staff at Oqaasileriffik – The Greenland Language Secretariat 2010

Carl Christian Olsen (Puju), Director, Oqaasileriffik

Lisathe Møller Kruse, Special Consultant Administrator for Place Names and Consultant re. Terminology

Per Langgård, Chief Consultant Administrator for Language Technology

Katti Frederiksen, Head of Section Secretary for Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee

3 Nuka Møller, Head of Section Administrator for Personal Names

Beatrine Heilmann, Head of Section Assistant for Language Technology

Judithe Denbæk, Head of Section Assistant for Language Technology

Members of Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee Carl Christian Olsen, chairman Heilmann, vice-chairman Ellen J. Karlsen Abia Abelsen Eva Møller Thomassen

Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut – Personal Names Committee Carl Christian Olsen, chairman Sofie Petersen Ellen J. Karlsen

Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Authority Carl Christian Olsen, chairman Karl Elias Olsen, vicechairman Abia Abelsen Stephen Heilmann Tukummeq Qaavigaq

4 Annual Report 2009

Inquiries to Oqaasileriffik – The Language Secretariat in 2009 A total of 589 inquiries on a variety of language related topics were received from the public in 2009, most of these sent through e-mail. Some telephone enquiries were not registered, as well as a number of e-mails lost when our office trans- ferred to another internet service company during the last month of the year. Although the number of inquiries are estimates, we can see from the previous year that there was a total increase of 140 inquiries. This is an indication that there is a growing interest for Oqaasilieriffik’s work, both within Greenland and from abroad.

Table 1 shows that the highest number of inquiries were received in January, with a downward trend towards spring and increasing again during the fall. The month of December was a period with fewest inquiries, but the reason could be the above mentioned transfer to another company and the problems of receiving e-mails during the period.

Table 1 – Number of inquiries

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

i i i i ri i s ili j n l ti ri ri ri ri a r r ri a u u s a a a a a a a p a ju u b b b b u a a m ju g o n ru m g m t m m a b a te k e e j e p o v c f e o e s n d

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Inquiries from the public can be categorized into different topics. “Language re- lated inquiries” had to do with certain words and phrases, etc., about specific Greenlandic words as well as grammar.

5 The “Personal names” category had to do with specific personal names and regis- tration, application for approval of personal names as well as inquiries re. the meaning and background of a personal name.

The “Place names” category did not comprise of a high annual number this year, but regardless of this fact, it is an important area, which includes registration of place names as well as applications for approval of place names in relation to mineral exploration activities.

The “Terminology” category dealt with terminology from Danish and English, which had not yet been conferred a corresponding term in Greenlandic, or several terms for the same topic were in existence. The inquiries dealt with which term should be approved and used.

The “Translation” category dealt with inquiries re. phrases in Danish and English with no corresponding Greenlandic phrase and how to adapt them into Green- landic. This area, as well as reply on the matter, is under the auspices of the Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee to which Oqaasileriffik – the Greenland Language Secreariat functions as the intermediary.

The “Language Technology” category primarily dealt with questions about “Kukkuniiaat – Greenlandic spellchecker” and other questions related to language technology.

Another category is called “Other” and includes questions concerning dictionar- ies, Oqaasileriffik’s publications, inquiries concerning the status of the Green- landic language and questions concerning teaching Greenlandic as a second lan- guage.

A total number of inquiries of 97 for the month of January is noteworthy. During the summer period inquiries from the public dropped, but the number increased again during the fall months. For the month of September, most inquiries were about the meaning of Greenlandic personal names and questions regarding ter- minology. For the month of November there was a marked increase in questions about Greenlandic words, and the highest number of questions regarding place names were during the month of March, with a total number of 7. Compaired to the number of inquiries to the previous year, there was an increase of inquiries regarding Greenlandic words during the months of October and November. The

6 months of February, March and August were dominated by inquiries regarding place names.

On fig. 3 the types of questions are compared to the previous year. There has been a significant increase in interest for personal names. Another increase in in- terest was in the area of job titles in Greenlandic. This is an indication that the introduction of Self-Government and the passing of the Bill on Greenlandic as the official language, have spurred a need for a more uniform terminilogy which is of- ficially recognized. Words Personal names Place names Terminology Orthography Request for translations Language technology Other Figure 2 – Number of types of inquiries distributed over the year

35

30 Oqaatsit 25 Inuit aqqi Nunat aqqi 20 Taaguutit Allattaaseq 15 Nutseqqusat

10 Sprogteknologi Allat 5

0

ri i i li ji i li ti ri ri ri ri a r rs ii a n u s a a a a a a a r a u u u b b b b u a p ju j g o n ru m a m g m t m m a te k e e ja b p o v c fe e o e s n d

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

When comparing the types of inquiries from 2008 and 2009 on fig. 3, a relatively set pattern appears, but again with a rise in inquiries re. the meaning of personal names, also concerning terminology and under the category: “other”.

7 Figure 3 – Types of inquiries in comparison 2008 - 2009

200

180

160

140

120 2008 100 2009 80

60

40

20

0

t i i t t i t i q ti q a g a ts q q u e s o a a a u s u l A a it t g a q o q u a a ta q kn O In n a t e e u T lla ts t N u g A ro N p S

Words Pers. names Place names Term. Orthography Transl. Lang. Technology other

When taking the types of inquiries into consideration, one must expect an in- crease in the public interest of Oqaasileriffik’s work in the years to come, as well as an increase of inquiries in 2010. Especially bearing in mind the recent lan- guage development, one must assume that this will generate a growing interest in the general language situation1.

Inquiries to the Oqaasiliortut – Greenland Language Committee re. terminology in 2009 Kommuneqarfik – The Municipality of Sermersooq When the municipalities merged to become 4 large municipalities, with the sub- sequent administrtive restructuring, Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq asked Oqaa- siliortut – the Greenland Language Committee, to assist in developing a more uni- form terminology. After Oqaasiliortut met with the Transitional Committee, the Oqaasiliortut - Greenland Language Committee developed suggestions for fixed terms which was well received by the Committee. These terms can be perused at the end of this report.

Fra Nunatta Atuagaateqarfia – The National Library Nunatta Atuagaateqarfia – National Library submitted terms which they had col- lected for approval, among these were 3 fixed terms in Danish. Oqaasiliortut ap-

1 After the 2008 referendum to establish Self Government and with the establishemnt of Greenlandic becoming the official language in 2009, there was a significant increase of inquiries to Oqaasileriffik from within Greenland as well as abroad.

8 proved these new terms, some of these were concerning anatomy: timip pisataanik ilinniarneq, astrology: ullorissatigut siulittuineq, and occultism: isumas- saqartinngisanik sammisaqarneq. The remainder of the terms approved can be perused at the list of approved words for 2009.

Inatsisartut allattoqarfiat – Bureau for (Parliament) Since the decision was made that ’Inatsisartut’ (Parliament) and ’’ (the Cabinet) officially was to have their name in Greenlandic, the Oqaasiliortut received several inquiries re. this decision and the correct use of the official terms in general. As to how these terms were to be used correctly in a Danish setting, the Dansk Sprognævn - Council, was approached and their re- sponse was submitted to the Inatsisartut Allattoqarfiat (Bureau for Inatsisartut). The most important decision was on how to use the possessive case either in In- atsisartutgruppe or Inatsisartusgruppe. This decision can also be seen under ap- proved words for 2009.

From Nutserisoqarfik – the Translations Office The Translations Office under the Greenland Government worked together with Oqaasiliortut concerning the official approval of job titles. It is an area where which new titles are created, and also an area which is dominated by Danish titles which can be hard to fit into Greenlandic. Therefore it was decided that sev- eral titles should be kept without alteration, others will be scrutinized further and others will be revised. Oqaasiliortut will determine on titles which have not yet been dealt with and decide which official term should apply to everyone.

From Ilinniusiorfik – the Teaching Materials Publishing House Ilinniusiorfik developed a Greenlandic Danish terminology on education, which they submitted to Oqaasiliortut for approval. After having gone through the Greenlandic terms, the Oqaasiliortut approved the list and the book was pub- lished. The book can be acquired for free from Ilinniusiorfik.

Language policy Following the distribution of the so-called language policy to hearing, the Oqaa- siliortut gave a written response. The suggestion was deemed as a suitable frame for the overall policy, but it was stressed that the linguistic demands shouldn’t be less than the framework for the existing language proposal.

9 Place names Several activities took place concerning place names in 2009, which include the following: collection and registration of place names, research in connection to preparing new maritime charts, meetings with Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Authority, responses to inquiries on place names as well as processing inquiries from the Aatsitassanut Ikummatissanullu Pisortaqar- fik – Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum.

Registration of place names commenced in 2007 when the Danish Kort- og Mat- rikelstyrelsen – National Survey and Cadastre began revising the older Greenland- ic maritime charts which were full of errors and mistakes. This was not to be the sole reason however. Even though Oqaasileriffik had registered 25.857 place names, we were aware of the fact that there was yet a great deal of registering needed, since there are a lot of place names which has not been registered. Therefore it was decided to carry on this task, while those with the knowledge of place names still are alive. With this work the MapInfo program is used.

The registration work from in the North to Uummannarsuaq – Cape Farewell in the south was made possible when the gave a grant of 40.000 Euro. A substantial amount of the registration took place in 2009, and the following localities was visited: , , , , Qeqer- tarsuaq, , and . Other localities which was not visited, but where it was able to register place names through other sources, is the vicinity of , Upernavik and Niaqornaarsuk. Place names in the Nuuk area was also collected.

The below depicts localities and number of registered place names:

Nanortalik: - collected place names:………………………………………………… 226

Qaqortoq: - collected place names:………………………………………………… 24

Paamiut: - collected place names:…………………………………………………… 266

Nuuk: - collected place names:…………………………………………………... 35

Sisimiut: - collected place names:……………………………………………...... 113

10 Aasiaat: - collected place names::…………………….……………………………… 65

Niaqornaarsuk: - collected place names::……………………..……………………………… 67

Qeqertarsuaq/Qasigiannguit: - collected place names:………..…………………………………………… 63

Ilulissat: - collected place names:…………..………………………………………… 364

Uummannaq: - collected place names:…………..………………………………………… 706

Upernavik: - collected place names:…………..………………………………………… 23

Ivittuut: - collected place names:………………………..……………………………. 1 Total 1.953

The number of registered place names was increased with 5.213 ”new” place names by the end of 2009, in a period of 2½ years.

Proof reading maritime charts A part of the work with place names also has to do with proof reading new mari- time charts. The Danish National Survey and Cadastre continuosly supply Oqaasileriffik with new maritime charts for comments and proof reading. Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Authority go through the charts and check whether previously and newly approved place names have been placed in the charts; in case any place names registered in our office is missing, these are put into the charts.

During 2009 Oqaasileriffik received 24 new maritime charts from the Danish Na- tional Survey and Cadastre for proof reading. These were thoroughly examined and then returned with corections and with many new additions.

Below is listed which maritime charts were sent back to the Danish National Sur- vey and Cadastre after proof reading:

11 • 3. December 2009: Chart 1650 • 16. November 2009: Chart 1150 • 7. October 2009: Chart 1131 • 6. October 2009: Chart 1116 • 5. October 2009: Chart 1131 • 30. September 2009: Chart 1130 • 30. September 2009: Chart 1160 • 23. July 2009: Chart 1151 • 23. July 2009: Chart 1200 • 15. June 2009: Chart 1132 • 15. June 2009: Chart 1166 • 15. June 2009: Chart 1115 • 17. April 2009: Chart 1118 • 17. April 2009: Chart 1152 • 14. April 2009: Chart 1230 • 7. April 2009: Chart 1210 • 3. April 2009: Chart 1211 • 13. February 2009: Chart 1167 • 10. February 2009: Chart 1168 • 10. February 2009: Chart 1117 • 5. February 2009: Chart 1145 • 4. February 2009: Chart 1146 • 6. January 2009: Chart 1351 • 6. January 2009: Chart 1300 • Total 24

A total of 24 maritime charts over Southern Greenland, the Cape Farewell area as well as north of Paamiut was proof read and revised in 2009.

Meeting in Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Autho r - ity: In 2009 the Authority met 8 times, minutes from these meetings can be read in Greenlandic at Oqaasileriffik’s home page.

12 Inquiries re. place names from the public: One of Oqaasileriffik’s tasks is to respond to queries from the public, both from individuals as well as insititutions. This is also the fact concerning place names. During 2009 25 inquiries were answered on place names. Below is listed the types of queries we have received:

- Questions related to the Greenlandic name of a place name which is not in Greenlandic: 6 - Questions on which place name is correct to use: 5 - Questions on the meaning of the place name: 6 - Requests for acquiring lists over approved place names: 2 - Inquiries re. a place name in English: 1 - Suggestion for a place name: 1 - Inquiries re. correction over wrong place names: 1 - Inquiry re a place name used locally: 1 - Inquiry whether regional areas yet are in use: 1 - Correction re. a wrong title in a maritime chart: 1 Total: 25

14 of the inquiries were from Greenland whilst 7 were from the Danish National Survey and Cadastre. The remaining 4 were from abroaf, 2 from , 1 from the USA and 1 from Germany.

Tasks requested from Aatsitassanut Ikummatissanullu Pisortaqarfik – Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum: Tasks requested from Aatsitassanut Ikummatissanullu Pisortaqarfik – Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum to Nunat Aqqinik Aalajangiisartut – Greenland Place Names Authority were a total of 11 requests, which dealt with giving place names to mineral exploration sites.

13 Greenlandic Personal Names - 2009

Cooperation with institutions which gives recommendations on Greenlandic names The judicial framework in working with names is from the Law of the Landsting (Parliament) no. 4 of 1. april 1982 re. the Greenland Language Committee. §1, litra 3 states: ”The Committee also has the task of cooperating with institutions that publish authorized lists over, or gives recommendations on Greenlandic names.”

Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut (IAA) – the Personal Names Commit- tee Oqaasileriffik has the duty to be of assistance to the Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut – Personal Names Committee in its work in approving Greenlandic names.

Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut’s work is based on the guidelines on name giving which was approved by the Oqaasiliortut – Greenland Language Committee on 21. November 2006, as well as ’Fortegnelse over grønlandske navne’ (Register over approved Greenlandic names) published in 2007. The register which is approved by the Oqaasiliortut, contains Greenlandic names which can be used in baptism and name giving.

Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut – the Personal Names Committee also adheres to de- cisions in the Danish Name Law from, “L 193 re. personal names of 29/4 1981 taken in effect for Greenland through regulation 549 of 21/8 1986”. The law can also be found in: Nalunaerutit - N 86 p. 189.

Oqaasileriffik functions as a secretariat for Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut – the Per- sonal Names Committee, which consists of 2 members appointed by Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee, and the Bishop for Greenland as third member. Oqaasileriffik collects background material and conducts research re. Greenlandic names to be used by the Committee in the approval process, dis- patches applications for approval of names received from parish offices and priests to the Committee, and also prepares the meetings of the Committee.

The members of the current term can be seen on the first page of this report.

14 Registering names and research on meaning of names Alongside the administrative work for the Committee, Oqaasileriffik also responds to inquiries re. the meaning and origin of Greenlandic personal names.

Likewise, Oqaasileriffik has a duty to register Greenlandic personal names (see Landstingslov no. 4 of 1. april 1982 on the Greenland Language Committee, §1 and §3). In order to accomodate this Oqaasileriffik register and edit the publica- tion ”Fortegnelse over grønlandske navne (Register over Greenlandic personal names)”. The latest edition was published in 2007 and consists of approved Greenlandic names.

Documentation of origin and meaning of personal names commenced in 2004 and the number of inquiries have been on a constant rise ever since.

Inquiries re. Greenlandic personal names in 2009

Month Amount Meaning Approved? Approved by IAA Other

January 39 32 7 February 18 13 5 March 34 26 8 3 April 18 10 8 5 3 May 8 4 2 2 June 9 2 7 3 July 7 3 3 August 18 10 5 3 September 35 26 6 3 October 12 8 4 3 1 November 22 16 6 December 9 4 3 2

Total 229 154 59 20 13

2008: 177 137 28 8 4 2007: 102 64 12 10 16

In 2009 a total of 229 was inquiries on individual personal names. In comparison to 2008 there was a total of 177 inquiries and 102 inquiries in 2007.

15 The majority of inquiries dealt with the meaning of personal names. In 2009 the number was 154, whilst the number was 137 in 2008.

In 2009 a total of 59 inquiries were questions whether a certain name was ap- proved. In 2008 the number was 28. Most of these inquires came from parish of- fices and cathecists who dispatched applications from individuals for approval to the Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisartut – Personal Names Committee.

‘Other’ are inquiries re. last names or names of non-Greenlandic origin or has not previously been approved by the IAA.

At the end of 2009 a total number of inquiries re. meaning of personal names still being researched amounted to 31 names.

Registration and collection of responses All responses concerning the meaning of personal names is saved on a file with the aim of being re-used for other inquiries of the same type. In 2007 the number of pages was a total of 97. In 2008 they were supplemented with 118 pages, in 2009 with 179 pages. These responses is in a word file now totalling 376 pages.

Besides this, all inquiries and responses are registered according to date, lan- guage category, whether it’s an application for approval, or if it’s a quiry on mean- ing and origin of the name.

Approved names, names on our web page, and a future names’ lexicon In 2009 Oqaasileriffik together with the IT company ”Dot.gl” (www.punktum.gl) created a database, where all information on approved names and their meaning can be uploaded from our home page and are being continuosly updated.

Prior to this, the list that could be seen on our home page was taken from the 1999 version of the ”Register over Greenlandic names”. With the new database, all names from the 2007 version was included, and as something new, a list of names from European (Biblical) origin pronounced in the Greenlandic tongue. As a supplement it was now possible to program the list, so a text in bold contains a short explanation in Greenlandic, Danish and English on the meaning of the name and origin, as well as number of name bearers up to 2005. At the end of 2009 approx. 100 names had been included and the list will be added on with more names throughout the course of time. When the list with etymolgy and his-

16 tory of names has reached a satisfying number, it will be published in print as a names lexicon.

A names’ index Beside registering approved names, also historic names from history books, diar- ies of expeditions, census papers, articles etc. are being registered, although this list does not occur on the approved names list. The argument for creating such a list is, that it is deemed important to collect all Greenlandic names material by re- gistering as many original Greenlandic names as possible, in order to ease cross referencing and future research on names, also out of cultural and historical reasons.

The registration is conducted in this manner: the name is written down as it is written in the source, if possible the contemporary spelling is included, where the name has been used and from which publication and which page the name was extracted.

Eksample:

Old names collected from diaries and other written sources

Aasiaat (Niels Frandsen: ‘Fire slægter i Grønland’, Tidsskr. Grønland 1999 no. 4)

1. Mikisuluk Jakob Ole Mikisuluk, married 21.9 1834 in Egm. w. Birgitte Reimer (b. juli 1811 – d. 29.6 1890 Aqqitsoq. p 134 + Ane Sophie Juliane Mikisu- luk married 30.7 1882 w, Hans Peter Gudmund Siegstad (b. 11.10 1854 in Egm d 12.3 1916 Kangaatsiaq p 138. 2. Karnarenna Karnarina? Daughter of Sarbarsoak (David) and Johanne Arnak. Karnarenna born approx. 1766, baptized 24.03 1778 in Egm. Died 4.06 1825 in Egm. p. 144 [Kannala name of island south of Aasiaat, west of Nivaaq] 3. Sarbarsoak Sarparsuaq David/Sanbarsuak (sic.) father to the above –do- See also Sisimiut 13 + Glahns diary 27.08 1766 where a Sarbarsoak wanted a Christian widow from Klaushavn as a second wife, Glahn p 42ff 4. Arnak Arnaq Johanne Arnak, mother to the above Karnarenna p. 144 5. Kiommak Qiiummaq? Peter Kiommak, son of Zacharias and Petrine Married to Maren Louise Storch in Egm p 148

Qasigiannguit (Meddelelser om Grønland 120, 1939, pp 207-218)

17 Missionary Mr. Alsbach’s list 1743 (Designation Over den Grønlandske Ungdoms forfremmelse i Christelig Kundskab, saavel Døbtes som Udøbte Cathecumenorum, ved Colonierne Christian- shaab (og Godt-Haab)

1. Pungiok ? Hans Pungiok, 23 Yrs old. Baptized 9. Dec. 1736 2. Akallæt ? 25 yrs. Baptized 16, June 1741. ”Is neglectful and seldom comes to our classes.” 3. Arnarsak Arnarsaq baptized in 1738. – The famous woman - 4. Tullimak Tulimak ”A boy of good nature.” (Arnarsaq’s relative MOG 120 s. 109) 5. Angusinak Angusinaq (Arnarsaq’s relative MOG 120 s. 109) 6. Korklujak ? 11 Yrs old 7. Mitek Miteq 9 Yrs old. Sister to the above 8. Amma 20 Yrs old. 9. Kukkek Kukik 16 Yrs old. 10. Iggatak ? 8 Yrs old. 11. Innuko Nikolaj’s brother. 9 Yrs old.. 12. Alligiok Aligioq 8 Yrs old.

The number of these registered names has now reached 460. It is also a plan to make a names index over mythological names extracted from Greenlandic myths and legends.

Language technology

Among Oqaasileriffik's projects the language technology initiative ranks high. Its aim is to create tools for automatic analysis of words and sentences at an ad- vanced level.

Language technology opens for the creation of a wide range of language resources for immediate use in all Greenlanders' everyday life. These include spelling check- ing, grammar checking, and style checking, auto-completion while writing, fast and cost-effective dictionary production, e.learning programs, and the lots of pos- sibilies for the disabled as for instance synthetic speech that will render the com- puter an integrated part of life also for the blinds.

In the first phase of the project initiatives have evolved around completing the Greenlandic Finite State Transducer (FST). An FST is a program which will ana- lyse running words in-depth and which will generate correct words if fed with proper grammatical input. It is the FST's ability to analyse words that is the base for intelligent spell checking whereas its capacity for word generation eventually will create one of the necessary steps in automatic quality translation into Kalaal- lisut.

18 Another major task has been developing the disambiguator. Almost all written words have several meanings, especially after the introduction of the new stand- ard orthography in 1973. A disambiguator is program with built-in context sens- itivity which enables it to choose the correct reading of a given word based on syntactic and semantic rules ('nunanni' means 'in my land' or 'in my lands' or 'in your land' or 'in your lands' whereas it in a given context as 'uanga nunanni isor- artuumi' has only one correct reading namely 'in my land').

Finally, much progress has been achieved in revising Greenland's lexical data- base, Katersat. Katersat will play an important role when the technology project next year raise the sight to the next level and embarque on developing an auto- matic syntactic parser. A syntactic parser is a very, very comprehensive program that will analyse all words in all contexts at all levels including the complicated semantic level. Such in-depth analyses are the necessary input to all really ad- vanced language technology like quality translation and intelligent e.learning to mention a few uses.

Unfortunately, the project was inactive for lack of funding in the first half of 2009 but with external grants of 0,5 mio. kroner fra the Technology Development Fund and another grant of 43.000 euros from the Nordic Council of Ministers the pro- ject was put back on the tracks from summer 2009. At the same time we received an appropriation to install on full-time apprentice on the project from Greenland's self-government enabling us to produce the first Greenlandic language technology expert in a foreseeable future.

Kukkuniiaat, the Kalaallisut speller

A speller is a language tool that will check spelling and fill in hyphenation. A speller can in principle be based either on a huge lexicon or it can be i ntelligent. Lexicon based spellers work comparatively well with analytic languages with high frequencies of single words but are useless with because of the languages' creative nature. Only very few words are used in exactly one and only shape many times. In Inuit languages words alter all the time constantly chan- ging their combinations of affixes and endings. The Kalaallisut speller, Kukkunii - aat , is therefore not based on lexical resources but on computational intelligence.

The intelligence in Kukkuniiaat is the morphological analysis from the FST. The FST will check whether a given wordform is a possible word in Kalaallisut or not. If a word is a possible word the speller will take no action, if the word is unreco g - nized the speller will sound the alarm - the red underline. Note that a speller knows nothing whatsoever about a word's meaning, its grammar, its translation, or anything else apart from the one capacity to tell whether a word is a possible word or not.

To create a technology to include semantics, syntax, translations, etc. a much more comprehensive program that will work not only at the single word's level but at the level of whole sentences is needed. Such a tool is called a parser. The

19 Greenlandic parser project is already launched but the job is vast and we need several years to develop it.

Kukkuniiaat runs at the moment as version 2. Version 2 meets the internation- ally recognized standard for mature spellers of 90% correctness placing Kalaal- lisut in the exclusive club of the few hundred of the world's languages that meet this standard. Still, with a 10% level of socalled "false alarms" it nevetheless calls for improvements. A false alarm is a red line under a correct word. Such errors cannot ever be entirely avoided given the infinite number of combinations of stems, affixes, endings, and clitics in Inuit languages but they can be dramatic- ally reduced.

Version 3 that will be announced shortly has a functionality around 95% with an error level in normal texts like newspapers and novels at 3-4% and a level around 8% in very complicated material like archaic texts or technical papers.

Kukkuniiaat version 3 thus places itself effectively in the champions' league among languages.

One word about spellers should be included: Consequent use of Kukkuniiaat not only means error free texts but also - what very few are aware of - time-effective writing. The time-effectiveness is due to the fact that most writers make a short pause after almost every word put on paper to make sure that the word was well- formed. After a short time with a speller one learns to rely on it thus letting you write without interruptions until a red line on the screen calls for your attention. This fact reduces the time spend on writing considerably.

Kukkuniiaat runs integrated in the MSOffice suite and can be downloaded for free from www.oqaasileriffik.gl

Co-operation with institutions in Greenland and abroad

Co-operation with media Alongside wit the regular co-operation with KNR – Greenlandic Broadcasting Cor- poration in airing radio-broadcasts every Sunday, Oqaasileriffik also assisted KNR TV in their broadcast re. the meaning of certain words, where people on the street were interwieved on how they understood a certain word. It gave people throughout the rest of the country a possibility to participate, and since this broadcast generated interest, it ought to be followed up.

20 International Mother Language Day Oqaasilersiffik has celebrated UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day in Nuuk since 2004. Following the tradition the day was observed at Ilimmarfik on February 21. 2009. This year, Greenlandic youth who had spent time abroad got a chance to share their experience on how they acquired the foreign language in which they lived, Japanese and Spanish, for example. There was also recitation of major works of great authors translated into Greenlandic, such as H. C. Ander- sen, Runeberg, Steinbeck, Heinesen, Camus and others.

Greenlandic as the official language Following the referendum in 2008, where 73 % of the population voted for the in- troduction of Self-government and the Greenlandic language through the Law of Self-government § 20 of June 21st 2009, acquired a status as the official lan- guage, Oqaasileriffik has received many inquiries both from abroad and from the rest of the country, concerning the matter. Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Lan- guage Committee has been working with Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut re- garding development of Greenlandic terminology.

Dictionaries Since the inception of Oqaasileriffik there has been close collaboration with Dansk Sprognævn – the Danish Language Council. In 2008 Oqaasileriffik worked with Dansk Sprognævn and Erlandsen Media Publishing on the XML based dic- tionary iLEX. This collaboration was followed up with a seminar in 2009 on establishing and editing dictionaries. Following the seminar, where staff at Oqaasileriffik and the closest co-workers such as Inerisaavik – the teaching materials publishing house, participated - the enormous task of developing a Greenlandic – English dictionary was initiated. Subsequently, Oqaasileriffik in collaboration with Inerisaavik developed a plan and budget for the further work, and the project is expected to continue throughout 2010.

Collaboration with institutions Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee consults - and are in contact with Namminersorlutik Oqartussat – the Self-government – both Naalakkersuisut and Inatsisartut, as well as the different departments, directorates and other re- lated institutions. There is also close collaboration with Nunat Aqqinik Aala-

21 jangiisartut – the Greenland Place Names Authority and Inuit Aqqinik Akuersisar- tut – the Personal Names Committee, in cases with relation to their jurisdiction.

Collaboration with Nordic countries Oqaasileriffik also follows the Nordic linguistic cooperation as well as questions re. language status among our kinsmen and indigenous peoples in the Arctic re- gion.

The Declaration on Nordic Language Policy was implemented in 2007, and was published in all Nordic languages. The publication can be ordered free of charge through the KIIIN (Dep’t of Culture & Education) or through their website www.norden.org. When the Nordic Language Convention was revised, the languages in regions with home rule as well as the Saami languages were included.

The Chairman for Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee and Direct- or for Oqaasileriffik Carl Chr. Olsen sits in the Expert Group Nordic Language Council and participates at the annual meetings, and Stephen Heilmann, vice chair of Oqaasiliortut is deputy member.

The Arctic Region and the United Nations One of the major objectives of the Inuit Circumpolar Council is to promote Inuit unity and solidarity, in this is implied the promotion of the Inuit language and culture at present but also in the future. Therefore Oqaasileriffik is involved in:

- Participating and consulting on cultural and linguistic cooperation among our kinsmen to assist in ther endeavours in acquiring increased independence. - To encourage Inuit youth in their resolve to maintaining their language.

With this work, Oqaasileriffik and the related Councils and Committees particip- ates in the following organisations and activities:

· Inuit Circumpolar Youth Council’s (ICYC) activities and seminars re. lan- guage.

· to act as an consultant re. experience in establishing language commit- teess and committees in Nunavut, and act as consultant among interpret- ers fora.

22 · participation in translating, printing and distribution of the UN document on the indigenous peoples rights and participation in ICC’s work on human rights.

· Participation in the meeting activities of UN’s United Nations Group of Ex- perts on Geographical Naming (UNGEGN).

· Participation in the Arctic Council’s seminar on indigenous people’s lan- guages as well as follow-up meetings and registration work.

· Participation in the Danish Maritime Safety Administration’s annual meet- ing with their cooperation partners from Greenland.

Travels, meetings and lectures activities There was significant traveling activity for Oqaasileriffik during 2009, in connec- tion to obligatory travel, meeting and lectures activities.

In registration of place names, following towns were visited: a. Paamiut, Qaqortoq, and and Nanortalik region. b. , Ilulissat, Aasiaat and Qasigiannguit region.

In connection to activities within the Nordic Council, the following countries were visited: Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

In connection to courses in terminology development (Nordterm) as well as courses in language technology, the following countries were visited: Denmark and Finland.

A staff member of Oqaasileriffik attended the University of , Fairbanks in 2009 for studies and visited Utqiarvik (Barrow) on a study tour.

Oqaasileriffik’s Director participated in a meeting re. indigenous peoples lan- guages at the Arctic Council in September 2009.

23 The Director of Oqaasileriffik also participated in a global preparation meeting for indigenous peoples place names at the Saami University College, and is also a member of the preparatory committee.

The below shows in more detail the above actitivities.

Seminar/workshop on Greenlandic Grammar, April 27th 2009 Naja Trondhjem arranged a seminar on Greenlandic grammar at Ilimmarfik in Nuuk for linguists.

The primary purpose was to create a debate among linguists, do status and dis- cuss how new knowledge can be utilized in practice.

At the meeting, researchers and lecturers who deals with these questions daily, participated, and these shared their experience and the result of their research. One of the goals were to share knowledge between the participants and create a forum for closer cooperation.

Everyone from Oqaasileriffik participated at the seminar, and Lisathe M. Kruse and Beatrine Heilmann lectured, on behalf of Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Lan- guage Committee, Stephen Heilmann also did a speech. Liathe M. Kruse’s talked about the terminology work whilst Beathrine Heilmann spoke about language technology, especially re. preparation of dictionaries.

Nordterm, June 9.-12th 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark The annual seminar under the auspices of the Nordic Council called Nordterm, was held at the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) in Copenhagen from June 9.th to the 12th. Two student assistants from Oqaasileriffik participated at this seminar, Marianne Hansen and Beatrine Heilmann, also senior consultant Per Langgård participated on the final day enroute from Nuuk to Finland.

The special themefor NORDTERM 2009 was preparation and utilization of ontolo- gies and taxonomies, especially within or organisations and public administra- tions in the Nordic countries.

24 The course and the invited speakers during the conference dealt with principles for terminilogy ontologies, other types of ontologies, tools and formats for ontolo- gies and their use in the public.

On the first day of the seminar, June 9th, a course was arranged, the last two days were used with dialogue, introductory speeches superseded by debate. The last day was used for a variety of meetings under the auspices of Nordterm, dif- ferent working groups held meetings, speeches were held concluding with a plen- um.

Nordic Phoneticians Seminar, September 23.-24th 2009, Nuuk, Greenland The seminar was held at Ilimmarfik in Nuuk and was arranged by Birgitte Jacob- sen from Ilisimatusarfik.

All employees of Oqaasileriffik participated at the seminar. Several presentations were given during the two days and there was a concluding debate. The main themes on the first day dealt with language acquisition, teaching in the usage of single sounds and teaching pupils with speech impediments. On the second day, the theme was re. speech technology, present and future tools.

On the second day there was also a presentation from Oqaasileriffik, where the Director Carl Christian Olsen spoke on language policy in Greenland. The second presentation was given by Beathrine Heilmann, and she talked about speech syn- thesis and machine translation.

In Beathrine’s presentation she spoke about how important speech synthesis is for the Greenlandic society, and which steps has hitherto been initiated, and which steps still are lacking. She also mentioned that even though the need for speech regulated services are great, the authorities and coming users have yet to initiate sufficient initiatives to develop these tools.

25 Planned activities for 2010

Dictionaries One of the responsibilities for Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee is to publish a dictionary. Due to lack of man power, economical obstacles and changing of priorities, this could not be realized until the establishment of Oqaasileriffik – the Greenland Language Secretariat. The need for dictionaries in Greenland is acute. With the inception of the Self-government it is also crucial to establish a Greenlandic – English dictionary which is easy to navigate. Present circumstances necessitates Danish as a detour in order to translate into English.

With the onset of 2010, work towards the establishment of a Greenlandic – Eng- lish dictionary has been initated, and this could relatively quickly become a real- ity when the initial planning and budget work has been finalized. Likewise, it has been decided that the work should be supported by computer technology.

Continued cooperation with KNR (Greenlandic Broadcasting Cor- poration) Over a number of years, Oqaasileriffik has cooperated with KNR with weekly broadcasts on language every Sunday. The broadcasts has generated a lot of in- terest from the population, and it gives people a good opportunity to collect lan- guage related information from Oqaasileriffik. In 2008, this cooperation was further augmented with our participation in a series of TV spots on language, where people in the street were interviewed on their understanding of specifically selected words. In 2009 we made an with KNR on creating a slightly different broad- cast than our weekly show, the name of the broadcast was named Oqaatsit minutsimut (the Language Minute). The purpose was to make a small 1-2 minute broadcast during the morning and after the news in the evening, where a single word or term is being explained in detail. It is broadcasted every second day. People from Nuuk and elsewhere, with some form of language education or know- ledge, participates. The broadcasting started in February, with the primary pur- pose of generating language interest and capacity.

26 The International Mother Language Day Yet again UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day was observed in 2010. An event which involves a growing number of people, especially from Nuuk. This year’s theme was education and translation. Every year Oqaasileriffik urges people to observe the day in some way or another in their communities.

Updating the home page A growing number of users has pointed out that our home page ought to be more user friendly, and that it is hard to find articles quickly. We have therefore started to update our home page to meet this end.

Registration of place names

The registration of local place names around the coast is to continue, since sever- al localities are yet to be covered. These localities are: Sisimiut, Kangaatsiaq, Upernavik, Avanersuaq, Tasiilaq and Illoqqortoormiut.

Other specific tasks in this field is to proof-read and update place names in 31 maritime charts from the Danish National Survey and Cadastre.

Tasks re. personal names Aside from registering approved personal names, Oqaasileriffik is working on re- gistering personal names from history books, diaries, reports articles etc. The ar- gument for this work is that it is deemed important that as many Greenlandic personal names should be collected into a data base, in order to ease further re- search in this field. It is also now possible to know the meaning and background of individual personal names by clicking on these in our home page. This is being developed gradually, and when there is a sufficient number, it is the plan to pub- lish a names index.

With sincere regards

Carl Chr. Olsen Katti Frederiksen Director of Oqaasileriffik Secretary for Oqaasiliortut

27 Words approved by Oqaasiliortut – the Greenland Language Committee in 2009:

Danish (transl. into English approximates) Greenlandic Lawyer Advokat Amanuensis ilinniagartuunngorniarfimmi ilinniartitsisoq Ammunition Patruuni Ouija Board Paakorneq Antarctic Sikuiuitsoq Antarctic Islands Sikuiuitsoq Kujallermi qeqertat Arctic Issittoq Arctic science Issittumi ilisimatusarneq Arctic peoples Issittormiut Arctic Islands Qeqertat Issittumiittut Associate Professor Lektor Graduated through own research Ilisimatusaatiminik naammassinnissimasoq Biathlon timersuutinik marlunnik unammineq Housing policy inissaqartitsineq pillugu politik Bomb qaartartoq The golden section tangertaq determinants ilisarnaqutit Doctor philosophiae. Ph.D. magister atrium Ilisimatooq Financial Committee aningaasaqarnermut ataatsimiititaq Enforcement court Akiliisitsisarnermut Eqqartuussivik Procedure suleriaaseq (-sissaq) Procedure suleriaaseq, suleriaasissaq Researcher ilisimatusartoq Research ilisimatusarneq Franking/stamping frimærkiliineq Functional manager (Funktionchef) atorfillit qullersaat Functional agreement (funktionsoverenskomst) atorfilittut suliaqarnermut isumaqatigiissut Greenland National Gallery Nunatta Eqqumiitsulianik Saqqummersitsivia handheld computer qarasaasiaq tigumiartagaq Main account konto pingaarneq HR - consultant sulisoqarnermut siunnersorti HR - department sulisoqarnermut immikkoortortaqarfik In purpose of research (i forskningsøjemed) Ilisimatusaatigalugu Indian indiaanerit Institute ilisimatusaatinik ingerlatsivik Arctic Ocean Issittup Imaa Classic qangatoorneq Cluster ammunition amerlasuujusat qaartussiat Communications coworker attaveqatigiinnermi suleqataasoq copy nuunnera

28 Danish (transl. into English approximates) Greenlandic Choral guide koralit pillugit paasisassarsiorfiit Adminsitration for Culture, Lesiure and Prevention Kultureqarnermut, sunngiffimmut pitsaaliuin- (Kultur, fritid og forebyggelses forvaltning) ermullu ingerlatsivik Quarternary Zoologist (Kvartærzoolog) kvartærzoolog Cross country skiing sisoraatinik ujakkaarneq Link innersuussissut Lifestyle workshop (livsstilsværksted) inuunerissarfik Macro level tunngaviusut Master of Arts (master) ilinniagartooq Meso level aqqutaasut Micro level inummut tunngasut Mine (explosive) qaartussiaq Trade Group of Natural Sciences (naturvidenskabelig pinngortitami ilisimasassat faggruppe) North Pole Qalasersuaq Adventure Industry (Oplevelsesindustri) misigisassianik nioqquteqarneq Indigenous peoples nunat inuii Park Ranger [eriagisamik] nakkutilliisoq Polar research Issittut pillugit ilisimatusarneq Polar lands (North & South Pole) Sikuiuitsoq Avannarleq Kujallerlu Political Science (politologi) politologi Processor (within education) ilinniagartuunngorniarfimmi siuttoq Release on parole iperagallagaaneq, misiliummik iperagaaneq Rammeprogram (scheme program) iliuusissatut sinaakkutissat Renaissance renæssance Repræsentantskabet (Council) sinniisuutitat Sexual offence kinguaassiuutitigut innimiilliorneq, kanngut- saatsuliorneq Sexual abuse kinguaassiuutitigut atornerluineq Seminarium, Teachers College ilinniartitsisunngorniarfik sitemap nittartakkamut ilisserut Ski shooting sisorarluni ooqattaasarneq Skaiting sukuutserneq Sociology inooqatigiit pissusiinik ilisimatusaatit Blacks (African American) qernertormiut subammunition qaartussiartaa Southern polar lands Sikuiuitsoq Kujallermi nunat South Pole Sikuiuitsoq Kujalleq Therapist team suleqatigiit pillorissaasut trivsels- og fraværssamtale (talk at work re. well-being iluarisimaarinninneq sulinngitsuukulanerlu and absence) pillugit oqaloqateqarneq UNESCO Site Manager UNESCO sinnerlugu aqutsisoq Youth Parliament Inuusuttut Inatsisartui University Ilinniagartuunngorniarfik USB USB Weather forecast Silap qanoq innissaanut ilimasaarut Version qanoq saqqummiunneqarnera Knowledge Bank ilisimasanik katersivik

29 Job titles at Kommuneqarfik Sermersoq Approved by Oqaasiliortut – Greenland Language Committee 27/10 2008. (please note that English translations are only approximates and are not official)

Pisortaaneq Administrerende Direktør - Administrative Director

Pilersaarusiornermut allattoqarfik Strategic Development Secretariat - Udviklingssekretariat

Aningaasaqarnermut inuussutissarsiornermullu pisortaq Økonomi og erhvervsdirektør – Director for Economy and Trade

Aningaasaqarnermut allattoqarfik Økonomisk sekretariat – Economic Secretariat

Inuussutissarsiutinik inerisaavik Erhvervsudvikling – Development of Trade

Sulisoqarnermut immikkoortortaq HR afdeling – Human Reources Department

Attaveqaqatigiinnermut pisortaq Kommunikationsdirektør – Director for Communication

Qarasaasiaqarfik IT afdeling – IT Department

Nutserisoqarfik Tolkekontor –Translation Office

Attaveqaqatigiinnermut immikkoortortaq Kommunikationsafdeling – Department of Communication

Innuttaasunut sullissivik Borgerservice – Citizen Service

Ikiorsiinermut pisortaq Velfærdsdirektør – Director for Welfare

Peqqinneq pitsaaliuinerlu Sundhed og forebyggelse – Health and Prevention

Soraarnerussutisiat Pensionsforhold - Pensions

30 Innarluutilinnut sullissivik Handicapafdeling – Department for Handicapped Citizens

Suliffeqartitsineq Arbejdsmarkedstilbud – Labour Market Program

Meeqqanut ilaqutariinnullu immikkoortortaq Børn og Familier – Children and Families

Meeqqanut ilaqutariinnullu oqqiffik Børne- og familiecenter – Children and Family Center

Tupaarnaq

Sanaartornermut pisortaq Servicedirektør – Service Director

Sanaartornermut avatangiisinullu immikkoortortaq Teknik og miljø – Technology and Environment

Sullissinermut sanaartugassanullu immikkoortortaq Drift og anlæg – Operations and Systems

Illuliortitsinermik inerisaaneq By- og boligudvikling – Town and Housing Development

Pinngortitamut piujuartitsinermullu immikkoortortaq Natur og bæredygtighed – Nature and Sustainability

Inuttut inerisaanermut pisortaq Udviklingsdirektør – Director for Development

Atuarfeqarnermut immikkoortortaq Skoleafdeling – School Section

Meeqqerivinnut immikkoortortaq Daginstitutionsafdeling – Day Care Section

Piareersarfik

Kulturimut sunngiffimmullu immikkoortortaq Kultur og fritid – Culture and Leisure

Perorsaanikkut tarnikkullu atukkatigut siunnersuisarfik Pædagogisk Psykologisk Rådgivning – Pedagogical Physological Counselling

31 Publications from Oqaasileriffik

Oqaasileriffik (info on Oqaasileriffik – out of print)

Årsberetning (Annual report in DK & Grl) 2007-2008 (free)

Killiffilersuutit – punctuation rules in Greenlandic (65 kr)

… men ordet Recommendations from the Language Policy Working Group (in Grl. & Danish ) (50 kr)

Terminology list (100 kr) - on criminal law, administration of justice, banks, and anatomy (Danish - Greenlandic).

List over approved personal names (65 kr) (1999 edition in Danish-Greenlandic) (65 kr)

List over Greenlandic names (75 kr) also contains European names in Greenlandic(2007 udgave)

32

Terminology on Health (100 kr) (Greenlandic - Danish – Latin)

Terminology on Environmental Technology (100 kr) (Danish Greenlandic )

Arbejdslivsbegreber (100 kr) (DK & GRL) - primarily related to psychological working environment

33