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QUDAX

I have heard experts and non-experts postulate that after acquiring language, humankind’s next huge step toward civilization was learning how to make and use fire.  The Aleut word for fire is QUDAX. It’s spoken with short almost schwa-like vowels and a very rough, back-of-the-throat Q and X. I can’t begin to say it in the way it should be pronounced. Give it a try if you’d like!

 

A very interesting fact about the Aleut language is that it uses no prefixes, only suffixes and infixes. The only other languages in the world that use no prefixes are the Inuit languages. As you might guess, the Inuit and Aleut languages are quite closely related. When an Aleut or Inuit speaker wants to modify a word to add some additional meaning, those modifications come either within the word or at the end of the word, never at the beginning.

Let’s have a little fun with the word QUDAX. Say we want to tell someone about the fire we’ve started. We want to communicate to our listener that this isn’t just an ordinary QUDAX (fire), it’s a bonfire. To do that, we would add the letters g and i to the word QUDAX to turn it into qudagix, which means huge bonfire. Thus we have added an infix (inner syllable) to the word as a modifier.

If we wanted to explain QUDAX – fire –  was being carried to us in the form of torches, we would retain the gi infix and add the suffix lix at the end of the word, which in the Aleut language turns a noun into a verb. Then we have the word qudagilix

As you might have guessed, as meanings and modifications accumulate, Aleut words can become very long and complex. I saw a delightful example of this once when we were visiting one of the islands in the Aleutian chain. We had stopped in at the general store, which had an inventory that included everything from clothing to hardware to food. One table was heaped with sweatshirts and T-shirts, and the store owners had made a sign asking customers to please refold any clothing they had examined.

File:TieDyeShirtMpegMan.jpg

The sign was in English, but it evidenced a very Aleut influence. It addressed customers in this manner: Dear Clotheslookeraters.  At first glance that’s difficult to decipher, but pull it apart and you’ll understand.

While I was writing my Alaska novels, I always incorporated a study of languages in my research. For me a language is a very privileged insight into the way a people think and how they view their world. That language information helped me create more believable characters. For example, the Aleut people have a very high percentage of geniuses within their population, a much higher percentage than the average US population. A complex language is something that comes naturally to them.

Specifics carried quickly by one-, two-, or three-letter suffixes and infixes (rather than by whole word modifiers) are an aid to survival in the hostile environment in which the Aleuts have always lived. In my Alaska novels, most of the characters are highly intelligent, articulate, and gifted at surviving in treacherous circumstances.

Have you ever studied a “foreign” language or languages? If so, what are they?

Blessings!

Sue

(Fire photo by Oscar, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0. T-shirt photo by User.MrH, licensed under GNU Free Documentation License.)

 

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8 Comments

  1. Clothes looker at’ers….makes sense to me…hahaha but trying to pronounce qudax is not possible…I tried, out loud…more haha’s

  2. I love being one of your bloglookeraters! Thanks for supplying more food for the triviacraver and detailanalyzer modules of my brain. 🙂

  3. Camai Sue
    I wanted to say quyana for all the info your putting out and interacting with your fans. Your awesome <3 My kids are half Aluet and I have tried to teach them the importance of their culture while growing up. Shamai, my daughter has a interest but my son has never showed any. It is a shame to see the Alaskan natives lose touch with their roots up here. The white mans ways have taken over and most have lost touch. I have always loved reading about Alaskan culture and I really enjoy your posts. Your books I read over and over and cherish them. I was wondering if you have plans to come to Alaska again. I would enjoy meeting you and getting a signed copy from my favorite author. I can also give you my recipe for the best salmon candy in the state. People fight and bribe for it each summer 🙂
    Best wishes to you and yours.

  4. Oh you are so welcome, Angela. What a wonderful heritage your children have. For some people it just takes time to understand about heritage. Quyana for your kind words about my books. I have no immediate plans to go to Alaska. My husband and I are staying very close to home these days as we care for 3 of our parents. His father is 93 and requires daily care from us, and my mother is very close to heaven’s gates at this time in her life. My father is pretty independent but needs a bit of help from me cleaning house. Guys just don’t see the dirt like we do! He is also very sad about my mother’s poor health, and so we try to be with him as much as we can. I would love to meet you, too.

    Would you give me the recipe for salmon candy?? That would be so wonderful for me! I will keep it a secret if you wish. In friendship, Sue

  5. I am sad to hear you dont have plans to come to Alaska soon. I am even more sad to hear about your family. It is very hard on the heart to bear watching a loved one slowly lose their grasp on life. I have been in your shoes and I feel for you and yours. Keep your head up and stay strong. What you and your hubby is doing is very kind. Family comes first <3
    My salmon candy is a recipe I always eyeball…never measure. I call it "Angies Candy" I will pick my brain and put it on paper the correct amounts of ingredients and measurements then send it to you. Been a long day today so I will have it to you by tomorrow. It took me years to master. Hits and misses. I am sure you will love it. You can share the recipe with whomever you wish. I used to be stingy…but not no more. Everybody should enjoy it . 🙂

  6. Camai Sue
    I put the recipe in your message box. You can share it on your webpage or keep it for yourself if you like. Enjoy! 🙂
    Hope your days are happy ones and life brings you and yours everything you need.
    In friendship, Angela

  7. Oh thank you so much, Angela. I will use it on my webpage on Friday, May 3. What a TREASURE and how kind for you to share that recipe. My husband uses his meat smoker often and we can’t wait to try your recipe!!

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