Yup'ik Language and Culture from edX

Ilargakut! This introductory course guides students through the Yugtun language with a focus on cultural traditions and connection to the land. Learn communication skills, build knowledge of the language, and appreciate the cultural values that underpin this unique language.

Yugtun is an indigenous language spoken by the Yup’ik/Yupiaq people, primarily in the southwestern region of Alaska and in eastern Siberian Russia. It is the most widely spoken indigenous language in Alaska, but the number of fluent and native speakers has declined. This course, which focuses specifically on the Central Yup’ik dialect of the lower Kuskokwim delta, invites you to start learning the language that breathes life into Yup'ik/Yupiaq stories, traditions, and their deep-rooted connection to the land.

This AlaskaX course begins with an exploration of the fundamental aspects of the language, delving into its deep connections with Yup'ik customs and ways of life. Engaging lessons and interactive exercises will guide you through the linguistic structure of Central Yugtun. You will learn how to construct simple phrases and sentences, ask and answer questions, respond to commands, and make requests. Just as crucial as learning vocabulary and grammar, each module introduces you to different aspects of Yup’ik culture and explores the intricate interplay between language and culture. You will hear stories, told in Yugtun, and learn about the Yup’ik cultural values that affect/influence/impact how Yugtun is spoken.

Enroll in this course and become a part of celebrating, revitalizing, and sustaining Yugtun and Yup’ik culture!

What you'll learn

Recognize the alphabet, sounds, and unique linguistic features of Central Yugtun
Comprehend and reply to basic commands and questions
Construct simple phrases and sentences with nouns and verbs
To introduce one’s self in Yugtun
Understand how Yup’ik/Yupiaq values influence how Yugtun is spoken

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a general overview of Yugtun, including its alphabet, sounds, and unique linguistic features

Focuses on the Central Yup’ik dialect, which is the most common dialect of Yugtun

Provides opportunities to practice constructing simple phrases and sentences, asking and answering questions, responding to commands, and making requests

Highlights the cultural values that influence how Yugtun is spoken

Introduces learners to the indigenous Yup’ik/Yupiaq culture through language learning

Encourages learners to appreciate the deep-rooted connection between language and culture

Career center

Learners who complete Yup'ik Language and Culture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cultural Preservationist

A Cultural Preservationist works to preserve and promote cultural heritage, often through education and outreach programs. This course could be helpful for a Cultural Preservationist because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik language and culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in preserving indigenous languages and cultures.

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Linguist

A Linguist studies human language, including its structure, history, and usage. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture could be helpful for this line of work because it provides an opportunity to learn about the linguistic features of Central Yugtun and to understand how Yup’ik/Yupiaq values influence how Yugtun is spoken. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in studying indigenous languages, or for those who are interested in working with endangered languages.

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Archivist

An Archivist maintains, preserves, and provides access to historical documents and artifacts. This course could be helpful for an Archivist because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik language and culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous archives, or for those who are interested in preserving indigenous languages and cultures.

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Anthropologist

An Anthropologist studies the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course could be helpful for an Anthropologist because it provides an opportunity to learn about the cultural traditions and connection to the land of the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in studying indigenous cultures, or for those who are interested in working with indigenous communities.

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Historian

A Historian researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about the past. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Historian because it provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in studying indigenous history, or for those who are interested in working with indigenous communities.

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Librarian

A Librarian helps people find and access information, often in a library setting. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Librarian because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in providing access to indigenous languages and cultures.

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Language Teacher

A Language Teacher educates students in either a classroom or one-on-one setting, helping them to learn different dialects, grammar, and syntax of one or more languages. This course in the Yup'ik language and culture would be helpful for this role because it provides an opportunity to learn the Central Yup’ik dialect and to understand how Yup’ik/Yupiaq values influence how Yugtun is spoken. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in teaching Yup'ik language and culture, or for those who are interested in teaching other indigenous languages.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator plans and oversees exhibits and collections, often in a museum or similar institution. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Museum Curator because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous art and artifacts, or for those who are interested in working in a museum setting.

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Social Worker

A Social Worker helps people cope with personal or social problems. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Social Worker because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in providing social services to indigenous communities.

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Community Organizer

A Community Organizer helps people in a community work together to achieve a common goal, often related to social or economic issues. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Community Organizer because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in organizing indigenous communities to achieve their goals.

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Journalist

A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events, often for a newspaper, magazine, or website. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Journalist because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in reporting on indigenous issues, or for those who are interested in working with indigenous communities.

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Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager plans, organizes, and directs the activities of a non-profit organization. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Nonprofit Manager because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in managing non-profit organizations that serve indigenous communities.

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Public Policy Advocate

A Public Policy Advocate works to influence public policy on behalf of a particular group or cause. This course on the Yup'ik language and culture may be helpful for a Public Policy Advocate because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in advocating for indigenous rights.

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Grant Writer

A Grant Writer writes grant proposals to secure funding for non-profit organizations, businesses, or government agencies. This course could be helpful for a Grant Writer because it provides an opportunity to learn about the Yup'ik/Yupiaq people and their culture. This course may be especially useful for students who are interested in working with indigenous communities, or for those who are interested in writing grant proposals for indigenous organizations.

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Yup'ik Language and Culture

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