Kevin Daugherty, age 15, of Twin Falls, Ida., for his question:
DO ALL ESKIMOS SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE?
Eskimos are the people who live in the far northern areas of the
world. They occupy most of the coastline from Greenland and Labrador westward to the Bering Sea and northern Siberia. All Eskimos speak a language called Eskimo, which developed separately from all other languages of the world.
Only the Eskimos in northeastern Siberia and those in southern Alaska, including the Alaskan islands, speak dialects that differ greatly from one another and from all other Eskimo dialects.
A large vocabulary is needed for everyday speech in the Eskimo language. A word may have many different variations, each with a completely different meaning.
Eskimos build many of their words by stringing together one syllable words. Many words of this type have five or more syllables.
Also, the Eskimos of most areas have more than one word for most objects. As an example, there are many words for "seal," depending on if the animal is in or out of the water, whether it is old or young, or what the seal is doing.
The Eskimos do not have a system of writing.
Eskimos live in areas that are controlled by a number of major countries. Greenland's Eskimos are governed by Denmark. Almost all of the Eskimos living in the Arctic Circle are governed by Canada, while those in Alaska are subject to U.S. law. A small number are under the jurisdiction of the Soviet Union.
Most Eskimos live either in Canada or Alaska.
Of chief concern to the Eskimos is the struggle for existence, chiefly the problem of finding food and shelter. They are so absorbed in this pattern of life that they have given very little attention to government outside the close tribal state.
It is interesting to note that the Eskimos have well developed art forms, such as music, dancing and carving in ivory and soapstone. They are noted for their inventiveness. They learn to use tools and machinery with skill and ease.
Among the Eskimo inventions is the kayak, a boat built for summer hunting. It is exceptionally well balanced. It is made of seal or walrus skin stretched over a framework of bone or wood.
Another Eskimo invention is the seal oil lamp. Eskimos also invented snow goggles made of ivory or wood with slits cut into them.
Eskimo ivory, stone and wood carvings are beautifully made.
The most important group in Eskimo society is the family. It provides for a division of labor between the men, women and children. It is necessary for everyone to work in this harsh environment.