Qaniujaaqpait

=Introduction=

Inuktitut syllabics (Inuktitut: ᖃᓂᐅᔮᖅᐸᐃᑦ, romanized: qaniujaaqpait, or ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖅ ᓄᑖᖅ, titirausiq nutaaq) represent an abugida-type writing system employed in Canada by the Inuktitut-speaking Inuit residing in the Nunavut territory, as well as the Nunavik and Nunatsiavut regions of Quebec and Labrador, respectively. In 1976, the Language Commission of the Inuit Cultural Institute designated it as the co-official script for the Inuit languages alongside the Latin script.

The term "qaniujaaqpait" [qaniujaːqpaˈit] is derived from the root "qaniq," signifying "mouth." As an alternative, the Latin-based writing system is named "qaliujaaqpait" (ᖃᓕᐅᔮᖅᐸᐃᑦ), originating from "qaliit," a term describing markings or grain in rocks. "Titirausiq nutaaq" [titiʁauˈsiq nuˈtaːq], translating to "new writing system," serves as a contrast to "titirausiit nutaunngittut" (ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓰᑦ ᓄᑕᐅᓐᖏᑦᑐᑦ), denoting the "old syllabics" in use prior to the 1976 reforms.

=Background=

The Inuktitut syllabary, functioning as an abugida-type writing system, has been in use since the 1870s and continues to be employed to the present day. In this script, additional characters marked with dots signify long vowels, and when romanized, the vowel is duplicated to accurately represent pronunciation. The writing system is designed to be read from left to right, reflecting its directionality. Primarily utilized for the Inuktitut language, the Inuktitut syllabics share connections with the Cree syllabics and the broader Canadian Aboriginal syllabics. This script falls under the ISO 15924 code "Cans" (440), specifically categorized as Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics. In Unicode, it is represented under the alias "Canadian Aboriginal," with a dedicated range from U+1400 to U+167F in the Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics block.

=Letters=

The Inuktitut script, known as titirausiq nutaaq, is commonly depicted as a syllabary. Notably, additional characters marked with dots are employed to indicate long vowels. In the Latin transcription, this is reflected by the duplication of the vowel. For geminate consonants, the final consonant symbol is positioned before the CV syllabic. For instance, -kku- and -nnu- are rendered as ᒃᑯ and ᓐᓄ, respectively.


 * Note: An image of the chart is also available.

=Modification=

The official version of the script was expanded by the Makivik Corporation to reintegrate the ai-pai-tai column. The conventional diphthong ai, typically represented by combining the a form with a standalone letter ᐃ i, had previously undergone removal, enabling the typing and printing of Inuktitut using IBM Selectric balls during the 1970s. The decision to restore this fourth-vowel variant was supported by the argument that contemporary printing and typesetting equipment no longer face the limitations of earlier typewriting machinery. It's important to note that the ai-pai-tai column finds exclusive use in Nunavik.