Numbers in Inari Sami
anarâškielâ
Numbers in Inari Sami follow a complex yet logical system rooted in a vigesimal (base-20) structure combined with decimal elements. Spoken by approximately 300 Inari Sami people in Finland's Inari municipality, this language belongs to the Uralic family. Its counting system is unique, especially in how it constructs numbers above ten, blending specific words for units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. The language's rich numerical structure reflects its cultural heritage and traditional practices. Understanding the numbers in Inari Sami offers insight into their worldview and linguistic ingenuity, making it a fascinating subject for linguists and language enthusiasts alike.
Number system
Inari Sami employs a vigesimal system, where numbers from 1 to 10 are specific words: ohtâ (1), kyehti (2), kulmâ (3), nelji (4), vittâ (5), kuttâ (6), čiččâm (7), käävci (8), oovce (9), and love (10). Numbers 11-19 are formed by suffixing the unit with 'nubáloh' (from love, ten), e.g., ohtunubáloh (11), kyehtnubáloh (12). Tens are created by combining the digit with 'lov(e)', such as kyehtlov (20), kulmâlov (30), and so forth. For example, 24 is kyehtlovnelji (20 + 4), and 46 is neljilovkuttâ (40 + 6). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čyeđe' (hundred), e.g., kyehtičyede (200), and thousands by placing the multiplier before 'tuhhát' (thousand), e.g., kyehttuhhát (2000). Large numbers like one million are expressed as 'miljon'.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 1-10 are unique words
Numbers from one to ten are specific words: ohtâ (1), kyehti (2), kulmâ (3), nelji (4), vittâ (5), kuttâ (6), čiččâm (7), käävci (8), oovce (9), love (10). For example, 3 is kulmâ, and 9 is oovce.
Numbers 11-19 are formed by suffixing units with 'nubáloh'
Numbers like 11 (ohtunubáloh), 12 (kyehtnubáloh), and 19 (oovcenubáloh) are created by attaching 'nubáloh' to the unit words, indicating 'unit plus ten'.
Tens are formed by suffixing the digit with 'lov(e)'
For example, 20 is kyehtlov, 30 is kulmâlov, and 90 is ohcelov. Compound numbers like 24 are formed by combining the ten and unit without space: kyehtlovnelji (20 + 4).
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čyeđe'
For example, 200 is kyehtičyede, 300 is kulmâčyede, and 900 is oovcečyeđe. The multiplier (2, 3, 9) precedes 'čyeđe' with no space.
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before 'tuhhát'
For example, 1,000 is tuhhát, 2,000 is kyehttuhhát, and 9,000 is oovcetuhhát. The number words are concatenated directly before 'tuhhát'.
Large numbers like millions are expressed with the word 'miljon'
One million is 'miljon'. For example, 2 million is 'kyehti miljona', and 4 million is 'nelji miljona'. The multiplier is placed before 'miljon' with a space.
Unique features
The use of vigesimal (base-20) structure, as seen in 20 (kyehtlov) and 40 (neljilov), is a distinctive feature not common in many European languages.
Numbers like 6 (kuttâ) are formed by adding 1 (ohtâ) to 5 (vittâ), reflecting a quinary aspect within the vigesimal system.
The formation of numbers above ten involves suffixing with 'nubáloh', e.g., 13 (kulmânubáloh), which is unique compared to other languages that use separate words.
Large numbers like millions are constructed by combining the multiplier with 'miljon', showing a clear pattern of compound formation.
The language incorporates borrowed words like 'miljon' for million, indicating cultural contact and adaptation.
Cultural context
Inari Sami is spoken by the indigenous Inari Sami people living primarily in Finland's northern Lapland region. Their culture is deeply connected to reindeer herding, fishing, and traditional crafts. Numbers appear in daily trade, storytelling, and rituals, often emphasizing specific numbers considered lucky or significant. For instance, the number 7 (čiččâm) may hold cultural importance, while certain numbers might be avoided in superstitions. The language's numerical system reflects their environment and social practices, preserving their heritage through precise and meaningful number words. As a minority language, Inari Sami maintains its unique counting system as a vital part of cultural identity amidst modern influences.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 6 (kuttâ) is formed by adding 1 (ohtâ) to 5 (vittâ), illustrating a quinary addition within the vigesimal system.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which is decimal, Inari Sami's use of 'lov(e)' for 10 and multiples like 20 (kyehtlov) shows a vigesimal pattern similar to that of the ancient Mayan system.
Fact 3: The number 17 (čiččâmnubáloh) combines the word for 7 (čiččâm) with the suffix for ten, demonstrating how compound numbers are built.
Fact 4: The word for one million, 'miljon', is borrowed from other European languages, indicating cross-cultural influence.
Fact 5: Large numbers like 1,000,000 are expressed by combining the multiplier with 'miljon', showing the language's capacity to articulate very large quantities efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Inari Sami?
1 - ohtâ, 2 - kyehti, 3 - kulmâ, 4 - nelji, 5 - vittâ, 6 - kuttâ, 7 - čiččâm, 8 - käävci, 9 - oovce, 10 - love.
What number base does Inari Sami use?
It uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by 20 being kyehtlov, 40 neljilov, and 60 kuttlov, showing multiplication by 20 and addition of units.
How do you say 42 in Inari Sami?
42 is constructed as neljilovkuttâ, which is 40 (neljilov) plus 2 (kyehti).
How do you say 100 in Inari Sami?
100 is čyeđe, formed by placing 1 (ohtâ) before 'čyeđe' (hundred).
How many people speak Inari Sami?
Approximately 300 people speak Inari Sami, primarily in Finland's Inari municipality.
Is Inari Sami related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Uralic family, specifically the Finno-Ugric branch, related to Finnish and Estonian.
What makes Inari Sami counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, use of suffixes like 'nubáloh' for 11-19, and the formation of large numbers like millions are distinctive features.
Sources
- Inari Sami vocabulary
- Sami numbers (Omniglot)
- Sámi numerals generator
- Counting and the grammar: case and numerals in Inari Sami, by Diane Nelson and Ida Toivonen, in Leeds Working Papers in Linguistics and Phonetics, n°8, 2000 (.pdf)