Think of Iñupiatun sentences as puzzles or math equations, with strict rules that need to be observed and codes that if broken, become pretty predictable across the whole language. Sentences are made up of roots and "affixes", or parts that get added on to modify the meaning of the root, and then an ending bit to wrap it all up. Here's an example.
niġi-
Niġi- is a root word meaning to eat, and stuff can be added after it to modify that meaning. So:
Aqukkasuk niġiniaġugnaqtuq iqaluŋmik anaqapak.
Aqukkasuk might eat the fish (iqaluk > iqaluŋmik) this evening (anaqapak).
The part that got added was -niaġugnaq- (may) and the ender -tuq- (indicating that the part before describes one person).
Got it?
Now one of the most useful grammar forms for beginners: to indicate wanting to x.
Here are some examples:
niġisukpiich? Do you want to eat? (niġi-)
ii, nigisuktuŋa iqaluŋmik Yes, I want to eat fish.
aullaġuqpiich? Do you want to go? (aullaq-)
ii, aullaġuqtuŋa Anchorage-mun. Yes, I want to go to Anchorage.
utiġuqpiich? Do you want to return? (utiq-)
ii, utiġuqtuŋa uvlaakun. Yes, I want to return tomorrow.
i!itchukpiich? Do you want to learn? (i!it-)
ii, i!itchuktuŋa Inupiałiġmik Yes, I want to study Iñupiaq.
makitchukpiich? Do you want to get up/stand up? (makit-)
ii, makitchuktuŋa akkupak. Yes, I want to get up right now (either from bed or from sitting..
savaguqpiich? Do you want to work? (savak-)
ii, savaguqtuŋa NANA-tkutni Yes, I want to work at NANA.
maliguqpiich? Do you want to follow? (malik-)
ii, maligugikpin. Yes, I want to follow you.
isiġuqpiich? Do you want to come in? (isiq-)
ii, isiġuqtuŋa tupimnun. Yes, I want to enter your house.
imiġuqpiich? Do you want water/to drink/are you thirsty? (imiq-)
ii, imiġuqtuŋa imiġviŋmi. Yes, I want to drink at the bar.
As you probably figured out, the last letter of each root word changes. Here's the pattern:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i!it- > 't' become -chuk- aullaq- > 'q' becomes -ġuq-
savak- > 'k' becomes -guq- and vowel endings like niġi - 'i' become -suk-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is how it might be used in context:
Uvlupak uqaqatigisukkivsi isumagikamnik.
Today I want to talk to (all of you) about my thoughts.
Qakugu aullaġniaġuqpa?
When does she want to go? (in the future).
John niġitquguqtuq, aglaan niġisuiqsuŋa.
John wants to eat again, but I'm full.
