Nasal Consonants: m, n, ng, hm, hn, hng

M in Alutiiq is equivalent to the English m sound.

Example word: minq'uq (sewing)

N in Alutiiq is equivalent to the English n sound.

Example word: nanwaq (lake)

Ng is considered one letter in Alutiiq. It sounds like the ng in sing.

Example word: angayuk (buddy, pal, partner)

When single letters n and g appear together in a word, they are separated by an apostrophe to show they are not the one-letter ng.

Example word: ungaq (whiskers)

Example word: un'gani (out there; Southern Kodiak sub-dialect)

Hm, hn, and hng are variations of the letters m, n, and ng. Linguists call them unvoiced nasal consonants. They begin with a nasal h sound, then the m, n, or ng as described above. The h sound should come from the nose, not from the mouth. You should be able to say hm with your mouth completely closed.

Example word: keghmartuq (he/she/it is biting he/she/it repeatedly)

Example word: arhnaq (sea otter)

Example word: kuinghnguartuq (he/she/it is walking for fun)