Alaskan words are some of the most beautiful sounds in the world. The state represents 20 distinct Alaskan languages spoken inside two main language groups. These have contributed to unique words that you won’t find anywhere else in the country! These beautiful sounds from the different regions carry the weight, history, and uniqueness of our awesome state. Let's take a look at a few.
Many Alaskans have visited Eklutna Lake. This stunning turquoise body of water is fed by Eklutna Glacier. This Dena'ina Athabascan village of Eklutna was established more than 800 years ago. It’s actually the oldest known settlement in the Anchorage area. The name of Eklutna derives from Idluytnu, the Dena’ina name for Eklutna River, meaning (plural) objects river, referring to two nearby hills.
A williwaw is a sudden, violent squall, usually blowing offshore from a mountainous coastline. This describes most of Alaska’s oceanfront, and we see our fair share of williwaws in the state.
On the other side of the equation is a chinook. Words in Alaskan say chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows, usually at the end of winter. In fact, when the wind kicks up in early spring, most Alaskans know that warmer weather and "break up" is on its way!
Denali is the tallest mountain in all of North America. In Athabascan, it means the high one, and this is an apt descriptor of this stunning, imposing mountain. The name Denali stems from the word deenaalee. This word originates in the Koyukon language, traditionally spoken on the north side of the mountain.
This area has been home to the Iñupiat for more than 1,500 years. The city's Iñupiaq name actually refers to a place for gathering wild roots and is a derivative of the word potato. The town’s original name was in use until 1901, when non-Native Alaskans found Barrow of nearby Point Barrow easier to pronounce, and it made its way onto the local Post Office. In 2016, the town voted to change its name to Utqiaġvik.
A cheechako is someone new to Alaska or the Yukon and usually refers to a newcomer who hasn’t yet spent the winter in our great state.
Alaskan words are just as diverse as the state itself. Have you heard any of these before? Which one is your favorite? Are there any that you love that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
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For more Alaskan words, read about these phrases that will make you swear Alaskans have their own language. If you're thinking of traveling to The Last Frontier, reserve a room on Booking.com.
No matter where you go in your life, if you grew up in Alaska it will always be a point of pride and conversation. The state is huge and you could be from the verdant rainforests of Southeast or a thousand miles north in the tundra of the Northwest. Alaska encompasses thousands of beautiful miles of varied terrain. No matter where you've been living in Alaska, there are far more trees than people, an outdoor lifestyle, and a lot of fish! These are some of the residual signs that you grew up at the top of the world.
Alaskans know full well not to waste a moment of summer sun. Whether it be working hard or playing hard, Alaskans have a "Go! Go! Go!" mentality that doesn't fade. When the sun is shining, an Alaskan will be moving and getting things done no matter what. We know how short the summer sun can be, so we enjoy it to the fullest!
As the salmon fill the rivers and streams in the summer, Alaskans go fishing to fill the freezers for the winter. At this time of year, salmon can be eaten at every meal without a thought. Most who grew up in Alaska can eat a LOT of salmon without ever getting tired of the red, succulent fish. Whether it be smoked, dried, grilled, canned, baked, broiled, or in something different like a pie or spaghetti, Alaskans find a way to keep eating salmon as long as they are running.
The Alaskan summer midnight sun brings the warmth, but when it's gone during long, dark winter nights the heat doesn't linger. Consequently, it is never both warm and dark in Alaska. Summer nights are light and winter nights are cold. It can take an Alaskan a while to used to warm, dark summer nights in more temperate places. And in the lower latitudes, you miss out on one of the absolute treasures of winter in the north: the aurora borealis! what's it like living in Alaska? Life in Alaska can be stunning.
With the long distances food is required to travel to get to Alaskan store shelves, most people understand that the more remote you are, the higher the prices. That can mean a $17.00 frozen pizza in Glenallen or a bag of oranges for $14.00 in Utqiagvik. So, Alaskans think prices everywhere else are reasonable.
With so much space and so few people, Alaskans rarely have to drive very close to other cars, and hardly ever have to parallel park. Unless you are in downtown Anchorage on a regular basis, most of Alaska has plenty of room to park far from other cars. Of course, parallel parking is required for the driver's license test, but those skills can get rusty when they are hardly ever used.
Small, dark, tart, and completely unique, Alaskan blueberries are just not the same as the ones sold everywhere else. If you grow up in Alaska, you will forever miss the blueberries of home when snacking on the other kind. Alaskan blueberries are a wonderful spotlight in every Alaskan’s childhood!
7. You think everything is close together in the rest of the world.
Alaska is enormous and getting from one region to another takes a while, and usually more than one form of transportation. When a journey from one town to the other takes a plane, a boat, and a car ride, you are unfazed by epic distances. Everything in the Lower 48 states seems so manageable once you leave our great land. It makes Alaskans formidable travelers, unafraid of crossing long distances to get somewhere amazing.
You may think hockey would be Alaska's most popular sport, and it is pretty popular, but basketball is really the most popular sport in the AK. In rural Alaska where all items including sports equipment are scarce, basketball is played night and day all summer long. With the midnight sun lighting the courts, the pickup games are never-ending.
With weather temperatures that can drop 10's of degrees in a few hours, or warm up with the sun to sweltering temps, Alaskans know to bring a lot of different kinds of clothes everywhere they go. The ability to adjust your outfit for comfort and safety from the elements and the mosquitoes is an Alaskan skill.
Jeans, a flannel shirt, and a season-appropriate boot are usually the norm at any event in Alaska, regardless of how fancy it is supposed to be. You'll see jeans at church, at nice restaurants, even at the opera in Alaska. If you are traveling, you might want to ask a friend before heading out if you are dressed correctly for the occasion because Alaskans actually have no idea.
Growing up around far, far more trees than people, buildings, or cars, an Alaskan will always need to find some natural place to recharge. If you lose your Alaskan at the nice hotel, wedding, or skyscraper, look in the nearest park and you may find them sitting under a tree just getting away from the crowd and talking to the birds. Living in Alaska isn’t for the fainthearted, but it is for the one who appreciates everything this great state has to offer!
Growing up in Alaska is definitely a unique experience! What are some of the best things about living in Alaska that you have encountered? Are there any strange side effects we didn't mention? Tell us about it in the comments section.
Despite a few weird quirks, we love Alaska with all our hearts. Show off your Alaska state pride with some gear from Wear Your Roots.
Fascinated by all the wild things Alaskans do? Read more about some of our favorite weird things about Alaska life.
We may live in the most beautiful state in the country, but life in Alaska is not for the faint of heart. Alaskans definitely have a way about us that sets us apart from the crowd! To live in the Last Frontier, you have to be a different breed of hardy, determined, and self-sufficient. And with that, you truly do get a land full of people who have core interests in common when it comes to certain lifestyle habits. Get ready for your heart skip a beat! Here are just a few of the best things about living in Alaska.
In Alaska, being friendly and genuine is incredibly important. We don't like snobs or rude people. Good customer service is something that all Alaskans appreciate greatly!
If you live in Alaska and you don't like fishing, we'll just say that you are in a league of your own. But the majority of Alaska residents are whole-heartedly in love with our world class fisheries. Family-run fishing camps are a great place to meet like-minded locals!
The Northern Lights are so rare to see in person but in Alaska we get spoiled with them frequently throughout the year (especially during the winter months). No one can deny the magic that these dancing lights behold.
One of the best things about living in Alaska is the abundance of sights and natural wonders that the lower 48 could never understand...all right outside the front door! Staring into that piercing blue ice is one of the many things that spoil our eyes in Alaska.
The "I actually have a compass and GPS" kind of lost. Where you can totally and completely check out of reality but safely return in the evening before the bears come find you. Those are the best kinds of hikes!
Tent, RV or on the beach. The feeling of spending the night in nature is enough to cleanse the soul. Sometimes we return to the same camping spot time and time again, and other times we're always on the lookout for something new.
There is nothing quite like staying up late to enjoy a good campfire and going into work the next day with the smell of GOOD TIMES still lingering in your hair and on your clothes.
While there's a ton of beauty all around us, there's no denying that life in Alaska takes a little extra work when it comes to seeing it all. Bush planes, ferries...A classic, though? Hitting the open road with mountain views and the occasional need to yield to the wildlife, now that is our kind of party!
Can you think of anything else to add to this list that everyone in Alaska absolutely loves? What do you think are the best things about living in Alaska?
