What is the Difference Between Eskimo and Inuit?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms "Eskimo" and "Inuit" are often used to refer to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic regions, including Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. However, there are differences between the two terms and their usage:
- Eskimo: This term has been used to refer to the indigenous peoples of North America, Greenland, and Asia, distinct from those in the Aleutian Islands. It is derived from the French word "Esquimaux" and possibly the Spanish word "esquimao" or "esquimal". Eskimo is considered a pejorative term by many Inuit and is no longer widely used in favor of the term "Inuit".
- Inuit: This term comes from the Inuktitut language and means "people". It is the current term used across the Arctic and in Alaska to refer to the indigenous peoples, and it is the preferred term for the Inuit Circumpolar Council. In Canada, the term "Inuit" is used to refer to both the Inuit and Yupik peoples.
While "Inuit" is the more accurate and preferred term, "Eskimo" is still used in some historical, archaeological, and cultural contexts. Additionally, in Alaska and Arctic Siberia, where Inuit is not spoken, the terms "Inupiaq" and "Yupik" are used to refer to the indigenous peoples.
Comparative Table: Eskimo vs Inuit
The terms "Eskimo" and "Inuit" are often used interchangeably to refer to the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and subarctic regions. However, there are some differences between the two terms:
| Term | Meaning | Origin | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inuit | "The human beings" or "people" in the Inuktitut language | Inuktitut language (spoken by the Inuit) | Preferred term by the Inuit themselves, adopted by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference in 1980 |
| Eskimo | Possibly from the Mi'kmaq word meaning "eaters of raw flesh" | Mi'kmaq language (spoken by the Mi'kmaq people in eastern Canada) | Considered a pejorative term, discontinued in use since 1980 |
In summary, the term "Eskimo" has been used historically to refer to the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and subarctic regions, but it is now considered a pejorative term and has been replaced by "Inuit" as the preferred term. The Inuit Circumpolar Conference officially adopted the term "Inuit" in 1980, and it is derived from the Inuktitut language, which is spoken by the Inuit.
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