Definition

Noun: 1. A Uralic language: The Selkup language is a Samoyedic language spoken by the Selkup people in Siberia. 2. A member of an ethnic group: A Selkup is a person belonging to an indigenous people of Siberian origin, historically of mixed Ostyak and Samoyedic heritage.

Examples

• Noun (Language):
  • Linguists are studying the grammar of Selkup.
  • Fewer young people are fluent in Selkup today.
• Noun (Person):
  • A Selkup guided the expedition through the taiga.
  • The Selkup have a rich tradition of reindeer herding.

Advanced Usage

• Ethnonym: The term "Selkup" is an ethnonym, used to identify both the people and their language. It is an exonym (a name given by outsiders), derived from Russian. The Selkup's own name for themselves is different (e.g., [sol'kup] or [shol'kup]).
• Demographic Context: When referring to the people, "Selkup" can be used as a singular noun for one person or as a plural collective noun (e.g., ).

Variants and Related Words

• Ostyak-Samoyed: This is an older, historical name for the Selkup people and their language, reflecting the perceived mixed origins. The term "Selkup" is now standard.
• Samoyedic (adj): Relating to the branch of the Uralic language family that includes Selkup, Nenets, and Enets.
• Selkupian (adj): A less common adjective meaning "of or relating to the Selkup people or their language."

Synonyms

• (For the people): Ostyak-Samoyed (historical).
• (For the language): Ostyak-Samoyed (historical), Selkup language.

Related Phrases

• Selkup folklore: Refers to the traditional stories, myths, and oral history of the Selkup people.
• Selkup territory: Refers to the traditional lands inhabited by the Selkup people in western Siberia.

Noun

1. the Uralic language spoken by the Ostyak-Samoyed
2. one of the people of mixed Ostyak and Samoyed origin in Siberia