Language: The idea that Inuit have "50 words for snow" is a myth.…

Question

Did you know? The idea that Inuit have "50 words for snow" is a myth. According to linguist Geoffrey Pullum (1986) Inuit languages do not have more words for snow than English — English skiers also know "powder", "slush", "sleet", "blizzard". The myth began in 1911 as a side note by anthropologist Franz Boas.

Accepted Answer

The idea that Inuit have "50 words for snow" is a myth. According to linguist Geoffrey Pullum (1986) Inuit languages do not have more words for snow than English — English skiers also know "powder", "slush", "sleet", "blizzard". The myth began in 1911 as a side note by anthropologist Franz Boas.

Het idee dat Inuit "50 woorden voor sneeuw" hebben is een mythe. Volgens taalkundige Geoffrey Pullum (1986) hebben Inuit-talen niet meer woorden voor sneeuw dan Engels — Engelse skiërs kennen ook "powder", "slush", "sleet", "blizzard". De mythe begon in 1911 als bijzin van antropoloog Franz Boas.

Meer uit Taal · More from Language