St. Lawrence Island Yupik

St. Lawrence Island Yupik, also known as Siberian Yupik, is a Yupik language spoken on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. A state language directory lists it as Akuzipigestun and estimates 400 to 750 highly proficient speakers.[1]

Language and family

The directory lists the language as Akuzipigestun, or St. Lawrence Island Yupik, among the Inuit-Unangan languages, which also include Inupiatun, Central Yup’ik, Sugpiaq or Alutiiq and Unangam Tunuu.[1]

Speakers

The estimate is 400 to 750 highly proficient speakers, a larger number than for several other Alaska Native languages in the same directory. For comparison, it gives 2,500 to 7,500 highly proficient speakers of Central Yup’ik and 40 to 80 of Unangam Tunuu.[1]

Documentation

The Alaska Native Language Center, created by the Alaska Legislature in 1972, has researched and documented Alaska’s Native languages.[1]

FAQs

What is another name for St. Lawrence Island Yupik? Siberian Yupik.

How many speakers are there? An estimated 400 to 750 highly proficient speakers.

Which family is it in? Inuit-Unangan (Eskimo-Aleut).

Sources

1. State of Alaska: Alaska Native Languages directory

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue