In English, we differentiate between singular (one thing) and plural (two or more things) by adding an s; seal becomes seals. In the Alutiiq language, there are different endings for singular, dual (2), as well as plural (three or more) nouns.

As a general rule, singular words in Alutiiq end in q, dual words end in k, and plural words end in t.

Some words in Alutiiq have singular endings that end with k, a, or n. Nouns that end in a or n, will drop the final letter, and end in tek, when they become dual, or tet when they become plural.

Single objects that end in k do not follow an easily recognizable pattern. However, their dual and plural forms will have a final letter of k and t respectively.

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