With so many northern cultures from around the world attending the Arctic Winter Games, there are a unique array of languages that they have brought with them. While most teams do speak English, it isn't their only language. Futsal has some basic terms that are commonly said while playing:
Ball - This means you're asking for the ball to be passed to you. It’s like signaling to your teammate that you’re open.
Pass - Similar to asking for the ball, it's a request to have the ball kicked to you. It’s another way to let teammates know you’re in a good strategic position.
Drop - This term is used when you want to pass the ball back to a teammate, usually towards your own goal to regroup or plan a new attack..
Shot/Shoot - You use this to encourage a teammate to take a chance and kick the ball towards the goal with the aim of scoring. Shoot and shot are used interchangeably
*Some of these terms are the same across languages. Words are typed in the English alphabet for easy reading for everybody. Some words are unknown and these may not be official translations of words.
Team Sápmi speaks mainly in Norwegian as well as the occasional native Sápmi language:
English | Norwegian | Sápmi |
Ball | Ball | Spabba |
Pass | Sentring | Pass |
Drop | Drop | Drop |
Shot/Shoot | Skyt | Báče |
(When I was asking the coach for a translation she said I was giving up their secrets)
Team Nunavut mainly uses English while playing futsal but a coach was able to translate some words into Inuktitut:
English | Inuktitut |
Ball | aqsaq |
Pass | unknown |
Drop | katai |
Shot/Shoot | unknown |
One of Team Yukon’s players speaks German:
English | German |
ball | ball |
pass | pass |
drop | unknown |
Shot/shoot | Schuss |
Team NorthWest Territories has a player who speaks French:
English | French |
Ball | Balle |
Pass | Passe |
Drop | Lache |
Shot/Shoot | shot/shoot (“Prend la shot” - take the shot) |
Almost every member of Team Alberta North speaks a different language from Spanish to Arabic:
English | Spanish | Arabic |
Ball | pelota | Koora |
Pass | pase | Marrir |
Drop | unknown | Armi |
Shot/shoot | tiro | Youzaa |
This blend of languages and cultures at the Arctic Winter Games highlights the beautiful ways sports can bring people together, bridging differences with a common love for the game.