October 1, 2010
Tusaalanga.ca, an immensely popular website for learning the Inuit Language has been relaunched, offering new dialects and new features to learners of Nunavut’s largest language.
Those hoping to enhance their skills in Inuinnaqtun, the Nattilingmiut dialect of the Qitirmiut (Kitikmeot), the Paallirmiut dialect spoken in the southern Kivalliq or the North Baffin dialect, Aggurmiutut, now have access to a wealth of new materials.
Tusaalanga.ca is a creation of the Pirurvik Centre based in Iqaluit. The website was launched in 2003 to complement Pirurvik’s Inuktitut as a Second Language programs.
“The success of Tusaalanga surpassed our hopes and expectations,” says Leena Evic, Pirurvik’s Executive Director. “We think it has great potential to support the learning of dialects throughout Nunavut.”
The original Tusaalanga provided information mainly on the dialects spoken in Iqaluit and Panniqtuuq. “If you are living in other communities, you really need to learn the language as it is spoken there,” says Leena. “We realized that through Tusaalanga, we could offer learning materials to those living in communities where there is little access to Inuktitut language training.”
Tusaalanga, means “Let me hear” in Inuktitut. The website features thousands of soundfiles that an internet user can click on to hear correct pronunciation. Tusaalanga also features notes on Inuktitut grammar, practice exercises and dialogues with language to use in everyday situations. Internet users can access the website in both English and French.
In 2007, Canada's Premiers awarded Pirurvik with a Council of the Federation’s Literacy Award for its work on Tusaalanga.
In expanding Tusaalanga, Pirurvik has worked with language professionals who speak the new dialects that have been added. These include Mark Kalluak for the Paallirmiut dialect, Gwen Ohokak for Inuinnaqtun, Attima Hadlari and Janet Tamalik McGrath for Nattilingmiutut and Jeela Palluq for North Baffin.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth (CLEY) provided the support needed to rework the materials into other dialects and to improve the website.
“We hope these materials will give second language learners, including younger Inuit, the support they need to expand their ability to speak, read and write the Inuit Language,” Leena says. “Each dialect contributes to the immense richness of the Inuit Language and we want to ensure that all of them continue to be spoken for generations to come.”
For more information, contact: Chris Douglas Pirurvik Centre: chris@pirurvik.ca.