Learning Inuktitut Online

Web Networks has partnered with Nunavut-based Piruvik Centre to launch Tusaalanga.ca, an immensely popular website for learning the Inuit Language that 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.

“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 offerlearning materials to those living in communities where there is littleaccess to Inuktitut language training.”

Tusaalanga, means “Let me hear” in Inuktitut. The website features thousands of soundfiles that an internet user can clickon to hear correct pronunciation. Tusaalanga also features notes on Inuktitut grammar, practice exercises and dialogues with language to usein 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  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 toensure that all of them continue to be spoken for generations to come.”

" Web Networks is proud to be part of the Tusaalanga initiative", said Oliver Zielke, Executive Director of Web Networks. "Supporting Indigenous languages with online tools such as Tusaalanga and our new Yodigo literacy video game platform is and will be a key activity for Web Networks."

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