Language
Inuktitut standardization still hot topic in Nunavut 
(CBC News, 11 February 2010) -- A major topic of discussion at this week's Nunavut Language Summit
is whether to standardize the Inuktitut language, which is spoken and
written in a number of ways across the predominantly Inuit territory. Standardizing Inuktitut has long been a hotly debated subject in
Nunavut, where the Inuit language is spoken in several local and
regional dialects. There are also two writing systems: syllabics are used in eastern
Nunavut, while Inuit in western Nunavut write Inuktitut words using
Roman orthography. But Inuit leaders at the language summit, which began Tuesday and
runs through Friday in Iqaluit, say a standard form of Inuktitut is
essential to the language's survival. "I think there is no other answer than to develop a standard writing
system, and on top of that a standard dialect," Jose Kusugak, president
of the Kivalliq Inuit Association in Rankin Inlet, told CBC News during
the summit.
Posted 13 February 2010; 6:42:37 PM. Permalink
Tagged: Canada, Circumpolar News, Conferences, Cultural Matters, February10, Indigenous Issues, Language, North America, Nunavut
email to: agra...@yukoncollege.yk.ca
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