In an autonomous government, an Inuktitut Language Commission would supervise the protection and development of Inuktitut. Language protection (language in the workplace and of signs) must be a priority of Nunavingmi Aquvvinga.
Avataq’s language programme develops terminology for contemporary domains such as legal, medical and communications terminology. The Institute also organizes workshops that seek to meet the needs of translators and interpreters and ensure the quality of translation services.
Avataq’s ongoing work includes the development of the following tools: a language dictionary, a recovery database (for words at risk of disappearing) a grammar, and materials for teaching Inuktitut as a second language. In addition, the programme includes the development of a reference library and the development of approaches for learning the language via concrete experience – observation and action, as it was learned traditionally.
At the local level, Avataq encourages language workshops and inter-generational interactions within all the 14 communities of Nunavik.
The exhibition shed a new light on Nunavik and its environment.
These workshops are primarily intended to develop new terminology and revive old words through discussions among resource people (elders from the three coasts) and a group of translators and interpreters. The most recent terminology workshop was held in Kangirsualujjuaq in April 2006.
