Language Rights and Language Choices: The Potential of Inuktitut Literacy

Abstract

Since the advent of Nunavut, territory-wide debates have brought about new linguistic policies and challenged the dominance of the English language in Nunavut institutions. Through an analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted in Iqaluit and Igloolik, this essay confirms that a niche does exist in the labour market for people who read and write syllabics. Nevertheless, a comparison of linguistic practices in the capital (Iqaluit) and a smaller community (Igloolik) suggests that, apart from the elders, the number of people fluent enough in syllabics to read and write on a daily basis is small. The ideal of stable bilingualism rests upon the “inuitization” of the territory’s institutions. This in turn entails a renewed effort to provide learning and practice opportunities for those who wish to write and read their language better.