Learning about Languages with the Canadian Language Museum

• Main Author: Elaine Gold
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: German; English; French; Italian; Romansh
• Published: Association Babylonia Switzerland 2022
• Subjects: language museum; exhibits; Indigenous languages; Canada; Language and Literature; P; Special aspects of education; LC8-6691; inuit
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/cdc95cf7325f44c6bf2d8aa370e786c1

The Canadian Language Museum creates exhibits to introduce the public to Canada’s rich linguistic heritage: over 60 Indigenous languages, the official languages of French and English, and hundreds of languages brought by immigrants from around the world. To create these exhibits, the curators grapple with the challenge of making exhibits about languages interesting and accessible, both to those who speak the language described and to those who have no familiarity with it. This article focuses on three traveling exhibits: Cree: The People’s Language; Speaking the Inuit Way, and A Tapestry of Voices: Celebrating Canada’s Languages. It outlines topics broached and techniques used to simplify complex linguistic issues and to involve audiences of various ages and backgrounds.