Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, March 26, 2007

IQALUIT - Health and Social Services Minister Leona Aglukkaq is calling for the legislative assembly to begin translating speeches into her own dialect. Aglukkaq - and many of her Nattilik constituents - speak the Nattilingmiut dialect.

Translations in the legislative assembly are not conducted in that dialect, and the MLA for Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak wants to know why.

"Every other member in this house can debate in their language, in their dialect, but it appears when I use my dialect in the proceedings of the house that it is being translated to the Baffin dialect," said Aglukkaq.

She brought the issue before the house during the March 20 session, as a point of personal privilege.

Speaker Steve Mapsalak addressed the issue, and promised an answer soon.

"I thank you for letting me know. At the appropriate time, I will report back to the legislature," said Mapsalak.

"We will hear back about it long before the session is over, some time next week," said John Quirke, the clerk of the legislative assembly.

Translation falls under the clerk's office, and Quirke is waiting for direction from the speaker.

"We must wait for a ruling from the speaker," said Quirke.

He explained that there are seven translators working during a session. There are three from the Kitikmeot, three from the Baffin region, and one from the Kivalliq. Translation is done by whoever is in the translating seat.

"It is a timing thing. You can only stay in the booth for about 10 minutes before handing over the wheel," said Quirke.

"In the Kitikmeot, there are two distinctive dialects. One is Inuinnaqtut... and one of those is Nattilingmiut. I don't believe that respect of my language is being applied in this house," said Aglukkaq.

Legislative debates are translated available in English, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtut. The Nattilingmiut dialect is not accounted for.

Language Commissioner Johnny Kusugak did not want to wade into a legislative decision before it was made, but he was willing to discuss the Nattilingmiut dialect.

"We understand the need to keep the language alive. It is an issue that the public keeps bringing up," said Kusugak.

"It is a recognized dialect, and all dialects are equal. When she speaks it, I can understand," said Kusugak, who is from Rankin Inlet and uses a Kivalliq dialect himself. He doesn't let the Baffin dialect get in the way of his work.

"When I write something in English, the translator translates it into the Baffin dialect. I accept it," said Kusugak.

Translating isn't as simple as finding someone who can speak two languages. There are qualifications to be met.

"How many people who speak that dialect are considered professional interpreters?" asked Kusugak.