Pilot project launched to translate Manitoba government transcripts into 7 Indigenous languages
Hansard to be translated into Anishinaabemowin first, province says
A new pilot project will translate Manitoba's political debates and proceedings into seven Indigenous languages, beginning with Anishinaabemowin, the province says.
Hansard, the official transcript of proceedings at Manitoba's legislative assembly, will first be translated into Anishinaabemowin before it expands to the remaining six Indigenous languages used in the province, according to a Monday news release.
Language experts will work to translate legislation in French and English to Anishinaabemowin this spring, and may coin new words and phrases in the Indigenous language in order to accurately reflect government activity, Premier Wab Kinew said in the release.
The aim is to then translate the materials into Dakota, Dene, Ininímowin (Cree), Anishininimowin, Michif and Inuktitut.
The project may also expand to translate other materials, such as mandate letters and other government releases, the premier said.
The province says it has already begun the recruitment process to find two Indigenous translators who will work on the project.
The announcement was made as Monday marks National Indigenous Languages Day in Canada, the release noted.
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