In the Indigenous languages technology (ILT) program we develop language tools that support reviving and revitalizing Indigenous languages in Canada. We develop these tools in close collaboration with Indigenous language experts and the Indigenous communities that will use the tools.
Many Indigenous languages in Canada are polysynthetic, which refers to languages where individual words are often composed of multiple units of language expressing a complex meaning that would take an entire sentence in English or French.
This polysynthetic feature makes these languages deeply expressive, emphasizing relationships and actions rather than objects. Tools such as the ones we develop in the ILT program help make learning Indigenous languages easier.
All tools and computer software are open source, thus neither the NRC nor Government of Canada owns the copyright of any of the tools, software or code.
Contact us
Patrick Littell
Team Leader
Email: patrick.littell@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Language tools
Speech generation tools
Speech generation tools use text-to-speech technology to assist educators in the classroom and help learners better understand how to pronounce words when learning Indigenous languages.
Learn more about speech generation for Indigenous language education (SGILE)
ReadAlong Studio
With ReadAlong Studio, anyone can make their own audiobook in one of several Indigenous languages or convert text into audio.
Learn more about the ReadAlong Studio project for Indigenous audiobooks and videos
Verb conjugation tools
Verb conjugation in polysynthetic languages is one of the most difficult aspects of these languages to learn. Tools such as Kawennón:nis and the forthcoming Gramble, a simpler grammar-building software, help learners master verb conjugation and pronunciation.
Learn more about verb conjugators for Indigenous languages
Completed projects
- Inuktut language software and new text alignment of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly proceedings
- Video recordings of Yukon's Indigenous languages
- Segmenting and indexing audio recordings of Indigenous languages
- Online Indigenous language courses
- Digitization toolkits, equipment and scope of training for digitizing Indigenous languages (Indigitization)
- Expansion of database of Tŝilhqot'in language recordings, applications and technologies
- Digitization of recordings of N̓syilxčn̓ Elder
- Intelligent Plains Cree dictionary for word formation
- Michif digital talking dictionary
- Updates to Algonquian dictionaries, linguistic atlas, and other learning tools for Indigenous languages
- Predictive text software for Indigenous languages
Program team
Experts in multilingual text processing and text analytics from the NRC's Digital Technologies Research Centre are contributing to the Indigenous languages technology program.
- Mengzhe (Tim) Geng
- Eric Joanis
- Anna Kazantseva
- Rebecca Knowles
- Samuel Larkin
- Patrick Littell
- Jackie Lo
- Delaney Lothian
- Akwiratékha' Martin
- Aidan Pine
- Darlene Stewart
- Marc Tessier
- Delasie Torkornoo
The ILT project was initially developed in consultation with an Indigenous advisory committee which operated from 2018 to 2020 and provided expertise on collaborative methodologies and also evaluated implementation of the project. The ILT team is thankful to the members of the advisory committee: Tessa Erickson, Amanda Evic-Kuluguqtuq, Blaire Gould, Glenn Karonhiio Morrison, Gerry Lawson, Megan Lukaniec, Onowa McIvor, Marilyn Shirt, Tina Jules Skayda.û, Heather Souter, Nathan Thanyehténhas Brinklow.