Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our aboriginal languages are essential to keep our culture alive and pass along our traditions and knowledge to our younger generation. Within the Northwest Territories, there are 11 official languages, including nine that are aboriginal languages. In the Northwest Territories, the population that is able to speak an aboriginal language dropped over 15 percent between 1984 and 2004. Mr. Speaker, we must make a commitment to protect these languages that hold our culture and traditions together.
A Phraselator, a device developed for the U.S. Military, translates English phrases into a language chosen by its
user. It uses modules, groups of phrases in a given language, designed by experts for specific use such as disaster relief, the military or law enforcement, then is translated by the linguists in the region where the language is spoken. Aboriginal groups across North America have already found this device beneficial for the people.
A member of the Siksika First Nation recently pointed out that one of the biggest problems they had when teaching their language is that the writing and reading language is so different from knowing how to pronounce it. The Phraselator provides a way for people learning the language to get the correct sound. Mr. Speaker, this is something that we could use, for example in our schools to help our children learn in a more relaxing and exciting way and an engaging way. Digital technologies and electronics are becoming more accessible to our children and appeal to this demographic. A device like the Phraselator would keep their attention and make language learning more fun.
Mr. Speaker, as I said in previous statements, I believe that preservation of language is a critical issue for the aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. The Phraselator could help us sustain our language and culture for present and future generations. This technology has potential and is worth exploring. I will ask the Minister of Education and Culture more questions on this device at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause