Exhibits

Sign Languages of Canada

Description

This exhibit introduces viewers to six Sign Languages used in Canada: American Sign Language, Langue des signes québécoise, Plains Indian Sign Language, Inuit Sign Language, Maritime Sign Language, and Oneida Sign Language. Maps, videos and illustrations explain the histories and unique characteristics of these different languages.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Enjoy these videos about sign languages on Youtube!
ASL: Lack of access to sign language a growing problem in Saskatchewan
MSL: How the deaf community is preserving Maritime Sign Language
PISL: Indian Sign Language Council of 1930 and Plains Sign Language camp a new spin on an old way of communicating on the Prairies
OSL: Oneida Sign Language Thanksgiving Address

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

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Panels / Audio

Panels

Yiddish Spring

Description

“Komets-alef: o! Back to School at the Yiddish Kheyder” offers a fresh and fun take on the traditional kheyder of old. This exhibition, created by Miriam Borden, invites you to explore some of the basic skills you will need to engage with Yiddish: how to read it, how to write it, how to speak it, and how to identify what it looks and sounds like.

In addition, Berlin-based composer Paul Brody created "The Music of Yiddish Curses and Blessings": an exciting sound installation for the CLM based on the voice-melodies of eight Toronto Yiddish speakers. Well-known European and Canadian klezmer musicians are contributing responses to the piece.

Enjoy the soundscape on Youtube

In collaboration with Ashkenaz Festival.

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Beyond Words: Dictionaries and Indigenous Languages

Description

Beyond Words: Dictionaries and Indigenous Languages highlights the complex relationship between Indigenous languages and dictionaries over several centuries, from word lists and dictionaries developed for exploration, colonization, conversion and assimilation purposes, to online language materials being developed by Indigenous communities to transmit the elders’ language knowledge to today’s youth.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Read Between the Signs: 150 Years of Language in Toronto

Description

Toronto’s diverse languages shape our city’s streets. These languages are part of the landscape, visible in storefronts, building facades, and street signs. They can reflect, and sometimes even obscure, the communities that live and work in this city. In presenting a visual history of Toronto’s languages, this exhibition makes use of archival and contemporary photos.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

A Tapestry of Voices: Celebrating Canada’s Languages

Description

This exhibit surveys Canada's rich linguistic landscape, including over 60 aboriginal languages, Canada's two official languages (French and English), and more than 100 languages that immigrants have brought to our shores. The exhibit explores themes that touch the lives of speakers of every language in Canada, such as: How have the languages of Canada changed over time? What happens when languages come in contact? How can our languages be maintained for future generations?

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Cree: The People's Language

Description

The Canadian Language Museum presents an exhibit about Cree, the most widely spoken Canadian Aboriginal language. Six colourful panels present maps, photos and information on topics including the syllabic writing system, word formation, animacy, and the future of Cree. There are also audio clips of Cree dialects from across Canada.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Learn more about the Cree language by downloading our supplementary resources package below:
cree_resources_package_english.pdf

Photo credit: "Proof Close Up" by Christopher Chen (lumachrome)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Le français au Canada

Description

Canada is not only the second largest country in the world, it is also the country with the largest number of native French speakers after France. French plays an important role in the linguistic landscape of Canada, perpetuating a language whose North American origins are nearly four centuries old. French in Canada presents the dynamic history and contemporary status of Francophone communities from coast to coast. This exhibit highlights the Laurentian and Acadian dialects and describes language contact with English and Aboriginal languages.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Audio

Dans les prisons de Londres (Quebec)

Speaking the Inuit Way

Description

Speaking the Inuit Way introduces viewers to the diversity of the Inuit language. This exhibit presents Inuit writing systems, dialect differences and modern revitalization efforts, and illustrates how the language reflects both historical and contemporary Inuit culture and identity.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels

Audio

Syllabics Song

Canadian English, Eh?

Description

Canadian English, Eh? focuses on Canadians' distinctive use of the English language. This exhibit explores the history of English in Canada, variations in Canadian English across the country and across generations, as well as influences from French and Aboriginal languages.

If you would like information about hosting this travelling exhibit, please contact exhibits@languagemuseum.ca

Current Exhibits

This exhibit is not currently on display.
To find out how to book an exhibit click here...

For all previous exhibit locations click here

Panels / Audio

Panels