The Language Portal of Canada: A living resource for languages
In a bilingual country such as Canada, the Language Portal of Canada plays an essential role in promoting accessible, effective and inclusive communication. Managed by the Translation Bureau of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), this free website offers a multitude of tools and resources to help Canadians improve their English and French skills.
The Language Portal is much more than a set of definitions and grammar rules. It has a larger mission: to support the learning of official languages, promote inclusive writing and celebrate Canada's linguistic diversity. "One of the many things I like about my work is the variety. No 2 days are the same, and I often move from one task to another," says Amanda Kenney, who worked as a scientific and technical translator for 15 years before joining the Language Portal in 2022.
She is currently a language analyst at the Language Portal where she writes Web and social media content and promotes the website during events. She even narrated a video on inclusive writing. "I love the fact that English and French are evolving to better reflect Canada's diversity, and I'm both grateful and proud to contribute to it."
Tools for every need
The Language Portal offers a wide variety of resources adapted to all language knowledge levels and needs. Language Navigator can be used to search many language tools simultaneously. The Language Portal also provides access to TERMIUM Plus®, a terminology data bank that contains millions of specialized terms in English and French. Writing Tips Plus, quizzes, the Our Languages blog, and the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing are tools that make language learning both stimulating and fun.
Amanda emphasizes the importance of these resources in a context where generative artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent: "The Language Portal's writing tools can be used to revise AI generated texts to ensure they are grammatically correct and suitable for a Canadian public."
An indispensable teaching tool
For her part, Isabelle Cartier, a literature professor at Cégep Garneau in Quebec City and a lecturer in French didactics at the University of Quebec at Rimouski, uses the Language Portal in her courses to train the teachers of tomorrow: "I show them good strategies for teaching and learning French. We need to have content verified by specialists when we make or borrow teaching material for our students."
She stumbled upon the Language Portal when she was looking for clarification on a word's use, and was hooked by its rich content: "For me, it's one more tool in my toolbox. I use it especially to double check rules when in doubt."
Isabelle really likes the Clés de la rédaction tool, which she finds very extensive and useful for clarifying word usage rules and expressions and avoiding anglicisms. "The first source I use to write a summary document on anglicisms is the Language Portal. The information it contains is very clear and complete."
A fun approach that favours inclusion and accessibility
One of the Language Portal's objectives is to make learning a language enjoyable. Quizzes are a fun way for users to test their skills. The Our Languages blog, which is fuelled by public contributions, offers various perspectives on language, ranging from personal reflections to language analysis. Amanda is enthusiastic about this approach: "It's important to communicate effectively, and doing so in both official languages is especially important in a Canadian context."
The Language Portal stands out for its commitment to inclusion. The Portal's inclusive writing resources, such as the Inclusionary, help users adopt respectful language that reflects Canada's diversity.
A resource for everyone
The Language Portal is designed to be accessible to everyone: students, teachers, translators, researchers, parents and anyone else who has a passion for language. It supports the unique Canadian language landscape, showcasing official languages, Indigenous languages, and regional variations. "The Language Portal is meant for Canadians and can benefit everyone. It's useful for language learners, experts and language lovers alike," says Amanda.
Isabelle sees it the same way: "My students are required to do various quizzes on the Language Portal as homework to check their understanding and mastery of different grammar concepts. This develops their instinct to look for and find answers to their grammar questions."
The Language Portal of Canada is much more than just a website: it's a community, a toolbox, and a learning and sharing space. In a world where languages are evolving and technologies are shaping the ways we communicate, the Language Portal remains a reliable, inclusive and accessible reference for all Canadians.
To learn more about PSPC employees, projects and services making a difference for Canadians, read other articles on Our stories.