Standard

GNWT websites must support multiple languages in a way that is consistent across all websites and in compliance with GNWT language policies.

Rationale

The Northwest Territories is home to speakers of many languages who have the right to get information and service from the government in the language of their choice. The minimum requirements for language support are determined by legislation and policy.

At the same time, delivering multilingual content online is a technical and administrative challenge, and thus, guidelines are provided to ensure a consistent, thoughtful approach to multilingualism.

Guidelines

Language Detecting and Switching

• The default language of a page should be detected from the user’s browser setting.
• The user must not be prompted to select a language (via a pop-up or splash page).
• If not set or unsupported, the default language will be English.

French Language Requirements

• In the GNWT, the authority for French language website requirements is the Francophone Affairs Secretariat. All GNWT websites must be translated into both English and French. Generally, all content must be translated, including:
  • Page text, audio or video material
  • Header, footers and menus
  • Text in images and alternative text
  • Uploaded documents, forms and publications
• However, there are exceptions where translation is not required. This means that English content can legitimately appear within a French-language page. Exceptions are:
  • Sites targeting communities other than French-language “significant demand communities”;
  • Content for GNWT employees;
  • Content exclusively for aboriginal audiences; and,
  • News releases, other than those related to health and public safety.
  • Examples:
    • A site targeting Inuvialuit youth = French language not required
    • Info about territory-wide program = French is required
    • HR PeopleSoft resources = English only
    • Flood warning = French required because public safety

Indigenous Language Requirements

• The authority for indigenous languages is the Indigenous Languages and Learning Secretariat, Department of Education, Culture and Employment The Official Languages Act and Regulations should be consulted when planning the official language requirements for any website.
• The recommended approach for supporting indigenous languages is to embed appropriate resources within the English website. Consideration should be given to nontextual resources, such as audio and video resources, as these are often more beneficial to users and can be easier for translators to produce.
• Another option is a full translation of a website into all (or some) indigenous languages. This is advised when certain conditions are met:
  • The site is targeting a specific indigenous language group; or
  • The quality of translation into the indigenous language is comparable to that provided for French.
• It is not recommended to provide indigenous-language websites that either cannot meet the standards used for French or reduce the content and features of the website. In those cases, it is better to just embed indigenous-language content as an option within an English site.