We are on a Multilingual Mission
Founded in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) in 2016, The Polyglot is a biannual online magazine devoted to publishing multilingual poetry and art. In our first twelve issues, we have published over 240 writers and artists working in more than 55 languages. In 2021, we were named Alberta’s Best New Magazine.
Although Canada may be considered one of the most multicultural countries in the world, there are very few journals committed to publishing multilingual writing, providing little incentive for writers to experiment with their Indigenous and Heritage languages.
The Polyglot seeks above all to encourage writers and artists in Canada to produce and publish works in languages other than the colonial/colonizing languages of English and French. We live in a time where the possibility for interaction between cultures and languages is at an all-time high. We aim to create a space where the borders of art and language can be redrawn, where identities can be reinvented, and where poets and artists feel free to question and constantly experiment.
We believe
The Polyglot envisions a world where languages are an inspiring catalyst for experimenting & creating together.
The Polyglot’s mission is to be the hub for multilingual creativity. We advocate for multilingual voices to be heard through projects that harness the power of art, words and technology.
Discover more about us
Check out our latest issues, join us in our Multilingual Art Lab, and sign up for our masterclasses and workshops!
Join our Polyglot community
Besides our biannual magazine, The Polyglot offers online masterclasses and a monthly drop-in Multilingual Art Lab, a space where writers, artists, and translators share their experiments with one another.
“A fellow writer once told me that they were ‘allergic’ to stories that included non-English words & phrases. Through the Lab, I found the safe, supportive space I didn’t know I needed. Now I feel unapologetic about weaving my languages.”
“Dios mabalos sa ating pagkakasama—holding each other in our healing; celebrating works in progress; un/learning from each other’s craft; embracing rest and boundaries; inviting each other to be courageous, playful and generous in our creativity.”
How do we support Indigenous language revitalization?
The Polyglot is passionate about Indigenous language revitalization.
With the film below, we officially launched nimitêyaniy and nitêh, two issues of poetry and art curated by Naomi McIlwraith and Dorothy Thunder. The film features 20 of our 36 contributors and was shown at the Edmonton Poetry Festival and LitFest in 2020. In this video, you will hear poetry and art weaving Anishinaabemowin, Dene Dháh, Dene Yatié, Denesułįné, Hul’qumi’num, Inuktitut, Michif, Mi'kmaq, Mi'gmaq, nêhiyawêwin, nīhithawīwin, Sahtúot’ı̨nę Yatı, Sm’algya̱x , Stoney Nakoda, and ᏣᎳᎩ.
These issues were generously funded by the Edmonton Arts Council.
The Polyglot would love to thank the Edmonton Arts Council for the support in creating our Indigenous issues.
We would also like to thank Canadian Heritage and the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association for their support during the COVID-19 crisis.
