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!
Order a digital copy of our tenth issue, Multilingual Mentorships here, or a physical copy from our printer!
This issue features exquisite work from the Writers’ Guild of Alberta Horizons Writers Circle & Own Voices Alberta, guest edited by Luciana Erregue and Precious de Leon!
We launched this issue at LitFest in Edmonton on Saturday, October 15.
Issue 10 writers and artists
Moni Brar
Meghan Eaker
Diana Gaviria
Kelly Kaur
Cecilia Ortiz Luna
Poushali Mitra
Vina Nguyen
Candice Joy Oliva
Mila Bongco Philipzig
Allan Rosales
Gian Marco Visconti
Sherry Wong
Issue 9 - Multilingual Art Lab Issue
Featuring the writing and artwork of:
Maria Teodora Barbu
Cristina A. Bejan
Luciana Erregue-Sacchi
Diana Gaviria
Ewa Kolacz
Yannis Lobaina
Tāriq Malik
Catalina Morales
Candice Joy Oliva
Adriana Oniță
María Ortega García
Gosia Rokicka
Krysthal Sostre Del Río
Accomplice, our eighth issue, features the incredible work of youth poets and artists (13-18 years old) working in multiple languages, from Dene to Hindi!
Poets and artists included: Ana A.P., Jaiden Ahuja, Monica Alanis, Varinder Basanti Kaur, Isabella R. Carriere, Patricia Ceban, Mehliya Cetinkaya, Supneet Dhillon, Gabby Fedoruk, Carolina Fuentes Cervera, Y. Gonzalez Sanchez, Gemikalyn I., Hannia Laghari, S. Mitra, Fatsani Nsaliwa, Max Polanski, Nishka Rai, Meghan Romano, Gracia Smeenk, Dongli (Tony) Tian, Elizabeth W.J., and Khadija Yousaf.
Cover design by the brilliant Elizabeth W.J. The issue was curated by Lébassé Guéladé-Yaï and Adriana Oniță.
This issue would not have been possible without the support of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and Canadian Heritage's Canada Periodical Fund, Special Measures for Journalism.
Join our Polyglot community
Register for our monthly Multilingual Art Lab!
This is a space where writers, artists, and translators share their experiments with one another. Similar to a tertulia or salon, we gather to discuss, learn, and enjoy each other’s company. The lab was born in March 2021 out of overwhelming community response to The Polyglot’s past events, as well as writing workshops in March 2019 and February 2021. We recently published an issue, Portals, with poetry and artwork from the lab.
The Multilingual Art Lab includes four Zoom gatherings that will take place on the first Saturday of the month at 11am MST or 7pm CET and run for approximately two hours.
Sat. February 4th
Sun. March 4th
Sat. April 1st
Sat. May 6th
Sat. June 3rd
Los detalles:
This lab runs on a Pay What You Can Model—from $0 to $80 CAD. You must choose an option to register and receive the Zoom link. Any contribution helps The Polyglot stay afloat in these challenging times. In return, you will have access to a nourishing community of multilingual creatives, from whom you will receive feedback, advice, resources, and virtual abrazos. But we also understand that this may be a challenging year for you, so we do not want money to be a barrier.
Once you register, there is no pressure to attend every lab. If you have to miss a session, come a little late, or duck out early, please do not stress. This is a relaxed and supportive online environment.
Our Multilingual Art Lab is open to any artist, writer, or translator from anywhere in the world.
Come ready to share your art. That can be: poetry, flash fiction, translations, paintings, collages, songs, soundscapes, dance, and more. While English might be the main “carrier” language of our lab, you can share your artwork in any language and we will honour and learn from it.
Be kind, respectful, and mindful of others’ time and work. Only provide feedback when asked. Be clear about what you’re looking for: constructive editing feedback, publishing/exhibition advice, translation advice, a dialogue based on questions you have, resources on a certain topic, etc.
The lab seeks to become an inclusive, accessible, and empowering space for polyglot writers, translators, and artists. We welcome feedback to better serve our creative community and make the lab more equitable. Please write to us at thepolyglotmagazine@gmail.com. However, any oppressive language or behaviours (i.e. racist, linguicist, misogynist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, ageist, xenophobic, etc.) will not be tolerated.
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.
Order your digital copy of nimitêyaniy, The Polyglot’s Issue 6, curated by Naomi McIlwraith and Dorothy Thunder. You will receive your digital copy (PDF) automatically once you pay. We can also send you a .epub file if you prefer (for Kindle and iBooks). Email thepolyglotmagazine.com for the .epub file.
In nimitêyaniy, the contributors are: Tanya Ball, Marilyn Dumont, Andrea Fritz, Saltwater Hank, Zoë Johnson, Taran Kootenhayoo, Naomi McIlwraith, Brenda Morency, Randy Morin, Tiffany Morris, Antoine Mountain, Tamara Pearl, Jennifer Reeser, Anna Marie Sewell, Terri Suntjens, Dorothy Thunder, Joshlynn Thunder, Matthew James Weigel, and Lana Whiskeyjack.
The Polyglot would like to acknowledge and deeply thank the Edmonton Arts Council for their support and funding of this project. A special mahsi cho to the Edmonton Poetry Festival and LitFest for supporting us with our launch on Friday, October 23, 2020: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/litfest-presents-the-polyglot-indigenous-languages-issues-launch-tickets-119557913939
The cover of this issue features art by Lana Whiskeyjack (nimitêyaniy) and corresponds to tongue in nêhiyawêwin (Cree).
Naomi and Dorothy, the two guest-editors, would like to offer a 25% discount to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit readers. Please apply the code FNMI at checkout.
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🛒 ORDER A PHYSICAL COPY
Order your digital copy of nitêh, The Polyglot’s Issue 7, curated by Naomi McIlwraith and Dorothy Thunder. You will receive your digital copy (PDF) automatically once you pay. We can also send you a .epub file (for Kindle and iBooks). Email thepolyglotmagazine.com for the .epub file.
In nitêh, the contributors are: Karrie Auger, Tawahum Bige, Cécile Boucher Howse, Carly Chartier, Molly Chisaakay, Lauren Crazybull, S. Giroux, Anita Lafferty, Gabrielle Lamontagne, Eva Lemaire, Judy Letendre Hilbert, Naomi McIlwraith, Francine Merasty, Kai Minosh Pyle, Stan Nochasak, Daniel Poitras, Corinne Riedel, Jade Roberts, Dorothy Thunder, and Lana Whiskeyjack
The Polyglot would like to acknowledge and deeply thank the Edmonton Arts Council for their support and funding of this project. A special mahsi cho to the Edmonton Poetry Festival and LitFest for supporting us with our launch on Friday Oct. 23, 2020: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/litfest-presents-the-polyglot-indigenous-languages-issues-launch-tickets-119557913939
The cover of this issue features art by Jade Roberts. The word means heart in Cree.
Naomi and Dorothy, the two guest-editors, would like to offer a 25% discount to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit readers. Please apply the code FNMI at checkout.
. . .
🛒 ORDER A PHYSICAL COPY
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.
