Lighter fare

New Gaelic school planned for Glasgow
The Scotsman via Gaelport.com
7 Feabhra 2013

A new Gaelic school is to be created in Glasgow following an £800,000 investment from the Scottish Government.

The primary school will be part of the existing Glendale Campus in Pollokshields. Alastair Allan, the minister for learning, said:

“The continued increase in demand for Gaelic medium education in Glasgow clearly demonstrates that parents are not only recognising the impressive learning benefits that come with a bilingual education, but that we are securing a sustainable and vibrant future for the language in future generations.

“I am delighted to announce this latest funding and look forward to work beginning on the school to create an environment that will inspire pupils and school staff throughout their time there.”

More at Gaelport.com


All about my mother tongue – one man's struggle to keep the Irish language alive
Irish Independent via Gaelport.com
2 Feabhra 2013

Manchán Magan grew up in Dublin 4, lived for a while in a cowshed in the Himalayas, became a celebrity on Irish-language tv, and is now writing Irish plays for English-speaking audiences.

As befits a published travel writer, his life story has been quite a journey.I asked him to explain it. “It all goes back to one moment,” he said, “on the morning of Easter Sunday, 1916.” Magan’s great-granduncle was The O’Rahilly – a founder of the Irish Volunteers and an ardent Irish-language revivalist. That morning, as O’Rahilly kissed his wife goodbye (he would be killed in the Rising), he was watched by his niece, Sighle Humphreys – Magan’s grandmother.

More at Gaelport.com

A few news items for January 2013

Is it more sad that I post these so infrequently, or that I keep trying instead of just giving up?

Celtic Connections 2013 marks 40 years of centre for Gaelic culture Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
http://www.gaelport.com/nuacht?NewsItemID=9188
17 Eanáir 2013

This year’s 20th Celtic Connections is a double celebration, marking the 40th year of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the renowned centre for Gaelic culture that began as a simple farm steading.

Forty years ago, in what seemed to many at the time to be an act of madness, the merchant banker, entrepreneur and Gaelic enthusiast Sir Iain Noble established an embryonic Gaelic college in a converted 19th-century farm steading – the “Great Steading of Ostaig” – which he had bought from former MacDonald estates on the Sleat peninsula in south-west Skye.

Today Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the striking contemporary architecture of its campus overlooking the Sound of Sleat, has become not just a college, but a nationally and internationally respected centre for Gaelic culture, catering – directly, or through distance learning – for more than 1,100 students.

More at Gaelport.com.


Labelling medicine in Irish ‘could cost jobs’
http://www.gaelport.com/nuacht/Labelling-medicine-in-Irish-could-cost-jobs/
21 Eanáir 2013

The compulsory labelling of medicines in both English and Irish would add up to 10pc to the cost for patients and lead to the withdrawal of some products, according to a new report.

More at Gaelport.com.


An Foclóir Nua Béarla-Gaeilge
http://www.gaelport.com/nuacht/An-Focloir-Nua-Bearla-Gaeilge/
22 Eanáir 2013

Seolfaidh an tUachtarán Mícheál D. Ó hUigínn An Foclóir Nua Béarla Gaeilge ar an Déardaoin beag seo, 24 Eanáir 2013.

Tá fáil saor in aisce ar an bhfoclóir nua, ina bhfuil 7,000 ceannfhocal, 40,000 frása samplach, mar aon le comhaid fuaime agus treoracha cuimsitheacha gramadaí, ó www.focloir.ie .

Cuireadh tús leis an togra, ag a bhfuil buiséad iomlán de €6.088m, sa bhliain 2000 agus tá foireann 70 duine ag forbairt an fhoclóra nua ó shin.

Tuilleadh: Gaelport.com.


Gaeltachts losing out due to poor broadband
http://www.gaelport.com/nuacht/Gaeltachts-losing-out-due-to-poor-broadband/
22 Eanáir 2013

Companies are paying exorbitant premiums to base their businesses in Gaeltacht areas.

But despite forking out, in some cases, tens of thousands of euro on telecommunications, high- speed broadband access remains a challenge in many areas. The broadband problem is inhibiting efforts to attract employers to Gaeltacht regions. The claim was made by Anna Ní Ghallachoir, the chairperson of the state development agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta.

More at Gaelport.com.


Gaeltacht firms lost more jobs than created in 2012
http://www.gaelport.com/nuacht/Gaeltacht-firms-lost-more-jobs-than-created-in-2012/
23 Eanáir 2013

Companies based in the Gaeltacht lost more jobs than they created in the last year, amid warnings that the lack of infrastructure in Irish-speaking areas was holding back investment.

More at Gaelport.com.

News from the cousins

BBC Alba on Freeview on June 8 (May 23, 2011)
http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/bbc_alba_on_freeview_on_june_8_1_1640610

BBC Alba is to be available on Freeview from June 8.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented: “I am delighted that after much campaigning the BBC Trust has decided to allow BBC Alba on Freeview, where it will be going live in only a few weeks. I know that the channel also became available on Cable last week.

“This is a major step forward for both the channel and the Gaelic language. Every person in Scotland should soon have access to this excellent and important channel." (More at www.stornowaygazette.co.uk.)

New Gaelic scheme for teachers (May 25, 2011)
http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/new_gaelic_scheme_for_teachers_1_1643315

Twelve teachers from across Scotland are taking part in a unique pilot training programme to assist with the increased demand for Gaelic-speaking primary and secondary school teachers.

In a new partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Glasgow University, the teachers have spent a concentrated four days being taught various aspects of language development in the classroom. Demand for the programme has been overwhelming and preparations are already underway for it to be repeated. (More at www.stornowaygazette.co.uk.)

Teachers go back to classroom to learn to give lessons in Gaelic (May 26, 2011)
http://www.scotsman.com/news/Teachers-go-back-to-classroom.6774454.jp

Soaring demand for children to be taught in Gaelic has led to a pilot scheme to train non-native speakers.

Glasgow alone has seen the number of pupils taught by teachers speaking Gaelic rather than English almost double in less than four years.

Now a pilot scheme at Glasgow University has seen 12 teachers from across Scotland, who normally teach in English, learn how to teach in Gaelic. (More at www.scotsman.com.)

Tourism experts use Welsh language to promote principality

(Nov 28, 2008)
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/11/28/tourism-experts-use-welsh-language-to-promote-principality-91466-22358659/
“Welsh words and phrases will be strategically located at tourist attractions across the country to remind visitors they are in Wales, under a new scheme unveiled yesterday.”

EU welcomes Welsh as a minority languages

(Nov 20, 2008)
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11031461
“The Welsh language, which dates back to the 6th century, got a major boost Thursday when the European Union formally recognized it as a minority tongue.”

News: Gaeilge na hAlban

Plan for all-Gaelic-speaking communities (Nov 1, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Plan-for-allGaelicspeaking-communities.4651172.jp
“Communities where only Gaelic is spoken are being planned for Scotland to help develop everyday use of the language.”

Singer blasts plans for Gaelic village 'ghetto' (Nov 1, 2008)
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/11/01/singer-blasts-plans-for-gaelic-village-ghetto-86908-20859238/
“Campaigners calling for a Gaelic language-only community to be set up have been warned it could turn into a ‘ghetto’.”

BBC Alba update

Gaelic TV ratings soar (Oct 29, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/gaelic-tv-ratings-soar-14018921.html
“When the BBC launched its first Gaelic language channel in Scotland last month, the first night's line-up featured a comedy drama about the disembodied spirit of Elvis Presley on the Isle of Lewis and a performance from a ceilidh band from the Isle of Skye.
“It might seem an unorthodox approach to help broaden the appeal of a vanishing language – but it appears to be working. For BBC Alba is proving to be an unexpected success, pulling in more than 600,000 viewers in its first week of broadcasting, more than double the projected audience of 250,000.”

Force Behind Gaels' Tv

(Oct 21, 2008)
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/entertainment-catch-all/2008/10/21/force-behind-gaels-tv-86908-20824190/
“Fewer women are being appointed to top jobs, according to recent reports, so it comes as a surprise to find a female is heading the new Gaelic TV channel.”

Preview of The Cooish: Celebration of Manx language, music and identity

(Oct 13, 2008)
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-where-when/Preview-of-The-Cooish-Celebration.4585338.jp
“The Cooish Manx and Inter-Gaelic Festival next month will see great musicians from the Island and beyond in action.
“The festival, a celebration of Manx language, music and identity, is organised by Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh (the Manx Language Society) and has support from the Manx Heritage Foundation, the Isle of Man Arts Council and local businesses.”

Eisteddfod: Language rebel wins learner title

Sorry, meant to post this MUCH sooner....
Eisteddfod: Language rebel wins learner title (August 8, 2008)
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/08/08/eisteddfod-language-rebel-wins-learner-title-91466-21491870/
“This year’s Welsh Learner of the Year at the Eisteddfod refused to attend Welsh lessons in school, having rebelled against the language.”
See also:
Prize awards Welsh language leap

Two-thirds of Scots cannot watch BBC’s new Gaelic channel

Letters: Two-thirds of Scots cannot watch BBC’s new Gaelic channel (Sept 24, 2008)
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/letters/display.var.2451432.0.Twothirds_of_Scots_cannot_watch_BBCs_new_Gaelic_channel.php
“The launch of the long-awaited Gaelic channel, BBC Alba is, of course, to be greatly welcomed. However, the new channel will be broadcast only on Freesat and Sky, and not on Freeview, stopping roughly two-thirds of all Scots from watching the new programmes.”

BBC Alba: New Gaelic channel 'set up to fail'

(Sept 21, 2008)
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2450040.0.new_gaelic_channel_set_up_to_fail.php
...“Speaking only minutes before the channel went live for the first time, with an eye-catching schedule including a drama about Elvis living on Lewis and a documentary about a Glasgow mass murderer, Morrison challenged the BBC to show it was with us for the long haul.
“The former Labour MP's ire was provoked by the fact that the new channel will not be broadcast on Freeview, only on Freesat or Sky, stopping roughly two-thirds of all Scots from watching the new programmes. The date for the channel's apperance on Virgin Media's cable services is yet to be announced.”

Fascinating surprise for Irish government minister

(Sept 16, 2008)
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Fascinating-surprise-for-Irish-government.4492847.jp
...“Mr O Cuiv, who was invited over by the Isle of Man Government to advise on the proposed introduction of a Manx Language Act, visited Cregneash where, back in 1947, his grandfather had been able to talk in Gaelic to the old villagers.
“And Mr O Cuiv was in for a surprise during his trip to the Island when he met a direct descendant of the British soldier who arrested de Valera following the Easter Uprising in Dublin in 1916.”

Can TV's evolution ignite a Gaelic revolution?

(Sept 16, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/gaelic/Can-TV39s-evolution-ignite-a.4494029.jp
“Friday will see a milestone in Scottish media history: at 9pm BBC ALBA, the UK's first Gaelic-only channel will begin broadcasting.”

Minister on Manx language mission

(Sept 11, 2008)
http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/latest-irish-news/Minister-on-Manx-language-mission.4480592.jp
“Irish Government Minister Eamon O Cuiv will visit the Isle of Man and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Eamon de Valera who helped save the native language 60 years ago.”

And now the news for wombats-- er, Welsh

‘Welsh should be an official EU language’ (Jun 4 2008)
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/06/04/welsh-should-be-an-official-eu-language-55578-21019475/
“Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans appealed yesterday for the use of Welsh in the European parliament.
“Ms Evans, who is campaigning for Welsh to be given official status in the EU, also called on public bodies in Wales to lobby the parliament for the right of citizens to communicate with the institution in their own language.”
...“But Labour MEP Eluned Morgan questioned the cost of such a move, pointing out that the use of the Irish language in the European parliament costs £532,400.
“Ms Morgan said: 'I would rather see the money it would cost invested in promoting use of the language at the grassroots – in ensuring there are Welsh-language nurseries in our towns and villages or that people who want to learn the language are able to do so. After all, ensuring a language is used every day by its people is the very best way to secure its future.'”

Breton-related news item

Mixed messages from French national Assembly on minority languages (May 27, 2008)
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/mixed-messages-french-national-assembly-minority-languages
“The amendment states that the 'regional' languages of France are part of the heritage of France, but the new amendment will only apply to Article 1 of the Constitution and not the much disputed Article 2, which states that the language of France is French. The amendment has therefore received only a lukewarm response by Breton nationalist parties like the Union Démocratique Bretonne, because of its restricted nature.”

More news from across the puddle

Tribute to inspirational teacher (May 6, 2008)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20552804
"A man who devoted many years of his life to the study of the Cornish language and was keen to give others the opportunity to learn the ancient idiom wherever they were in the world has received glowing tributes from his many supporters.
"Ray Edwards, who died at his home in Sutton Coldfield last month, was the founder of the Kernewek dre Lyther (Cornish by Letter) teaching method. Born in 1924, he published several books on the subject, studied ancient texts, undertook huge translation projects and gently led and encouraged hundreds of students through their grades."

Stories from the other side o' the puddle

What can I say, maybe I'm in an odd mood, but these items seemed interesting:
Gaelic words are added to Holyrood logo (April 25, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Gaelic-words-are-added-to.4022299.jp
“The words ‘Pàrlamaid na h-Alba’ are to be added below the Crown and Saltire symbol and the existing title 'The Scottish Parliament' at a cost of £3500.”

Course tackles Gaelic place names (May 5, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7375178.stm
“A four-week course is offering people advice on how to pronounce Gaelic place names and an explanation of how they reflect the landscape and its wildlife.”

Tributes as peer loses battle with cancer (May 8, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Tributes-as-peer-loses-battle.4061289.jp
“She then became a member of the Lords, and was the first peer to pledge the oath of allegiance in Gaelic.”

Going for growth – and helping the Gaelic language to develop (April 11, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Going-for-growth--and.3972263.jp
“Today, a new centre for cultural and creative industries opens at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye.”
(Subscription required for full article)

Salmond backs Gaelic as 'true national language' (April 12, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/gaelic/Salmond-backs-Gaelic-as-39true.3975466.jp
“Gaelic is a true national language and Scotland must create the economic and cultural opportunities for it to thrive, the First Minister has claimed.”

Teach yourself Gaelic (May 3, 2008)
http://news.scotsman.com/gaelic/Teach-yourself-Gaelic.4000870.jp
“Bochd: poor. Pronounced ‘bock’, it means poor as in financially challenged, feeling down or feeling seriously unwell.”

Soap 'needed' for new Gaelic TV (April 9, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7336772.stm
“Thought must be given to securing a soap or long-running series for the planned new Gaelic Digital Service (GDS), one of its bosses has said.
“Alan Esslemont, the new head of content at the Gaelic Media Service which would run GDS, said young audiences want comedy and entertainment.”

Welsh Language Newspaper to Go Ahead

Despite viability not having yet been demonstrated for a new Welsh language Newspaper, Welsh Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas is prepared to more than double the money currently earmarked for promotion of the language and culture, which  includes the new Newspaper.

That's the spirit!

News Wales