Gaelic in modern Scotland - Free OU course

This observer spends some time on Fòram na Gàidhlig and noticed this post today:

"If you want to learn something about the Gaelic language, its history and and its speakers. the Open University has a free 15-hour course that you can do, called "Gaelic in Modern Scotland" "

It looks pretty good and addresses a lot of issues that you sometimes see mentioned in newspaper letter columuns, there are seven modules full of all the information you need to know about Gàidhlig.

Breeding Gaelic speakers in captivity

Get some yourself in 2012 - Register with www.gaelic2012.org!

Want to learn Gaelic in 2012?

Fòram na Gàidhlig, the online learners' community are starting a new international web-based initiative in 2012.

"The Gaelic 2012 initiative will be launched on 1 January 2012.

We want to bring together a group of people who have decided to make learning Gaelic their New Year's Resolution for 2012. It is a well-known fact that collaborative language learning is more effective than doing it on your own. So, we will be making coordinated use of existing Gaelic learning websites and online forums to make learning Gaelic in 2012 as easy as possible."

more details and sign-up here

Gaelic in Nairnshire - when did the local dialect die?

According to the last census there were nearly 200 people that could speak Gaelic and another 100 who could understand or read the language but not speak it. Soon we will have the new census figures and it will be interesting to see how the recent growth in the number of learners in the town and the numbers of bairns attending the Millbank Gaelic unit has affected those figures. What will also be interesting will be to see how many people also recorded their abilities to speak, understand, read or write Scots in response to the other linguistic question on the census. But back to Gaelic just now. The term “linguistic relevance” was used recently in the Nairnshire. A loaded term perhaps that means many things to many people. If two people meet in the High Street and have their conversation in Gaelic does that have any less linguistic relevance that other people speaking English nearby or say visitors from Europe speaking a strong dialect of one of the continental Languages? Does a child’s answer to a teacher in Gaelic have any linguistic relevance than that of an monolingual pupil in a nearby class? Does the Gaelic tribute written on one of the wreaths at the war memorial on Sunday have any less linguistic relevance than other tributes in English?

In 1822 research by the Inverness Society for the Poor maintained that 62% of the population of Nairn were Gaelic speakers, 55% in Ard Clach and 75% in Cawdor. The Cawdor figure is significant if compared to a similar figure in the present day for the Back area in Lewis which is considered the strongest surviving community of Gaelic speakers in the remaining traditional areas. In 1854 500 residents of Nairn who wished to maintain Gaelic services in “the only language in which they could be edified” were over-ruled by the Church of Scotland. Gaelic had relevance to the punters in 1854 but the high heid yins were well into the English-speaking way of things. And then we can see the gradual decline of what remains of the Nairnshire Gaidhealtachd from the census figures of 1881 onwards. Those figures have since then always been topped up by Gaelic speakers moving to the area and as mentioned above we now have children in Nairn being educated in the language. One could perhaps safely claim that some Gaelic has been spoken in Nairnshire from the day it first established itself here.

But back to the question – when did the local dialect die? Information in the Survey of the Gaelic Dialects of Scotland published 1997 states that in November 1952 Fred MacAulay interviewed a Mrs Fraser in Cooperhill Darnaway. She was aged 90 and had been born in New Inn, Glenferness. Her father was also born in Glenferness but her mother was from Farr, Strathnairn. “When aged 2 Mrs Fraser moved from Glenferness to Terriemore where she was brought up among Gaelic speakers. Her father used to read the Gaelic bible to the family daily, though she feels her mother had better Gaelic.”

Another interesting interview was with Alexander James Johnstone of Easterton, Fisherton just over the Nairnshire border past Ardersier. He was aged 74 “born Easterton, parents Westerton. Fluent but has not spoken Gaelic for a long time apart from a few words with other local speakers in Fisherton.” Interviews took place over August-October 1953.

Within living memory local Gaelic dialects were spoken in this area then. Whatever your attitude towards Gaelic it’s impact on Nairnshire cannot be denied and it continues to exist in the town and with 40 children now being educated in the language its presence will continue in one shape or form for at least the lifetime of the present younger generation.

1861 - Incomer to Nairnshire upsets local Gaelic speaker

"About a mile from the farm house, in a lovely cottage by the river side, there lived a single, middle-aged spinster who earned a precarious livelihood during the spring and summer months as a fieldworker. To eke out a scanty income she kept a large flock of hens which, at the time of my visit, were being allowed to feed without restraint among the farmer's lea oats at the end of her house. Taking down his gun one morning after breakfast, my host announced to me with some warmth that he had made up his mind to shoot every one of the depredators, and asked if I cared to accompany him on his punitive mission. Desirous to see this kind of doubtful sport, I at once agreed, and so we both set out for the scene of operations. On our arrival the whole poultry tribe, as we expected, were holding high revel in the midst of a fine crop, and had evidently picked the grain and trampled down the straw over a considerable area. Just as the farmer was raising the gun to his shoulder I said, 'As the hens are to be killed, perhaps you would allow me to fire the shot?' Most certainly,' he replied, 'and I'll stand between you and all danger.' Accordingly I took the fowling piece, pointed it in the proper direction, closed my eyes and drew the trigger. Heraring a loud report, the poor woman guessed the reason and came out to see what had actually happened. Becoming greatly exited, she delivered herself in forcible Gaelic as to the character of the person who could be guilty of such a deed. On me, however, her tirade had no effect, as I knew only one word 'schoolmaster'.

About three weeks afterwards I received a letter from her law agent in Nairn stating that I had killed a very fine cock, valued at a guinea, together with thirteen hens, for all of which his client demanded the sum of one pound ten shillings. Soon after I called on the writer who was not a little amused at my case, but advised me to settle the matter by private agreement. Taking his advice, I asked a decent neighbour to visit the old lady and on my behalf to obtain from her the best terms possible. This he did, and paid her the sum of thirteen shillings! The lesson was a wholesome one and although my friends often complimented me as a crack shot, it was, I am pleased to add, the first and only time I ever fired a gun with intent to kill."

An extract from: "A Salmon for The Schoolhouse: A Nairnshire Parish in the Nineteenth Century, from the Diaries of Robert and Elsie Thomson." It is interesting to think of such a woman, pretty low in the social scale by Thomson's own way of viewing the world, should have recourse to law to seek redress. Perhaps this defies conventionial thinking on the drown-trodden rural poor in those times? Perhaps she had support over the issue elsewhere in the Community - maybe word of an over the top reaction reached the ears of the estate factor or even the Laird who then had a hand in the process? One can understand the perspective from the farmer's standpoint too perhaps - especially if he tried to resolve the situation by other means beforehand. He must have been only too happy to let Thomson carry out the deed.

Robert Thomson was to acquaint himself with a fair bit more knowledge of local Gaelic language and folklore however when he moved from Cawdor to Ardclach and wrote "The Natural History of a Highland Parish." Although centered around Thomson's botany skills the book makes several mentions of the Gaelic language and there is an extensive chapter on the place names of Ardclach and another on local folklore, legend and superstition. If you want to acquaint yourself with some of Nairnshire's Gàidhlig heritage the chapter on place names is well worth a read.

You can read the book on line here or even download a copy for your Kindle or similar device if you have one.

Nairn Gaelic Choir win at the Mod! - Rinn Coisir Ghàidhlig Inbhir Narann a' chùis aig a' Mhòid

naidheachd a' briseadh:

"Nina MacKellar and her Gaelic Choir have just won the Margaret Duncan Trophy - pushing Dundee into second place.
The choir also had the top marks for music and will bringing that particular trophy and a silver baton - back to Nairn as well.
Slainte Mhor (as they say over here!)
Colin Macaulay"

'S math a rinn iad, tha mi an dòchas saoilidh mi gum bi fìor dheagh phartaidh aca a-nochd ann an Streòrnabhaigh

tuilleadh Gàidhlig

Just a wee bittie from the editorial of the West Highland Free Press (26th August). Again in reference to the Scottish Government's recent research/opinion poll.

"Action not surveys are needed if Gaelic is to survive.

...But overall, we do not need a census to tell us that spoken, community Gaelic continues to decline. And we do not need another Scottish Government survey to reassure us that 81 per cent of Scots "feel it is important that Scotland does not lose its Galeic language traditions". In present circumstances that is at best condescending.
At worst it is whitewashing failure. What money is available to Gaelic should be spent on Gaelic, not on canvassing shoppers in Cambuslang for their opinions of Gaelic.
And the money that is spent on Gaelic must be spent more bravely, more imaginatively and more distant from from the dead hand of Inverness. If it is not, if there is not a root-and-branch reappraisal of current policies, we will all have reason to dread the results of the 2021 census."

There are those in the Gaelic world that think that too much is organised from Inverness. "The dead hand of Inverness" could apply to a lot of other things too couldn't it - especially the way the status of Nairn has been gradually eroded by Invercentrics at the heart of local government in the Highlands.

A-nis beagan Gàidhlig...

Well talking about Gaelic in English (a bit of an industry really). Gaelic activist Johnny Campbell who lives near Aviemore recently wrote an interesting letter to the Herald. Here it is:

Published on 24 Aug 2011
Acknowledge the survival of Gaelic outwith the isles

Many will be surprised by the research findings released last week by the Scottish Government indicating general support for Gaelic (“Survey reveals degree of apathy among Scots toward Gaelic”, The Herald, August 19).

Few will be surprised that 9% of survey respondents were hostile to the language. It might have been appropriate to have asked this group if they were hostile to any other languages.

The Berlin Wall is now history, totalitarian regimes across the world are crumbling. Yet here in Scotland we are still fettered to outdated beliefs about language learning and a faith in standard school English as the only language of any value in the modern world.

A substantial number, 38%, had no opinion on Gaelic. That, alas, can hardly be described as surprising given the official secrecy that still surrounds the language.

Within living memory there were native speakers from areas of the Clyde close to Glasgow and from parts of Dunbartonshire, Perthshire and Stirlingshire just a bicycle ride from the main cities.

Evidence of the recent survival of Gaelic in these areas might help inform debate on the language. What’s the point of keeping it hidden away in archives in Edinburgh?

We must move beyond the illusion that Gaelic belongs exclusively to the Western Isles.

John Campbell

There are those that think that Gaelic might even have a brighter future on the Mainland than in the still declining traditional Gaelic speaking communities in the West and the Isles. John Campbell also recently wrote an open letter to the Minister for Gaelic,Alasdair Allan, in which he severely criticised the policies of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. A copy of that letter in both Gaelic and English can be read here.

Attitudes Towards the Gaelic Language

"Around half (51%) were in favour of the usage of Gaelic in Scotland. By comparison very few (9%) were against it, but a sizeable number (38%) had no opinion either way - suggesting a lack of engagement with this issue amongst a sizeable segment of the population. "

Statistics about attitudes to Gaelic have been thin on the ground in recent years, now the Scottish Government has published some research. More details of the survey here.

Gaelic as a foreign language

In a move that has caused dismay in Gaelic circles the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games site includes Gaelic on its page of foreign language leaflets that are available. View the page here.

Gàidhlig aig Sainsbury's - Gaelic at Sainsbury's

Picture will enlarge. Sainsbury's have opted for the bilingual option on their new signage at Balmakeith. Back in 2008 the Gurn speculated:

"Yes, they've got to get their store up and running first but it would be nice if they did, as they will be the first supermarket inside the Gaidhealtachd for those visitors approaching from the east.

Nairn has a thriving Gaelic choir, just about 200 gaelic speakers according to the last census and now the Gaelic unit at Millbank school. Sainsbury's and Pettifer estates have promised that they will consult widely on the details of their scheme so that presents a chance to lobby for some Gaelic signage at the proposed store."

More pictures of the bilingual signs here. Incidently at the start of the next school year the Gurn understands that the Gaelic unit at Millbank will have 48 pupils.

Gaelic conversation the Vic 22/04/11

Cearcall Comhraidh Inbhir Narann in the Vic this Friday

Due to the Library being shut for the holiday, the Gaelic Conversation group will be meeting in the Vic at 06.30 p.m this Friday. Bidh Chuc "An Gaidheal Alascanach" an lathair – Alaskan Gaelic speaker Chuc is staying in Nairn this week and he will be at the group’s meeting.
Fàlte oirbh - All abilities welcome – no charge

Chunnaic mi soidhne dà-chànanach an-diugh!

Delighted that a bilingual sign has gone up in Lochloy - the first one of its kind in Nairn I think.

Tha mi air mo dhòigh glan gun deach soidhne dà-chànanach a chur suas ann an Lochloy - . Saoilidh mi gur e seo a' chaidh soidhne den leithid seo ann an Inbhir Narann.

Cearcall Comhraidh Inbhir Narann

Cor nan Rathaidhean

Feumaidh tu a bhith faiceallach na dhraibhear ann an Inbhir Narann. Chan ann a-mhàin a tha na cunnartan abhaisteach air do bheulaibh ach tha agad seorsa de slalom a dheanamh gus na tuill as miosa a sheachnadh. Chan e rud math a tha sin idir, idir gu h-araidh nuair a tha coisichean faisg air làimh. An t-seachdain seo chaidh thàinig beagan fuasgladh air a’ chuis. Direach as dèidh a nochd dealbhan den bad na bu mhiosa den A96 air loidhne, sgriobh Fearhas MacEòghain BPA post-dealain do na ceannaird aig BEAR Alba, ‘s ann le iadsan a tha an dleasdanas airson an A96. Thuirt e gum biodh e a’ toirt sùil air na tuill e-fhein aig an deireadh seachdain. Cha d’fhuair e cothrom ge-tà. Chaidh an lionadh sa bhad, seadh ‘s e càraidh sealach a bh’ann ach thill iad aig ceann sia laithean eò agus dh’obraich sgioba mòr, mòr feadh na h-oidhche gus a h-uile càil a chur ceart buileach glan.

Gu mì-fhortanach san fharsaingeachd chan eil mòran dòchas ann nam bheachd-sa agus chan ann an Inbhir Nàrann ach samhla air ciamar a tha cùisean air feadh na Gaidhealtachd agus. Tha an Riaghaltas air £15 muillean a' gealltainn do na h-ùghdarrasan ionadail gus leasachadh a thoirt air cùisean. Gheibh Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd £1.6 muillean as dèidh a h-uile sgillean de bhuidseat geamhradh nan rathaidean a chosgadh mu thràth.

Tha fhiosam nach eil e furasta coltas a dhèanamh eadar Siorrachd Lincoln ann an Sasainn ach a-rèir am BBC tha iadsan a’ gearain gu bheil £300 muillean a dhìth orra gus na rathaidean a charadh gu ceart. A-nis ‘s e Siorrachd mhòr a th’ann an Lincoln le sluagh de 700,000 le grunn bailtean mora agus pailteas rathaidean eadarra dìreach mar a tha moran sgìrean ann an Alba. Saoil de a chosgadh e gus a h-uile toll a chur ceart ann an Alba? £1,000,000,000 ‘s dòcha? Saoilidh mi gum bi beachd aig na h-eòlachean agus rudeigin na laighe air sgeilp air choireigin ann an Taigh an Ròid. Ciamar as urrainn do Alba fiù ‘s toiseach toiseachaidh a chur air doigh. Chan eil ach gainnead airgid agus gearraidh tro na cnaimh agus an uair chun smior air ar.beulaibh. A bheil dòigh idir faighinn as an staing a tha seo?Bidh feill mhor air na Land Rovers agus 4x4 no dad sam bith le deagh suspension sna bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn, faodaidh tu a bhith cinnteach as.

Finding out about GME (Gaelic Medium Eduction)

Sanas Comann nam Pàrant Inbhir Narann anns an Nairnshire Telegraph.

Language activists hit out at Bòrd na Gàidhlig

A specialist subject really for those Gurnites interested in Gaelic affairs. Here's a press release from the Gaelic organisation Taic:

Taic Chairman calls for public debate with the Head of the Gaelic Board.

The Chairman of TAIC, Alasdair Mearns, has challenged the head of the Gaelic Language Board, John Angus Mackay, to a public debate about the future of TAIC’s funding. The Board is to cut the funding they presently offer to TAIC by 100%, effectively closing the organisation down, and taking over TAIC’s community groups itself. The Board’s decision has been heavily criticised by parents and others throughout Scotland, as well as by international experts throughout the world. So far, no clear explanation for the decision has been given.
Dr. Mearn’s has said, “So far neither our directors nor I have been given a clear explanation for the Board’s decision. I’ve offered to speak to the Gaelic Board’s Directors and was refused, John Angus Mackay attended TAIC’s recent quarterly meeting but offered no explanation. I’ve asked them for more time to sort things out and even this was refused. It is a backward step and one which puts Gaelic development in danger. TAIC represent’s parents throughout Scotland, and in the last thirty years it has been the parents and activists who have driven Gaelic forward. Where were the people presently in charge of the Gaelic Board during those thirty years of struggle? Now they want to take charge! As TAIC’s chairman I have only one choice ahead, and that is to bring to public attention what they are trying to do behind closed doors. For that reason, I am asking John Angus Mackay to debate the issue publically, before the end of February at the latest.”

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It is no secret that there have been issues between the Bòrd and Taic. The Bòrd's actions do seem very heavy-handed however, and potentially very damaging if parents and activists are alienated from the Government body supposedly charged with protecting Gaelic. Hopefully there will be a Christmas truce and the Bòrd will find another way forward on this issue. The last thing Gaelic needs is an internal nuclear war!

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Multi-lingual signs going up now?

Regular Gurnite Duncan points us in the direction of the new multi-lingual Cradlehall School in Inverness. Here's a picture he took Duncan wonders if we'll see the same in Nairn - well Millbank and the Academy already have bilingual ones but perhaps a few more languages now have to be added?
It is a good point he raises in these times of austerity though, if a sign badly needs a replacement then that is the time to go bi-lingual - the times of doing it simply as policy will probably be on hold now.

On the Sunny Dava

Another picture of the new bilingual sign on the Dava welcoming visitors to Nairnshire - this time it was a fine day up there. Nearby the Nairnshire border passes Loch Ille Mhòr before climbing up across the ridge of Carn nam Clach Garbha before descending down to this point on the B9007. It then goes over the brae and descends to Lochandorb (Loch an Doirbh) to where the Castle of the Wolf of Badenoch (or Alisdair Mòr Mac an Righ* in Gaelic) built his castle out on the loch.

* Big Alisdair son of the King