BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG LAUNCHES MYGAELIC.COM

5th February 2009

The Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig, launched a major new information and networking site on 4th February 2009, www.mygaelic.com which aims to be the place to visit for everyone who wants to learn more about Gaelic - Gaelic language and culture, tourism, events relating to Gaelic and, how and where they can engage with the language. mygaelic.com is aimed at Gaelic speakers and novices alike, offering something for everyone with an interest in wishing to learn more about the language or indeed learning to speak Gaelic.

The website was launched in Glasgow by Minister for Gaelic Linda Fabiani, where representatives of various Gaelic organisations were invited to view the innovative new communication channel.

Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said: "Gaelic is an essential element of Scotland's heritage and current cultural life. It is vital for the future of Gaelic that we continue to develop the wide range of opportunities that now exist for the use and learning of the language. mygaelic.com is a great example of how Gaelic can be made more accessible to all, and of course use of this technology will appeal particularly to the younger Gaelic speakers who are key to a secure and sustainable future for the language. Launch of the portal is an important step forward and I am confident that mygaelic.com will, alongside many other initiatives, help to strengthen and secure the position of Gaelic in Scotland."

The development work on mygaelic.com which is part social networking, part learning and a web-based source of information, has taken two years. The Gaelic version of the title moghaidhlig.com has also been registered as a brand name.

The project has been managed by Glasgow-based Creative Communications Agency, The Creative Cell, which won the tender to research, design and deliver the project. The Creative Cell commissioned the site build to Stornoway based web development Agency, Reefnet and the copywriting of mygaelic.com to Alasdair Campbell in Skye. The Creative Cell is also responsible for the advertising and promotional campaign that will support the site and has appointed Gaelic speaker Fiona Dunn to take its development to the next phase.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig's Acting Chief Executive Rosemary Ward said: "mygaelic.com has
something for everyone with an interest in Gaelic. It is intended to be a "one-stop shop" for those who have an interest in Gaelic or learning the language. Core elements include information on a wide range of Gaelic activities and organisations, interactive tools for adding and finding friends, sending messages, and taking part in discussions.

"One of the key aims of mygaelic.com is to offer learners of the language the opportunity to take themselves through basic lessons and to be a source of information on where they can get help and support to expand their knowledge of Gaelic. Site content had been created in three different languages to engage with non-Gaelic speakers, learners and those who are fluent in Gaelic. Users can submit content which can be rated by everyone who views the site. More fluent speakers are encouraged to participate in advanced group forums, and to become moderators willing to give a friendly hand to beginners when they seek support and encouragement."

Simon MacQuarrie, Managing Director of The Creative Cell said: "This is just the beginning for mygaelic.com. The site will continue to develop as we attract new people to Gaelic language and culture.

"Within the site there is a section dedicated to learning Gaelic. At present, this section
outlines the reasons for learning Gaelic and advises where people can go to learn Gaelic. Moving forward, the intention is that the Section will evolve to contain formal lessons with progression from beginner to intermediate to advanced. This will have phonetic text and audio and could be accompanied by videos of real people speaking Gaelic. The proposal is that this section will also contain lessons specifically targeted to children. These lessons will be colourful and fun with animations to accompany audio and text. Games will also be developed to encourage children to interact and pick-up phrases as they go along."

Rosemary Ward added: "Organisations involved with Gaelic will be referred to in the relevant sections of the site, with links to their own websites. There are also sponsorship and promotional opportunities for organisations who wish to have a more prominent presence. In addition, all groups will have the ability to sign up to the networking side of the site, and create a group specifically for their organisation, which they will have complete control over. Here they can add information on the organisation, send emails to people who join the group and also feed information for their own and, the master events calendar.

"The events section forms an important part of the site. Both administrator and user added events are shown on a master calendar which everyone can view and filter depending on category and language capability."

Welcoming the launch of the new site, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Interim Chair Arthur Cormack said: "The final outcome of this development work represents a major piece of research and development in Gaelic which should enable us to attract those who may have an interest in the language but do not know where to access the learning support they need, or the interaction with other Gaelic speakers which is so important. This is a significant investment for the Bòrd and it is vital that we support the non-Gaelic speakers who wish to develop their skills, thus enhancing the economic and cultural well-being of Scotland."

Visit - http://mygaelic.com
mygaelic.com

Dh'fhoillsich Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a' phrìomh bhuidheann poblach le uallach airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig, làrach-lìn ùr fiosrachaidh agus lìonraidheil - mygaelic.com - an-diugh (Diciadain 4 Gearran 2009). Tha mygaelic.com ag amas air a bhith na h-àite tadhail do neach sam bith a tha airson barrachd fiosrachaidh fhaotainn mun Ghàidhlig - an cànan agus an cultar, turasachd agus tachartasan co-cheangailte ri Gàidhlig, agus dòighean agus làraich eile far an urrainn dhaibh a dhol an sàs anns a' chànan. Tha mygaelic.com airson an dà chuid luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig, agus an fheadhainn a tha ùr dhan chànan. Bidh an làrach inntinneach do gach neach aig a bheil ùidh ann an Gàidhlig no a tha airson barrachd fiosrachaidh fhaotainn mun chànan, no a' Ghàidhlig ionnsachadh.

Chaidh an làrach-lìn fhoillseachadh ann an Glaschu, le Linda Fabiani BPA, Ministear na h-Eòrpa, Cultair agus Cùisean an Taobh a-muigh. Bha riochdairean bho dhiofar bhuidhnean Gàidhlig air cuireadh fhaighinn a thighinn a choimhead air an t-sianal conaltraidh ùr-ghnàthach.

Thuirt am Ministear: "Tha Gàidhlig na pàirt dheatamach de dhualchas na h-Alba agus de bheatha chultarach an latha an-diugh. Tha e riatanach dhan Ghàidhlig san àm ri teachd gun cùm sinn òirnn a' leasachadh an raoin fharsaing de chothroman a tha againn a-nis airson cleachdadh agus ionnsachadh a' chànain. Tha mygaelic.com 'na phrìomh eisimpleir de mar a ghabhas Gàidhlig a bhith air a dèanamh nas so-ruigsinneach do na h-uile, agus gu dearbh bidh mar thèid an teicneòlais seo a chleachdadh tarraingeach don luchd-labhairt as òige a tha mar phrìomh mheadhan air a' chànan a bhith seasmhach agus tèarainte san àm ri teachd. Is e ceum chudromach air adhart a th' ann an cur-air-bhog an inntrigidh seo agus tha mi làn chinnteach gun cuidich mygaelic.com, còmhla ri grunn iomairtean eile, le neartachadh agus tèarainteachd na Gàidhlig ann an Alba."

Tha mygaelic.com pàirt lìonraidheil sòisealta, pàirt ionnsachaidh agus na bun-fiosrachaidh stèidhichte air an eadar-lìon. Tha an obair leasachaidh air a bhith a' dol air adhart airson dà bhliadhna. Tha an dreach Gàidhlig den tiotal, moghaidhlig.com, air a chlàradh cuideachd mar ainm malairt agus bithear 'ga chleachdadh ann an leasachadh na làraich san àm ri teachd.

Chaidh a' phròiseact a stiùireadh leis a' Bhuidhinn Conaltraidh Chruthachail, Creative Cell, stèidhichte ann an Glaschu, a bhuannaich an tairgse airson na pròiseict a rannsachadh, a dhealbh agus a thoirt gu buil. Bharantaich Creative Cell togail na làraich do Reefnet, a' bhuidheann leasachaidh làraich-lin stèidhichte ann an Steòrnabhagh, agus chaidh stuth-sgrìobhaidh na làraich-lìn mygaelic.com a lìbhrigeadh le Alasdair Caimbeul bhon Eilean Sgìtheanach. Tha Creative Cell cuideachd a' dèiligeadh ris an iomairt sanasachd agus àrdachadh inbhe a chuireas taic ris an làraich agus tha iad air an neach-labhairt Gàidhlig, Fiòna NicIlleDhuinn, fhastadh gus leasachadh na làraich a thoirt chun na h-ath ìre.

Thuirt Rosemary Nic a' Bhàird, Ceannard an Gnìomh Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: "Tha rudeigin aig mygaelic.com do gach neach le ùidh ann an Gàidhlig. Chaidh an stuth a th'air an làrach a dheasachadh aig trì ìrean cànain ach am biodh e tarraingeach do dhaoine gun Ghàidhlig, luchd-ionnsachaidh agus fileantaich. Am measg nam prìomh eileamaidean tha fiosrachadh mu raon fharsaing de ghnìomhachdan agus de bhuidhnean Gàidhlig, innealan eadar-obrachail gus a bhith a' lorg no a' cur ri àireamh charaidean, a' cur air falbh theachdaireachdan agus a' gabhail pàirt ann an deasbaireachdan.

"Is e aon de na prìomh amasan aig mygaelic.com a bhith a' tairgsinn a' chothroim do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a bhith 'gan toirt fhèin tro leasanan bunasach, agus a bhith 'na bun-fhiosrachaidh far am faigh iad cuideachadh agus taic gus an cuid eòlais air a' Ghàidhlig a leudachadh. Faodaidh neach-cleachdaidh susbaint a chur a-steach a dh'fhaodas a bhith air a mheasadh leis gach neach a bhios a' coimhead na làraich. Thathar ag iarraidh air barrachd fhileantaich pàirt a ghabhail ann am buidhnean conaltraidh adhartach, agus a bhith 'nan co-mheasadairean a bhios deònach taic càirdeil a thoirt do luchd-tòiseachaidh nuair a bhios iad a' sireadh cobhair agus brosnachadh."

Thuirt Sìm MacGuaire, Àrd-stiùiriche Creative Cell: "Chan eil an seo ach toiseach tòiseachaidh do mygaelic.com. Bithear a' sìor leasachadh na làraich mar a bhios sinn a' tàladh dhaoine ùra gun chànan agus gun chultar Ghàidhlig.

"San làraich tha roinn a tha air a chomharrachadh airson ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Aig an àm seo, tha an roinn seo a' mìneachadh nan adhbharan gus Gàidhlig ionnsachadh agus a' comhairleachadh far am faod daoine a dhol airson sin a dhèanamh. A' gluasad air adhart, thathar an dùil gum fàs an roinn gu ìre agus gum bi leasanan foirmeil ann a bhios a' gluasad bho ìre tòiseachaidh gu eadar-mheadhanach gu adhartach. Bidh teacsa fogharach agus claistinn ann agus dh'fhaodadh bhideothan de dhaoine a' bruidhinn Gàidhlig a bhith leis. Is e am moladh, gum bi leasanan cuimsichte air clann a-mhàin san roinn seo cuideachd. Bidh na leasanan sin dathach agus spòrsail le gluasadan beòthail a' dol leis a' chlaistinn agus an teacsa. Bidh geamannan air an leasachadh cuideachd gus clann a bhrosnachadh gu bhith ag eadar-obrachadh agus a' togail abairtean san dol seachad."

Thuirt Rosemary Nic a' Bhàird a-rithist: "Thèid iomradh a thoirt air buidhnean a tha an sàs anns a' Ghàidhlig anns na roinnean iomchaidh den làrach, le ceanglaichean gu na làraich-lìn aca fhèin. Tha cothroman urrasachd agus adhartachaidh ann cuideachd do bhuidhnean aig a bheil rùn a bhith nas follaisiche. A thuilleadh air an sin, bidh comas aig gach buidheann iad fhèin a chlàradh san earrann lìonraidheil dhen làrach agus còmhlan a chruthachadh a dh'aon ghnothaich don bhuidheann aca fhèin, air am bi smachd gu tur aca fhèin. Faodaidh iad fiosrachadh mun bhuidhinn a chur ris, puist-dealain a chur gu daoine a bhios a' ceangal ris a' bhuidhinn agus cuideachd fiosrachadh a chur ris dhaibh fhèin agus às leth a' mhìosachain thachartasan.

"Tha roinn nan tachartasan na pàirt glè chudromach den làraich. Tha an dà chuid, tachartasan air an clàradh leis an rianaire agus leis an neach-cleachdaidh, air an taisbeanadh air prìomh mhìosachan a dh'fhaodas neach sam bith fhaicinn agus a shìoladh a rèir ìre agus a rèir comais cànain."

A' cur fàilte air cur-air-bhog na làraich ùir, thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Cathraiche Eadar-amail Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: "Tha buil deireannach na h-obrach leasachaidh seo a' riochdachadh prìomh earrainn de rannsachadh agus de leasachadh ann an Gàidhlig a bu chòir ar n-uidheamachadh gus barrachd a dhèanamh le daoine aig a bheil ùidh sa chànan, ach aig nach eil fios càite am faigh iad cothrom air an taic ionnsachaidh air a bheil feum aca, no an conaltradh le luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a tha cho cudromach dhaibh. Is e tasgadh sònraichte a tha seo don Bhòrd agus tha e deatamach gun cuir sinn taic riuthasan aig nach eil Gàidhlig a tha airson an sgilean adhartachadh, agus mar sin a' cur ri soirbheas eaconamach is cultarach na h-Alba."