Gaelic speakers urged to 'use it or lose it'

12th October 2012

Gaelic speakers were yesterday urged to make the most of their language skills to ensure that a key part of Scottish heritage continues to grow for future generations.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell will speak at the world renowned annual celebration of the Gaelic language, the Royal National Mod (Am M�d N�iseanta R�oghail), in Dunoon this evening.

New investment of �60,000 will be announced as part of the speech and will go towards support for the early years and scholarships for Gaelic students based in Nova Scotia.

Mr Russell said:"The M�d is a world famous celebration of the Gaelic language and provides an incentive for speakers to help it develop and thrive.

"We are committed to a sustainable and positive future for the Gaelic language in Scotland and recognise that increased and better provision of Gaelic Medium Education, from the early years right up to secondary school is a fundamental means to increasing the number of Gaelic speakers. This is why we are investing in Gaelic schools such as the new Parkside Primary School in Edinburgh.

"I am delighted to be able to announce that we are providing additional funding to support Gaelic in the early years, some of which will go directly into Argyll and Bute, the host of this year's M�d. We will also be welcoming some more Nova Scotians at Sabhal M�r Ostaig (SMO) in the new year.

"We all have a duty to help the Gaelic language to survive. It is not something the Scottish Government or B�rd na Gaidhlig can achieve alone. It is time for the people in Scotland who have the language skills to take every opportunity to use it in everyday life and encourage others to follow suit. In other words, let's use it or lose it."

The funding announced by Mr Russell will go towards the following projects:

�30,000 for early years support through B�rd na Gaidhlig
�25,000 for Argyll and Bute Council to support the roll out of a successful early years Gaelic book scheme
�5,000 to fund more scholarships from Nova Scotia, Canada to attend a short course at SMO.
Mr Russell also announced that the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year would be Roddy Maclean a well-known broadcaster and writer who has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution to Gaelic learning. His weekly "Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh" published by the Inverness Courier and broadcast by Reidio nan Gaidheal is aimed at helping learners of Gaelic get to grips with written Gaelic and particularly Gaelic expressions and sayings.

John Morrison, president of An Comunn G�idhealach added: "Ruairidh is the perfect recipient of the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Award 2012. His effort on behalf of the Gaelic language continues to be immense. No other Scot has the understanding of the Gaelic place-names of Scotland that Ruairidh possesses and his weekly 'litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh' has been an inspiration to countless Gaelic learners over many years.

"In addition, he has provided support and inspiration to Gaelic learners through his editorial direction of the Cl� G�idhlig magazine Cothrom for many years now. His efforts are delivered with good manners and kindness and the staff and Directors of An Comunn G�idhealach are delighted to see Ruairidh receive the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Award 2012. It is well deserved."

See the National Mod at Dunoon at
www.dunoonmod2012.org/
www.acgmod.org/nationalmod

Impidh 'cleachd I no caill I' ga chur air luchd na G�idhlig

Tha teachdaireachd a' dol a-mach gu luchd-cleachdaidh na G�idhlig an cuid sgilean c�nain a chleachdadh nas trice airson gum bi a' Gh�idhlig aig cridhe dualchais na h-Alba anns na bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn.

Bidh Micheal R�iseal, R�naire a' Ch�ibineit airson Foghlaim agus Ionnsachadh Fhad Beatha, a' comharrachadh na G�idhlig an uair a bhios e a' bruidhinn aig fosgladh oifigeil a' Mh�id, ann an D�n Omhain a-nochd.

Uile gu l�ir, bidh �60,000 a' dol a dh'ionnsaigh taic airson na tr�th bhliadhnaichean agus airson ceanglaichean le sgoilearan G�idhlig bho Alba Nuadh a bhrosnachadh.

Thuirt Mgr R�iseal:

"Tha am M�d ainmeal air feadh an t-saoghail. Bheir e cothrom do dhaoine a' ch�nan a chomharrachadh agus cothrom do luchd-cleachdaidh a leasachadh.

"Tha sinn dealasach gum bi a' Gh�idhlig seasmhach san �m ri teachd. 'S mar sin tha sinn ag aithneachadh cho deatamach 's a tha Foghlam tro mheadhan na G�idhlig. Airson �ireamhan luchd-cleachdaidh �rdachadh, tha gach �re, bho na tr�th bhliadhnaichean suas gu foghlam �rd-�re uabhasach cudromach. 'S ann air s�illibh seo a tha sinn a' cur maoin ri sgoiltean G�idhlig mar Bun-sgoil Taobh na P�irce ann an D�n �ideann.

" 'S ann le deagh thoileachas a tha mi a' foillseachadh maoin a bharrachd airson na tr�th bhliadhnaichean a chuideachadh, cuid a' dol gu Earra Gh�idheal is Bh�id, dachaigh a' Mh�id am bliadhna. Bidh sinn cuideachd a' cur f�ilte air tuilleadh sgoilearan bho Alba Nuadh aig Sabhal M�r Ostaig anns a' bhliadhna �r.

"Ach a' dh'aindeoin seo, tha dleastanas oirnn uile a' Gh�idhlig a sh�bhaladh. Chan ann airson Riaghaltas na h-Alba air neo B�rd na G�idhlig nan aonar a tha seo idir. Tha an t-�m air tighinn do shluagh na h-Alba aig a bheil sgilean s�nraichte G�idhlig a chleachdadh gach latha airson misneachd a thoirt do dhaoine eile leantail bhuaipe. 'S mar sin, cleachd I no caill I."

Seo mar a bhios maoin air a chleachdadh:

▪ �30,000 airson taic do na tr�th bhliadhnaichean tro Bh�rd na G�idhlig

▪ �25,000 airson Earra Gh�idheal is Bh�id airson sgeama leabhraichean

a sgaoileadh.

▪ �5,000 airson sgoilearan G�idhlig bho Alba Nuadh tighinn gu Alba airson a'

ch�nan ionnsachadh aig SMO.

A bharrachd air a seo dh'fhoillsich Mgr R�iseal gur e Ruairidh MacIllEathain Tosgaire na Bliadhna. 'S e neach-craolaidh agus sgriobhadair ainmeil a tha ann an Ruairidh, agus tha e air cuideachadh s�nraichte a dh�anamh le ionnsachaidh na Ga�dhlig. Gach seachdainn bidh "Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh" air fhoillseachadh anns a' Chourier ann an Inbhir Nis agus air a chroaladh air Reidio nan G�idheal. Tha an litir ag amas air luchd-ionnsachaidh na G�idhlig a chuideachadh le sgriobhadh agus gu h-�raid le abairtean agus faclan G�idhlig.

Thuirt Iain Moireasdan, �rd-Oifigear A' Chomuinn Gh�idhealaich:

"Tha Ruairidh na dheagh thaghadh airson Tosgaire na Bliadhna 2012. Tha a' chuid obair �s leth saoghail na G�idhlig fhathast uabhasach s�nraichte. Chan eil neach sam bith eile ann an Alba le e�las ainmean �ite ar d�thcha mar a th'aig Ruairidh, agus tha an 'litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh' air a bhith f�or chuideachail do luchd-ionnsachaidh na G�idhlig tro na bliadhnaichean. A bharrachd air a seo, tha e air taic agus cuideachadh a thoirt seachad le bhith sti�ireadh an iris Cothrom aig Cl� G�idhlig. An c�mhnaidh ag obair ann an d�igh coibhneil agus tlachdmh�r, tha luchd-obrach agus luchd-sti�iridh aig A' Chomunn Gh�idhealach air an d�igh gl� mhath gu bheil Ruairidh air ainmeachadh mar Thosgaire na Bliadhna airson 2012. Tha e f�or airidh air."