Ceann-bliadhna Ann An Iomoairt Leasachaidh Na Gàidhlig - Key Milestone In The Story Of Gaelic Development

3rd September 2024

Tha aon de na prìomh bhuidhnean aig teis mheadhan leasachadh na Gàidhlig bho chionn ùine an impis ceann-bliadhna sònraichte chomharrachadh.

‘S ann air an 7mh Sultain, 1984 a chaidh ainm a chuir ri pàipearan a' stèidheachadh Comunn na Gàidhlig, agus tha CnaG air a bhith aig cridhe an iomairt leasachaidh cànain fad an dà fhichead bliadhna bhon uairsin.

Thathas ag amas air a' cheann-bliadhna sònraichte seo a chomharrachadh ann an diofar dhòighean anns na mìosan a tha romhainn, a’ tòiseachadh le cuirm-ciùil anns An Lanntair ann an Steòrnabhagh air 6mh Sultain. Tha dùil cuideachd ri sreath de ‘chèilidhean teaghlach’ ann an diofar àitean, leis a chiad tè ga cumail ann an Talla MhicGuaire ann am Borgh, Leòdhais, air Disathairne 7mh Sultain - an dearbh là a thig an ceann-bliadhna

Thuirt Cathraiche Bòrd-Stiùiridh ChnaG, Calum Iain MacLeòid: "Tha sinn a’ faireachdain gu bheil e cudromach a cheann-bliadhna seo a chomharrachadh ann an dòigh a choreigin. Chan ann a-mhàin airson siud fhèin, no fiùs airson aire tharraing do ChnaG mar bhuidheann, ach mar chothrom a chuir ris an deasbad air leasachadh na Gàidhlig.

"’S math is fhiach e coimhead air ais air na diofar rudan chudromach a th’ air tachairt anns an dà fhichead bliadhna a tha seo, eadar foghlam no craoladh, far an robh CnaG an sàs gu ìre beag no mòr, oir tha seo a’ sealltainn dhuinn mar a tha cùisean air gluasad air adhart ann an iomadh dòigh.

“Aig a cheart àm, bu chòir gum biodh e follaiseach dhuinn uile gum bheil obair ri dhèanamh fhathast, is nach eil a’ Ghàidhlig ann an suidheachadh cho làidir no cho seasmhach ri sin.

“Le sin tha dùil againn ri measgachadh de rudan a chuir air dòigh anns na mìosan a tha romhainn airson coimhead air ais, ach airson coimhead air adhart cuideachd."

Thuirt an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear Ceit Fhoirbeis: “Tha Comunn na Gàidhlig air a bhith fìor chudromach ann a bhith a’ cur Gàidhlig air adhart ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba, is sgìrean Gàidhlig air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus sna h-Eileanan nam measg.

“Bhon a bha CnaG air a stèidheachadh tha adhartas cudromach air a bhith ri fhaicinn ann am foghlam, craoladh agus ealain na Gàidhlig, le fiosrachadh bhon chunntas-shluaigh a chaidh fhoillseachadh a’ bhliadhna seo a’ sealltainn àrdachadh ann an àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig airson a’ chiad uair ann an còrr air 50 bliadhna.

“Gus cor a’ chànain a dhèanamh tèarainte san àm ri teachd tha sinn a’ toirt air adhart Bile nan Cànan Albannach. Neartaichidh seo Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig, cuiridh e inbhean airson teagasg a’ chànain an sàs is stèidhichidh e Gàidhlig na cànan oifigeil de dh’Alba."

Ged a tha na planaichean gan deasachadh fhathast seo na rudan a tha CnaG an dùil a chuir air dòigh eadar seo agus deireadh a bhliadhna-ionmhais:

6mh Sultain: Cuirm-ciùil An Lanntair, ann an co-bhonn le fèis Blas agus Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
7mh Sultain: Cèilidh teaghlaich, Talla MhicGuaire, Borgh, Leòdhas.
Sultain chun Ghearran: sreath de chèilidhean teaghlaich ann an diofar àitean, ceangailte ri sgioba oifigearan Iomairt òigridh ChnaG. (Na cìnn-là rin dearbhadh fhathast).
14mh - 18mh Dàmhair – làthaireachd aig am Mòd Rìoghail san t-Òban, le ‘cèilidhean teaghlaich’/òigridh gan cumail air an 14mh agus 15mh.
26mh no 27mh Gearran: (ri dhearbhadh) Cò-labhairt fhosgailte ann an Steòrnabhagh mu leasachadh na Gàidhlig, mar phàirt de ‘Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025’.
Leabhran ‘CnaG@40’ ri dheasachadh a dh’ìnnseas sgeul na buidhne is na prìomh gnìomhan. Rifhoillseachadh an cois a chò-labhairt gu h-àrd.
Le Cunntas-Sluaigh 1981 a’ dearbhadh crìonadh leantainneach ann an àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig dh’iarr Bòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean (an ‘HIDB’) aithisg ‘Cor na Gàidhlig’, a’ sireadh bheachdan air modhan-leasachaidh ùr dhan Ghàidhlig. B’ e aon de na molaidhean gum bu chòir buidheann leasachaidh phroifeiseanta stèidheachadh a bheireadh sùil farsuing air leasachadh a chànain.

Mar sin stèidhicheadh Comunn na Gàidhlig an toiseach ann an 1984 ann an compàirteachas foirmeil eadar Bòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean; An Comunn Gàidhealach; Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; Comhairle Roinn na Gàidhealtachd; agus Comhairle Roinn Srath-Chluaidh. Aig an àm ud b’ e an amas spionnadh às ùr a thoirt dha leasachadh na Gàidhlig. Bha gu leòr a’ dol aig an àm, le toiseach tòiseachaidh foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns an aon bhliadhna, agus fòcas às ùr anns an iomairt a thaobh craoladh sa Ghàidhlig a leasachadh.

Le maoin a’ tighinn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba (“Oifis na h-Alba” mar a bh’ ann aig an àm), eadar 1984 agus 2006 b’ e CnaG a’ phrìomh bhuidheann a’ stiùireadh an iomairt leasachaidh air fad.

A’ leantainn Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) ann an 2005, chaidh Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ stèidheachadh ann an 2006 agus ghabh iadsan a phrìomh àite mar bhuidheann ro-innleachdail airson a Ghàidhlig. Bhon uairsin tha CnaG fhèin air àite lorg mar a bhuidheann leasachaidh leis am fòcas às teanna agus às dlùithe air cothroman-cleachdaidh Ghàidhlig a thabhann dhan an òigridh anns a’ choimhearsnachd agus ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Calum Iain MacLeòid a-rithist: “Ged a tha sinn a’ comharrachadh “CnaG” an seo, feumar a bhith cho soilleir sa ghabhas nach eil sinn a-mach air Stiùirichean no luchd-obrach a chompanaidh san là th’ ann. Chan eil sinne ach a’ leantainn iomadh neach eile a bhiodh ag obair còmhla ri CnaG, eadar luchd-obrach no buill den Bhòrd-Stiùiridh.

“A thuilleadh air sin, cha bhiodh CnaG fhèin air na h-uimhir a dhèanamh às aonais diofar chompàirtichean làidir aig gach ìre, eadar buidhnean Ghàidhlig eile, muinntir a choimhearsnachd, no oifigearan is Ministeirean Riaghaltais.”

‘S i Marina Mhoireach Stiùiriche Leasachaidh ChnaG, agus ‘s i th’ air a bhith os cionn am prògram thachartasan seo. Thuirt ise: “Le gach rud a tha a’ tachairt bho là gu là, tha e cho furasta cìnn-bliadhna mar seo leigeil seachad, ach bha sinn a’ faireachdain gun robh e cudromach 40 bliadhna a chomharrachadh. Tha e air a bhith na thlachd mhòr dhòmhsa a bhith a’ bruidhinn ri ‘seann Cheannardan’ ChnaG mar phàirt den obair-deasachaidh seo, agus e cho follaiseach an dealas a th’ acasan ris an iomairt leasachaidh fhathast.

“Tha an eachdraidh a tha siud cudromach a chlàradh, ach aig a’ cheart àm tha an obair againne san là th’ ann cho dlùth ris an òigridh is bha sinn airson gum biodh àite acasan anns am prògram seo tro na cèilidhean-teaghlach air a bheil sinn ag obair fhathast.

“Mu dheireadh, a’ coimhead ris a Cho-labhairt a tha sinn a’ deasachadh ann an Steòrnabhagh, an cois Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025, tha sinn airson togail air na rudan soirbheachail a th’ air tachart, ach airson coimhead air adhart cuideachd. Tha sinn dha rìreabh airson cothrom a thoirt dhan choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig, agus an luchd-iomairt an guth a thogail mu na tha a dhìth sam àm ri teachd.”

Key Milestone in the story of Gaelic development
One of the key organisations at the heart of Gaelic development for decades has reached a key milestone.

On the 7th September, 1984, papers were signed establishing Comunn na Gàidhlig, and CnaG has been at the heart of the language development effort throughout the 40 years since then.

A number of events are being planned for the months ahead to mark this significant anniversary, beginning with a concert in the An Lanntair centre in Stornoway on the 6th of September. Plans are also being made for a series of family ceilidhs in different locations across Scotland, with the first to be held in the MacQuarrie Hall in Borve, Lewis on Saturday September 7th, 40 years to the day from CnaG’s establishment.

The Chairman of the CnaG Board, Calum Iain MacLeod said: “We believe it is important to mark this major anniversary. Not simply for its own sake, or to draw attention to CnaG as an organisation, but because of the opportunity it presents to contribute to the discussions on Gaelic development.

“It is well worth looking back at the progress that has been made in these 40 years, such as in education or broadcasting, where CnaG was closely involved to a greater or lesser degree, because this does show us how far we have come in many ways.

“On the other hand it should be clear to us all that there is so much more still to be done, and that Gaelic is not in a particularly strong or stable position.

“This means we’re keen to organise a number of events in the months ahead to look back at the achievements in Gaelic development, but to look forward as well.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Comunn na Gàidhlig has been instrumental in promoting Gaelic in communities throughout Scotland, including in Gaelic-speaking parts of the Highlands and Islands.

“Since its establishment, there has been significant progress in Gaelic education, broadcasting and the arts, with census data published this year also showing a rise in Gaelic speakers for the first time in over 50 years.

“To safeguard the future of the language we are bringing forward the Scottish Languages Bill. This will strengthen provision of Gaelic Medium Education, introduce standards for teaching the language and make Gaelic an official language of Scotland.”

Although subject to funding being secured, and still to be confirmed, the current schedule of events is:

6th September: An Lanntair concert, in partnership with the Blas festival and Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
7th September: Family Ceilidh, MacQuarrie Hall, Borve, Lewis
September to February: A series of family ceilidhs in different locations, linked to the Comunn na Gàidhlig ‘Iomairtean’ Youth officers. (Locations and dates to be confirmed)
14th – 18th October: a CnaG presence at the Royal Nationa Mod in Oban, with Family Ceilidhs on the 14th and 15th
26th or 27th February: (tbc) An open Conference in Stornoway on the subject of Gaelic development, as part of ‘Gaelic Week 2025’
A ‘CnaG@40’ booklet being prepared to summarise the CnaG story and key successes. To be published during the conference event above.
Following the publication of the 1981 Census data, which confirmed a continuing decline in the number of Gaelic speakers the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) commissioned the ‘Cor na Gàidhlig’ report seeking recommendations on new development options for Gaelic. One of the proposals was to establish a professional development body to engage in Gaelic development across a wide range of sectors.

This led to the establishment of Comunn na Gàidhlig in 1984, in a formal partnership between the HIDB; An Comunn Gàidhealach; Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (The Western Isles Council); The Highland Council; and the Strathclyde Regional Council. At that time the ambition was to provide fresh impetus to Gaelic development and to support early activity in the establishment of Gaelic medium education and efforts to extend Gaelic broadcasting.

With direct financial support from government, via the then ‘Scottish Office’, between 1984 and 2006 Comunn na Gàidhlig was the key body directing the overall language development effort.

Following the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act in 2005 came the establishment of Bòrd na Gàidhlig in 2006 who quickly took on the role of the primary, strategic Gaelic development body. Since then CnaG has built a strong reputation as the development body giving the greatest priority to delivering fun and engaging Gaelic language opportunities for young people whether in the community, or in Gaelic education.

Calum Iain MacLeod again: “Although these events are to mark CnaG’s anniversary, we need to stress as clearly as possible that we’re not focussing on the current Board or staff team. We’re all to aware that we are only following in the footsteps of the many, many others who have worked with or contributed to CnaG’s achievements over the years.

“Beyond that CnaG itself could not have taken forward all those achievements by itself, and depended on strong partnerships at different levels, from other Gaelic organisations, those in the community, or even Government Ministers and officials.”

Marina Murray is CnaG’s Development Director and she has been leading on the ‘CnaG@40’ programme. She said: “Given all our day to day activities it would be easy to let an anniversary like this pass un-noticed, but we thought it was important to mark this 40th year milestone. It’s been a great pleasure to me to speak to CnaG’s previous Chief Executives as part of preparing this programme, and their commitment to the overall development is still very clear.

“It is important to mark this history, but at the same time our work today is so focussed on young people that we wanted to be sure they had a part in our celebrations, through the family ceilidh programme we’re developing.

“Finally, looking to the Conference we are planning for Stornoway, as part of ‘Gaelic Week 2025’ we want to recognise the successes there have been in Gaelic development, but to look forward as well. We are keen to give the overall community and those working for Gaelic an opportunity to have their say about what’s needed in future.”