SPRAOI ag Tuistí agus Leanaí don Samhradh
May 21, 2013
Naíonra Cheatharlach
May 21, 2013
Reprieve for Buncrana’s Irish Language school
May 20, 2013
Inishowen’s only Irish language secondary school has been granted a ‘stay of execution’ as the Department of Eudcation has decided to extend provisional recognition to Coláiste Chineál Eoghain for the 2013/2014 year.
There was outcry several months ago when it became clear the Department intended to close the Irish medium school because of ‘insufficient numbers’. The decision caused outrage locally.
Speaking yesterday Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh described the Department’s move as ‘a very positive step’ for Inishowen families and for the Irish language.
“I have been working with Coláiste Chineál Eoghain and with Donegal VEC since last March to secure this extension. I made a number of submissions to the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD, about this matter, and I also raised the issue directly with senior officials in the Department.
Inishowen Sinn Féin Councillor and VEC board member, Jack Murray confirmed he had spoken to VEC Chief Executive Shaun Purcell, and he was delighted that Colaiste Chineal Eoghain will remain open.
“This announcement provides some certainty for those families who intend to enrol their children in the school this year. “I would encourage anyone who is still considering Colaiste Chineal Eoghain as an option for their child to do so
“I will continue to work to ensure the future for Irish language education in Inishowen.”
Labour Senator, Jimmy Harte also welcomed the decision.
www.derryjournal.com
Now you’re speaking our language!
May 20, 2013
Deirdre Reynolds meets TG4’S stars ahead of tonight’s Irish language media awards
Move over, Dáithí — meet the new buachaillí on the block. Maura Derrane, Gráinne Seoige and Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile are just some of the gorgeous Gaeilgeoirí to emerge from TG4 in recent years. But following in the footsteps of former weather man Dáithí Ó Sé and Hector Ó hEochagáin, there’s no shortage of male talent at the Irish-language channel either.
Celebrating the best of the Irish language media, the Oireachtas Media Awards 2013 takes place at Galway Bay Hotel tonight. Here, we meet some of the nominees helping to make our native tongue hot.
Éamonn and Seán Ó Cualáin
Feature Programme of the Year nominees
Galway brothers Éamonn and Seán Ó Cualáin, who run Sónta Films, have already scooped an IFTA for their TG4funded documentary Lón sa Spéir, which tells the story of iconic 1932 New York photo ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’.
A gong for ‘Feature Programme of the Year’ would be the icing on the cake, says dad-of-three Éamonn (32): “When I was in college, I had a poster of ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’ on my wall. It’s just this feelgood image. Then a few years ago, my brother Seán and I were in a pub in Shanaglish and noticed the photo hanging on the wall.
“Beside it there was a note by a Boston man called Pat Glynn, explaining that one of the men in the photo was his father and another was his uncle-in-law, who had left Galway to find work in the States. The pub owner Michael Whelan gave us Pat’s contact and we headed to the States to chase up this incredible story.
“When you’re film-making I don’t think language holds you back. If it’s good enough, people will watch it and enjoy it. Lón sa Spéir showed alongside films like Argo at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
“Although some of the interviews are in English, people were reading subtitles and it didn’t bother them. We had four sold-out screenings and got standing ovations. “Meanwhile, we’ve just signed a US distribution agreement and it’s also been selected for the Shanghai International Film Festival next month, so that’s pretty cool. “There are no big cheques, but hopefully the recognition will help us make more Irish-language films.”
Tristan Rosenstock
Television Broadcaster of the Year nominee
Dubliner Tristan Rosenstock (32), who’s up for Television Broadcaster of the Year for arts show Imeall, reveals how he once managed to get P Diddy to try the ‘cúpla focail’.
“When I was six, I went to Lapland with Fortycoats to meet Santa. My television debut aired on Christmas Day in 10 European countries! “During my first year in college, where I studied early and modern Irish, I got a call out of the blue asking me if I would go to Vogue Fashion Week in New York for TG4 programme Rí Rá. “With just three days’ notice, there was no time to get nervous. I got to interview Sandra Bullock, and was standing just a couple of feet away from Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Julia Roberts.
“Sometimes, it’s good to get thrown in the deep end — you either sink or swim. When I arrived for my first day on Imeall, I figured I was going to be a researcher. Two hours later, I was on the way to Belfast to interview an Oscar-winning cinematographer. “My dad [Gabriel Rosenstock] is an Irish language writer and poet, so I was brought up speaking Irish and didn’t learn English until I went to school. “Growing up in Glenageary, I suppose that would have been kind of odd. To me, everyone spoke Irish. TV is very competitive, but the language has definitely helped me get work. There are loads of opportunities, especially in the media. The attitude [towards Irish] has changed a lot.
“There doesn’t seem to be the same hostility towards the language that might have existed when I was growing up, [being] a little bit embarrassed to speak it on the bus on the way home. At least half the content of Imeall is in Irish, usually more.
“If I’m interviewing a Hollywood star, for instance, I’ll do it in English, but introduce the item and thank them in Irish. A lot of them have never heard the language before and love it. Some, like P Diddy, even have a go at it!”
Dara Ó Cinnéide
Television Broadcaster of the Year nominee
Former Kerry football captain Dara Ó Cinnéide (38) is in the running for Television Broadcaster of the Year for weekly sports show Seó Spóirt, and these days, says he’s perfectly happy to watch from the sidelines.
“Growing up, I used to always watch Michael Lyster on The Sunday Game Live, and was lucky enough to get to work with him on the show years later. “Most presenters go from Irish to English, but I actually went the opposite direction leaving RTÉ for TG4 three years ago. “Obviously, I’m very passionate about the Irish language. But I don’t see myself as an Irish language activist either.
“It’s my first language and it’s my kids’ first language. For me, it’s just a means of communicating. It’s just a way of saying: ‘Pass the salt, please’. “Lots of my mates up the country used to say to me, ‘ Seó Spóirt looks great, but we don’t have a clue what you’re saying!’ “So about two years ago, TG4 made the decision to subtitle the show, which has drawn in a whole different audience.
“Football analysis is full of English-language clichés. But I try to avoid having an English language imprint on the show. “If you go back far enough into our language, we have our own way of saying things that doesn’t necessarily translate that well into English. “When you think of ‘sexy’ languages, Italian springs to mind. But I’ve never really felt the need to make Irish cool or sexy.
“And I have no ambitions to compete with Dáithí Ó Sé, who’s a former classmate of mine. Dáithí has real star quality — I just chair debates! “Nobody wants to be listening to an ex-Kerry player harping on about the glory days. I’ve had my fun with the game on the field; the fun now is to be had talking about it.“I love the game, and whatever language that’s communicated in doesn’t make any
www.independent.ie
Grassroots Gaelic
May 17, 2013
Crawford Mackie’s letter about research into Gaelic language education (14 May) was redolent of the type of blustering train crash which generally occurs when prejudice comes up against scientific research.
After a scattergun ad hominem attack on the academics involved, Mr Mackie questioned the sample size of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, while indicating that if Bòrd na Gàidhlig had funded its own survey it would be, in his view, invalid.
It appears he would rather no research was carried out and that opinions, most likely his own, were given free sway. And to the 91 per cent majority of adult respondents who did not give a “satisfactory” answer to the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, Mr Mackie can only give a patronising response.
We are told they “will not be considering the cost”, as if Mr Mackie himself was aware of their considerations as they responded to the survey. The letter descended from there into further absurdity.
I do have some sympathy with the rage such research must engender in those who would rather eradicate the language, proving as it does, that they too are a minority – in the case of Mr Mackie’s view on Gaelic- medium education, one of only 8 per cent, give or take the margin of error.
Gaelic-medium education is one of the great grassroots success stories of Scottish education of recent generations, being led at all times by parents demanding that their children too should be afforded the right to a bilingual education.
Mr Mackie may want to homogenise Scotland but I, and it would seem 91 per cent of others, disagree.
Aonghas Mac Leòid
Malloch Street
Glasgow
The debate about whether or not Gaelic should be taught in Scottish schools is becoming somewhat aggressive in tone.
Many of those who are against it argue that Gaelic is a pointless, inward-looking language that is of no use to anyone out there in the real world. It would be more useful, they say, for children to learn languages such as Spanish, French, German and even Chinese.
Some of those who are fighting for Gaelic in schools argue that it is a unique and important feature of Scottish culture and that funding should be preserved so that it can be taught to as many children as possible. Surely the truth and a workable solution are somewhere in between. Nobody reasonable should be arguing that being able to speak Gaelic will help anyone get a well-paid job or to do dazzling trade in other countries, but there is more to life than making money.
There are many skills and experiences that young people can gather which contribute to the richness of their character and society. Whether we are for independence or not, we have good reasons to be proud of our country, and preserving its language is a crucial part of that.
When languages die out, that’s that. They’re gone forever. We can’t let that happen.
Morag Gregory
Kersland Street
Glasgow
www.scotsman.com
Conamara students are on the right frequency
May 16, 2013
Students from Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán, Co Galway, are on the right frequency, having won third prize in the national radio programme competition, Comórtas Clár Raidió Gael Linn 2013.
This popular competition is organised annually by Gael Linn, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, to promote new radio talent among transition year students in particular.
The prize winners were announced during a special edition of the programme SBB Tráthnóna which was broadcast on Friday, May 10, on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, which sponsor the competition.
Adjudicator Seán Ó hÉanaigh, head of programmes at the station,chose the national winners and said he was extremely impressed with the high standard achieved by the entrants and with the wide variety of topics covered within the programmes.
Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán, Conamara, Co.Galway, won the third prize of €350 for their informative programme, An Ceathrú Cuid, that documented their experience of the transition year, and the various activities in which the students were involved, such as rock climbing, pancake making, and music.
Máirín Uí Choileáin was the teacher who helped the students to put the programme together.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta hopes to broadcast the winning programmes in their entirety over the coming weeks. The winning entries can be listened to on www.gael-linn.ie.
www.galwayadvertiser.ie
Half of Scots back right to send child to Gaelic school
May 13, 2013
ALMOST half of Scots believe parents should have the right to send their children to a Gaelic school, research shows.
Analysis of results from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey found there was widespread support for youngsters being able to attend Gaelic-medium education, where classes are taught in Gaelic with English as a secondary language.
The survey found that 48 per cent of people thought parents should have the choice of Gaelic education across Scotland. This rose to 91 per cent when respondents were asked if parents in Gaelic-speaking areas should have the right.
But access to Gaelic-medium education is currently low, with figures showing just 2,418 children – about 0.6 per cent of Scottish primary school pupils – are being taught in such schools.
The survey also found that more than a third (37 per cent) of people thought that all pupils aged five to 16 should have to study Gaelic for one to two hours a week regardless of what type of school they were in, while 36 per cent disagreed and 26 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.
The analysis was carried out by Soillsei, an inter-university Gaelic language research project, based on the results of last year’s Scottish Social Attitudes Survey with a sample of 1,229 people.
Despite the millions spent on trying to save Gaelic – and various Scottish Government initiatives from bilingual signs to education – many respondents expressed doubt about the future of the language, which is spoken by fewer than 60,000 Scots.
More than half – 53 per cent – thought that in 50 years the language would be spoken by fewer people than now, with only 14 per cent believing that it would be spoken by more.
Just under a third (32 per cent) of Scots believed that the use of Gaelic should be encouraged throughout Scotland, but 87 per cent believed that it should be encouraged in Gaelic-speaking areas. Only 11 per cent did not want Gaelic to be encouraged at all.
When asked whether learning Gaelic was pointless in the 21st century, 44 per cent disagreed and only 22 per cent agreed.
Despite rows over Gaelic road signs and other public signage – which have been fiercely opposed in places like Caithness – barely half (58 per cent) of respondents had seen any such signs.
But the research found there was a positive impact of public sector interventions to support Gaelic, with 70 per cent having heard the language in their homes on television or radio.
Soillsei project director Professor Lindsay Paterson, from Edinburgh University, said: “These results from the highly-respected Scottish Social Attitudes Survey show widespread support for Gaelic – probably much more extensively than is often supposed.”
John Angus MacKay, chief executive of Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig, added: “The results clearly indicate that a large majority of the Scottish population recognise that the Gaelic language and culture are an integral part of Scotland’s identity.”
www.scotsman.com
An tAos óg agus an Ghaeilge
May 13, 2013
Donncha Ó hÉallaithe moved from Dublin to Conamara 40 years ago. ‘It was Irish that lured me away from Dublin,’ he says in the current edition of beo.ie. But he continues: ‘But Irish has been greatly eroded since then …. Many young people are refusing to use Irish as their everyday language … They speak a strange mixture of English and Irish.’
And at the end of his article he asks: ‘What is the good of trying to save a language that has become so corrupted in the mouths of the last native speakers?’
It is obvious that the Irish of today’s speakers is not as rich as the Irish of the previous generation. But that can be said of any language. Ask a young English speaker what ‘replenishment’ means. Ask him what a wireless is. Everyday English vocabulary is now very limited. It is said that you can survive with 600 words in English. And I think you need only about one hundred words if you use the ‘f -’ word.
But why do young people give up Irish? Many don’t see it as a real language. We don’t even have a daily newspaper in Irish. You can get a job in the Civil Service, or a job as a teacher or as a guard with no Irish or with Irish that is not worth a damn.
Can Irish not be made realistic? Can the Dublin government not make bilingual labels and notices in shops compulsory, for instance? This is done in other countries. But on the other hand, we must remain hopeful.
Many children outside of the Gaeltacht are learning Irish. They use the language and they enjoy it. Education through Irish is going from strength to strength throughout the country except in the City of Culture and in Inis Eoghain, apparently. Numbers are low in the three Irish medium primary schools in Derry and the Gaelscoil in Buncrana is in danger. People around here should be asking themselves questions.
www.derryjournal.com
Leaders to give free talk on Gaelic in education
May 10, 2013
The heads of two Western Isles education institutions are to give a free talk on Gaelic in education.
Nicolson Institute rector Dr Frances Murray, and Lews Castle College UHI principal Iain Macmillan, will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with Gaelic in education. Topics will include the impact of the curriculum for excellence and community and partnership working.
The talk, which will be delivered at the Nicolson Institute later this month, is part of a series of free Gaelic lectures taking place this year. Organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands, the series marks the 60th anniversary of Lews Castle College UHI, a partner of the university.
Based on the theme of Gaelic in modern life, the lectures recognise Gaelic as an integral part of Scotland’s heritage and national identity. Head of BBC ALBA, Margaret Mary Murray, spoke about Gaelic media in Glasgow earlier this year and a lecture on Gaelic and publishing will take place in Benbecula in June.
The talks also tie in with courses offered by the university, which include degrees in Gaelic language and culture; Gaelic with education; Gaelic and development and a higher education certificate in Gaelic and communication. All of these courses are offered through Lews Castle College UHI.
Highlighting one of the areas he will speak about in the lecture, Iain Macmillan said: “We have been very successful at engaging learners in Gaelic language acquisition, but we are less successful at engaging people who have been brought up in Gaelic households or communities in developing their language skills for everyday use.
“People like myself are all too often intimidated when confronted with Gaelic learners who, as a result of their learning, have developed what appears to be a wider vocabulary and proper grammar. “We need to improve our confidence and willingness to use the language if it is to thrive in our communities.”
Dr Frances Murray added: “To ensure we consolidate the improvements made in Gaelic medium provision and before we can look to further expansion, we must be very clear about where the challenges lie.”
James Fraser, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, welcomed the lecture, saying: “We are delighted that Dr Frances Murray and Iain Macmillan are speaking as part of this lecture series.
“The University of the Highlands and Islands is spread across the Gàidhealtachd and aspires to be central to the maintenance and revival of the Gaelic Language. Lews Castle College UHI is vital to the university’s commitment to and aspirations for Gaelic.”
The Gaelic in education talk will take place from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday May 16th at the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway. Parts of the lecture will be delivered in Gaelic and there will also be simultaneous interpretation into English available through headphones.
To book a FREE place, contact the university’s events team on 01463 279 344 or at events@uhi.ac.uk
And to find out more about the university’s lecture series or Gaelic courses, visit www.uhi.ac.uk
www.stornowaygazette.co.uk
Mind your language
May 10, 2013
You reported on May 7 that those attending “fee-charging schools and those who receive an all-Irish education are most likely to go straight to college from school” and that “pupils attending schools in disadvantaged areas are most likely to drop out”.
However, you failed to note that Irish-speaking schools also operate in disadvantaged areas and, in these areas, provide far better results than the norm.
Also, if disadvantaged areas are stripped out, Irish-speaking schools also outperform fee-paying schools, which do not operate in disadvantaged areas.
Cllr C Enright
Downpatrick, Co Down
www.independent.ie
