Gaelic

[alonzo-ny]

I never said it was about economics I said opportunity. Dutch is fine if thats what you want. Gaelic is fine if thats what you want. However, if it comes to teaching it in schools, we should be pushing these more beneficial languages as well as Gaelic and let the kids choose which. They should never be forced to learn it.

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by alonzo-ny

I never said it was about economics I said opportunity. Dutch is fine if thats what you want. Gaelic is fine if thats what you want. However, if it comes to teaching it in schools, we should be pushing these more beneficial languages as well as Gaelic and let the kids choose which. They should never be forced to learn it.

The above is more or less exactly what I feel, but what is the 'opportunity' that you speak of?

Do you agree with the studying of Scots litreature? I've read three books in Scots for advanced higher English, have you ever read a book in Gaelic? And you're talking about being forced? Could you tell me your surname?

By the way, I support the teaching of Scots, Gaelic and English in our schools.

[alonzo-ny]

I picked up connotations of having Gaelic classes in schools akin to the way Irish is taught. If you didnt have this in mind then I apologise for assuming so.

Opportunity as in living in a foreign country for a period of time, soaking up a different culture. Having live in America for 20 months or so I thoroughly enjoyed living in a different culture. Living in France or Germany or Italy etc would be even more amazing. Never mind the mental dexterity and self confidence it would give. It also opens up job opportunities, speaking a second language would not only impress employers but could get you in a exciting job with overseas companies.

I guess Im all for having kids have a choice of studying Gaelic, I just think the other languages should be encouraged more.

[alonzo-ny]

..

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by alonzo-ny

I picked up connotations of having Gaelic classes in schools akin to the way Irish is taught. If you didnt have this in mind then I apologise for assuming so.

Opportunity as in living in a foreign country for a period of time, soaking up a different culture. Having live in America for 20 months or so I thoroughly enjoyed living in a different culture. Living in France or Germany or Italy etc would be even more amazing. Never mind the mental dexterity and self confidence it would give. It also opens up job opportunities, speaking a second language would not only impress employers but could get you in a exciting job with overseas companies.

I guess Im all for having kids have a choice of studying Gaelic, I just think the other languages should be encouraged more.

My point is that the other languages are encouraged enough, Gaelic needs to be encouraged more and opened up to more people (as there is a strong demand for it). I feel that too much focus is placed on French if we're talking about economics, our biggest trade partner in Scotland is the Netherlands after all.

My sister lived in Italy for 3 years and can speak Italian better than most Italians, yet never recieved one lesson on the language while at school. Opportunity wise, higher or advanced higher level French is not going to get you very far in France, living in the country is the way to learn a language - why not help sustain Gaelic by making SQA Gaelic more accessible?

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by alonzo-ny

Yes I agree with studying Scottish literature. I dont know much about it (failed higher English twice :s I have a mind for maths).

My surname is O'Hare if you really want to know.

Could you imagine that litreature was not written in the Scots language? What a tragic loss that would be. Can you imagine not being able to say

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

This is the connection between language and culture, I hope you now see. For the record, Auld Lang Syne is the second most popular song in the world after Happy Birthday, apparently.

[alonzo-ny]

Ive got to say Im not big on Scots literature. Burns is anathema to me.

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by alonzo-ny

Ive got to say Im not big on Scots literature. Burns is anathema to me.

Regardless, you now see some of the critical links that exist between language and literature, as well as language and identity.

Read Hogg's "The Private Memories and Confessions of a Justified Sinner" might change your mind.

[kids]

Originally Posted by NorthLimitation

In the past, there was no main language of the lowlands, but there were large parts which spoke Gaelic (hence a huge number of settlements in the south having Gaelic name origins etc). There were also Gaelic communities (as there still are, some 30% of speakers live in Glasgow), especially because of the industrial revolution and the Highland Clearences. So it's not really a Highland language, it's a language for the whole of Scotland. Gaelic didn't fall out of use because it was pointless or out-dated, it was smothered and all the talk of this being the language's last chance, well I don't agree with that. I think this is Gaelic's first chance, because it's never been given the chance before.

Regardless of its geographical distribution, the majority of Scots' will have Gaelic speaking ancestors, those with Mac or Mc surnames being obvious.

Very tenuous. There was Gaelic settlement in England you know? My city also saw a lot (and I mean a lot) of Irish immigration in the 19th century. And as Pricemazda iterated, most people in Britain will have a mixed heritage - me included, I have Scottish and Irish family.. Is Gaelic a part of my heritage?

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by kids

Very tenuous. There was Gaelic settlement in England you know? My city also saw a lot (and I mean a lot) of Irish immigration in the 19th century. And as Pricemazda iterated, most people in Britain will have a mixed heritage - me included, I have Scottish and Irish family.. Is Gaelic a part of my heritage?

Very tenuous with you, as well. Yes, it is part of your heritage. There's English settlement in Spain, you know. "Most people will have mixed heritage", I hear this time and time again but I've never seen a source which states it. Your average Scot is still going to be ethnically different to the average English person, we should celebrate both our differences and our similarities. It's the biggots that make this such a taboo, those who are involved in sectarianism and the like.

But this really isn't about ethnicity, it's about culture!

[kids]

I don't want to deny Gaelic as a language of Britain, certainly I don't want to make it taboo, but what you're suggesting is that it is the language of Scotland (in place of English!) as if there should be one (in place of English!) - is this not a separatist attitude?

I love these differences you talk about. You know there are lots of differences within England too? Oh and in Scotland... Go on, have a pop, how is "Scotland" culturally Gaelic.

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by kids

I don't want to deny Gaelic as a language of Britain, certainly I don't want to make it taboo, but what you're suggesting is that it is the language of Scotland (in place of English!) as if there should be one (in place of English!) - is this not a separatist attitude?

I love these differences you talk about. You know there are lots of differences within England too? Oh and in Scotland... Go on, have a pop, how is "Scotland" culturally Gaelic.

Sorry if it came across that way, didn't mean it like that. Scottish culture isn't exclusively Gaelic, but a large amount of it is directly influenced by it; kilts, pipes, whisky, fiddle music, clarsach, hell even the romanticised image of the mountains etc. It is officially (check Wikipedia) the language of Scotland alongside English and Scots, as it should be.

[alonzo-ny]

Actually Gaelic and Scots are only recognised regional languages according to wikipedia. Gaelic has no place being an official language. Im pretty sure that would give the right for people to only speak Gaelic and that there would have to be a Gaelic speaker in every official capacity including schools to deal with them.

[NorthLimitation]

Originally Posted by alonzo-ny

Actually Gaelic and Scots are only recognised regional languages according to wikipedia. Gaelic has no place being an official language. Im pretty sure that would give the right for people to only speak Gaelic and that there would have to be a Gaelic speaker in every official capacity including schools to deal with them.

"Actually" what is your problem sadsacks? Since you've been here you seem to have held a cynical view in about 95% of your posts, lighten up. When I suggested people refer to Wikipedia I didn't suggest that you read one line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_...land)_Act_2005

Come on mate, smiley faces and all that

[NorthLimitation]

Just came across this article last night, coupled with the opening of Gaelic schools in Inverness, is Gaelic becoming more of a city language?

PUPIL numbers at Glasgow Gaelic School are at an all-time high.

But the popularity of the school has landed education bosses with a problem - they cannot find enough fluent Gaelic-speaking teachers.

This year the secondary school has around 62 students on the roll but next year that number is set to rise to 100.

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Over 70 children will enroll in the primary school next term.

Glasgow was the first council to provide a dedicated Gaelic secondary school, recognised nationally as a ground breaking approach.

Margaret Doran, executive director of education and social work, admitted the shortage would hit lessons.

She said: "This impacts on the curriculum we can offer and also on the opportunities for staff to attend in-service days and the school's ability to cover staff absence."

Education executive spokesman Gordon Matheson added: "We are delighted our Gaelic education service is so popular, with an increase in demand year on year.

"Next month the number of kids starting primary will be the largest ever.

"To meet this demand, the council has lots of Gaelic-speaking teachers, child development officers and other staff.

"There are shortages in this area nationally but we expect to be able to recruit qualified staff for any vacancies."

Cllr Matheson vowed to work with the Bord na Gaidhlig - an agency set up to secure the language's future - universities, the Gaelic management review group and the Scottish Government to recruit more teachers."

[heatonparkincakes]

Go maith!

Where is it in the city?

[NorthLimitation]

According to Google Maps, there are two?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...-8&sa=N&tab=wl

[M_Riaz]

Item 8 (46 Pages)

14th August 2009

DRAFT GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN 2009 to 2012

Purpose of Report:

In common with other public bodies across Scotland, the Council is required under the
Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to produce a Draft Gaelic Language Plan. We
must submit our Plan to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national body with responsibility
for advising and monitoring all Language Plans, by September 2009.
The first draft of our Gaelic Language Plan was put out to public consultation from
September to December 2008. We have now revised our Draft based on comments
received and on Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s most recent guidance and template on Language
Plans which we are obliged to follow.
Our Plan sets out the actions we will take, along with some partner organisations, to help
achieve the objectives of the National Plan for Gaelic to secure the status and future of
Gaelic as a living language in Scotland and as a distinctive aspect of our country’s
cultural heritage.

Recommendations:

The Executive Committee is asked to approve the Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2009 to
2012 for submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

[Fei Jie]

Putonghua is where its at for foreign languages.

[NorthLimitation]

Recent Changes:

- Push for Gaelic secondary school in Inverness. The Inverness Gaelic Primary School has nearly reached capacity after just 2 years, calling for an extension to the school.
"The school has a primary capacity of around 150 and currently has 126 pupils. But with around 30 seeking entry to P1 this year and next there is already pressure accommodation and two new classrooms planned."

- Plans to open all-Gaelic schools in Fort William, Tain, Portree and Alness.

Gaelic minister Michael Russell has announced £1.5m of government support, which will double the number of Scottish schools dedicated to teaching young people the language.