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Gaelic Links Archive 2006 |
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28 November 06 Set against the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, which gives public bodies new opportunities and responsibilities to promote the use of the language, it became evident that local authorities and organisations across Scotland responsible for mapping required guidance on Gaelic names. The Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland (AÀA) is a partnership of public and voluntary bodies. Its purpose is to:
The Partnership includes Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comunn na Gàidhlig, CLÌ Gàidhlig, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Ordnance Survey, Scottish Place-Names Society and the UHI Millennium Institute. The partnership uses local knowledge, historical expertise and established principles to agree accurate forms of place-names. Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland produces guidance for trunk road and local authorities on standard Gaelic versions of road signs and street names to ensure consistent standards. A longer term intention is to establish an on-line resource, accessible to all, as a reference resource for place-names in Gaelic. Mr John Hutchison, Chairman of Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names said: "I'm delighted that we are now embarking on a new development phase as a formally constituted organisation. The partnership is working effectively, and I'm happy to announce that we have a number of developments planned leading up to the production of a national Gaelic gazetteer. "AÀA warmly welcomes the financial support it has received from, Argyll and Bute Council, Bord na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, also the financial support which we received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise as this assisted us to develop our business plan. "It gives me great pleasure to formally launch the website www.gaelicplacenames.org and information leaflet at the Scottish Parliament so close to our national day, St Andrews day. I hope that you will visit the AÀA website regularly and make use of the services offered, as it will be an invaluable educational tool and a treasure trove for Scotland's historical, environmental and linguistic heritage." Mr Hugh Buchanan Ordnance Survey External Relations Manager said, "Ordnance Survey are delighted to welcome the establishment of Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba Gaelic Place Names of Scotland as an authoritative forum for agreeing the modern use of Gaelic in place names. We are proud of our role in preserving the record of Gaelic in place names - one of the most visible uses of the language for many visitors to Scotland. We look forward to working with AÀA to continue this work, as we have done previously with the Gaelic Names Liaison Committee." Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Le bhith ga chur fa chomhair Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005, a tha a' toirt chothroman ùra agus a' cur dleastanas air buidhnean gus a bhith a' brosnachadh a' chànain, bha e follaiseach gun robh stiùireadh a thaobh ainmean Gàidhlig a dhìth air ùghdarrasan ionadail is buidhnean air feadh Alba le uallach airson mapadh. 'S e caidreachas de bhuidhnean poblach is saor-thoileach a th' ann an Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland (AÀA). 'S e an t-amas aca:
Tha an Caidreachas a' gabhail a-steach Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheil is Bhòid, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comunn na Gàidhlig, CLÌ Gàidhlig, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, Tomhas an Riaghaltais, Comann Ainmean Àite na h-Alba agus Institiùd Mìle Bliadhna UHI. Tha an caidreachas a' cleachdadh fiosrachadh ionadail, eòlas eachdraidheil agus prionnsabalan stèidhichte gus aontachadh air cruthan cearta nan ainmean àite. Tha Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland a' foillseachadh stiùireadh airson phrìomh ròidean agus ùghdarrasan ionadail air dreachd coitcheann shoighnichean rathaid is ainmean shràidean gus a bhith cinnteach gu bheil co-chothromachadh ann. 'S e an t-amas sa cheann fhada stòras a chruthachadh air-loidhne a bhios na ghoireas fiosrachaidh airson ainmean Gàidhlig agus air am bi cothrom aig a h-uile duine. Thuirt Mgr Iain Hutchison, Cathraiche Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names: "Tha mi uabhasach toilichte gu bheil sinn a-nis a' tòiseachadh air ìre leasachaidh ùr mar bhuidheann a tha stèidhte gu h-oifigeil. Tha an caidreachas ag obrachadh gu math agus tha mi toilichte a ràdh gu bheil corra leasachadh san amharc againn a bheir sinn a dh'ionnsaigh clàr-àitean nàiseanta Gàidhlig. "Tha AÀA a' cur fàilte air an taic airgid a fhuaradh bho Chomhairle Earra-Ghàidheil is Bhòid, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus, cuideachd, an taic airgid a fhuaradh bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean oir chuidich seo sinn le bhith a' leasachadh a' phlana gnìomhachais againn.
9 November 06 "Tha e a' toirt toileachas mòr dhomh a bhith a' cur na làraich-lìn www.gaelicplacenames.org agus a' bhileag fiosrachaidh, air bhog gu h-oifigeil aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba cho faisg air an latha nàiseanta againn, Latha an Naoimh Anndra. Tha min dòchas gun tadhail sibh tric air làrach-lìn AÀA agus gun dèan sibh feum dhe na seirbheisean a thathar a' tairgsinn. Bidh e na fhìor ghoireas foghlaim agus glè luachmhor do dhualchas na h-Alba a thaobh eachdraidh, àrainneachd agus cànan." Thuirt Mgr Ùisdean Bochanan, an Stiùiriche Dàimh aig Tomhas an Riaghaltais. "Tha Tomhas an Riaghaltais air leth toilichte gu bheil Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba Gaelic Place Names of Scotland ga stèidheachadh mar fhòram ùghdarrasail airson a bhith ag aontachadh air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an ainmean àite san latha an-diugh. Tha sinn moiteil gu bheil àite againn ann a bhith a' gleidheadh na Gàidhlig ann an ainmean àite - suidheachadh cho follaiseach 's a th' ann do luchd-turais ann an Alba a bhith a' faicinn a' chànain ga chur gu feum. Bidh sinn toilichte a bhith a' leantainn leis an obair seo còmhla ri AÀA, mar a rinn sinn roimhe còmhla ri Comataidh Ceangail nan Ainmean Gàidhlig." 20 October 06 In October 2002 The Highland Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia to develop strong cultural and linguistic ties between the Highlands, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. These links focus on cultural development, education, and tourism and they encourage exchanges of information joint ventures within these three areas. Since the signing, a number of high profile exchanges and ventures have involved both public and private sector interests, as well as volunteer and community-based organisations and institutions. Vice Convener of The Highland Council and Lochaber Councillor, Dr Michael Foxley said: "The Highland Council is delighted to host the Mod in 2007 which will be a very memorable occasion. From my first visit to Nova Scotia I recognised the unique and powerful connection that exists between the Gaelic speaking areas of Lochaber and Nova Scotia on the basis of a common language, a common culture, family ties and emigration. I am delighted that the Mod next year will celebrate these connections and provide more exciting opportunities to share our traditions and cultures." Mr Angus MacIssac, Minister Responsible for Gaelic Affairs for the Province of Nova Scotia said: "The hosting of the Royal National Mod in Lochaber in 2007 is of significant resonance to Nova Scotians. Many residents of mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island trace their ancestry back to the Lochaber area. In 2007, the Year of Highland Culture in Scotland, the mod will welcome Nova Scotians to participate in scheduled events that celebrate the common ties that bind our two regions - shared language, culture and kinship. An important focus of Nova Scotia's Office of Gaelic Affairs will be to foster these ties and seek out future development opportunities to participate in this signature Scottish event. Meallaibh ur naidheachd, O Lochabair is h-uile duine aig a' Mhod. Gun soibhich leibh uile gu leir." Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson said: "I am delighted that the Royal National Mod is returning to Lochaber in 2007, the year when Highland culture will be celebrated throughout Scotland. "The mod is a suberb event which brings together people of all ages to rejoice in Gaelic song and music, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to those visitors joining us from Nova Scotia and elsewhere. "It is encouraging to see so many people from across Scotland competing in Gaelic, and I hope the 2007 Mod will build on the success of previous years, in what promises to be a momentous year both for Highland culture and the Gaelic language." The Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Andy Anderson said: "We are really looking forward to a special Mod in 2007 especially as it will tie in with the remit of the Natiional Plan for Gaelic which we warmly welcome. The Highland Council was the first local authority to produce a Gaelic Language Plan in the spirit of the Gaelic Language Act and we look forward to working with An Comunn Gáidhealach to make this a memorable Highland 2007 Mod." 19 October 06 Chuir Sandy Cumming, Àrd-Oifigear Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, fàilte air an naidheachd, is e ag radh: "Tha sinn toilichte dha-rìreabh an naidheachd seo a chluinntinn, agus i ag innse mòran mu'n àite cudthromach a bhios aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ann a bhith cumail taic ri ath-nuadhachadh leantainneach a' chànain." "Tha a' Ghàidhlig na buannachd air leth airson na h-Alba is tha i na pairt shònraichte dhen an dualchas luachmhor a th'againn air a' Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan. Ged a tha sinn ag aithneachadh cho brisg agus a tha staid a' chànain, tha sinn a' toirt gealltanais gun tèid plana cànain a tha dàna is ùr-ghnàthaichte a chur air dòigh airson Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, a chuireas ris a' Ghàidhlig anns an àm ri tighinn agus a dhearbhas gun soirbhich leatha is gun fàs i mar chànan sa choimhearsnachd agus mar sheòl a bheireas leasachadh air an sgìre againn." Bho chionn ghoirid, chaidh Alasdair MacLeòid fhastadh
le Iomairt na Thuirt Alasdair: "Tha mi a' coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus comhla ri co-oibrichean an Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus anns na companaidhean iomairt ionadail, gus Plana Gàidhlig a chur an gnìomh; Plana Gàidhlig a chuireas ri Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig gus amasan a' Phlana a thoirt gu buil. "Tha Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd, agus Bòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd roimhe, air a bhith taiceil a thaobh na Gàidhlig agus tha sinn fhathast a' cumail taic ri leasachadh a' chànain agus a' chultar tro bhuidhnean mar Chomunn na Gàidhlig, Phròiseact nan Ealan agus Fhèisean nan Gàidheal. Feumaidh sinn a-nis barrachd leasachadh a dheanamh air àite na Gàidhlig taobh a-staigh Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus doigh obrachaidh ùr a chruthachadh gus aite tèarainte is seasmhach a ghleidheadh airson an Gàidhlig. A' bruidhinn gu pearsanta, thuirt Alasdair: "Is e Leòdhasach a th'annamsa. Is ged a chaidh mo rugadh is mo thogail an Baile Steòrnabhaigh, chur mi seachad mòran ùine an Arnol air An Taobh Siar còmhla ri teaghlach aig a bheil a' Ghàidhlig mar chiad chànan aca, is feadhainn eile dhen teaghlach aig nach robh mòran a bharrachd ach facal no dhà de Bheurla. 'S e smaoin dhuilich dha-rìreabh a th' ann a bhi smaoinich air an sgire againn gun a' Ghàidhlig, cànan mo theaghlaich is cànan mo shinnsearan, air bilean an t-sluaigh. Tha mi làn dùil mo dhìcheall a dhèanamh gus ar cànan a chumail beò mar chànan choimhearsnachdan agus mar phàirt de bheatha làthaireil muinntir na Gaidhealtachd is nan Eilean." HIE 'fàilte' to Bòrd na Gàidhlig announcement on
Gaelic plans HIE chief executive, Sandy Cumming, said: "We are delighted by this news. It indicates the particularly important role the HIE network will play in the continued regeneration of the language. "Gaelic is a tremendously valuable asset to Scotland and helps shape the distinctive culture we enjoy in the Highlands and Islands. Whilst we recognise the fragile position of the language, we are committed to implementing a bold and innovative language plan for the HIE network that will make a genuine contribution to the future of Gaelic and ensure that it continues to flourish and grow as a spoken community language and as a driver for the further development of our region." HIE recently appointed Alasdair MacLeòid as Gaelic policy manager with responsibility for developing and implementing a Gaelic Plan for the Network. Alasdair said: "I am very much looking forward to working alongside staff in Bòrd na Gàidhlig and with colleagues at HIE and throughout the local enterprise companies in implementing a Gaelic plan which will complement the National Plan for Gaelic and contribute to achieving its aims. "The HIE network and HIDB before it have a history of support for Gaelic and continue to invest in taking forward development of the culture and language through bodies such as Comunn na Gàidhlig, Pròiseact nan Ealan and Fèisean nan Gàidheal. It is important now that we raise the profile of Gaelic in the HIE network and create an operational culture which will help ensure a secure and sustainable future for Gaelic in the region. Alasdair spoke personally: "Having grown up in Lewis and having spent much of my time on the west-side of the island amongst family who speak Gaelic as their first language and with some who spoke Gaelic as their only language, it is a very sad and very sobering thought to imagine a time when Gaelic; the language of my family and my forebears is no longer spoken in our area. I am determined to play a part in ensuring our language thrives as a language of communities and as a part of the day to day lives of people living in the Highlands and Islands." 5 April 06 Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Select Committee, said: "We are delighted that the Festival will be held in the Highlands in 2007 especially in Skye. There is good quality, accommodation and facilities in the area. It is fitting that the Festival should return to the area during 2007 as it was last held in Skye in 1999. The Highland Council sees the Festival as an opportunity to celebrate Highland culture and language through media. "Next year there will be a Gaelic
digital channel which will offer "The Festival offers a good opportunity for people in the media industry to liaise, meet and recognise their achievements in production within an increasingly competitive market. The media is developing and entering a 'new' and interactive phase as communication is rapidly developing on the internet and digital broadcasting is taking its share of the global market." Maggie Cunningham, Chairman of the Celtic Film and Television Festival, said: "We are looking forward to running the Festival in Skye. We know that it will attract participants from across all sectors and genres in the different Countries. We are looking forward to working with the local agencies and groups in the area to create an exciting, vibrant and enjoyable festival which reflects the area." Robert Muir, Chief Executive of Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise, which is supporting the event, said: "It is clear from our visit that many of the delegates are very excited about coming to Skye next year. The Festival raises the profile of lesser used languages, contributes to the economy of the area, and is the perfect area and location to stimulate creativity, and inspiration for participants in the industry, as we have a strong arts base and the area is world renown for its beauty and the natural landscape. "The independent sector offers opportunities for job creation not only in the cities but in rural communities especially with the development of broadband, the role out of high speed broadband and the development of digital channels." 12 January 06 The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages was drawn up in 1992 by the Council of Europe to help promote Europe~s lesser used languages. The UK Government signed the Charter in 2000 and ratified it in 2001 in respect of Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic in Northern Ireland and Welsh. The Committee of Experts is responsible for carrying out monitoring. Its role is to examine the real situation of minority languages, to report to the Committee of Ministers on levels of compliance with the Charter, and, where appropriate, to encourage the Government to reach a higher level of commitment. The Council representatives, along with representatives from other Scottish Local Authorities, will travel to Edinburgh for the meeting on Monday 30 January 2006. Following the 2003 review of the UK's ~compliance with the Charter, the Committee made the following recommendations to the Governemnt in relation to Gaelic:
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