GAELIC VERSION BELOW
First Minister Alex Salmond has personally invited Manx language teachers to the annual Gaelic teachers’ conference in Scotland as he continued to develop educational partnerships across these islands to help to protect indigenous languages.
During a visit to the Isle of Man this week, the First Minister asked teaching staff from Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, a primary school that teaches through the Manx language, to attend the conference in Aviemore in October and share the successful techniques that are helping to keep the island’s indigenous language alive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am0Jh72g3Jg{/youtube}
The First Minister also confirmed that a British Irish Council seminar will convene in Scotland later this year to discuss how legislation can help preserve indigenous, minority and lesser used languages.
Mr Salmond welcomed recent figures from Scotland’s Bòrd na Gàidhlig that show a 17 per cent increase in the number of children aged three to five attending Gaelic education; a six per cent increase in primary one intake and an increasing number of teachers qualified to teach in Gaelic schools.
According to research done by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, in 2012/2013 there were a total of 298 teachers qualified to teach Gaelic in Scotland – 193 in primary and 105 in high school, an increase from 189 primary teachers and 98 high school teachers in 2011/2012.
Mr Salmond said:
“Scotland is proud of its investment in indigenous languages and the Scottish Government is committed to protecting and preserving our heritage. The languages we hold dear are key to our culture and economy and we believe the different tongues and dialects enrich our nation.
“I am delighted that there is an increase in parental demand for Gaelic learning, with a 17 per cent increase in the number of children aged between three and five entering Gaelic schools. Scotland already has almost 2,500 children in Gaelic-Medium Education in primary schools.
“Minority language communities, wherever they are, have much in common and this gives us opportunities to learn from each other in areas such as learning and teaching, helping to strengthen the status and position of indigenous languages across these islands.
“As a result, I am delighted to be inviting Manx language teachers to Scotland for the Gaelic teachers’ conference later this year, offering an opportunity for professionals from both education systems to share learning experiences and techniques and form linguistic partnerships.
“I am also delighted to confirm that a British Irish council seminar will take place in Scotland later this year, which will discuss the importance of legislation in protecting and preserving indigenous languages.
“We will continue to share ties of language, culture and friendship. The Manx language is a close cousin of Scots Gaelic and I was fascinated to hear first-hand the similar sounds from the children at the school.”
Phil Gawne MHK, chair of the educational charity Mooinjer Veggey which provides the service on behalf of the Department of Education and Children, said:
“The Isle of Man is proud of its Gaelic heritage and strong cultural ties with Scotland. We received considerable advice and support from Gaelic education organisations in Scotland when we first established our school in 2001 and we continue to work closely with colleagues in Scotland.
“We are delighted that the First Minister has taken time to visit us. The children were pleased with the interest he showed in their school.”
Am Prìomh Mhinistear aig Sgoil Mhanainneach
Dealas làidir an Alba do mhion-chànain
Thug am Prìomh Mhinistear cuireadh pearsanta do thidsearan a’ chànain Mhanainnich tighinn gu co-labhairt bhliadhnail thidsearan Gàidhlig ann an Alba nuair a thadhail e air sgoil Mhanainneach an-diugh. Tha seo na phàirt de chom-pàirteachas foghlaim eadar na h-Eileanan airson mion-chànain a dhìon.
A’ tadhal aig Bunscoil Gaelgagh air Eilean Mhanainn, sgoil a bhios a’ teagasg tron chànan Mhanainneach, dh’iarr am Prìomh Mhinistear air luchd teagasg tighinn gu co-labhairt anns an Aghaidh Mhòr anns an Dàmhair. Bheir seo cothrom dhaibh dòighean obrach soirbheachail a tha a’ cumail a’ chànainn eileannach beò a shealltainn do thidsearan ann an Alba.
Dhearbh am Prìomh Mhinistear cuideachd gum bi co-chonaltradh Comhairle Breatainn-Èireann ann an Alba am bliadhna, a’ coimhead air mar a dh’fhaodas reachdas cuideachadh le mion-chànain, cànain dùthchasach agus cànain air am beag-chleachdadh a chumail beò.
Chur Mgr Salmond fàilte air na figearan bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a tha soillseachadh àrdachadh de 17% air an àireamh de chloinn eadar aois trì agus còig a tha a’ toiseachadh foghlam Gàidhlig am bliadhna agus 6% ann an clas 1. Tha cuideachd àrdachadh anns an àireamh de thidsearan a’ teagasg anns na sgoiltean seo.
A-rèir rannsachadh a rinn Bòrd na Gàidhlig, ann an 2012-13 bha 298 tidsear a’ teagasg Gàidhlig ann an Alba – 193 anns a’ bhun-sgoil agus 105 anns an àrd-sgoil, àrdachadh bho 189 sa bhùn-sgoil agus 98 san àrd-sgoil ann an 2011/12.
Thuirt Mgr Salmond:
“Ann an Alba, tha sinn air leth moiteil a thaobh na tha sinn air a dhèanamh airson ar mìon chànain agus tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba dealasach ar dualchas a dhìon ach am bi e seasmhach san àm ri teachd. Tha ar cànain aig cridhe ar cultar agus eaconamaidh agus tha sinn den bheachd gu bheil gach dualchainnt a’ neartachadh ar dùthaich.
“Tha mi uabhasach toilichte gu bheil iarrtas bho phàrantan a’ sìor fhàs airson Gàidhlig ionnsachadh, le àrdachadh de 17% anns an àireamh de chloinn eadar trì agus coig a tha a’ toiseachadh ann an foghlam Gàidhlig. Mar thà, tha cha mhòr 2,500 de chloinn ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann an bun-sgoiltean.
“Tha co-ionannachd eadar cànain dùthchasach agus mar sin tha cothroman againn uile ionnsachadh bho chèile ann an roinnean mar ionnsachadh agus teagasg, a’ brosnachadh inbhe agus suidheachadh mìon-chànain air feadh nan Eilean seo.
“’S ann le fìor thoileachas a tha mi a’ toirt cuireadh do thidsearan tighinn gu Alba airson co-labhairt aig deireadh na bliadhna. Bheir seo cothrom do dhaoine bhon dà shiostam foghlam tighinn còmhla tro cho-obrachadh agus com-pàirteachas.
“Cuideachd, tha mi toilichte dearbhadh gu bheil co-chonaltradh Comhairle Breatainn- Èireann bu bhith againn ann an Alba am bliadhna, a’ deasbad mar a cleachdas sinn reachdas airson ar cànain a chumail tèarainte agus seasmhach san àm ri teachd.
“Cùmaidh sinn oirnn le bhith ag obair còmhla a thaobh cànain, càirdeas agus cultar. Tha a’ chànan Mhanainneach gu math càirdeach dhan Ghàidhlig Albannach agus bha e iongantach cluinntinn dhomh fhèin cho coltach ’s a tha iad bho sgoilearan aig an sgoil.”
Thuirt Phil Gawne MHK, cathraiche den charthannas foghlamach Mooinjer Veggey, a bhios ag obair às leth Roinn an Fhoghlaim agus Clann:
“Tha Eilean Mhanainn moiteil às ar dualchas Gàidhlig agus na ceanglaichean againn le Alba. Fhuair sinn tòrr stiùireadh agus taic bho luchd an fhoghlaim ann an Alba an uair a stèidhich sinn ar sgoil ann an 2001 agus tha sinn fhathast ag obair gu dlùth an-diugh.
“Tha sinn fìor thoilichte gu bheil am Prìomh Mhinistear an seo còmhla rinn. Bha a’ chlann toilichte leis an ùidh a ghabh e anns an sgoil.”