Monday 31 August 2009

Fajrego ĉe Kimra Kapelo en Pensilvanio


...de la Morning Call:

An historic church in Carbon County was heavily damaged in an early morning fire.Firefighters were called about 5:05 a.m. to the former Welsh Congregational Church in Lansford and arrived to find flames consuming the interior of the wood-framed building. They remained on scene for about five hours…
….The church has not been used for services since the 1930s, but the building is considered one of the Panther Valley's historic treasures.
It is the oldest Welsh church in the region, founded by coal miners who settled in the Ashton section of Lansford in the 1800s.
The building, constructed with land and lumber donated by Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co., was dedicated Dec. 26, 1850 as the Old Welsh Church.

It became the First Congregational Church of Ashton in 1854 and later the English Congregational Church of Lansford to reflect a change from Welsh to English language services.

Dr-o Mark Turin kaj la Kornvalalingvo


…de la Western Morning News:

More resources should be devoted to preserving traditional British languages such as Cornish, a University of Cambridge anthropologist has said.

Dr Mark Turin, a research associate in social anthropology, is heading up the World Oral Literature Project, which aims to create lasting records of traditional languages.

The project, in association with Cambridge University's Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, aims to capture the poetry, myths, stories and folk songs of ancient languages on a variety of media.


But although grants are being given to tribes and groups around the world, no money will be allocated to UK groups, although Dr Turin admits that along with Breton, Welsh and Gaelic, Cornish is a threatened language.

He said: "People often think it's often only tribal cultures that are under threat.


"But all over Europe there are pockets of traditional communities and speech forms that have become extinct.

"It is the domain of stronger nation states with better resources to look after their own indigenous tongues, through Welsh language TV and Breton literature.

"Given our small team, we are focusing on the indigenous people who do not have the funding to help themselves."…

Sunday 30 August 2009

Liam Carson


…de la Irish Indepent:

Irony' was how one friend described Declan Lynch's article on Irish, 'No surrender ever to the enemy within'. (Sunday Independent, August 23, 2009). I then showed it to my partner who thought it went well beyond the bounds of irony into the realms of gratuitous offence.

And offend it does.

Why? I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, with whom I speak Irish. For her, it is the language of affection and play. It is, therefore, disturbing to read Lynch's comments that "the majority of us cannot hear that language being spoken, in any context, without hearing some distant echo of physical and sexual and psychological abuse".

To respond with anger to Declan Lynch's article was an immediate impulse. I'd prefer, rather, to ask him why he uses hurtful and abusive language -- Irish is the "language of the enemy, of the abuser"; the "whine" of Irish; "children being tortured"; this "mad thing"; "bullshit"…

Saturday 29 August 2009

Aliri Justecon en Ambaŭ Oficialaj Lingvoj: La Kanada Sperto



I am delighted to be here with you this morning. I am particularly thankful to Janet Muller and to the organizing committee for inviting me to address you in Belfast, on my way to Dublin where I will take part in the Canadian Bar Association’s Canadian Legal Conference over the next few days. I have very fond memories of my first visit here in November 2006 at POBAL’s invitation, shortly after I was appointed Commissioner of Official Languages for Canada.

Today, I have been asked to speak about Canadian best practices in terms of linguistic equality in the administration of justice. Access to justice in both official languages in Canada is indeed a matter of prime importance. The right to use English and French before the courts reflects the profound will of Canadians across the country to live in a society in which dignity and respect for one another are key values.

Before I talk about our Canadian experience, however, I would like to mention that I have read the recent High Court’s ruling denying the right to use the Irish language before the Courts.

Mindful of the limits of my jurisdiction, I nevertheless wish to express that, on a personal level, I would have liked today’s meeting with you to have been under different circumstances—where I could have celebrated with you a ruling favouring and advancing the use of the Irish language in the administration of justice.

I certainly know from our experience in Canada that progress can sometimes be slow when trying to achieve such goals. This is particularly true in cases as fundamental and vital to a country as strengthening linguistic identity and defining rights for the use of minority languages in aspects of public life. I certainly appreciate the efforts of those who stood up to have their language rights recognized, and those who represented the Irish community as it took one step towards linguistic equality in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland...

Friday 28 August 2009

Krimbruligo ĉe Irlandalingvo Lernejo


…de la BBC:

Three mobile classrooms at an Irish language school in Castlewellan in County Down have been destroyed in an arson attack.

The alarm was raised at Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche at Circular Road shortly after 0400 BST on Friday.

It was reported that a mobile classroom was on fire. The scene is being examined to establish the exact cause of the blaze.

School principal Aedin Geary described the incident as "heartbreaking".

"We just got word on Monday that we had planning permission for our new school which is very near to where we are at the minute," she said.

"We were really delighted about that and looking forward to going back to school with the kids."

SDLP councillor Eamonn O'Neill, who is on the school's management committee, said he believed the fire was "malicious"....

Thursday 27 August 2009

Wlpan



…de New Wales:

A new and improved intensive University course designed to fast-track Welsh language learners will be launched next month throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The new Wlpan course which can be completed in just one year compared to four when studying a once a week beginners course, offers learners a speedy route to language proficiency.

The course, developed by the University’s Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre, offers learners the opportunity to gain skills in a variety of new and quicker ways.

Learners will be able to choose either to study in the classroom, twice or more every week; use blended learning where half is taught in class and half online as independent learning; or attend a summer course where they can complete the whole course in just eight weeks...

Irlandalingva Traduko kun Google


…de la Irish Times:

Irish speakers will from today have a useful online tool to translate web pages into their first language, with the expansion of Google’s Translate service to include Gaeilge.

Google has launched a full suite of translation tools in Irish.
The service can be used to translate specific web pages or text, as well as to search English web pages using Irish keywords.

The results can be translated from any of 51 other languages into Irish....

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Kornvala kaj la Censo



Campaigners are stepping up their bid to have Cornish listed as a nationality in the 2011 census.
Thousands have joined the crusade online while MPs and councillors have pledged to lobby the Government to ensure people from Cornwall do not have their identity "swept aside just because they are small in number".

Under current plans, there will be no tick-box for people responding to the census to say they are "Cornish". Instead, they will have to tick "other" and then write in their response.

Critics say the omission will mean many people who consider themselves to be Cornish will not realise they can do this, and instead select one of the other options: English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish or British.

In 2001, some 37,000 people recorded their nationality as Cornish, leading officials to assign the response a designated code for the first time…

…The issue of Cornish language and identity was "considered" by the Office of National Statistics but was "not included in the proposals for the 2011 census".

Robyn Lewis


…de la Daily Post:

A former archdruid has urged Assembly Ministers to ensure Welsh language television is available in all hotels in Wales.

Robyn Lewis of Nefyn said he has had several experiences of staying in hotels in Wales where S4C has not been available.

Until he complained during the recent Eisteddfod in Bala, he would not have been able to watch television highlights of the festival during the evening.

Mr Lewis said: “A number of us, Eisteddfodwyr all, stayed in a most comfortable hotel in the (Bala) area. Many of us, after a hard and enjoyable day on the Maes, like to relax and watch the Eisteddfod highlights on television in our rooms. But our hotel’s tv menu did not include S4C.

“When we asked for S4C we were told they’d not been asked to arrange it and that it couldn’t be done. We said that since we were in Wales it ought to be available as a matter of course. They apologised most graciously but we said we expected a substantial discount because of this inconvenience.

Mná Tí Abú!


…de Highland Security:

Donegal Mna Ti to take part in "Bord Snip" protest Aug 26, 7:46 am

Mna Ti from all over Donegal are expected to travel to Galway next week to take part in a national protest over the Bord Snip recommendations to cut funding for summer Irish colleges.

The protest is being organised by the Federation of Irish Summer Colleges who believe that the industry could be wiped out if the proposals were to be implemented.

Irish language organisation Conradh na Gaelige is calling on all those involved to show their support on Tuesday.

President of the organisation Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa says Mna Ti in Donegal are already struggling to house students on a slim budget and any further cuts would have a devastating result.

Angus MacNeil


…de Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba:

Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil has hit out at "crackpot bureaucracy" after being contacted by a constituent who had a job offer withdrawn at the last moment when European Commission officials realised she spoke Scottish Gaelic rather than Irish Gaelic - despite not needing either language for the job.Mr MacNeil’s constituent, Anne-Margaret Stewart, was offered a traineeship as fisheries socio-economist with the European Commission Research Centre after demonstrating she could speak two languages, but was contacted just weeks before her start date when HR officials realised she was Scottish and not Irish.

The job offer was withdrawn – despite the fact that the post only required communication in English….

…"I will be in touch with my SNP colleagues in the European Parliament and the European and Irish authorities to see if there is a way through the current impasse that would help Ms Stewart take up the post she is eminently qualified for."

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Departemento de Agrikulturo kaj Kampara Evoluigo


…de la News Letter:

An email from one of the Stormont Irish translators reveals that he did not understand what one of the Department of Agriculture's (DARD) top achievements meant.

The department had boasted that it was “Growing rural communities”.

But the translator said in an email: “I was unsure what exactly was meant by this phrase and, because of the urgency, had no time to enquire. I have, therefore, offered two translations:

“1. Pobail tuaithe atá ag méadú (Rural communities which are growing)

“2. Ag méadú pobal tuaithe. (Acting to expand rural communities).”

No official explanation has been offered for the decision not to proceed with the magazine...

Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis


…de la Inverness Courier:

Inverness’s Gaelic primary is bucking the national trend of falling school rolls and is planning for expansion just two years after opening its doors.

Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis at Inshes has started the new term with 126 pupils and expects to reach its 150 capacity next year.

Acting headteacher Kirsteen Wells believes its success is not just down to a growing interest in Gaelic culture and heritage.


"Even more so, parents are aware of the benefits of bilingualism and are very keen for their children to be fluent in two languages before heading to secondary school," she said...

Financoj por Skotgaela Edukado


…de STV:

Gaelic education in the Highlands received a massive boost today with the announcement that the Scottish Government is to invest £1.5million to increase provision in the area.

Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell was at the Gaelic primary school in Inverness this morning to make the announcement.

The school, which opened two years ago, is already facing expansion as demand for places is so high.

The area's local authority says its not just pupils who are interested in learning the language and the investment will also benefit other parts of the region.

Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell said: "Clearly it’s something that has tremendous resonance for parents and for children and equips children very well for the modern world.”...

Monday 24 August 2009

Múin-Isteach: Instruricevito pri Lingvaj Rajtoj



Join the Irish American Unity Conference and the Brehon Law Society at a special event at NYU's Glucksman Ireland House on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Our featured speaker for the evening will be Belfast solicitor Michael Flanigan, who recently challenged the contorversial 1737 ban on the use of Irish in the courts.
.
Other highlights for the evening include remarks by Domhnall O'Cathain of the Brehon Law Society, Mike Breen, IAUC board member and Director of Mary's Gift Irish Language Foundation, and a special video welcome from Pobal, the Belfast-based umbrella organization for the Irish speaking community.

The event is free and open to the public, and will begin promptly at 7:30pm. Please check back for updates concerning a possible reception before the engagement.

Éirigí, Aliaj Politikaj Partioj kaj la Irlandalingvo


…de Slugger O’Toole:

Éirígí, the new kids on the republican block have been in the mouths of the people, or at least in the mouths of political nerds for a few weeks now. I know that in Belfast that they have attracted a fair scattering of younger Irish speakers but I wonder what impact they will have on the wider organisation?


Section 3.5. of Éirígí‘s constitution, also available in Irish on their website states .. To promote the revival of widespread, everyday usage of the Irish language across Ireland, and to encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role of Irish culture in contemporary Ireland.

That is pretty standard stuff. No radicalism. No imagination.

In my experience the republican socialists in Dublin are perhaps one of the more alienated from the Irish language of the political viewpoints described as republican, will this provide a source of tension in the future? I predict it will…..

[* Interesa diskuto!]

Declan Lynch


…de la Irish Independent:

Listening to a debate on the Irish language on the Pat Kenny radio show the other day, it struck me that we aren't giving ourselves enough credit here.

Because when you think about it, our resistance to the Irish language, and everything associated with it, can only be regarded as heroic.

Truly inspiring.

In fact, it is almost beyond human comprehension that we have held out so steadfastly against it, given the odds that were stacked against us. They say that Mandarin Chinese is one of the most difficult languages to learn. Yet if any of us had been taught Mandarin Chinese for an hour a day, five days a week, for about 14 years, it would be inconceivable that we would emerge from that with almost no ability to speak Mandarin Chinese, or to write it, and no desire to acknowledge its existence in any way.

Yet for generations, in vast numbers, we Irish have managed to do that in relation to our "first" language. Our resistance has not wavered in any way -- if anything, we grow more resolute.

How do we do it? How do we keep hating the Irish language with such integrity?

Because let us dispense with the usual pretences here, the pious aspirations, the lies. And let us talk about this hatred of ours, this deep and implacable hatred which we feel towards the native tongue....

Friday 21 August 2009

Michael D Jones a’i Wladfa Gymreig


...de la Western Mail:

He inspired a generation of Welsh nationalists and without him the Mimosa would never have sailed to Patagonia.

But Michael D Jones is still regarded by many as a footnote in Wales’ national narrative.

A new book aims to put the 19th-century minister and colonist back in the spotlight, bringing together for the first time a collection of essays about the man who sacrificed his future and, ultimately, his family in pursuit of a Welsh utopia.

Dr Wyn James is a co-director at Cardiff University’s Centre for Welsh American Studies. He compiled the book with his fellow director, Dr Bill Jones.

Together, the essays mark years of research into the much-debated and argumentative minister, who had a key influence on the forerunners of modern Welsh nationalism, Emrys ap Iwan and OM Edwards...

Thursday 20 August 2009

Maigh Eo Abú!


…de la Mayo Advertiser:

Mayo County Council is currently looking for your views on the range of Irish language services provided in the county now, and in the future.

It is asking the public to complete a survey regarding the Irish language services provided by the council.

The survey only take five minutes to complete.

Full details can be had by contacting Oonagh Kelleher, Oifigeach Forbartha na Gaeilge, Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo, telephone 094 904 7541/087 697 2922, e-mail
okelleher@mayococo.ie.

Feis an Eilein


…de la Cape Breton Post:

Feis an Eilein, a six-day festival celebrating the traditions and culture of the Gaelic people and the songs, dance and milling frolics is in full swing, with most events taking place at the Christmas Island fire hall.

The
Feis is an opportunity for local residents and visitors alike to develop skills in the Gaelic language and listen to traditional music on a wide range of instruments.

“We are getting excellent numbers for our classes with students of all ages,” said Debi MacNeil, co-chair of this year’s event with Beth MacNeil. “We’re drawing good crowds for all our events.”

MacNeil said the combination of language and song is what makes the Feis work.

“It all revolves around having fun, that’s why we’ve been here for 19 years,” she said. “We have instructors who started off coming to day camps and are now teaching at the Feis. Instructor Meagan O’Handley will be teaching Gaelic at our local school. They’re proof that Gaelic is alive and well in Cape Breton.”...

Wednesday 19 August 2009

La Manksalingvo Vivas!


…de isleofman.com:

The global cultural body UNESCO has agreed to change its classification of the Manx Gaelic language as ‘extinct’ following protests from the Island led by Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK.

The 2009 edition of the organisation’s Atlas of World Languages in Danger listed Manx as effectively dead, prompting a letter from the Chief Minister setting out the various reasons why the language should not be so regarded….

…The Chief Minister’s Office has now received a letter from UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, accepting the points made on behalf of Manx and confirming that its classification will be changed from ‘extinct’ to ‘critically endangered’, with an indication that it is in the process of revitalisation...

Osian Jones Kondamnita al Malliberejo



Cafodd Osian Jones, trefnydd Cymdeithas yr Iaith yn y gogledd, ddedfryd o fis o garchar wedi ei ohirio gan Lys Ynadon Pwllheli heddiw, am greu difrod troseddol i eiddo siopau PC World a Matalan ym Mangor, wedi iddo godi sticeri a phosteri ar y siopau ym mis Mai, yn galw am Fesur Iaith cyflawn sy'n cynnwys y sector breifat, ac yn cyfathrebu'r neges fod y Gorchymyn Iaith fel y mae yn rhy gul, ac yn rhwystro ffordd pobl Cymru at eu hawliau i'r Gymraeg.

Roedd y diffynnydd wedi gofyn i'r Ynadon i roi rhyddhad iddo yn hytrach na dirwy er mwyn dangos eu dirmyg at ymddygiad y ddwy siop fawr, sy'n gwrthod darparu gwasanaethau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg i'w cwsmeriaid.

Penderfynodd Ynadon Pwllheli roi rhyddhad amodol iddo, a gorchymynnwyd iddo dalu £200 o gostau Llys am y gwrandawiad heddiw, ond dywedodd Osian wrth yr Ynadon na fyddai'n talu unrhyw ddirwy na chostau. O ganlyniad rhoddodd yr Ynadon 28 diwrnod o garchar iddo os na fyddai'n talu o fewn 28 diwrnod gostau heddiw a hefyd dirywion am ei weithredoedd blaenorol yn yr un ymgyrch, sy'n dod i gyfanswm o £1,100...

Ne Diru al Glenn Beck!



NHS Highland was accused yesterday of trying to bring in a bilingual policy by the back door.
According to far north Highland councillor John Rosie the health authority’s newly-launched consultation on proposals for the promotion of Gaelic is a sham.

He has hit out at the cost as a misuse of public funds which would otherwise be spent on patient care.

NHS Highland has been given until the end of the year by Bord na Gaidhlig to prepare a Gaelic language plan.

The draft plan envisages bilingual signs erected outside and inside hospitals and community health centres and the language being promoted in stationary, vehicle livery and advertising and at public meetings hosted by the board.
Staff would be encouraged to learn Gaelic and those who already have the language would wear badges to advertise the fact.

Mr Rosie, a former long-serving member of the health board, claimed yesterday the new policy was unnecessary and unwanted...

Dic Yr Hendre


…de la Western Mail:

Tributes were last night paid to the Archdruid of Wales, distinguished Cardiganshire farmer poet Dic Jones, who has died at the age of 75.

He became the Archdruid, the presiding official at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, in 2008, but illness prevented him taking part in this year’s event in Bala.

The Recorder of the Gorsedd of Bards, John Gwilym Jones, said yesterday that in his opinion Dic Jones was the greatest of the Anglo-Welsh and Welsh language poets.

He added it was “a tragedy” that Mr Jones had only been able to act as Archdruid for around a year...

Tuesday 18 August 2009

La Usona Revolucio kaj la Irlandalingvo


...de la Irish Emigrant:

On Sunday, August 30, the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee will hold its Annual Commemorations at the Green-Wood Cemetery in conjunction with the 233rd Anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn and the American Revolutionary War. For the past 30 years, the event has celebrated the intertwined histories of Ireland and America through honoring the anniversary of the battle...

…The Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island, was not only the first major battle in the American Revolution to succeed the Declaration of Independence, but also the largest battle to take place during the war. Having defeated the Redcoats at the Siege of Boston in March of 1776, General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, moved his troops to New York City, the British army’s anticipated target….

…..According to Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty! The American Revolution, it is estimated that between 1/4 and 1/3 of the American Continental Army was composed of Irish and Irish-American soldiers. That included nearly 1,500 officers of Irish ancestry, among them 22 generals and more than a dozen sea captains. When delivering a post-war synopsis to Parliament on the reasons why England lost, Lord Mountjoy said, "America was lost through the Irish immigrants...I have been assured on the best authority that the Irish language was commonly spoke in the America ranks."….

Saturday 15 August 2009

La SDLP kaj la Irlandalingvo



Spreaking at the Pobal organised meeting on the 1737 Justice Act, Pól Ó Ceallacháin of the SDLP, speaking on behalf of Mark Durkin the SDLP leader, promised action on the question of the 1737 Justice Act.
.
The act, which has bee described by lawyers and historian Eamon Phoenix as a 'penal law' effectively bans the Irish language from courts in the North.

Mr Ó Ceallacháin informed the well attended meeting that should the appeal following the recent 'Mac Giolla Catháin case' fail, then the SDLP is committed to introducing a bill in the assembly on the issue.
.
As policing and justice is a reserved matter, it is difficult to see how the SDLP's bill would operate, however it would clearly be widely welcomed by Irish speakers.

Janet Muller of Pobal suggested at the meeting that the most sensible course of action for the British government would be to quietly drop the Act at the earliest opportunity.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Bairbre de Brún


…de Sinn Féin:
.
Tá Feisire Eorpach de chuid Sinn Féin, Bairbre de Brún, ag éileamh go n-aisghairfí Acht 1737 Riar na Córa a chuireann cosc ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna.

Dúirt an Feisire de Brún:

“Nuair a rinne POBAL amach anuraidh tacú le
Caoimhín Mac Giolla Chatháin, an Gaeilgeoir agus ceoltóir clúiteach, ó Ghaeltacht Bhóthar Seoigh leis an Athbhreithniú Breithiúnach á ghlacadh, chuir mé féin ráiteas amach ag cur fáilte leis an dúshlán.

"
Chaill Caoimhín an cás, ach ní bheidh deireadh leis an scéal ansin.

"Dé Sathairn 15 Lúnasa, san Óstán Europa i mBéal Feirste, beidh POBAL ag reáchtáil
comhdhála le tacaíocht idirnáisiúnta ón Choimisinéir Cheanadach na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, Graham Fraser.

"Tá sé dochreidte dom go bhfuil rialtas na Breataine go fóill ag cosaint an iarsma coilíneachais go seasmhach sna cúirteanna 9 mbliana i ndiaidh dóibh síniú suas don Chairt Eorpach ar Mhionteangacha. Cuireann
an dlí seo cosc ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna sa tuaisceart.

"Ag an am céanna, déantar freastal ar theangacha mionlacha eitneacha ar bhonn laethúil i gcúirteanna anseo, rud is ceart agus cóir.

"Sa Bhreatain Bheag, tá an ceart ag Breatnaiseoirí an Bhreatnais a úsáid in imeachtaí gach cineál cúirte ó 1942.

"In Albain, cluintear an Ghàidhlig ar bhonn laethúil sna cúirteanna má iarrtar í.

"Caithfidh Rialtas na Breataine lánchosaintí dlíthiúla a chur in áit don Ghaeilge sa tuaisceart le creatlach a fhorbairt d’úsáid na Gaeilge i gcúrsaí uile na beatha, na cúirteanna san áireamh.”

La Eklezio, Naciaj Lernejoj kaj la Irlandalingvo


...de Pastro Brendan Duggan, CSSR en la Irish Emigrant:

In 1831 the British Government set up the National School System in Britain and Ireland.

Each morning before class began all the children had to recite the following prayer; "I THANK THE GOODNESS AND THE GRACE THAT ON MY BIRTH HAVE SMILED AND MADE ME IN THESE CHRISTIAN DAYS A HAPPY ENGLISH CHILD."

This 'Prayer" composed by Protestant Archbishop Whately of Dublin, after passing the 1831 National Schools Act, was in every classroom in poster form and was recited by all Irish pupils in every national school.

Parish priests managed the Catholic schools, and Ministers managed the Protestant Schools. Some teachers avoided saying the prayer as often as they could but the practice persisted to the end on the 19th Century.

Of course this school system was through English, which helped to leave us " gan tir gan teanga" (without a country, without a language). The National School System helped to effectively wipe out the Irish Language. We now are regretting our loss.

The Catholic Church was one of the agents responsible...

Peticio por Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge


Iarraimidne, saoránaigh de chuid na hÉireann a bhfuil ár n-ainm leis seo, ar ár dTaoiseach Brian Ó Comhain tacaíocht agus cosaint a thabhairt do ghluaiseacht na gColáistí Gaeilge trí Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge a chaomhnú...
.
Ni, la mal, civitanoj de la Irlanda Respubliko, alvok nia Taoiseach Brian Cowen promesi protekti kaj subteno la estonteco de Irlandalingvaj Kolegioj tra la konservo de Scéim bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge…
.
*** Klaku ĉi tie signi la peticion. / Gliogáil anseo chuige an achainí a shíniú.

La Nor-Amerika Irlandalingvujo


…de la Napanee Guide:

A handful of enthusiasts are gathering near Erinsville this week to explore Irish language and culture.

Teachers and students pitched tents on Sunday night 20 minutes north of Napanee at the Gaeltacht in Erinsville, a 60-acre property that has been officially designated by the Irish government as an Irish-speaking region. It is the first of its kind in North America.

Sheila Scott has been involved with the project since its inception in 2007. Though she is pleased with the course of events, she hopes that the immersion week will continue to grow each year.

“We want this to be very welcoming to anybody who might want to participate,” says Scott. “The township has really embraced the idea of this place, and we want as many people in the area as possible to be involved, and we want to give back to the community.”


Participants will come and go throughout the week, some staying for the whole event and others spending as little as a day or two. Whatever length of time chosen, the event promises exposure to some fascinating Irish arts, such as dancing, pottery, stained glass, story telling, singing and various other music workshops, and of course instruction in the Irish language...
.
[*** Sheila estas membro kaj Vicprezidanto de la Nordamerika Asocio de Keltalingvaj Instruistoj. ..Ŝi prezentis paperojn ĉe niaj Konferencoj.]

Leicester, Belfasto kaj Strasburgo


...de la blogo, From the Balcony, de Máirtín Ó Muilleoir:

We are getting a chief constable from Leicester, England, which, in a toss-up, is probably better than a former RUC officer (though no doubt we'll be subjected to the white man's burden/bringing civilization to the colonies approach we also got from Orde).

However, hopefully someone will ask him sharpish about his attitude to Irish speakers — Leicester of course has large ethnic minorities (in fact, they're probably ethnic majorities by now) so one hope English liberalism travels.

What we do know about Leicestershire police is that they're way behind their targets for recruiting the ethnic minorities they police (not just as unreflective as the PSNI is in mirroring the community of West Belfast, strongest Irish speaking community in the country but policed by not one single Irish speaker). Only 6 per cent of the force comes from an ethnic minority background, the target is 15 per cent.

Of course, there are other tests of the new guy's integrity: will he for example follow Orde's lead in blocking families from finding out the truth about the murder of their loved ones by the security farces?

Meanwhile, the battle to repeal the
Last Penal Law — the ban on Irish in the courts — continues apace with an appeal to the Caoimhín Mac Giolla Cathain court challenge to be submitted this week. What we need is for the Brehon Law Society in the US to adopt this case — their representative Domhnall O'Cathain attended the last hearing — and to make it a cause celebre in the States.

CELT



…de la Holyhead Anglesey Mail:

Popular Welsh language band Celt have announced that all proceeds from their newly-released CD will be given away to charity.

The Bethesda-based group released the album, Cash is King, on August 1and it is a recording of the band's performance at last year's Sesiwn Fawr in Dolgellau.


The profits from the sales of the CD will then be donated to Sesiwn Fawr to try and help the festival pay off its debts.

Steven Bolton, who sings with the Celt said: "The band feels Sesiwn Fawr has always looked after them. The slot they were given in 2008, as the headlining Welsh language band, gave them their best gig so far, so paying back some of that gratitude seemed to be the obvious thing to do.

"We didn't think twice about donating all the proceeds to help out Sesiwn Fawr...

Irlandalingvaj kaj Kimralingvaj Poŝtelefonoj


…de Inside Ireland:

Samsung has launched the world’s first Welsh language mobile phone, inspired by the success of its 'Gael Fón' in Ireland

The company, in partnership with operator Orange, will make its S5600 mobile phone available in Wales from 1 September. The phone offers all options in Welsh as well as predictive texting in the Celtic language

“This is another first for Samsung Mobile following the launch of the Irish language phone in 2008," Samsung vice president for UK and Ireland, Mark Mitchinson, said.

"That was enormously successful. The appetite is definitely there and we’re extremely proud and deeply honoured to be part of this ground-breaking initiative."

Samsung launched its Irish language enabled Tocco phone last year and has said it will include the 'Gael Fón' option on all new mobiles it launches in Ireland...

Pli Studentoj Forlas Irlandalingvan Ekzamenon



Irish has dropped further in the Leaving Certificate popularity stakes.

At least one in five candidates did not sit the exam in the national language in June, according to 2009 statistics.

More and more students are abandoning study of the subject -- or failing to taking the paper on the day.

This year the proportion of Leaving Cert candidates taking Irish dipped below 80pc for the first time

However, there was a slight increase in the proportion taking the subject at higher level when compared to 2008.

Unless an exemption is granted, study of Irish is mandatory at school but there is no requirement to sit the exam.

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Konferenco ĉe la NovJorka Irlanda Centro


…de la la NovJorka Irlanda Centro:

Much to our delight, we hosted a wonderful three day conference of Celtic Language speaking Teachers and Students from all over the US, Canada, Scotland, & Ireland.

We also had people speaking Cornish, Breton and Manx in the mix.

It was very interesting to hear the different dialects speaking together and to hear of the various styles of teaching that works in various settings.

We had a great write-up in the Irish Voice by the organizer who wrote a lovely
letter to the Editor in the May 27th issue.

Each year the conference is held in a different country, mostly alternating between the US and Canada, but the fifth year the Association goes over to Europe.

We believe next year it may be held in Scotland. More information can be found at
http://www.naaclt.org.
.

Graham Fraser


...de Pobal:

Faoi Acht 1737 um Riar na Córa (Teanga)(Éireann) tá cosc iomlán go fóill ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna ó thuaidh.

I mí Iúil 2009, chuaigh na Gaeil chuig an Ard-Chúirt le dúshlán a chur roimh an sean dlí seo ach theip ar an chás.

Beidh seans ag daoine cluinstin faoin chás agus na chéad chéimeanna eile.

Le tacú leis an ócáid [Satharn 15ú Lúnasa ar 10.45 rn, in Ostán Europa, Béal Feirste] mar aoíchainteoir speisialta ar an chóras cúirte i gCeanada, beidh Coimisinéir Ceanadach na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, An tUas. Graham Fraser....

Meggan Lloyd Prys


...de la BBC:

A teacher from Ohio in the USA has been named as the Welsh Learner of the Year for 2009.

Meggan Lloyd Prys was awarded the prestigious title on Wednesday by judges at the National Eisteddfod in Bala, Gwynedd.


The 29-year-old says she started learning the language the day she arrived in Wales, three years ago.

She now works as a classroom assistant on Anglesey, putting her language skills to the test every day.

Mrs Lloyd Prys was the only overseas finalist in the event this year, along with three others, all from England.

She came to Wales after meeting her husband-to-be Cynog while studying in America.

But after setting up home at Rhiwlas, near Bangor, she set herself the challenge of taking her wedding vows in Welsh - less than a month later...

[*** Meggan estas membro de la Nordamerika Asocio de Keltalingvaj Instruistoj. ..Ŝi prezentis paperojn ĉe niaj Konferencoj.]

Monday 3 August 2009

Onklo Sam


...de la News Journal:


Uncle Sam Day was adopted by Congress in 1989 and is recognized on Sept. 13. Two theories surround the origin of this holiday. According to Matthew's site.
The first points to a man names Sam Wilson, who was refered to as "Uncle Sam" duing the War of 1812 after he brought soldiers barrels of meat. Congress issued a resolution recognizing and established a monument in his hometown of Troy, N.Y.

The second theory says that in Irish immigrant native language of Gaelic, the United States of America is translated as "Stait Aontaithe Mheiricea" or "SAM".