News

Welcome to the new website of Cli Gaidhlig introducing Scottish Gaelic as a modern, 21st century European language.

Cli continues to represent and support Gaelic learners in ways relevant to a modern society that is proud of a rich cultural heritage.

The design of the new site features a Celtic sunrise (not a twilight) and showcases elements representing 21st century communications together with iconic images of today’s Scotland.

This deliberately challenges some pre-conceptions and promotes Scottish Gaelic as a language for now, and for the future.

Learner of the month

Wonder why people learn Gaelic?  and what people ? well here we will feature a short profile of one of Cli’s registered learners to help you share their experiences of learning the language.

 

 

 

Buy the first ever Gaelic Karaoke DVD

Are you Interested in the Gaelic Language or Gaelic Song?

If so, why not try out your talents with the new Gaelic Karaoke DVD "Seinn Thu Fhein!"

 

 

mygaelic.com

Learn about Gaelic: the language and its culture. Find help and advice on learning Gaelic. Start looking for your Gaelic roots. Meet, greet and make new friends. Contribute your writings, pictures and comments.

 

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DATES OF GAELIC DRAMA SUMMER SCHOOL 2010 PUBLISHED

1st February 2010

 

Between 5 and 16 July 2010 young Gaelic-speakers will get the opportunity to learn professional-level theatre skill in the company of some of the best actors in the Gaelic world.

The Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma, which is run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, will be held in Portree again this year. There will be 16 places on the course, which is open to any Gaelic-speaker aged between 14 and 18. Participants will stay in Portree High School Hostel, with classes taking place in Portree Primary School.

The Sgoil will be under the artistic direction of Artair Donald, who has gained fame as an actor both on stage and screen. He will be working with a talented group of tutors including Catrìona Lexy Campbell, Daibhidh Walker and Roddy Nicolson. Classes will include, voice, movement, creative classes, stage management and general acting skills.

Dougie Beck, the coordinator of the Sgoil, hopes that it will encourage both drama skills and a desire to progress with acting to higher levels: "The Sgoil was re-established in 2008 and since then over 30 young actors have attended. We are sure that this year's Sgoil will be just as busy. This is an exciting time for Gaelic drama – there is a lot going on in schools and community drama is starting to get back on its feet again. The Sgoil Shamhraidh is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to hone their acting skills."  

Participants are not required to contribute anything towards costs. Generous financial support has been received from Highlands and Island Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Everyone will be working towards a night of drama at 7.30pm, Thursday 15 July in Àros, Portree, and this will be open to the public. More information can be found at www.feisean.org or on 01463 225559.

More information and application forms can be obtained from Dougie Beck, the Sgoil Shamhraidh coordinator, on 01463 225559 or douglas@feisean.org. Application forms can be downloaded at www.feisean.org/downloads/SSD2010.pdf

 

 

KEY APPOINTMENTS TO EXTEND RESEARCH WITHIN GAELIC COMMUNITIES

19 January 2010 Recruitment of key staff for the major Gaelic research initiative, Soillse, has begun. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI is seeking to appoint a Research Professor and a Senior Project Manager to co-ordinate and support research on key issues including the use of Gaelic as a family and community language, policy and practice in Gaelic-medium education and the role of public policies in supporting Gaelic.  The initiative, the first of its kind for Gaelic, will establish a national network for Gaelic research and create new opportunities for study and research into the language and culture.  In addition to the two posts at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, 5 research fellows and nine PhD studentships will be established across the partner institutions, which include Lews Castle College UHI and the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.  Professor Boyd Robertson, Principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, said: “The Soillse initiative is a unique partnership which will extend research collaboration in Gaelic studies and draw on experienced gained in other research pools and internationally. It represents the largest ever investment in Gaelic-related research and is highly significant in that the contribution of the universities is matched by that of the Scottish Funding Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.” The Soillse programme will be led initially by eminent academic Professor Richard Johnstone who produced the influential report ‘The Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic-medium Primary Education in Scotland’, published in 1999. Professor Johnstone said: “A major aim in the initial period will be to disseminate information on what Soillse is, how it will function, what it will aim to achieve and who might participate in it.  There will be strong collaboration not only across the participating institutions and with the funding bodies, but also with distinguished international experts and above all with the Gaelic institutions, bodies, groups and communities of Scotland.”

BBC ALBA REVIEW - PUBLIC CONSULTATION

15 January 2010 Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s culture and identity and providing a sustainable future for the language in Scotland is a stated policy aim of the Scottish Government.  Significant progress has been made to enhance the status and sustainability of Gaelic, by expanding the provision of Gaelic medium education (GME), establishing BBC Alba and expanding Gaelic arts and publishing.   We are now concentrating on accelerating measures that will achieve an increase in the number of Gaelic speakers. Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes the BBC Trust’s support for Gaelic and firmly believes that radio, television and on-line Gaelic services have significant potential to advance the Bòrd’s own aims and to help realise the aspirations of the Gaelic community. BBC Alba has a vital role to play in relation to provision of opportunities to learn and use Gaelic, to enable its use in a range of employment sectors, to increase its visibility, supporting its status and providing impetus for continuing corpus development. The Bòrd believes that BBC Alba has, since its launch on 19 September 2008, achieved its stated aims of enhancing the service available to Gaelic speakers, the service for those learning the language and those that might wish to learn.  BBC Alba also offers a window on Gaelic language and culture to any who may be interested.  It reflects and supports Gaelic culture, identity and heritage in a positive manner.  By achieving a core audience in excess of 200,000 viewers per week it has quickly established its credentials and has significant support and brand awareness amongst the Scottish public.

 

Self-scan in Gaelic

Self service check-outs are no longer a stranger to supermarkets throughout the UK. However shoppers in Inverness have found fault with the machines at a local Marks and Spencers store. Consumers can choose between English, French, Polish, German Spanish and even Welch – but Gaelic is not an option!

Customers at Marks and Spencer can choose from a variety of European languages, yet not their own. M&S have stated that it is possible to have Gaelic as an option but it would depend on the demand from their shoppers.

 

New Funding Opportunity For Gaelic Learners

Fund - Cuideachadh Luchd Ionnsachaidh Ùra

Clì Gàidhlig is piloting a package of grant support for new users who wish to learn Gaelic. Clì Gàidhlig aims to support the increased use of Gaelic by raising the number of new users to the language. Clì aims to do this by facilitating attendance at Gaelic classes for those learners who are unable to do so at present due to lack of funding.

Under Clìù funding Clì Gàidhlig may offer support towards direct expenses incurred in the following areas:-

Childcare

Travel

Accommodation

Unsuccessful applicants for ILA assistance

Added costs incurred because of mobility/disability problems

A one-off set-up grant for new tutors of the language

 

Who can apply?

Applicants will normally be new to Gaelic learning, or lapsed elementary learners who wish to progress in their learning and usage of the language. Applicants must ensure that the Gaelic course they wish to attend is a properly constituted and registered.  The courses may be run by a local authority, local colleges, Clì Gàidhlig and other providers of Gaelic courses.

Applicants must also be over 16 years of age.

Applicants must be resident in Scotland.

 

How to apply

You must submit a fully completed application form which is available from Clì Gàidhlig’s office or on our web-site. Contact details as above.

 

Assistance will not be offered in retrospect.  Clì Gàidhlig must approve the application before commencement of any course. Only one offer of funding assistance can be offered in any one financial year.

There is a limited fund currently available and Clì Gàidhlig reserve the right to suspend applications when the fund is exhausted.  Clì Gàidhlig will be monitoring the scheme and will make changes as necessary to ensure fairness and accountability within the fund.

Clì Gàidhlig is grateful to Bòrd Na Gàidhlig, the national development agency for the promotion of Gaelic, for their financial contribution to this fund.

 

Contact Details

 

Seonag Anderson, Courses Manager of Clì Gàidhlig, Tel: 01463 226710, email seonag@cli.org.uk

 

Creating tomorrow’s Gaelic digital content

MG ALBA is embarking on an ambitious programme of continuing professional development for producers and freelancers working in the Gaelic television sector, to support the production of high quality Gaelic programmes for the TV schedules of the new Gaelic Digital Service, to be run in partnership by MG ALBA and the BBC. Read for full version.