AM BAILE MÓR ANTIGONISH

155 A’ Phrìomh Shràid, 2na Ùrlar

Am Baile Mór, Alba Nuadh B2G 2B6

155 Main Street 2nd Floor Antigonish, NS B2G 2B6

Fón: (902) 863 7578 Facs: (902) 863 7428

MÀBU - MABOU

Bocsa a' Phuist 261 Màbu, Alba Nuadh

B0E 1X0 11485 Highway 19

PO Box 261 Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

Fón: (902) 945-2114 Facs: (902) 945-2628

HALAFACS - HALIFAX Togalach Johnston, Ùrlar 1d

1672 Sràid Ghranville Bocsa a’ Phuist 186

Halafacs, Alba Nuadh B3J 2N2 Johnston Building, 1st Floor

1672 Granville Street, PO Box 186

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2N2 Fón : (902) 424-4298 Facs: (902) 424-0171

Fall 2010 Volume 2, Issue 4 Misneach

Ràitheachan Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig, Alba Nuadh A quarterly publication of the

Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs

Am Foghar 2010

Leabhar 2, Àireamh 4

www.gov.ns.ca/oga Toll Free: 1-888-842-3542

Tidsear Ùr na Gàidhlig ann a’ Cill-Rìmhinn

New Gaelic Teacher in St. Andrew’s

Steasag Nic’Illeathain - Stacey MacLean A’ leantainn air naidheachd foghlam na Gàidhlig ann a’ sgoiltean na h-Albann Nuaidhe (Misneach an t-samhraidh, 2010), ’s ann le toileachas mór a tha sinn a’ cur fàilt’ air Steasag Nic’Illeathain is i a’ togail oirre a dreuchd mar thidsear na Gàidhlig aig Bun-sgoil Chruinnichte Naoimh Anndra, Cill Rìmhinn, Siorramachd Antaiginis. Rugadh Steasag ann a’ Suidnidh, Ceap Breatainn, ach ghluais an teaghlach gu Dartmouth air tìr-mór na roinne nuair a bha i trì bliadhn’ a dh’aois. Ach bha an dithis sheanmhairean, aig an robh a’ Ghàidhlig, a’ fuireachd còmhla riutha; agus bha buaidh a seanmhar air taobh a mathar gu sònraichte air Steasag : “Bha i math gu seinn is uamhasach measail air ceòl……’s ann ás deoghaidh dhi bàs ’fhaighinn a thog mi suim anns a’ chànain”. B’ ann á Eige, Mùideart is Mórar a thàinig cuideachd na seanmhar seo; thàinig cuid eile de shinnsearan Steasaig á Gleann Urchadain is taobh Inbhirnis (Alba), Barraidh, Beinn na Faoghla, Siorramachd Pheairt is Éirinn. Ann a’ 1996, thog Steasag oirre dhan t-seann dùthaich agus gu Sabhal Mór Òstaig far an robh na clasaichean uile gu léir anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Ach mar a thuirt Steasag: “Bha suim agam a’s a h-uile sgath is cha b’ fhada gus an robh e ’na dharna nàdar dhomh rudan acadaimigeach a dhèanamh anns a’ Ghàidhlig”. Tha i a’ toirt creideis cuideachd a thaobh a cuid Gàidhlig do dhaoine ann a’ Bearnaraigh na Hearadh a bha “mar theaghlach” dhi. Ás déidh dhi Beurla a theagasg ann a’ Corea gus an cruinnicheadh i airgead a dh’aona ghnothach a dhol air ais a dh’ Albainn agus a teisteanas ’fhaighinn aig Oilthigh Shrath Chluaidh, chaidh Steasag air adhart gu dreuchd ann an Ionad na

a’leantainn air d.8

Following up on news of Gaelic education in Nova Scotia Schools (summer Misneach, 2010), it’s with great pleasure we welcome Stacey MacLean as she takes up her position of Gaelic teacher at St. Andrew’s Consolidated School, St. Andrews, Antigonish County. Stacey was born in Sydney, Cape Breton, but her family moved to Dartmouth on the province’s mainland when she was three. But both her grandmothers, who were Gaelic speakers, lived with them; and her mother’s mother especially influenced Stacey: “She was good at singing and was fond of music….it was after her death I discovered my passion for the language.” This grandmother’s people came from Eigg, Moidart and Morar; others among her ancestors hailed from Glen Urquhart and near Inverness (Scotland), Barra, Benbecula, Perthshire and Ireland. In 1996, Stacey made for Scotland and Sabhal Mór Òstaig where the classes were all delivered through the medium of Gaelic. But as Stacey acknowledged: “I was interested in everything and it wasn’t long before it was second nature for me to handle academic things in Gaelic.” For her advancement in the language, Stacey also credits folk in Berneray, Harris who were “like a family” to her. After teaching English in Korea to garner the money to return to Scotland and get her teaching credentials at the University of Strathclyde, Stacey went on to teach in the Primary 1 and 2 Gaelic Unit at Mount Cameron, East Kilbride. Then she taught Gaelic Medium P. 1-4 in Acharacle in Moidart, in the land of her grandmother’s people. And now, Stacey is happy to return to Nova Scotia where she has opportunity to teach Gaelic in her own native province. She is currently teaching P. 4-6, 30 minutes per day; and a class in the Heritage of the Gaels twice a week with P.3. She also holds an hour-long After-school Gaelic Club every day. In addition to her Gaelic duties, Stacey also teaches P. 1 Mathematics. She expressed her delight: “I’m really in my element! You couldn’t ask for better.”

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Signs of Gaelic in Nova Scotia In 2006, the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia www.gaelic.ca requested that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) establish a sign policy for the districts of the province where Gaelic placenames existed. In this policy, each municipal government in Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough and those in Cape Breton had to pass legislation with a list of placename signs that they wanted to install and send this to TIR. The Office of Gaelic Affairs assisted in this process by providing proofing of placenames for TIR and on the community’s behalf, inquiring if TIR required anything further in order that the placename signs be erected. The placenames that will be seen in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties and throughout Cape Breton come from tradition bearers and field research. A very few have been translated from English to Gaelic but the majority of placenames reflect how they were obtained from Gaelic speakers. Here and there, in contrast to the English, very different Gaelic placenames can be seen. For examples of these, consider, “An Srath” in Pictou County for “Thorburn”, “An t-Allt Mór” in Antigonish County for “Dunmore”, “An Sìthean” in Inverness County for “Inverness Town” or “Cnoc an t-Sìthein” for “Iron Mines”, “An t-Eilean Mór” in Victoria County for “Boularderie Island” and “Pon na Maiseadh” in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality for “Benacadie”. It must be remembered as well that many of the placenames were translated into English in Scotland during past centuries, but these were originally Gaelic placenames. Ardness, Gairloch, Glencoe, Glengarry, Glen Elk, Knoydart, Lismore, Loch Broom, Loch Brora, Lorne, Lovat, Lanark, Morar, The Keppoch, Aberdeen, Creignish, Dunvegan, Glendale, Strathlorne, Tarbert, Boisdale, Dundee and Oban are examples of these. The OGA is grateful that CnG and the community advocated for this. The OGA is also grateful that TIR established this policy and that municipal governments have provided support to Gaelic language in this way. The OGA has heard from the community as to how proud people are of their Gaelic placenames in their respective area; that Gaelic speakers had a way of saying their respective placenames in Gaelic that was different, unique and came from their tradition. In a broader sense, it is one more aspect of our province that is interesting, unique and attractive for both residents and visitors.

Gaelic sound files for placenames will soon be available on the OGA's website; click on "Gaelic Awareness" at www.gov.ns.ca/oga. .

Dearbhachd na Gàidhlig ann an Albainn Nuaidh

’S a’ bhliadhna 2006, dh’iarr Comhairle na Gàidhlig www.gaelic.ca air Roinn na Còmhdhala is Ùrachadh an Fhreumhachais (RCUF) gun cuireadh a’ roinn poileasaidh comharraidhean-rathaid’ air bhonn airson cèarnaidhean na móir-roinne far a’ robh ainmean-àite ’s a’ Ghàidhlig. ’S a’ phoileasaidh seo, bha aig gach Roinn ionadail ann a’ Pictou, Antaiginis, Guysborough agus an fheadhainn ann an Ceap Breatainn reachd a chur seachad le liosta dhe na comharraidhean-rathaid’ a bha iad airson togail agus seo a chur chun na Roinne. Chuidich Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig ’s a’ rathad seo le bhith ’toirt sheirbhisean ath-sgrùdaidh dhan Roinn is ás leth na coimhearsnachd a bhith ’faighinn a-mach a bheil rud sam bith eil’ a dhìth air a’ Roinn los gun téid na comharraidhean-rathaide ’chur air bhonn. ’S ann bho na seanchaidhean is rannsachadh an tobair a tha na h-ainmean-àite a chìthear ann an Siorramachdan Phictou, Antaiginis, Ghuysborough is air feadh Eilean Cheap Breatainn a’ tighinn. Chaidh beagan dhiùbh ’eadartheangachadh bhon a’ Bheurla dhan a’ Ghàidhlig ach, a’ mhórchuid dhe na h-ainmean-àite ’s ann mar sin a chaidh am faighinn aig na seanna Ghàidheil. Ann an corra-àite, ann an coimeas ris a’ Bheurla, tha ainmean-àite a tha glé dhiofraichte ’s a’ Ghàidhlig ri fhaicinn. Mar shamhlaidhean dhe seo, cuimhnichibh, An Srath ann a’ Siorramachd Phictou airson Thorburn, An t-Allt Mór ann a’ Siorramachd Antaiginis airson Dunmore, An Sìthean ann a’ Siorramachd Inbhir Nis airson Bail’ Inbhir Nis no Cnoc an t-Sìthein airson Iron Mines, An t-Eilean Mór ann a’ Siorramachd Bhioctoria airson Boularderie Island agus Pon na Maiseadh ann a’ Roinn Bheag Ionadail Cheap Breatainn airson Benacadie. Feumar cuimhneachadh cuideachd gun deach móran dhe na h-ainmean-àite ’eadartheangachadh gu Beurla ’s an t-seann dùthaich ré na’ linntean a dh’fhalbh, ach ’s e ainmean-Gàidhlig a bh’unnta bho thùs: Àrd Nis, Geàrr-loch, Gleanna Comhann, Gleanna Gàradh, Gleann Eilg, Cnòideart, Lios Mór, Loch Bhraoin, Loch Brùra, Lathurna, A’ Mhorfhaich, Lannraig, Mòrar, A’ Cheapach, Abaireadhain, Creiginnis, Dùn-bheagan, Gleann Dail, Srath Lathurna, Tairbeart, Baghasdal, Dùn Deagh, agus An t-Òban mar shamhlaidhean dhe seo. Tha OIG taingeil do ChnG is muinntir na coimhearsnachd a bha ’gabhail taobh gun rachadh seo ’dhèanadh. Cuideachd, tha OIG taingeil do ChUF airson am poileasaidh seo ’chur air bhonn is gu bheil na roinntean ionadail airson taic a chur dhan a’ Ghàidhlig ’s an dòigh seo. Tha OIG air a bhith ’cluinntinn o’n choimhearsnachd air cho moiteil ’s a tha feadhainn ás na comharraidhean-rathaid’ aca ’s a’ chuid chèarnaidh aca; gu robh dòigh Ghàidhlig aig a’ luchd-bruidhinn na Gàidhlig a bha diofraichte, sònraichte a thàinig ás an dualchas aca. ’S an fhairsuingeachd, ’s e rud eile a thaobh na móir-roinn’ againn a tha suimeil, sònraicht’ agus tarraingeach airson muinntir an àit’ is luchd-turais. Théid foidhlichean-fuaime 's a' Ghàidhlig airson nan comharraidhean-rathaide 'fhaighinn air làraich-lìn OIG an ceartuair; briogaibh air "Fiosrachadh Gàidhlig" aig www.gov.ns.ca/oga. .

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3)

In school year 2010-2011, Gaelic teacher Bernard (‘Bernie’) Cameron will be teaching Grades 4-6 as usual at Bayview School, Port Hood, Cape Breton; but in addition, he is responsible for Core Gaelic classes in Grades 4-7 in which students receive Gaelic instruction every five days out of six. A far better situation, as he said, “both for me and for them.” Bernie was born to Gaelic-speaking parents, descended on both sides from immigrants of Lochaber, Scotland—his father’s kin from near Glen Finnan. His mother, a Beaton, still lives and takes opportunity to share her store of Gaelic with her grandchildren.

Bearnaidh, Nansag, Alasdair agus Màili.

Bernard, Nancy, Alasdair and Màili.

It was when he was working out west that Bernie discovered his passion for Gaelic, and on returning home, he set about improving his knowledge of the language by enrolling at St. FX University. With Nancy his wife, and their two children, Alasdair and Màili, Bernie spent two months in Dalabrog, South Uist. As he himself said, “I had a chance to speak Gaelic every day. My son Alasdair went to Gaelic Medium elementary school there….he made good progress too. Màili tried the Gaelic playgroup but she was so timid, she didn’t enjoy it!” Bernie was asked what was working for him as he endeavours to transmit the language to his children. “I try to speak Gaelic most of the time,” he said. “I also read little books to them. Now and again, we watch videos, films—that sort of thing; and when we can, we visit their grandmother’s house. She’s fluent.” At the same time, he wishes there were more resources available suitable for the ages of his children. “There aren’t many books that are easy enough for them and yet not too childish. The same goes for videos. And when we visit their grandmother’s house, someone will visit who doesn’t have Gaelic—like that, the conversation turns to English.” Besides more useful books and videos, Bernie would like more opportunities for parents and their families to get together in one location, where everyone would speak only Gaelic.

’S e fear-teagaisg na Gàidhlig a th’ ann am Bearnaidh Camshron. Am bliadhna, 2010-2011, tha ìrean 4-6 aige mar a b’ àbhaist aig Sgoil Sealladh a’ Chala, Seastago, Ceap Breatainn; ach cuide ri sin, tha clasaichean ‘bun na Gàidhlig’ an urra ris aig ìrean 4-7 anns a bheil na sgoilearan a’ faighinn oideachd na Gàidhlig a h-uile cóig làithean a-mach á sia. Mar a thuirt e, “Tha sin fada nas fheàrr dhomhsa is dhaibhsan.” Rugadh Bearnaidh do phàrantan aig an robh a’ Ghàidhlig. Thàinig cuideachd ’athar agus a mhàthar á Loch Abar na h-Albann, an cinneadh aig ’athair teann air Gleann Fhionnain. Tha a mhàthair, a bha ’na Peutanach, beò fhathast agus cothrom aice air a bhith a’ roinn a cuid Gàidhlig leis na h-oghaichean. B’ ann nuair a bha e ag obair a-mach ‘west’ a dh éirich ann an t-suim a th’ aige a-nis anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Nuair a thill e dhachaidh, chaidh e gu Oilthigh St. FX a thòiseachadh air an eòlas a bh’ aige anns a’ Ghàidhlig a leasachadh. Le Nansag a bhean agus an dithis chloinne, Alasdair agus Màili, chuir Bearnaidh seachad dà mhìos ann a’ Dalabrog, Uibhist a Deas. Mar a thuirt e-fhéin: “Bha cothrom agam air Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn a h-uile là. Chaidh Alasdair, mo mhac, dhan a’ bhun-sgoil a’ sin troimh ’n Ghàidhlig….thàinig e air adhart math cuideachd. Dh’fheuch Màili an cròileagan a’ sin ach bha i cho diùid, cha do chòrd e rithe!” Chaidh fhoighneachd de Bhearnaidh gu dé a bha ag obrachadh dha a thaobh Gàidhlig a chumail ris a’ chlainn. “Bidh mi ’feuchainn ri Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn a’ mhór-chuid dhen ùine”, thuirt e. “Cuideachd bidh mi ’leughadh leabhraichean beaga dhaibh. An dràsda ’s a-rithist, bidh sinn ’coimhead air bhidéothan, filmichean ’s a leithid; agus dar a bhios cothrom againne, taghailidh sinn air taigh an seanmhar. Tha ise fileanta.” Aig an aon àm, bu mhath leis nan robh goireasan na bu fhreagraiche ann do dh’aois na cloinne. “Chan eil móran leabhraichean ann a tha furasda gu leòr dhaibh agus nach eil ro leanabach dhaibh. An t-aon rud leis na bhidéothan. Agus dar a bhios sinn aig taigh an seanmhar, bidh cuideigin a’ tadhal aig nach eil Gàidhlig—mar sin, bidh an còmhradh a’ tionndadh dhan Bheurla”. A bharrachd air leabhraichean is bhidéothan a bhiodh na b’ fheumaile, bu mhath le Bearnaidh nan robh barrachd chothroman ann air a bhith a’ cruinneachadh còmhla ri pàrantan is an teaghlaichean anns an aon suidheachadh, far nach bitheadh a h-uile duine a’ bruidhinn ach a’ Ghàidhlig.

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Dealbhan - Photos

Deiseil: Màiri Sìne NicLaomain (Dealbh bhon Òran), buadhaiche Duais “Portia White” 2010 Luadhadh--Framboise, an t-Sultain 2010; C. Parsons a' stiùireadh bùth-obrach anns na Sailm Ghàidhlig, Hogoma, an t-Sultain 2010; Cleachdadh na Còisre Gàidhlig, Hogoma, an t-Sultain 2010. Clockwise: Mary Jane Lamond (Oran Photo) winner of the 2010 Portia White Prize; Milling Frolic – Framboise, Sept. 2010; Catriona Parsons leads a Gaelic Psalm Workshop,

Whycocomagh, Sept. 2010; Gaelic Choir Practice, Whycocomagh, Sept. 2010.

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Ann a’ Misneach an t-samhraidh, 2010, chaidh iomradh a dhèanamh air an dòchas gu faigheadh Sgoil MhicRaing a’ Chaolais, Sanndraigh, Ceap Breatainn co dhiùbh aona tidsear ùr am bliadhna a bhiodh a’ teagasg clasaichean Ciùil is Gàidhlig làn-ùine. Chaidh Meaghan O’ Handley ’fhasdadh airson na dreuchd seo; mar sin, théid a’ Ghàidhlig a theagasg aig inbhe tòiseachaidh dà thuras ’s an t-seachdain anns a’ bhun-sgoil, ìrean P-6. Tha Meaghan an urra ris na clasaichean Gàidhlig ìre 10-12 ’s an àrd-sgoil agus ri clas Eòlas Dualchas na Gàidhlig aig ìre 11 cuideachd. Aig an àm a chaidh an t-iomradh a sgrìobhadh a’s t-samhradh, cha robh ann ach dòchas gum faigheadh Sgoil MhicRaing tidsear na Gàidhlig eile; ach taing do Mhaoin Roinn an Fhoghlaim, chaidh Eimilidh NicFhionghain ’fhasdadh; agus mar sin théid clasaichean Bun na Gàidhlig a theagasg aig ìrean 4-9; cuide ri sin, tha Eimilidh an urra ri Prógram Gàidhlig ás déidh na sgoile, trì buidhnean, uair a thìde gach buidheann. A bharrachd air sin, théid i a-staigh do chlasaichean Beurla 7-9, Saidheans 7 agus Slàinte 3-6, agus 9 anns an dèan i clas “masgaidh”. Mar a thuirt i-fhéin, “Théid mi a-staigh dha na clasaichean sin uair gach seachdain agus nì mi leasan anns a’ Ghàidhlig

Eimilidh NicFhionghain agus Meaghan O’Handley

Emily MacKinnon and Meaghan O’Handley

air a’ chuspair air a bheil iad ag obair.” Nuair a ruigeas na sgoilearan aig Meaghan ìre 4, ’s urrainn dhaibh an uair sin clasaichean Bun na Gàidhlig a thaghadh. Dh’fhaoidte gu bheil cuimhn’ aig an luchd-leughaidh air airtigeal, “Caileagan Cheap Breatainn an Eilean a’ Cheò” (Misneach an earraich, 2009), air Meaghan is Eimilidh nuair a bha iad ’s an Eilean Sgìtheanach a’ dèanamh an cleachdadh-teagaisg ás déidh dhaibh ceumnachadh bho Sgoil an Fhoghlaim, Oilthigh St. FX, Antaiginis, A.N. Tha am fasdadh seo a’ leantainn air an oidhirp aig coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig Shanndraigh gus oideachd na Gàidhlig ’fhaighinn dhan sgoil. A’ tòiseachadh anns na 1980s, chaidh caochladh taic-airgid ’fhaighinn a thug luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a-staigh dhan sgoil. Ann a’ 1998, chaidh oideachd fhoirmeil a thòiseachadh aig caochladh ìrean. Ann a’ 2000, chaidh an dreuchd Ghàidhlig a chur le cùrsa ciùil nuair a thug Bòrd-sgoile Cheap Breatainn-Bhioctoria agus a Sgire an aire gu robh luach anns a’Ghàidhlig a thairgsinn.

In the summer 2010 Misneach, it was reported that Rankin School of the Narrows hoped to take on at least one teacher of Gaelic this year to a full-time position that would also include music instruction. Meaghan O’ Handley was hired and so will teach introductory Gaelic twice a week in the elementary school, grades P-6. In addition, she is responsible for Grades 10, 11, and 12 Gaelic in the high school and Gaelic Studies 11 as well. At the time of the summer report, it was only a hope that a second Gaelic teacher might be hired at the Rankin School. However, thanks to the province’s Education Department Fund for Gaelic, Emily MacKinnon too was hired to teach Core Gaelic at grade levels 4-9; in addition, she is responsible for the afterschool Gaelic Program in which she has 3 groups each getting one hour’s instruction a week. She also brings an “infusion” of Gaelic to other classes—English 7-9, Science 7 and Health 3-6 and 9. She described what this entails: “I go in to those classes once a week and do a lesson in Gaelic on the subject they’re working on.” When the Meaghan’s students reach grade 4, they have the option of going into the Core Gaelic classes. Readers may remember the article “Isle of Skye opportunity for Cape Breton students” (Spring Misneach, 2009) on Meaghan and Emily when they were doing their practice-teaching on Skye after graduating from St. FXU’s School of Education, Antigonish, N.S. This recent hiring is the latest effort in the Gaelic community of Iona to obtain Gaelic school instruction. Beginning in the 1980s, various grants were obtained to enable Gaelic speakers from the community to come into the school. In 1998, formal Gaelic instruction began at various grade levels. In 2000, the Gaelic position was then combined with a music course at the school as the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional school board recognized the merit of the Gaelic language offerings.

Toirt Fianais air Leasachadh na Gàidhlig ’s a’ Mhóir-roinn Evidence of Gaelic Development in the Province

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2010 Gaelic Language in the Community Program

Funding recipients, August 2010

2010 Prógram Gàidhlig ’s a’ Choimhearsnachd

Buidhnean a fhuair taic-airgid

Comunn Coimhearsnachd na Mira Móire: $1,450 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do fhichead clas Gàidhlig. Comann Eachdraidh Hogoma agus a Sgìre: $1,430 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig anns a’ choimhearsnachd. Comunn Féis a’ Bhaile Bhig: $4,192 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig aig Baile do luchd-ionnsachaidh. Comunn Féis an Eilein: $3,464 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do dh’aithriseach air Féis an Eilein. Comunn Gàidhlig na Beinn’ an Iar: $2,925 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig. Comunn Gàidhlig Cheap Breatainn: $1,005 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do bhuidheann còmhraidh na Gàidhlig. Comunn-Leasachaidh Inbhirnis: $4,760 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig aig Baile, ìrean luchd-ionnsachaidh agus eadarmheadhonach. Comunn Oighreachd Ghàidhlig a’ Chladaich a Tuath: $3,420 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig—“Gàidhlig air a’ Chladach”. Comunn Oighreachd Ghàidhlig a’ Chladaich a Tuath: $2,308 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do sheiseanan cheann-seachdain bogadh na Gaidhlig—“An Taigh Gàidhlig”. Gàidhlig Agam: $1,695 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean bhogaidh ’s a’ Ghàidhlig. $1,425 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do bhùthan-obrach ann an òrain Ghàidhlig. Ionad Eadar-mhìneachaidh Ciùil Cheiltich: $960 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig. Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-bhaile: $5,150 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhail’ a’ Chlamhain: $1,456 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig.

Grand Mira Community Association: $1,450 to assist with 20 Gaelic classes. Whycocomagh and District Historical Society: $1,430 to assist with Gaelic classes in the community. Comunn Féis a’ Bhaile Bhig: $4,192 to assist with Gàidhlig aig Baile classes for beginners. Comunn Féis an Eilein: $3,464 to assist with the making of a documentary on Féis an Eilein. Westmount Gaelic Society: $2,925 to assist with Gaelic classes. Cape Breton Gaelic Society: $1005 to assist with a Gaelic conversation group. Inverness Development Association: $4,760 to assist with Gàidhlig aig Baile classes, beginner and intermediate levels. North Shore Gaelic Heritage Society: $3,420 to assist with Gaelic classes—“Gàidhlig air a’ Chladach”. North Shore Gaelic Heritage Society: $2,308 to assist with weekend Gaelic immersion sessions—“An Taigh Gàidhlig”. Gàidhlig Agam: $1,695 to assist with Gaelic immersion classes. $1,425 to assist with workshops in Gaelic song. Celtic Music Interpretive Centre: $960 to assist with Gaelic classes. Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-bhaile: $5,150 to assist with Gaelic classes. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhail’ a’ Chlamhain: $1,456 to assist with Gaelic classes.

Tutor Training Photo – November 2009

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Six years ago, Fionnlagh MacLeòid came over from the old country and introduced a new teaching methodology to Nova Scotia – T.I.P. or Total Immersion Plus. Since then instructors in Nova Scotian communities have expanded on this and called it Gàidhlig aig Baile (Gaelic of Home) and this has become one of the major ways that the Gaelic language is being taught, learned and acquired here now. This has produced an increase in spirit and confidence in the Gaelic community and many who would not attend a traditional Gaelic ‘class’ will come out to the GaB sessions, which are usually held in homes. Communities and groups receive funding from The Office of Gaelic Affairs through the GLIC program (Gaelic Language in the Community) and a number of current GaB tutors have increased their Gaelic abilities through the Bun is Bàrr mentor and apprentice program. Apparently there is a considerable amount of interest in the language in the Inverness area. The Inverness Development Association received funding from GLIC and hired Carmen MacArthur to teach students from Inverness, Scotsville and area. Not only was there enough interest that there would be both a beginners’ and an advanced session, but so many signed up for the beginners sessions that they had to be broken into two groups (too many in a group is unproductive in language learning). Forty students in all signed up for the Gàidhlig aig Baile sessions! The tutor, Carmen MacArthur from Pictou, is a Gaelic learner herself. She was an apprentice in the first session of the Bun is Bàrr program and feels that it was invaluable in assisting her in understanding and conversing with our local native Gaelic speakers. She believes that it’s very important that learners have the opportunity to learn local Gaelic, local dialect, from the start so that, as they progress, they can more easily converse with, and learn from, those who have always spoken Gaelic here. To help facilitate this, Carmen invites local native speakers, like Anna MacKinnon, to attend these sessions. There is a lot of fun and laughter at these sessions, where Gaelic is the only language allowed and where learning and acquisition happen through activities, games and stories. We wish them every success in the future.

A’ Soirbheachadh le Gàidhlig aig Baile

Bho chionn sia bliadhna, thàinig Fionnlagh MacLeòid a-nall ás an t-seann dùthaich agus dh’inntrig e modh-teagaisg ùr do dh’Albainn Nuaidh – T.I.P. air neo Total Immersion Plus. Bho ’n uair sin, tha luchd-teagaisg ann an coimhearsnachdan na h-Albann Nuaidh’ air cur ris a’ mhodh seo agus ’s e Gàidhlig aig Baile a chaidh a thoirt air an dòigh a bhios feadhainn a’ teagasg, ag ionnsachadh agus a’ togail na Gàidhlig a’ seo a-nisd. Tha móran a bharrachd misneachd r’ a faighinn ri linn seo anns na coimhearsnachdan againn agus thig daoine a-mach dha na seiseanan nach biodh cho iasgaidh a thighinn gu ‘clas’ Gàidhlig. Gheobh coimhearsnachdan air neo buidhnean taic-airgid bho Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig thro’n phrògram GLIC (Gaelic Language in the Community) agus tha cuid dhen luchd-teagaisg air tréanadh ’fhaighinn ann an sgilean-cànain thro’n phrógram Bun is Bàrr a bhios an oifis a’ tairgsinn. Tha e coltach gu bheil suim mhór anns a’ chànan shìos rathad Inbhir Nis. Fhuair Comunn Leasachaidh an t-Sìthein taic-airgid bho GhLIC agus dh’fhasdaich iad Carman NicArtair gus ionnsachadh a thoirt do sgoilearan ás an t-Sithean agus á Bun na h-Aibhneadh. Chan e a-mhàin gun do chuir gu leór do dhaoine suim a’s a’ ghnothach gu robh e riatanach gum biodh dà bhuidheann aca, luchd-tòiseachaidh agus luchd-adhartach, ach chuir uiread a-staigh air a shon is gu robh aca ris an luchd-tòiseachaidh a chur ann an dà bhuidheann fa leth. Fichead duine dhen luchd-tòiseachaidh agus dà fhichead sgoilear uile gu léir! ’S e neach-ionnsachaidh a th’ anns an taoitear, Carman NicArtair, á Pictou. Fhuair i fhéin tréanadh anns a’ chiad ruith do Bhun is Bàrr agus thuirt i gu robh seo fìor mhath gus a bhith a’ fàs nas cleachdte ris a’ Ghàidhlig nàdurra a chluinneas tu fhathast aig na Gàidheil bho’n ghlùin a dh’àraicheadh ’s na ceàrnaidhean seo. Tha i dhen bharail gu bheil e glé chudthromach gun ionnsaich daoine a’ Ghàidhlig a tha anns na coimhearsnachdan aca fhéin bho thoiseach ’nan cuid ionnsachaidh agus gum bi seo gu math cuideachail dhaibh uile dar a ruigeas iad ìre far an téid aca ri còmhraidhean a chumail leis an fheadhainn aig a’ robh i riamh agus a togail bhuapa. Gus seo a chur air adhart, bidh Carman a’ toirt cuireadh do Ghàidheil bho’n ghlùin, leithid Anna NicFhionghuin, a thighinn dha na seiseanan. Bidh roinn do spórs aig gach aon anns na cruinneachaidhean seo, far nach eil ceadaichte ach a’ Ghàidhlig a bhruidhinn agus far an ionnsaichear i thro ghnìomhan, gheamanan agus naidheachdan. Tha sinn an dòchas gun sealbhaich leò uile.

Gàidhlig aig Baile Progressing Successfully

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A’ leantainn bho d. 1 - Cont’d from Page 1

Gàidhlig aig Sgoil Beinn Chamshroin ann a’ Cille Bhrighd’ an Ear. Ás déidh sin, rinn i teagasg troimh mheadhon na Gàidhlig ann an Ath-Tharacaill, Mùideart—dùthaich cuideachd a seanmhar. A-nis, tha Steasag gu math toilichte gu bheil an cothrom aice tilleadh a theagasg na Gàidhlig ’na dùthaich fhéin. Gach là, bidh lethuair a thìde de dh’oideachd aig na sgoilearan a bhios a’ gabhail na Gàidhlig aig ìrean 4-6; tha clas “Fàilte gu Dualchas nan Gàidheal” ann aig ìre 3 dà thuras gach seachdain; agus a h-uile là, bidh Comann na Gàidhlig fad uair a thìde ann ás déidh uairean na sgoile. Cuideachd, bidh Steasag a’ teagasg Matamataic anns a’ Bheurla aig ìre 1. “Tha mi dìreach air mo dhòigh!” thuirt Steasag. “Chan iarradh tu na b’ fheàrr”.

Tàladh Chrìosda The Christ Child’s Lullaby

le Maighstir Raghnall MacFhraing á Mùideart anns na 1850an (Composed by Father Ronald Rankin of Moidart in the 1850s)

Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh, is m’eudail thu, M’ ionntas ùr is m’ éibhneas thu, Mo mhacan àlainn ceutach thu- Chan fhiù mi fhéin a bhith ’ad dhàil! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Ged as leanabh dìblidh thu Cinnteach Rìgh nan Rìghrean Thu S Tu ’n t-oighre dligheach, fìrinneach Air rìoghachd Dhé nan gràs. Ged as Rìgh na Glòrach Thu Dhiùlt iad an taigh-òsda dhut Ach chualas ainglean sòlasach Toirt glòir dhan Tì as àirde. Mo ghaol an t-sùil a sheallas tlàth Mo ghaol an cridhe tha liont’ le gràdh Ged as leanabh Thu gun chàil Is lìonmhor buaidh tha ort a’ fàs.

English translation

My love, my dear, my darling Thou, My joy, my fine young treasure Thou, My splendid little Son art Thou- Unworthy I to tend Thee now! Although Thou art a helpless babe ’Tis certain Thou art the King of Kings Thou art the true and rightful heir To the Kingdom of God of the Graces Though You are the King of Glory, They refused you at the inn, But joyful angels can be heard Glorifying the Highest of All My love of kindest eye I sing, My heart with joy doth sweetly brim, Babe born alone without one thing, Many’s the victory Thou shalt win!

“….tha cuimhne glé shoilleir agam air aon fheasgar na Nollaig nuair a chaidh m’ athair gu Seastago an tòir air Ciorstaidh a phiuthar gus am biodh i còmhla ruinn aig aifreann na meadhon oidhche agus Là na Nollaig. Chaidh sinn dhan eaglais leis an each agus an t-slèighe agus ’s urrainn dhomh fhathast clagan an t-sléighe a chluinntinn ’s iad a’ seirm. Bha an eaglais seasgar is blàth—taing dha m’ athair a bha an urra ris an eaglais a bhlàthachadh—agus thug mi leam lainntear beag Bodach na Nollaig a bha ’na phrèasant bho Chiorstaidh. Rinn e deàrrsadh ’s an dorchadas agus b’ ann fear dhen chiad sgeadan na Nollaig’ a bha air ’obrachadh le bataraidh a chunnaic sinn a-riamh! Bha sluagh anns an eaglais; bha fonn math air a h-uile duine agus chaidh iomadh beannachd a chluinntinn air an oidhche sin, oidhche làn rionnagan. Bha spiorad na Nollaig ann gu cinnteach!” Pòilin NicDhòmhnaill

Christmastime in Glencoe Mills, Cape Breton “…. I remember one Christmas Eve very vividly when my father went out to Port Hood to bring Aunt Christy to join us for Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. We went to the church on the horse and sleigh and I can still hear the sleigh bells ringing! The church was cozy and warm – thanks to my father who looked after the heating - and I took with me the small Santa lantern which Aunt Christy gave me as a gift. It glowed in the dark and was one of the first battery-operated Christmas ornaments that we had ever seen! The church was packed and everyone was in such good cheer and many Gaelic greetings were heard that starry night. The Christmas spirit was truly present!” Pauline MacDonald

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr dhuibh!