2018/03/31

Pennseythen Gernewek, Cornish Language Weekend 2018

Kowethas An Yeth Kernewek will be hosting another Cornish Language weekend for all those interested in the Cornish language. The language weekend offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which complete beginners through to advanced speakers can enjoy a range of classes, activities and talks to suit ALL levels. Entertain ment and an excursion are also planned.
Now a well-established popular part of the weekend, a ‘Dydh Tregedna’ will take place on Friday 6
th, so that more established speakers can join in the fun. If you sign up for this only Cornish is allowed so...be warned, but don’t be afraid!
Brief Programme (subject to minor changes):
• Friday:
‘Dydh Stoffya’ cramming session, 1000-1600 - thoroug
h revision for everyone, including
those taking Cornish Language Board exams in 2018.
‘Dydh Tregedna’ 1000-1600.
• Friday Evening:
check in to accommodation; 1900 Dinner; meet up i
n the bar for music, poetry
and getting to know each other.
• Saturday:
0800 Breakfast; 0900 to 1230 Kernewek lessons/activ
ities; 1245 Lunch. After lunch an
optional excursion led in Kernewek with English tra
nslation; 1900 Dinner, followed by
entertainment in the bar.
• Sunday:
0800 Breakfast; 0900 to 1230 Kernewek lessons/acti
vities; 1245 Lunch, followed by a
final get together, summary of the weekend, and goo
dbye until next time

Friday 6th April to Sunday 8th April
Sandy Lodge Hotel, Hilgrove Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2QY

More information

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2018/03/25

Breton language symposium: "Immersion: 40 years of experience for the future of our languages"

"Immersion: 40 years of experience for the future of our languages". This wass the theme of the conference organized in Kemper (Brittany) for two days by the Higher Institute of Languages ​​of the Republic. It gathered nearly 250 people at the university pole. Teachers and researchers highlighted the benefits of immersion to learn a language.

For two days, this Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24, more than 400 teachers, researchers and students will be gathered on the sidelines of a symposium. Their objective: to show the benefits of early bilingualism and immersion. "Language is no longer an object of teaching but a tool, even within the life of an institution," explains Stefan Moal, a member of the Institute's Scientific Council, a language that is heard everywhere. as "a maid", it is used for everything, the sooner we practice it, the better. "

Before seven years, the plasticity of the brain increases certain skills. The ears are open and record. Moreover, bilingual or immersive nurseries are developing in Brittany. There are currently about ten of them. The conference allowed to compare the different methods and the different pedagogies put in place. "School bilingualism, whether in Breton, Basque, Catalan, Occitan or Alsatian, opens the way to the world," adds Stefan Moal, "the common point between these teachers and researchers is to make these languages ​​live. to disappear. "

The goal is to reboot the pump and continue what was set up in the 70s-80s. Today, young children speak Breton in class and at home. It is a progress. Currently, nearly 17,000 students are breton in the public network, in Catholic schools and in Diwan. Of these, 4,318 students are in immersion.

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2018/03/23

Employment forum in Breton language

Stumdi organized an employment forum in Breton language (Forom an implic e brezhoneg) on Wednesday, March 21st, 2018 at the Le Family cultural center in Landerne /Landerneau from 1.30 pm to 5 pm. Stumdi receives € 620,000 from the Breton government for classes to adults.

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2018/03/19

Ar Redadeg, promotional video

Ar Redadeg is a relay race that takes place every two years across the nation of Brittany. It is designed as a celebration, promotion and to raise funds for the Breton language.The race goes through the five Breton departments of Penn-as-Bed, Aodoù-an-Arvor, Mor-Bihan, Il-ha-Gwilen and Liger-Atlantel.

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2018/03/17

Cearta Teanga, International Languages Conference in Béal Feirste / Belfast


Speakers from Ireland, Catalonia, Sardinia, the Basque Country and Kernow/Cornwall meet in Béal Feirste on March 14th. They reflected on international best practice and the many associated cultural, economic, educational and social benefits of legislating for language rights. The conference was organized by Conradh na Gaeilge at the St Mary's University College. "Language discrimination is a form of both direct and indirect racism. Language legislation acts to uphold our fundamental human rights", said Cornishman Davyth Hicks from ELEN. "Bilingual schoolchildren have higher grades, lower drop-out rates... bilingualism linked to lower suicide rates, there are cognitive and health benefits". The question of bilingual signage as part of Irish Language Act was discussed. Speakers said that signage as a language right and say visibility increases normalisation and confidence - bilingual signage "central" to effective legislation. International aspects of Language Revival were discussed as Local and International Models of CnaG and Féile an Phobai.Basque speaker, from Kontseilua, stated that: “The four pillars of language recovery are 1. Adequate legislation, 2. Planning, 3. Adequate resources, and 4. Strong society”. “For languages without legislation, their language recovery effort is constantly under threat”. Catalan speaker analized the benefits of Language Immersion in the Catalan schools.


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2018/03/16

Queens University students demand respect and equality for Irish language




Students and An Dream Dearg movement protested outside Queens University in Béal Feirste / Belfast demanding respect and equality for the use of Irish language signs on the university campus on March 15th.
The university's acting vice-chancellor apologised this week amid a row over Irish language signs being placed on campus.
Irish language society An Cumann Gaelach QUB had hit out after receiving a letter from Professor James McElnay which appeared to suggest putting up bilingual signs would contravene the university's diversity and equality policy.
Prof McElnay later said he wanted to reinforce the university's commitment to Irish, adding that this was evidenced "by our broad range of research and courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level that involve the teaching of the language".

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2018/03/15

An Comunn Gàidhealach AGM

An Comunn Gàidhealach AGM (Coinneamh Bhliadhnail) will be held in March 23rd in Cùirt Eden / Eden Court in Inbhir Ness / Inverness. The organisers of the Royal National Mòd will celebrate local mòds in Dhùn Omhain (October 12-20), Glaschu (October 11-19) and Inbhir Niss (October 9-17). The Local Organising Committee of the first one's website is now up and running: www.moddhunomhain.com

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2018/03/12

Rally in Kastell-Briant against the refusal by the French government to open a bilingual class



The French education services recently refused to open a bilingual education class at the René-Guy Cadou public school in Kastell-Briant/Châteaubriant in Brittany. This project is supported by parents, by the municipality as well as several parliamentarians. 15 students are even pre-registered for September.

The conditions are thus met for the development of Breton language teaching in Kastell-Briant. It is indeed essential that a teaching of Breton in schools is proposed at the level of all municipalities of Brittany and it is quite legitimate that such a sector can exist in a commune of 12 000 inhabitants. This is without counting on the obstruction of state services that hinder the teaching of Breton and try to make the Breton language disappear.

The Breton language must be taught in schools when a social demand exists. The Kastell-Briant project is not the only one to have been rejected in Loire-Atlantique this year. It is the same in Guérande.The collective Ai'ta! denounces linguistic discrimination. This would be an unacceptable situation in a democratic state in Western Europe.

The call to participate and support a demonstration is on Saturday, March 31 at 15:30 in front of the town hall of Kastell-Briant.

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2018/03/10

An Rith 2018

An Rith 2018 is a national festival that will take place between 11 and 17 March 2018 as one of the main events of Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish language week). A 500+km course has been laid out for a massive relay-race run, running from morning to night, from Belfast, around the country to finish in Kerry.

A special hand-carved baton has been designed that will carry a hidden message throughout Rith 2018. At the end of the run, the message of support for the Irish language will be read out, followed by a party to remember!

Anyone can run on any part of the course. You don’t need to pre-register but if you want to be involved you can buy your own kilometre on www.rith.ie and for that part of the run, you and your group will lead the run and carry the baton!

AND IT IS STARTING IN BÉAL FEIRSTE

It's a great family fun day! Run, walk or watch!

Contact: naoiseiarla@gmail.com

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2018/03/09

Goodbye Comrade (English version of Kenavo Kamalad)

This is the Breton version as well as the English translation of the Breton poem to honour our comrade and friend, Kendal Breizh, who died in Afrin (Kurdistan) on February 10th.

Kenavo Kamalad
Pell Pell Pell war douarioù ar Rojava
‘Meump kollet ur wir a zen da viken
Diwadañ a ra spi ar vretoned
Koulz ha spi da vignoned ar Gurded
*
Te oa aet da zifenn ar frankiz
Ur bobl-nes taget gant an Durkiz
Barzh da sac’h : Levenez, Karantez ha Lorc’h
Ha barzh da c’henoù : Kan da bobl e fulor
*
Bro-garour e oas ha da vro da gare
Ra chomo bev da viken da Ene
Hon fulor a gresko ‘enep da vourev
Biken na vo trec’het, da youl a vevo
*
Mibien ha Merc’hed savit holl a-gevret
Da zifenn hon gwirioù da enoriñ Olier
Ur brokus a baotr marvet kalz re abred
Aet da anaon bremañ, a-raok gwelet an trec’h
*
Eus Breizh da Euskal betek Bro Gurdistañ
Ar re vunut a glevo sarac’h hon glac’har
Pa savo warc’hoazh war gern ar menezioù
Yud hon c’hounnar ‘barzh avel an Dispac’h
*
Marv eo Olier, Marv eo Kendal
Marv hon c’hamalad, lazhet gant Erdogan
Bro C’hall ‘zo kablus, He c’hasaat a reomp
Kement ha Bro Durki, Torfedourien faskour
*
An Drian ne rann grik, re a armoù da werzhañ
Bro Durki ‘deus ar gwir da lazhañ hervezañ
Erdogan-An Drian mignoned da viken
‘Neunt lazhet hon mignon, ra baefet ho torfed
*
Da garout a reomp Olier a Vro Pourlet
‘Bet e Rojava da zifenn ar frankiz
Frankiz ur bobl sonn ‘nep d’ar faskourien
Evit sevel da viken ur wir vuhez a beoc’h !
*
Te blije dit ar vuhez, leun a joa ha birvilh
Te blije dit an dud, da vro da yezh da bobl
Te blije dit kanañ, te blije dit c’hoarzhiñ
Ra chomi da viken Don Don ‘ba hon c’halon


Kenavo Kamalad
Goodbye Comrade
Far far away in Rojava’s land
We’ve lost a great man forever
Bretons’ hope is bleeding
Together with your Kurdish friends hope
*
You went to stand up for freedom
Against the Turkish State attacking people
In your bag: happiness, love and pride
In your mouth: the song of your People’s anger
*
You were a patriot and your country loved you
May your soul stay alive forever
Our anger will grow up for your executioner
And it will never stop, your power will subsist
*
Boys and girls, stand-up together
To fight for our right to honor Olier
For this generous man who died too soon
For this man who died before seeing the victory
*
From Brittany to the Basque country to Kurdistan
Hear the rumble of our grief
And tomorrow rises on the mountain peaks
The cry of pain in the rebellion wind
*
Olier is dead, Kendal is dead
Our comrade is dead, killed by Erdogan
The French State is guilty and we hate it
As well as the Turkish State, you fascist criminals
*
Le Drian does not move an inch, weapons pay more
The Turkish State believes he can take lives
Erdogan – Le Drian, best friends forever
Have killed our friend, may you pay for your crime
*
We love you Olier from Bro Pourlet
Travelled to Rojava to fight for freedom
Freedom for a strong People against fascism
To build forever a real life of peace!
*
You loved life, full of joy and delight
You loved people, your country and your language
You loved singing, you loved laughing
May you stay very deep in our heart

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2018/03/07

Belfast City Council passes a motion in support of an Irish Language Act

The motion, describing the introduction of legislation as "fair and proper treatment for the Irish language community", received the backing of the majority of councillors at a full meeting of Belfast City Council last night.

It was supported by 34 councillors, with 22 voting against, after a debate lasting almost an hour.
Matt Collins, from People Before Profit, introduced the motion and it was seconded by the SDLP's Dónal Lyons.
At the start of the meeting, councillors heard from Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin from Conradh na Gaeilge, who said that "Irish belongs to nobody but it is owned by everybody".
"Our campaign will only intensify. An Irish Language Act was promised by the St Andrew's Agreement. This is not the 16th century, this is 2018," he said.
Opening the debate, Matt Collins said: "It is the DUP that has politicised the Irish language over the last two years or so. They want to use it to deflect from their own right wing policies."
Sinn Féin's Séanna Walsh pointed out that "there is an Irish inscription on the mayoral chain" and noted that "the sky didn't fall in" when unionist mayors wore it.
"People have got to wise up in relation to this issue," he said.
However, unionists of all shades spoke to oppose the motion.
Deputy Lord Mayor and UUP councillor Sonia Copeland said that the "real issue here is mutual respect" and, referring to the Irish Language Act, added that the chamber could not vote on something it "doesn't know the contents of".
Her party colleague Chris McGimpsey outlined that he was opposed to an Act, but spoke of his own involvement with the Irish language and said he was "personally appalled" by the decision of the DUP's Paul Givan to remove a £50,000 bursary for Gaeltacht pupils in December 2016.
The DUP's Lee Reynolds dismissed claims there was no politics involved in the campaign, citing the Gaelic revival period and research which "showed that one of the reasons given for learning Irish in west Belfast was Bobby Sands".

"Now tell me that isn't political," he said, describing Conradh na Gaeilge's proposal for an Irish Language Act as "Swiss cheese".
Michael Long of Alliance said that while he believed it "is not the most important issue", it was clear power-sharing would not return without a resolution to the question.
Meanwhile, a planned motion calling for the council to back the decriminalisation of abortion has been postponed.
The motion states: "A woman who has an abortion is not a criminal, nor are healthcare professionals who care for them, and the law should not treat them as such."
Kate Nicholl, the Alliance councillor who had tabled the motion, was unable to attend the meeting and it was agreed to defer the de

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2018/03/05

Gaelic Events at Aye Write and Wee Write Festival in March 2018

There will be four Gaelic events at the Aye Write festival in Glasgow in March. Tickets are available from www.ayewrite.com

Eadar Pinn is Guthan Binn: Gaelic Songwriting
Friday 16th March, 18.00
Mitchell Library

Join three renowned Gaelic lyricists and singers, Gillebride MacMillan, Alasdair Whyte and Mark Spencer Turner, as they discuss their song-writing process. Discover the inspiration behind some of the best-known songs from the contemporary Gaelic music scene and hear them performed live.

**Simultaneous translation will be provided at this event for non-Gaelic speakers.**


Gaelic Songs of Islay

Sunday 18th March, 18.30

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

A celebration of songs from Islay’s Gaelic community, capturing the spirit of the landscape, history and culture of the island. Ò rain I leach (published by Acair) is a distinctive local collaboration, gathering previously unpublished songs together with old favourites. A discussion of the book will be interspersed with musical performances from soloists and Gaelic choirs.

**This event will be in English and Gaelic**

Book Launch: Am Balach Beag a dh’Èisteadh aig Dorsan

Friday 23rd March, 18.00
Mitchell Library

Join Alison Lang, celebrated Gaelic novelist, short story writer and playwright, as she launches her latest novel, The Little Boy who Listened at Doors, from Luath Press. Tormod is captivated by stories about the island, the folk who left and those who stayed, and about the big, wide world he has hasn’t had a chance to explore...yet.

**Simultaneous translation will be provided at this event for non-Gaelic speakers.**

The New Wave of Gaelic Sci-fi

Friday 23rd March, 19.45

Mitchell Library

How do you create a new universe in Gaelic? How do you come up with Gaelic words for ‘space-station’, ‘escape velocity’ or ‘cybernetic’?

Join Tim Armstrong, David Eyre and Iain Finlay MacLeod as they discuss the new wave of sci-fi writing in Gaelic and how they see the genre progressing in the future.

**Simultaneous translation will be provided at this event for non-Gaelic speakers.**

There will also be 4 'Leugh is Seinn le Linda' sessions for families at Wee Write 2018. All sessions will take place in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and are free. More information from www.ayewrite.com** Although primarily in Gaelic, sessions will be welcoming to parents who are learning the language or who are non-Gaelic speakers

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2018/03/04

Draft of the second Gaelic Language Plan

The National Library of Scotland have published a draft of their second Gaelic Language Plan for public consultation,and would like to invite your comments. The draft plan is available on their website at http://www.nls.uk/about-us/corporate-documents#gaelic
or a hardcopy can be provided on request by contacting Michelle Christie or Helen Lessels on 0131 623 3740 or by emailing:
gaeliclanguageplan@nls.uk

Consultation is open from Friday 19 January 2018 toFriday 16 March 2018.
.

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2018/03/03

A third nursery in Breton to open in Lesneven

Babigoù Bro Leon plans to create a nursery, with breton staff, so that children can benefit from an early immersion. In Brittany, "there are only two pre schools in Breton. One in Gwenned/Vannes, another in Saint-Herblain, near Naoned/Nantes. So far, remarks the delegate of Babigoù Bro Leon, Loarañs Féguer. Nobody had brought the project to open this kind of nursery. While studies of early childhood development demonstrate the benefits of early immersion of children in different language baths. Babigoù is supported by Divskouarn.

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2018/03/01

Ar Redadeg, the race for the Breton language

2018 : from the 4th to the 12th of May / from Quimper to Plouguerneau.

Some of you who have taken part since 2008 already know the Redadeg, but maybe you want to know more, be even more involved? This is where you will find what you need to know...and if you don’t, please write at : darempred@ar-redadeg.org


 

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