A law on minority languages adopted for the first time under the Fifth Republic including Breton

On 8 April 2021, the French National Assembly has witnessed a small revolution with the adoption, against the government’s opinion, of a law aimed to protect and promote regional languages. This law was drafted and supported by Paul Molac, Member of the Parliament from the Regions and Peoples with Solidarity party from the constituency of Ploërmel, Brittany. This adoption undermines the French State’s Jacobinism.Since the...

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Crowdfunder: 'Brenda Yn Kernewek' Songbook & CDs with the songs of songs of Richard Gendall

Help to fund a songbook of Brenda's recordings performed in the Cornish language, + 33 songs on 2 CDs, multi-lingual lyrics & musical scores. At long last - a songbook of all the available recordings of 'Cornwall's First Lady of Song', Brenda Wootton, singing the Cornish language songs of Richard Gendall - 33 songs on 2 CDs, each...

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Irish language activist Albert Fry dies aged 80

 Irish language activist and former Antrim GAA player Albert Fry has died aged 80. The north Belfast man was well known for his love of the language and music of Ireland. Friends say he passed away from natural causes in the Mater Hospital yesterday. The son of a Birmingham born former British soldier, he was brought up in the North...

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Scottish National Party announce plans to explore creation of a Gàidhealtachd, a recognised Gaelic-speaking area

THE SNP has announced plans to secure the future of Gaelic by investing in education and exploring the creation of a recognised Gaelic-speaking area.  The party said it will work to ensure Gaelic flourishes throughout Scotland as well as in its traditional heartlands if it is re-elected in May. It also said it would "review the functions and structures" of Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG), the quango responsible...

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Public Office for the Breton language "satisfactory financial situation"

The regional chamber of accounts has just released its report on the Public Office for the Breton language. The document states a "satisfactory financial situation" but makes some recommendations."This is the first time, since the creation of the Public Office of the Breton Language (OPLB) in 2010, that we have undergone a control by the regional chamber of accounts, but we thought that this would happen one day", underlines Philippe...

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Pupils in Gaeilge, Irish language, schools top 7,000 for first time in Northern Ireland

The number of young people being educated through Irish has passed 7,000 for the first time. Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) said new figures highlighted the significant growth that the Irish-medium sector was experiencing. The council said local committees and activists deserved huge praise for their commitment to ensuring Irish-medium...

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A huge crowd demonstrates in defense of the Breton language

The joint call of the three Breton education networks (Diwan, Div Yezh and Divaskell), supported by Kevre Breizh, Kelennomp! and Sonerion gathered about 5,000 Bretons. This is one of the most important mobilizations in defense of the Breton language. And that’s all the organizers will remember. A crowd invaded Saint-Corentin Square in Kemper...

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Cornish couple discriminated against over wedding language

 Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby have been told they must have their wedding ceremony in English first. Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby were told by Cornwall Council their ceremony must be in English and Cornish. The council said "declaratory and contracting words" can only be said in English or Welsh for a legally binding marriage....

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The Manx Language Network, Jeebin, encourage everyone to celebrate the Manx language under the umbrella name

From 9 June to 9 July 2021, the Manx Language Network, Jeebin, will be encouraging everyone to celebrate the Manx language under the umbrella name ‘Gaelg21’ which simply means ‘Manx21’. 
Jeebin is keen for everyone in both the language and wider community to be involved in hosting and participating in events and projects. If you’re...

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Sinn Féin letter in support of the Breton Language Education

 Letter in support of Breton education sent to the French Ambassador - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD Sinn Féin spokesperson for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has this morning written to the French Ambassador, Vincent Guérend, to demonstrate his concerns regarding...

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Youngest ever new chairman of Agan Tavas Kyle Odgers

He was elected the new chair of Agan Tavas at the Annual General Meeting held virtually earlier this month. The AGM also approved a new Mission Statement, with a strong focus on safeguarding Cornish tradition and greater emphasis on speaking the Cornish language in everyday life.Kyle said: “Agan Tavas means Our Language. Cornish is a unique...

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Supermarket director sacked after Welsh language jibes

A supermarket chain's PR chief has been sacked after comments about Wales, its language and the UK Celtic nations. Keith Hann was dismissed by frozen food specialists Iceland "with immediate effect" after remarks on Twitter. Further comments on a personal blog also emerged, describing the Welsh language as "incomprehensible" and "gibberish". Iceland is based in north Wales, and said the comments did not reflect their values. An...

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Netflix announces Sponge on the Run as its first ever Irish language movie version

Netflix has announced that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will be the first Irish language version of a movie to appear on the platform. TG4 and Macalla have partnered with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies to create the Irish language version of The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run, which was initially released in 2020.  The English language version is voiced by Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Keanu Reeves...

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Strong mobilization in Brest in defense of the Breton language at school

Faced with the French ministry's intention to reduce the number of hours taught in Breton at school, several organizations called a demonstration on February 20 in Brest. This event has been a success with about 1,500-2,000 people.Students, with the planned reform, would only have one hour of teaching Breton today instead of three. As a result,...

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Cymdeithas yr Iaith calls on Senedd to implement ‘single continuum’ of teaching Welsh

 The intention would be to remove a Welsh second language qualification and ensure that Welsh-medium education is eventually extended to include all schools and all children. Cymdeithas yr Iaith said that this would mean that every child can leave our schools fully bilingual – but that the continuum is a way of recognizing that this...

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Manx Gaelic on Broadcasting House on Radio 4

 The revival of Manx Gaelic received some excellent publicity at the weekend with a piece about the langauge on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House.  To listen to the programme again click here&nb...

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Protection of Manx Gaelic under the ECRML extended

 On 23 December 2020, the United Kingdom notified the Council of Europe that it will apply Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to the Manx Gaelic language in respect of the territory of the Isle of Man, in accordance with the decision taken by the Isle of Man authorities. This decision significantly strengthens the protection and promotion of the Manx Gaelic language. By applying Part...

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief: There is 'real anguish' about situation facing Gaelic

 WITH warnings it could die out as a community language within a decade, the precarious position of Gaelic in Scotland has come under the spotlight in recent months. Shona MacLennan, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the quango responsible for promoting the language, is among those entrusted with making sure it has a futur...

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Five village signs to be replaced with Gaelic translation in South Ayrshire

 Five village welcome signs are to be translated into Scots Gaelic in South Ayrshire. The new signs will go up in Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Pinmore and Pinwherry. They are currently being manufactured and are due to be erected in upcoming weeks by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance. The boards will also retain the English place name as well....

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Two more Carmarthenshire primary schools proposed to switch to Welsh language education

 The proposals are to change the foundation phase of both schools to Welsh language education from September, 2022. This would only affect pupils starting in the foundation phase, and pupils currently attending the school would be unaffected. Councillors on a scrutiny committee approved the recommendations going before the executive board at a meeting on January 28, having raised questions about the consultation process...

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Welsh language speaker alleges discrimination at Britain’s largest prison

A Welsh language speaker has alleged he and others are being discriminated against for speaking Welsh in HMP Berwyn. Prison campaigners, grassroots activists and Welsh language campaigners are also speaking out about this. Welsh independence movement Undod said: Undod and Prisoner Solidarity Network are campaigning together to stop the persecution of Welsh language speakers at HMP Berwyn. Prisoner Solidarity Network has been made...

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EU's top court holds its first hearing in Irish

 Linguists are raising a glass after the EU's top court held its first hearing in the Irish language on Thursday. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) can hear cases in any of the bloc's two-dozen official languages.But this is the first time in nearly 50 years it has been done so in Irish. "We are delighted that our case is being heard by the European Court of Justice, the first case in the Irish language," Irish language...

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Belfast City Council gives green light to bilingual street signs

Belfast City Council has voted to adopt a new policy on bilingual street signs. The policy will make it easier for residents to apply for an Irish language street sign where they live. It requires one resident or their local councillor to come forward with the request to erect a bilingual street sign. If this gains the support of 15% of residents on the electoral register it would go forward for approval by the council.Although...

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