Celebrating 10 Years of BBC ALBA

That the Parliament welcomes the tenth anniversary of the launch of BBC ALBA, which is jointly operated by MG ALBA and the BBC; acknowledges that, since its launch, over £160 million has been invested in producing its Gaelic language content; believes that the station accounts for around 50% of independently-produced hours for audiences in Scotland; commends MG ALBA on working with other Gaelic organisations, including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to understand the changing trends in Gaelic culture and to implement these in their content; welcomes the news that the channel is investing more in its digital content to reach younger audiences; further welcomes its recent partnership agreement with S4C of Wales, Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund and TG4 of the Republic of Ireland to invest more in Celtic language output, and recognises what it sees as the ongoing contribution that BBC ALBA makes in promoting Gaelic language and culture to a wider audience in the Highlands and Islands and across Scotland.`

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'Encouraging' survey suggests rise in Welsh language speakers

A suggested rise in the number of Welsh speakers over the last decade is "encouraging", the Welsh Government has said. A survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) suggests 874,700 people are able to speak the language, up from 726,600 in 2008. The Welsh Government wants to get one million people speaking Welsh by 2050.
Welsh Language minister Eluned Morgan said the results of the survey were very encouraging ahead of the census. The data was published as part of the Annual Population Survey, which asked 31,000 people about their ability to speak Welsh in 14,500 different households in the different council areas across Wales.

While it suggests a rise in the number of Welsh speakers in most parts of Wales, the official data will not be known until the next census is carried out in 2021.Traditional Welsh-speaking communities have been said to be under threat from young people moving away to find work and new housing developments attracting incomers who do not speak the language.But according to the survey, by the end of June 2008, there were 726,600 people in Wales who said they could speak Welsh, or 25.8% of the population.

Source

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The Aisling Awards, Celebrating Irish language in Belfast

NOMINATIONS are still open for The Outstanding Contribution to the Irish Language Award in this year’s Aisling Awards.
This award celebrates the vibrancy and uniqueness which the Irish language brings to the city of Belfast, the award will honour an organisation or person who works tirelessly to pioneer the language. This year’s Aisling Awards will be held in the Europa Hotel on Thursday October 18, when guests will gather to celebrate those who are making a difference to city.
Previous winners of the Gaeilge include: Glór na Móna, Cumann Chluain Árd, Féile an Droichead, Ionad Uibh Eachach, Croí Éanna and Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain
Edel Ní Chorráin from our sponsor Foras na Gaeilge said: “Cuireann Gradaim na hAislinge ardán iontach ar fáil do thograí Gaeilge gach bliain.
“Tá muid ag súil le bheith ag tacú leo arís i mbliana agus iad ag bronnadh Ghradam na Gaeilge ar thogra eile, le haitheantas a thabhairt dá chuid iarrachtaí leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.”
“Gradaim na hAislinge have given Irish language initiatives a valuable platform over the years. We look forward to supporting the recognition of yet one more initiative in 2018 through the Irish language award.”
Also supporting the 2018 Aisling Awards are Premier Partner Open University, the Kennedy Centre, Ulster Bank, Ulster University, Sean Graham, TG4, Mercury Security, Movie House Cinemas and Belfast International Airport.
To nominate in the Outstanding Contribution to the Irish Language category visit www.aisling-events.com/aisling-awards-2018-nomination
You can also fill in the nomination at aisling-events.com/aisling-awards-2018-nomination/
The 22nd annual Aisling Awards will take place in the Europa Hotel on Thursday October 18. For further information please contact Aisling Events on 02890 611916.

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Scottish Parliament renews its commitment to Gaelic with five-year language plan

Published yesterday, the plan sets out how the Scottish Parliament will promote and support the language over the next five years.

The Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh MSP, said the plan demonstrates the value and respect Holyrood has for the Gaelic language.
Mr Macintosh said:
“For more than a decade, Scots law has recognised the cultural and historic significance of Gaelic, and the vital part it plays in our nation’s age-old story and identity.
“As someone born in the Highlands and the son of a native Gaelic speaker, I was proud to be one of those who voted to pass the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
“Over the past 10 years, our plans have ensured that people see and hear Gaelic being used in our Parliament. Despite the prominence of the language at Holyrood, Gaelic remains vulnerable and we cannot afford to be complacent.
“In this our third language plan, our focus is on public services and activities in Gaelic that provide a clear offer to the public, staff and MSPs alike. When it comes to Gaelic at the Parliament, we want people to see it, hear it, and use it.”
The Presiding Officer added:
“We hope our continued value and respect for Gaelic is reflected in our priorities for the years ahead.”
Welcoming the publication of the Gaelic Plan Daibhidh Boag, Director of Language Planning and Community Developments with Bòrd na Gàidhlig said:
“Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to see the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic Plan for 2018 to 2023. Parliament’s support for Gaelic is crucial to the future of the language and we welcome the continuing commitment to ensuring that the language is prominent throughout the Parliament building and in the work of the Parliament. The National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-2023 has increased usage of Gaelic; increased learning of the language and the promotion of a positive image for Gaelic as its core aims and it is essential that high-profile national bodies such as the Scottish Parliament should reflect those aims and objectives”
To accompany publication of the new plan, Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh appears in a 30 second social media video entitled “Gaelic at the Scottish Parliament: See it, Hear it, Use it” in which he and Parliament staff encourage viewers to learn and use words of Gaelic they might encounter in Parliament.

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Radio Naoned, new Breton language to be launched in Nantes

Radio Kerne, the 100% Breton radio station in Cornwall, is preparing the arrival of an equivalent medium, Radio Naoned, on the Nantes region. Digital broadcasting is expected to be launched at the end of the year or early 2019.

Big comeback for the team of Radio Kerne, the radio 100% in Breton which covers the Cornouaille: it is in charge of the installation of an equivalent media at the other end of Brittany on the country Nantais. Between the metropolis and the small town of Ploneis near Kemper/Quimper, where the studios are located, there is a world. "The project is going very well," says Lou Millour, co-director of Radio Kerne. Two people were recruited, our premises will be installed in Saint-Herblain (44), on the site of the federation Yezhoù ha sevenadur, which gathers several Breton cultural associations ".

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16 new initiates in the Gorsedh Kernow

The annual procession of bards and installation of the 16 new initiates took place on Saturday, September 1, at the ceremony on the Barrowcliff in Newquay as part of the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish culture.

Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national celtic spirit of Cornwall and to give expression to such spirit, to encourage the study of Cornish history and literature, the Cornish language, to foster Cornish art, music, dance and sport and to link with other Celtic countries.

The procession was led by the Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey.

During the ceremony Jane Nancarrow, of St Stephens, Launceston, was installed as a bard for her services to Cornish literature.

A pupil and disciple of Charles Causley who works hard for the Charles Causley Festival and is one of the finest readers of Causley’s poetry.

She is also well remembered for her performance as Mary Yellan in ‘Jamaica Inn’ and had a leading role in Edward Woodward’s last film ‘A Congregation of Ghosts’. Her bardic name is Skrifores Nans Karow meaning ‘Writer of the Valley of the Deer’.

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Parents from Plouguerneau Protest against the removal of a bilingual class

Last Tuesday, 25 parents of students made the way from the small town of Finistère to the doors of the French rectorate, Roazhon/Rennes, to protest against the removal of a bilingual class. Leaving early Tuesday morning from Plouguerneau, 25 parents of students from Le Petit Prince school boarded the bus to the Breton capital. In front of the rector's doors, they set up small children's chairs and streamers, to the sound of hissing whistles and pans. On Thursday, they learned that their children would have to do without one of the five French-speaking bilingual teachers from the school.

"We knew it two days after school when the classes were already done," indignant Guirec, one of the parents of the school Le Petit Prince, which offers bilingual classes of the small section in CM2. "We saw CP children in tears because they're going to be mixed up with big sections. They think they are going back to kindergarten. "

With one less teacher, the school will have to redistribute the hundreds of small brittlies between four classes. Some could have three different levels, one perhaps with about 30 students. "How are the teachers doing? They had not anticipated this configuration at all.

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Gŵyl Newydd – Celebrating the Welsh language at a new festival in Newport

With an increasing number of arts and music festivals popping up throughout Wales, a group came together to discuss organising a Welsh language festival in Newport, and in consultation with the public it was clearly noted that there was a desire to hold a Welsh language festival in the area to support the promotion of the Welsh language in the city and beyond.
A number of local partners have been assisting with the organization, including Menter Iaith Casnewydd, Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy, the Urdd, Gwent Welsh for Adults Center, University of South Wales, Mudiad Meithrin, Cymraeg for Kids, and Merched y Wawr as well as local volunteers.
The aim of the festival is to have the opportunity to enjoy and socialize in a completely bilingual setting. It’s also an opportunity to raise the profile of Welsh in the community, giving a shop window to the many opportunities that  local partners offer for fluent speakers, learners and non-Welsh speakers alike to use Welsh within our square mile.
This evening there will be a talk about JE Southall at the Cwtsh on the Handpost and events will continue on Thursday evening with a lecture about Owain Glyndŵr at the Settlement in Pontypool, a night of guitar music with Rihisiart Arwel in Chepstow, and a Friday morning walk at the wetlands with the Gwent Welsh for Adults Center before the big day on Saturday at Malpas Court.
On Saturday, there will be information and local produce stalls as well as performances by Côr y Dreigiau Choir, Afon Lwyd Choir, schools from the area, a theatrical performance by Mewn Cymeriad, folk dancing with Gwerinwyr Gwent, circus and balloon skills, Iwcs ukulele orchestra, video games, Urdd sports, a story with Cymraeg for Kids and to close the day the singer Mei Gwynedd will perform.
Jamie James, Chair of the Gŵyl Newydd committee said:
“The Welsh language is growing strongly in Newport and beyond, with more and more fluent and new speakers using the language daily. Gŵyl Newydd is an opportunity for us all to celebrate our language and culture as well as show the community that the language is alive and used widely in Newport. You are all very welcome this week. ”
“We would like to thank our major sponsors this year, Harding Evans, Pure Severn Provisions, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Eglwys Mynydd Seion for sponsoring our first year and everyone who has enabled the festival to take place this year.”
For more information follow @GwylNewydd on Twitter, Gŵyl Newydd on Facebook or visit www.gwylnewydd.cymru

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Government Survey Shows Wide Support for the Welsh Language

Statistics released by the Welsh Government (link) demonstrate deep broad support for increased efforts to strengthen and protect the Celtic Language of Wales. However, the survey also showed profound skepticism over the seriousness and effectiveness of the government's efforts to protect the Welsh Language against the English language onslaught.
Commenting on the survey results, Welsh Language Society spokesman, Tasman Davies, stated: “The Welsh language society welcomed the findings, saying that it was “great news that there’s so much support for the Welsh language.  The results have a clear message for anyone in authority – which is that they should be brave and determined in promoting the Welsh language. We as a movement feel have called for the right for a Welsh medium education for all, the right to use the Welsh language in the private sector, and the devolution of broadcasting to Wales in order to expand and normalise broadcasting in Welsh. It’s time that politicians realised that the public support this and want to see them take implement this. It’s also clear that many adults want to learn Welsh so we need much more investment in this field.”
 In the survey of 11,000 adults, the following results were posted to the Government of Wales Statistical First Release webpage:

• 86% of people felt the language was something to be proud of, (97% of Welsh speakers and 84% of non-Welsh speakers); the proportion of Welsh speakers ‘strongly agreeing’ was markedly higher.
• 67% thought that more effort needed to be put into supporting the language (86% of Welsh speakers and 63% of non-Welsh speakers).
• 62% of those who didn’t speak Welsh said they would like to speak it; and of those who already had some skills in the Welsh language, 85% said they would like to speak it better.
• People were least likely to agree with the statement ‘The Welsh language will be stronger in 10 years’ time’: 40% agreed with the statement (49% of Welsh speakers and 38% of non-Welsh speakers).

To strengthern the Welsh Tongue, the Welsh Language Society have long been calling for the abolition of the concept of “Welsh as a Second Language” pushing the alternative that every pupil be given the opportunity to be educated in the medium of both Welsh and English. The notion of Welsh medium education enjoys wide support amongst the electorate in Wales. A poll released in late 2014 sponsored by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) showed 63% of the people surveyed agreed that schools “should teach all pupils to communicate effectively in Welsh” thus ensuring graduates enjoy a command of the Welsh tongue upon graduation.  Studies have shown that bilingually schooled students academically outperform monolingually schooled students.

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Ban on Irish language street signs in Antrim lifted

A ban on Irish language street signs in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been rescinded, the High Court heard on September 7th.
The decision to set aside the policy followed a challenge by a local resident who claimed it amounted to discrimination.
Clare Duffy was also awarded legal costs as part of the resolution reached in the case.
Her supporters described the outcome as vindication of taking action against a "Donald Trump-type policy".
Ms Duffy issued judicial review proceedings after the Council introduced a ban on bi-lingual signs within the borough earlier this year.
She claimed the move discriminated on grounds of religion, political opinion and cultural identity.
It was alleged that by formulating the prohibition the Council failed in its duty to ensure equality.
In court today Barry Macdonald QC, representing Ms Duffy, said: The policy has now been rescinded on foot of the proceedings."
The development was confirmed in a letter following a council meeting last month.
On that basis Mr Justice McCloskey agreed to end the proceedings and make a costs order in favour of Ms Duffy.
She had been backed in her challenge by the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).
Outside court CAJ Deputy Director Daniel Holder said: "This was Donald Trump type policy making by the Council, rushing through a policy that was clear to the rest of us was unlawful and discriminatory and bypassing the duties in their own equality scheme in doing so.
"After months of the Council telling us the policy was lawful, today confirms a U-turn."
He added: "We need to be vigilant that what replaces the policy respects human rights standards."
Ms Duffy's solicitor, Niall Murphy of KRW Law, said: "Our client expresses regret that ratepayers money has been wasted on having to pay for the entirety of the costs of this High Court challenge at a time when rates in the Borough have been recently increased by 3%."

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