Are dying languages worth saving?

[Ranald]

From the BBC News Magazine

Are dying languages worth saving?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11304255

Quite a thought.....

Ranald

[Alastair]

Re: Are dying languages worth saving?

I think a body of work needs to be carried out to record these minor languages. It's almost like the Scots language. Peter Wright is one of the few people that can carry on an every day conversation in the old Scots language and he has done fabulous work in recording it for future generations....

He has recorded some 3,000 words and when you click on the word he speaks the word in Scots, then gives an English translation. He then says a short phrase in Scots using the word and gives the English translation and then he finally says the word one more time in Scots. To this he had also given a translation of the word in text.

He has further recorded poems and stories in the Scots language and given popular sayings all in the Scots language. This is of course the language that Robert Burns wrote many of his poems in.

This in my view if what should be done for all endangered languages. This way historians and others can make use of this should they need to translate historical texts.

When you further consider some of the old civilizations you'll see that we're trying to learn something about them as what some did was remarkable and we don't even know today for sure how they achieved some of the things they did then.

For the Scots language see http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/purves/

and also http://www.electricscotland.com/cult...cots/index.htm

Alastair

[Alastair]

Re: Are dying languages worth saving?

Taic/CNSA Threatened With Destruction

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is to withhold 100% of its funding from TAIC (formerly CNSA), and TAIC’s work is to be given to Councils and perhaps another organisation.

No clear reasons for their actions have been given, and the move appears to be just a matter of intimidation and bullying on their part. However, putting all this aside, what has been obvious almost from day one of Bòrd na Gàidhlig coming into being, is their very clear cut intention to take the work for themselves by destroying CNSA/TAIC, which will put future Gaelic development in danger.

The Bòrd’s own agenda has blinded them to the fact that if CNSA/TAIC had not been working, the Bòrd itself would not exist because there would be no Gaelic medium education, nor any need for the services that have grown up around it.

The fact is, over some 28 years the CNSA/TAIC team have been responsible for the development of more than 240 Gaelic medium pre-school groups, in a myriad of innovative formats spread all round Scotland, that have brought children to speaking Gaelic in the most user-friendly way possible.

CNSA/TAIC have also been crucially instrumental in the development of some 60 Gaelic medium primary schools, numerous parent language courses, staff and tutor training courses that are at the forefront of international best practise. CNSA/TAIC have brought these developments forward, very often under very tight financial constraints, severe staff shortages, and outright opposition by those who want to control or restrict Gaelic aspirations.

It is worth noting that since Bòrd na Gàidhlig took over control from the Scottish Government with responsibility for Gaelic expansion, only two new Gaelic medium primary units have opened.

Returning to the central point which is the threatened demise of CNSA/TAIC and the effect on future Gaelic numbers, the following facts must be raised:

1) Local councils do not have the flexibility or single minded commitment to Gaelic. Moreover, very few are prepared to take on the very specialised steps that Gaelic needs, in order to take it forward. In fact many of them have for the longest time, shown a grudging reluctance to give any money whatsoever to any Gaelic initiative. It is hard to believe that the vacuum created by CNSA/TAIC’s demise, will be filled by Councils.

2) If the other Gaelic agencies believe that they will be safe once CNSA/Taic is done away with, they are living in a fool’s paradise. In such a scenario Bòrd na Gàidhlig having successfully flexed its muscles, and beaten what it considered to be one of its most difficult opponents, will they then hesitate to crush any sign of independence from those who are left to voice independent opinions?

3) In the end there will be very few independent Gaelic agencies left, but one can be very sure, there will be another very fat, unwieldy, self important, non listening quango, answerable to no one.

4) Smothering opposition, while at the same time diminishing Gaelic’s horizons and ability to flourish, will certainly not give an enlightened view of what is being done to the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland, on the international scene.

5) In the face of all the above, an individual can still make a difference and if enough of us do so, things may turn out a lot better than we anticipate. For a start one could email the minister responsible, Michael Russell, Minister for Education at Michael.Russell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk saying that you are against this action and support CNSA/TAIC and the work that it is trying to do.

6) The important point is that we make as much noise as possible; one should be aware, that assassins always like their deeds done quietly and away from public view. Therefore, drawing as much attention as possible, to what is being intended by Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the best plan.

7) Contacting MPs, MSPs, newspapers, television, radio, internet, parents, families, grandparents, in fact, anyone who can help, please come forward and do so, CNSA/TAIC need all the support it can get.

In the end it is all about helping the Gaelic language and culture to thrive in the future in a confident, democratic and forward looking Scotland.

Getting rid of one of the longest standing Gaelic organisations that has been serving Scottish people in all spheres, will not serve either Gaelic or Scotland very well, nor will it do anything for its future. Let Gaelic flourish and let Scotland flourish!

For information regarding this news bulletin please contact:

Alasdair MacMhaoirn Mobile (…07547-988741
Finlay Macleoid Mobile (…07789-826934
Home (…01542-836322
finlay@cnsa.org.uk

TAIC
92 Academy Street
Inverness Email
IV1 1LU

[Kelly d]

Re: Are dying languages worth saving?

As an armature historian, I strongly feel the Scots Gael must be preserved.

When I was researching way back when, for the King Arthur series, the book by Norma Lorne Goodrich was a fantastic resource because she did the translation of the old manuscripts from old Welsh Gael and old Scots Gael. The difference was simply amazing! Now, the UK can verify her information with archaeological evidence!

I strongly feel if a linguistic expert did the two translations, we may find the Dark Ages were not dark after all!

[miolchu]

Re: Are dying languages worth saving?

To understand the psychology of a people and how they interacted among themselves and the world you have to understand their language. Language influences how people think and how they interact with one another. When a language goes extinct, so does one of the most important tools of understanding them.

[Alastair]

Re: Are dying languages worth saving?

Gaelic and the Scots language are both emotional languages while English is a technical language. Certainly if we lost either there would be a load of historical detail that would be lost to us.

Alastair