Fabiola

Hello

My name is Fabiola, I was born here in Montreal from a Canadian mother and a Costa Rican father. I then moved to Costa Rica when I was 4 years old, and learned my first values from my father's people.

Now I am back here and trying to make it through. I love languages, I can never decide wich one I want to learn so I end up having basics in 6 languages but none of them are in a useful level. BUT I speak three languages fluently: French, Spanish and English.

In this semester, I hope to broaden my knowledge in Celtic Gaelic languages such as welsh, irish and scottish. Because we rarely heard about this branch of language and also because they are dying, it is such a shame such beautiful languages are dissapearing. We need to aknowledge them more before english takes over!


History of Welsh (Cymraeg)


  • Welsh is part of the Brythonic languages, coming from Celtic language spoken by the old occupants of the british isles, Wales. By that time, before the Roman occupation Celtic languages where largely in use in all of Europe. (The Welsh Language, History UK)
  • Then with influences from Anglo-Saxons, Welsh evolved greatly, and during the middle-ages Welsh became Middle-Welsh. (The Welsh Language History UK)
  • Fast forward, new laws prohibited Welsh to be in administrative affairs, '' with English sovereignty over Wales, the use of the Welsh language was banned and its official status removed. ''(The Welsh Language,Historic UK ) And in the 18th century, the inlfux of english speakers in Whales did not help the conservation of the language.

FACTS:

  • There is about 740 000 people speaking Welsh in the world (Welsh language, alphabet and Pronunciation, Omniglot )
  • There is speakers mostly in Wales, UK and also Argentina, Patagonia (Welsh language, alphabet and Pronunciation, Omniglot.com )
  • There is a lot of broadcasts on radio, TV shows , big music scene and about 500 books written in Welsh today every year. Basically, the welsh culture is not going to die so quickly. Plus with the schools in Whales teaching kids from 5 to 16 years old the language of their land. (Welsh language, alphabet and Pronunciation, Omniglot.com )
  • There is something called ''mutation'' in Celtic languages, like welsh, '' which affects the initial letters of words '' (Welsh language, alphabet and Pronunciation, Omniglot.com ) the letter changes depending on the place the word is in the sentence.


Map of Wales


Classic Welsh scenery


Welsh coast


History of Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)


  • Today we think scottish gaelic comes from Ireland and it was an old typeof irish gaelic. It spread all the way to the scottish lands from the kigdom of Alba that was at the time, the territory of Scotland. (Gaelic Language & History , visitscotland.com)
  • During centuries , the language was persecuted , trying to be supressed by other powerful regions.(Gaelic Language & History , visitscotland.com)
  • In the 11th century English knew as "Inglis" was slowly remplacing scottish. Then by the mid 14th century, english became the official language of laws in Scotland. (Scottish Gaelic Language, Omniglot.com)
  • Children speaking scottish were punished (18th century). The only thing allowed to be done in their own language was to read the bible in Gaelic. (Scottish Gaelic Language, Omniglot.com)

FACTS:

  • 32 400 people can read, write understand and speak Gaelic, but the majority of people (87 100) only have a basic knowledge of the language, according to an UK census in 2011. (Scottish Gaelic Language, Omniglot.com)
  • Gaelic is closely related to Irish gaelic and surprisingly distant from Welsh. They are part of the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages.(Scottish Gaelic Language, Omniglot.com)
  • Despite over 200 years of supression, the Gaelic language was well preserved and survived through the years without dying completely. With the help of the vibrant modern gaelic culture, as we can see in the numerous pubs traditional rythmic gaelic music and songs being played all night. (Gaelic Language & History , visitscotland.com)


Scottish scenery


Edinburgh


Scottish cow


  • (Gaelic Language & History , visitscotland.com)


History of Irish (Gaelidge)

  • The "irish" language was always spoken in Ireland (although it really changed from the old irish spoken), and originated from it since the beggining. But in the 17th, english became to remplace the language in most parts of Ireland.
  • The decline of the language accelerated when the famine in Ireland began during the 19th century, when people, including irish speakers began to migrate, leading to children not learning their mother tongue. (Irish language, alphabet and pronunciation, Omniglot.com).
  • Luckily, in 1922 Ireland declared Irish as an official language next to english in Ireland. Making the contry billingual (Irish language, alphabet and pronunciation, Omniglot.com).

FACTS:

  • Many titles or public figures and organisations in the country took the Irish name, for example Garda for police and Taoiseach for prime minister. (Irish language, alphabet and pronunciation, Omniglot.com).
  • The irish language is experiencing a recent revival with radio stations, television and more Irish education throughougt the country. There is aproximatly 1.76 million speakers in Ireland who claim to be fluent. (Irish language, alphabet and pronunciation, Omniglot.com).


Map of Ireland


Dublin


Irish castle


Irish Language, Encyclopedia Britannica Britannica.com

Irish in society














This video (To Have Irish, Pulitzer Center, Pulitzercenter.org) shows what every day life is for the irish people and their relationship with their language. As we see, they can be judged for it, or simply can not find any opportunity to use it, something that harms the language.

Welsh in society









This video (Freedom to use welsh, Comisiynydd y Gymraeg, ComisiynyddyGymraeg.cymru) shows a scenario where welsh speaking people were taken away their freedom and rights to speak their mother tongue. There is specific laws to protect it, and action is taken when needed to protect the minority in the "country" of Wales.


Scottish independence?

  • Views from English people about the independence of Scotland. The views vary a lot, some saying how they would not be able to sustain themselves, or that what is the purpose of it? for them to say they are different? There is also the Scottish and proud who would love to see their nation be born.

(Scottish Times: English view of Scottish independence)


  • Interesting facts about the economy of Scotland, and the complications they may have if they ever become dependent on themselves only. As we notice it, independence does not only have to be centralized in nationalism and desire to be different from your neighbour.

(The Economist, Scottish independence: The complication of separation)




Nationalism and identity

  • "Nationalism offers a valuable identity for free. The fact that one was born here rather than there, has these physical or racial characteristics, practices one religion rather than another, or speaks one language and not another becomes a valid criterion for being included within the chosen group. Most of those characteristics are due to simple luck or derive from the parents’ decisions, and are therefore beyond the individual’s control. In any case, individuals in this position perceive themselves as being included within a notable group that possesses some valuable and perhaps previously unknown " (Angel Gonzales Torres Miguel, Fernandes Rivas Aranzazu, Some refletions on nationalism, identity and sexuality, international forum of psychoanalysis, 2014)


  • Identity is never static whether on an individual or a social level, it is immersed in a perpetual process of change. History is in a constant state of flux, not only because what we know of the past is modified (sometimes we learn new things, sometimes we forget what we knew), but also because there is always a delicate balance between the past that justifies our present, our current vision of ourselves, and the dreams of the future that drive us forward. (Angel Gonzales Torres Miguel, Fernandes Rivas Aranzazu, Some refletions on nationalism, identity and sexuality, international forum of psychoanalysis, 2014)


  • There is a fascinating similarity between the descriptions each social group offers of the ‘‘other.’’ It can be said that, with striking regularity, the attributes that each particular group attaches to those they reject are very similar. When we read comments on the groups assigned the role of ‘‘other,’’ we usually find a series of repeated characteristics: dishonesty, laziness, dirtiness, dishonor, lack of emotional restraint ... These despicable other to whom all kinds of negative characteristics are attributed often end up being considered as the oppressors of precisely those nationalists projecting upon them . (Angel Gonzales Torres Miguel, Fernandes Rivas Aranzazu, Some refletions on nationalism, identity and sexuality, international forum of psychoanalysis, 2014)







Thoughts

It seems that every nation in this world, every ethnic group or even individual wants to separate itself from others, we want to be different, we don't want to be like all of ''them'', we are better. Is it possible than some groups only want independence to prove their differences? To prove they are somewhat ''special''? Why is this need so important? Being from another group , slighlty different does not make you smarter or more cultured, being ''québécois'' , latino, asian, is not a personality trait.

Why it always have to be ''them vs us'' kind of mindset. I do recognize that many groups are being brutalized and assimilated into another culture and this had happened during history. Maybe this need of separation comes from that, to be finally able to decide what is best for people who speak like you, think like you. And not being told how to act by a bigger influence that has nothing to do with your culture or values. To prove that their efforts to assimilate you did not work, and that your culture is still very much alive. And it's understandable and valid to want independence for these reasons and many others. Every group should have the right to decide for themslves. The problem comes when you start thinking your group is better than the other one, that you are worth more culturally, and the disdain for the other one starts.

Language planning for Irish

"Possible aims for community-based language planning initiatives in Ireland could include the following:

•to encourage and facilitate community (including cross-community)ownership of the Irish language;

•to increase levels of awareness of the language among non-Irish-speakers;

•to broaden accessibility to the Irish language across the community asa whole;

•to increase opportunities to use the language beyond the domains ofthe home and school;

•to offer practical help to families whose language of the home is not Irish but whose children are attending Irish-medium schools;

•to offer practical help to learners of Irish as a second language"

(MLA (Modern Language Assoc.)Mac Giolla Chriost, Diarmait. The Irish Language in Ireland : From Goídel to Globalisation. Routledge, 2005. (APA (American Psychological Assoc.) (Mac Giolla Chriost, D. (2005). The Irish Language in Ireland : From Goídel to Globalisation. Routledge.) "Irish language in Ireland: From Goidel to Globalisation"

Those are the many ways the Irish community could help their language not only survive, but grow within the community they live in.

But what does it mean?

"Language reproduction within the Irish-speaking community in the region is dispersed across a number of mechanisms. Of the Irish-speakers surveyed just under 10per cent of adults and just over 11 per cent of young people claimedthe Irish language as their mother tongue. The education system is of critical importance in the reproduction of the language. Many more ofthe younger Irish-speakers have had some of their education throughthe medium of Irish, in contrast to adult Irish-speakers. The fact of experi-encing one’s education through the medium of Irish appears to effect aconfidence in self-perceptions of ability in the language. Thus, other results in this survey show that young Irish-speakers who have experi-enced Irish-medium nursery education are more likely to return themselves as Irish-speakers of the highest ability later in life. "

MLA (Modern Language Assoc.) Mac Giolla Chriost, Diarmait. The Irish Language in Ireland : From Goídel to Globalisation. Routledge, 2005. APA (American Psychological Assoc.) Mac Giolla Chriost, D. (2005). The Irish Language in Ireland : From Goídel to Globalisation. Routledge. "Irish language in Ireland: From Goidel to Globalisation"

In other words, the continuity of the language is highly influenced by the early years of education, meaning if a child gets comfortable with the Irish language early on, it is most likely for them to identify themselves as Irish speaking.



Careful being optimistic!

Although there is many efforts to help the Irish language grow, especially in the education field, there is still place to many problems. "Saving" Irish would not only mean show it off to the most of the population, but to give them the interest and appreciation for it, to teach people how to love Irish and having a sincere desire to protect it.

Here are some problems the "promotion of irish has to face" :

  • A significant number of reports and research findings clearly reflect the low level of proficiency in the language attained by many students in the education system (Mac Donnacha et al., 2005; Department of Education and Skills, 2005, 2007, 2015; Harris, 1988, 1991; Harris and Murtagh, Harris et al., 2006; National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, 2008; Péterváry et al., 2014).
  • The low level of motivation for learning and using Irish among many students along with the dearth of opportunities to use the language continues to pose one of the more serious challenges to the societal revitalization of the Irish language (Department of Education and Skills, 2015; Harris et al., 2006; Ó Duibhir, 2009; Ó Giollagáin et al., 2007, Ó Giollagáin & Charlton, 2015).
  • The number of linguistic proficiency among some teachers is well documented (Department of Education and Skills, 2005, 2008; Harris et al., 2006; Mac Donnacha et al. 2005; National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, 2008).
  • Many reseachers experience difficulty in implementing a convincing pedagogy (Department of Education and Skills, 2005, 2008; Harris et al., 2006; National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, 2008; Ó Duibhir, 2009; Mac Donnacha et al., 2005; Ní Shéaghdha, 2010).
  • The Gaelicht education system is not succeeding in meeting the needs of young native speakers of Irish or transforming those who come to school as English speakers into active Irish speakers (Department of Education and Skills, 2015; Ó Giollagáin et al., 2007; Péterváry et al., 2014).

From: Aine Ni Dhonnabhain, T,J O Ceallaigh, "Reawakening the Irish language through the Irish education system: Challenges and Priorities", International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 2015, 8(2), 179-198.

Language planning for Scottish

"With the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 and in the years that follow, the Scottish Government will work with Bòrd na Gàidhlig in striving to ensure the proportion of Gaelic Speakers in Scotland is restored, by 2021, to the levels recorded in the 2001 Census. The outcomes set out by the national plan are summarised below."

Summary of Outcomes from the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17

Home and Early Years

An increase in the acquisition and use of Gaelic by young people in the home and increased numbers of children entering Gaelic medium early years education.

Education: Schools and Teachers

An increase in the number of children enrolling in Gaelic medium education (GME), doubling the current annual intake to 800 by 2017.

A year on year increase in the number of pupils engaged in Gaelic learner education ( GLE) in both primary and secondary schools.

An expansion in the availability of Gaelic-medium subjects in secondary schools.

Education: Post-school Education

An increase in the number of adults acquiring Gaelic from the current total of around 2,000 to 3,000 by 2017 and enhanced language skills among fluent Gaelic speakers.

Communities

More opportunities for communities and networks of Gaelic speakers of all kinds to use Gaelic and increased use of the language in community activities and services.

Workplace

Expansion of the use of Gaelic in places of work and an increase in employment opportunities where Gaelic skills are required in order to enable service delivery in the language.

Arts and Media

Development of Gaelic arts and media as a means of promoting the language, attracting people to it and enhancing their commitment through opportunities to learn, use and develop Gaelic.

Heritage and Tourism

An increased profile for Gaelic in the heritage and tourism sectors and increased use of Gaelic in the interpretation of Scotland's history and culture.

Corpus

Co-ordination of the initiatives of parties active in Gaelic language corpus development to achieve enhanced strength, relevance, consistency and visibility of the Gaelic language in Scotland.

Scottish Government National Outcomes

The following table demonstrates how the Scottish Government's National Outcomes relate and feed in to the development areas of the National Gaelic Language Plan.

(Scottish Government, Scottish Government Gaelic Plan 2016-2021, 5 May 2017)

What does it mean for scotland and why?

"The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language."

"This is a critical time for the future of Gaelic. The position of the language is extremely fragile and the declining numbers of those speaking Gaelic fluently threatens the survival of Gaelic as a living language in Scotland. It is essential that steps are taken to create a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland."

"One of the key features of the 2005 Act is the provision enabling Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Scottish Government's principal Gaelic development body) to require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. This provision was designed to ensure that the public sector in Scotland plays its part in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile and creating practical opportunities for its use."

"Results from the 2011 Census have shown that the decline in the number of Gaelic speakers has slowed since 2001. The total number of people recorded as being able to speak and/or read and/or understand Gaelic was 87,056. Of these 58,000 people (1.1% of the population) aged three and over in Scotland were able to speak Gaelic. This is a slight fall from 59,000 (1.2% of the population) in the 2001 Census which compares favourably to the previous Census results which recorded an 11% drop in speakers."

(Scottish Government, Scottish Government Gaelic Plan 2016-2021, 5 May 2017)



Map of Scotland with its percentages of Galeic (Scottish) speakers


Language planning for welsh, in EDUCATION

The education is the base for sharing knowledge to the future leaders of our society, that is why I will concentrate on what Wales plans to do for education in order to revive Welsh language.

"The strategy makes it clear that we expect all schools in Wales to contribute to the aim of creating Welsh speakers. Work has started on developing one language continuum for teaching and learning Welsh in our schools. We are also in the process of undertaking research on language immersion models and methodologies to inform future teaching and learning."

By 2021 we will do the following.

  1. Work with key stakeholders to develop and publish before the end of 2017, a national policy for the teaching and learning of Welsh in our statutory education system, informed by research and evidence.
  2. Develop one continuum of teaching and learning Welsh to be introduced as part of the new curriculum in all schools in Wales and ensure that assessment and examination of Welsh skills and knowledge are inextricably linked to teaching and learning.
  3. Establish an independent board to advise on changes to Welsh education planning processes.
  4. Review the legislation underpinning Welsh education planning.
  5. Create the demand for Welsh-medium education through ambitious planning with achievable yet realistic targets while maximising existing resources. This may include capital investment through the 21st Century Schools and Education Capital Programme.
  6. Review the definitions and categories of schools in Wales according to the language which is used as the medium of instruction.
  7. Review the process for increasing the proportion of Welsh-medium teaching and learning in schools.
  8. Consolidate and expand the opportunities for learners to access Welsh-medium education, whether in the primary or secondary sector, through specific provision for latecomers.
  9. Develop creative marketing campaigns aimed at increasing the demand for Welsh-medium education.
  10. Strengthen links with local authorities, regional consortia, schools, early years providers and the post-16 sector to improve progression rates between different phases of education.

(Welsh Government, Cymraeg 2050: our plan for 2017 to 2021, 10 july 2019)

Why put efforts in young students?

"Learning the language during infancy and early childhood provides a strong basis for developing competence and further skills in the future. The most recent census figures show the importance of transmission within families in which both adults speak Welsh, and there is scope to increase the rate of transmission in bilingual households. At present, in couple households where both adults speak Welsh, 82 per cent of children between three and four years of age are able to speak Welsh. In couple households where one adult is able to speak Welsh,45 per cent of children three to four years of age are able to speak Welsh. Our focus will be on maintaining transmission rates in families in which both parents speak Welsh and increasing the transmission rate in mixed language families."

"There is, however, a limit to the additional number of Welsh speakersthat can be created by transmitting the language from one generationto the next. Ensuring the availability of Welsh-medium education, from those initial early years through to primary and secondary education then progressing through to higher and further education, is fundamental to achieving the target of a million Welsh speakers. In order to create more speakers, our education system is dependent on the workforce – teachers, early years practitioners, trainers and lecturers. Creating a workforce with robust linguistic skills, able to inspire and motivate learners in Welsh-medium education is essential to the success of the strategy."

(Welsh Government, Cymraeg 2050: our plan for 2017 to 2021, 10 july 2019)

In conclusion

There is a lot going on in these three territories, planning to revive their native tongue, saving it from the growing number or english speakers. Scotland, Wales and Ireland all have a long history behind them, filled with rich culture and traditions that goes hand by hand with their language. They can not afford to lose it, or their identity will disappear with it, because language represents all the subtilities of a culture that it is hard to understand if you do not get the language.

The English empire ruled over these territories trying to erase their language for centuries. Now, the Celtic countries are left with the struggles of colonisation, and have to work twice as hard to get their indentity back. From independence to simply planning on giving more language ressources to students, or making more art, each of these territories have their way to claim back who they are. Of course, there is a lot of work left for them to achieve their language goals, but the plans are there, and the initiative too. I am convinced we will see a rise of speakers of Welsh, Scottish and Irish in the near future.

Hypnotic song in Irish

Welsh folk song

Traditional Scottish song (in english)

Works Cited

Ager, Simon. «Irish (Gaeilge).» s.d. Omniglot. https://www.omniglot.com/writing/irish.htm.

«Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig).» s.d. Omniglot. https://www.omniglot.com/writing/gaelic.htm.

«Welsh (Cymraeg).» s.d. Omniglot. https://www.omniglot.com/writing/welsh.htm.

Brain, Jessica. «The Welsh Language.» s.d. History UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofWales/Welsh-Language/.

Ceallaigh, T.J. Ó et Áine Ní DHONNABHÁIN. Reawakening the Irish Language through the. Academic Journal . Limerick: International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 2015. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1085869.pdf.

Gonzalez-Torres, Miguel Angel, and Aranzazu Fernandez-Rivas MD. “Some Reflections on Nationalism, Identity and Sexuality.” International Forum of Psychoanalysis, vol. 23, no. 3, July 2014, pp. 135–143. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/0803706X.2013.794958.

Hoffman, Anna. «To Have Irish.» 17 July 2015. Pulitzer Center. https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/have-irish.

Learning Directorate. «Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan 2016-2021.» 5 May 2017. Scottish Government.https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-gaelic-language-plan-2016-2021/pages/4/.

Macdonald, Iona. «In Scotland, a revival of Gaelic - Europe - International Herald Tribune.» 8 December 2006. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/world/europe/08iht-gaelic.3836425.html.

Mac Giolla Chriost, Diarmait. The Irish Language in Ireland : From Goídel to Globalisation. Routledge, 2005. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=106570&site=eds-live&scope=site

Scotland’s national tourist board. VisitScotland. 2020. https://www.visitscotland.com/about/uniquely-scottish/gaelic/.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. «Irish language.» 13 July 2018. Encyclopaedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/topic/Irish-language.

Welsh Government - Welsh Language Division. Cymraeg 2050: Work programme 2017–21, file type: PDF, file size: 697 KB. Cardiff, 10 July 2017. https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-12/cymraeg-2050-our-plan-for-2017-to-2021_0.pdf.

Wimhurst, Liane. «Wales plans to revive Welsh language with one million speakers by 2050.» 6 September 2019. The i newsletter. https://inews.co.uk/news/education/well-million-speaking-welsh-2050-says-government-516172.