Leading voices in Gaelic from Ireland and Scotland will come together in Aberdeen to examine key challenges and opportunities facing Gaelic and Irish-speaking communities today.
The landmark symposium ‘Ceangal / Connect’ jointly hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland, the Research Institute for Irish and Scottish Studies (University of Aberdeen), and Údarás na Gaeltachta, will gather policymakers, academics, cultural leaders, and civil society organisations to consider lessons that can be learned in language revival.
The event, to be held at the University of Aberdeen from June 9-10, will explore Scotland and Ireland’s experiences with Gaelic and Irish and look at how shared strategies and solidarity can strengthen the languages.
The cultural and economic importance of the languages will be in the spotlight with representatives from state and economic agencies in Scotland and Ireland and speakers from businesses and social enterprises in Scotland taking to the podium.
Jerry O’Donovan, the Consul General of Ireland, will attend the event to support cross-country collaboration. He said that “Gaelic and Irish speaking communities across the island of Ireland and Scotland share many similar geographical, economic, social and cultural challenges. Identifying common opportunities and examples of best practice can provide common solutions to the benefit of all and we are delighted to see such a broad range of stakeholders gathering in one location from both sides of the Irish Sea. The University of Aberdeen, which has a long tradition of both supporting the Gaelic language and bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, is an ideal host for this important event.”
The symposium will explore a number of key themes including the synergies around social and economic development and rural language communities; how national language strategies impact community use; how culture and broadcasting initiatives support language revitalisation and the importance of dispersed and city-based speaker communities.
Professor Michael Brown, Director of the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies, said: “Gaelic connects generations in both Scotland and Ireland in a way that continues to teach us the value of community, identity, and mutual understanding.
'This symposium will provide a platform to share knowledge and understanding, helping us to protect and promote Gaelic and Irish across our countries'.
It reflects growing cooperation between Irish and Scottish institutions to strengthen and sustain Gaelic and Irish.”
Professor Michelle MacLeod, Chair in Gaelic and Head of School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, added: “We know that language is much more than the spoken word, it is about shared heritage, a sense of belonging, community and a driver for future opportunity. Learning from each other makes a valuable contribution to the resilience and revival of our languages and we are delighted to be able to bring together so many leading voices from both Ireland and Scotland.”
The symposium will be followed by a reception hosted by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen to provide a further opportunity for networking and discussion.
A’ toirt còmhla luchd-ùidh Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge gus coimhearsnachdan a neartachadh
Thig prìomh ghuthan ann an Gàidhlig à Èirinn agus Alba còmhla ann an Obar Dheathain gus prìomh dhùbhlain agus cothroman a tha mu choinneimh coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge an-diugh a sgrùdadh.
Cruinnichidh a’ cho-labhairt chudromach ‘Ceangal / Connect’ air a chumail le Consalachd Coitcheann na h-Èireann, Institiùd Rannsachaidh airson Èolas Èireannach agus Albannach (Oilthigh Obar Dheathain), agus Údarás na Gaeltachta, luchd-poileasaidh, acadaimigich, stiùirichean cultarail, agus buidhnean comann catharra gus beachdachadh air leasanan a ghabhas ionnsachadh ann an ath-bheothachadh cànain.
Bheir an tachartas, a thèid a chumail aig Oilthigh Obar Dheathain bho 9-10 Ògmhios, sùil air suidheachaidhean Gàidhlig na h-Alba agus na h-Èireann agus mar a dh’fhaodas ro-innleachdan co-roinnte agus dlùth-phàirteachas na cànanan a neartachadh.
Bidh cudromachd chultarail agus eaconamach nan cànanan ann an aire le riochdairean bho bhuidhnean stàite agus eaconamach ann an Alba agus Èirinn agus luchd-labhairt bho ghnìomhachasan agus iomairtean sòisealta ann an Alba a’ bruidhinn aig a’ cho-labhairt.
Bidh Jerry O’Donovan, Consal Coitcheann na h-Èireann, an làthair aig an tachartas gus taic a thoirt do cho-obrachadh thar-dùthcha. Thuirt e gu bheil “coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge air feadh eilean na h-Èireann agus Alba a’ coinneachadh mòran dhùbhlain cruinn-eòlasach, eaconamach, sòisealta agus cultarail coltach. Faodaidh comharrachadh chothroman cumanta agus eisimpleirean de dheagh chleachdadh fuasglaidhean cumanta a thoirt seachad a tha buannachdail do na h-uile agus tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith a’ faicinn raon cho farsaing de luchd-ùidh a’ tighinn còmhla ann an aon àite bho gach taobh de Shruth na Maoile. Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain, aig a bheil traidisean fada de bhith a’ toirt taic don Ghàidhlig agus a’ toirt còmhla raon farsaing de sheallaidhean, na àite air leth freagarrach airson an tachartais chudromaich seo.”
Bidh a’ cho-labhairt a’ sgrùdadh grunn chuspairean cudromach a’ gabhail a-steach sinergidhean timcheall air leasachadh sòisealta agus eaconamach agus coimhearsnachdan cànain dùthchail; mar a tha ro-innleachdan cànain nàiseanta a’ toirt buaidh air cleachdadh coimhearsnachd; mar a tha iomairtean cultarail agus craolaidh a’ toirt taic do ath-bheothachadh cànain agus cudromachd coimhearsnachdan luchd-labhairt sgapte gus stèidhichte sa Bhaile-mhòr.
Thuirt an t-Àrd Ollamh Mìcheal Brown, Stiùiriche Institiùd Rannsachaidh airson Eòlas Èireannach agus Albannach: “Tha Gàidhlig a’ ceangal ghinealaichean ann an Alba agus Èirinn ann an dòigh a tha a’ leantainn oirnn a’ teagasg dhuinn luach coimhearsnachd, dearbh-aithne, agus tuigse dha chèile.
“Bheir a’ cho-labhairt seo àrd-ùrlar airson eòlas agus tuigse a cho-roinn, a’ cuideachadh le bhith a’ dìon agus a’ brosnachadh Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge air feadh ar dùthchannan.”
Tha e a’ nochdadh co-obrachadh a tha a’ sìor fhàs eadar institiudan Gaeilge agus Albannach gus Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge a neartachadh agus a chumail suas.”
Thuirt an t-Àrd-Ollamh Michelle NicLeòid, Ceannard Sgoil nan Cànan, Litreachas, Ceòl agus Cultar Lèirsinneach: “Tha fios againn gu bheil cànan mòran a bharrachd na facal labhairteach, tha e mu dheidhinn dualchas co-roinnte, faireachdainn de bhuinteanas, coimhearsnachd agus dràibhear airson cothrom san àm ri teachd. Tha ionnsachadh bho chèile a’ cuir rud luachmhor ri seasmhachd agus ath-bheothachadh ar cànanan agus tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith comasach air uimhir de phrìomh ghuthan a thoirt còmhla à Èirinn agus Alba.”
Bidh cuirm ann às dèidh na co-labhairt air a chumail le Àrd-Phrobhaist Obar Dheathain gus cothrom a bharrachd a thoirt airson lìonrachadh agus deasbad.