The plonkers are ever so busy on the Inverness Courier site, - there is a bit of a fight back though.
Seo na beachdan aca:
1) on the letter from Donald Morris
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news ... signs.html
It is not contempt for the language that I have. If you want to speak it, have it on the telly 24/7 or have your children taught it PAY FOR IT YOURSELF. Why should the majority have to fund your little jollies? Be honest with yourself nobody but the 2% that speak it could really give a damn about it. I think money could be better spent somewhere else. It’s not just your gealic schools that are filled to bursting point every school in the country is like that. So don’t go flattering yourself that it’s the gobbledy gook that’s bringing the kids to the school. It’s just a last resort for some of them. This is an English speaking country and that will never change. Get used to it loadaceech.
Reg Cottershaw | 17.10.08 - 1:08 pm | #
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And again you confirm your contempt for the language. If you have nothing intelligent to say, why say it?
You do know that Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis (The Gaelic Primary school) is full? There is now talk of another Gaelic medium school being built because the demand is so high. Like it or not Gaelic is here to stay and rather than been dead and washed up is beginning to undergo a revival in fortunes. Rather than making childish comments maybe should make an effort and get to know some the Gaelic speaking groups in the Highlands, drag yourself away from your computer and go along to things like the Blas festival, Blazing in Beauly, Feis Rois, The local Mod, the Music Sessions at Bogbain and Feis a Bhaile. Go see and bands like Lau, Capercaillie, Julie Fowlis and Brian O h-Eadhra. Open your eyes and ears, you might actually like some of it.
Or is it easier to whinge?
Tioraidh
Leodhasach | 16.10.08 - 7:13 pm | #
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Oh my apologies I forgot to mention Donald Angus and Morag. Who moved to Drumnadrochit last week. Keep going me old mate you may have double figures soon. You still didnt answer the question about the corners of a globe yet.
Reg Cottershaw | 16.10.08 - 11:41 am | #
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Why let the facts get in the way of a good argument Reg?
Your post is offensive, spurious nonsense. If you're going to at least attempt to argue against the support of Gaelic then at least do a bit of research.
leodhasach | 16.10.08 - 10:19 am | #
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Hey Reg
Check out this site, it's a Gaelic blog aggregator and see where the contributors live.
Tìr nam Blòg
www.tirnamblog.com
It's all in Gaelic I'm afraid but perhaps you'll at least understand where a few of them are from the pictures?
Oh there's more than seven at the last count.
Graisg | Homepage | 15.10.08 - 7:09 pm | #
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Well said Cate MacDonald. I am sure that the seven gaelic speakers in the many corners of the globe would agree with you. When you say spoken and loved in many corners of the globe do you mean by the three people in Ullapool and the other four who have emigrated as far as Inverness? Also when you say, "Why not spend your time more fruitfully sorting out your own spelling and grammar in English?" Could you please tell me that if a globe is round how can there be many corners to it? Maybe if you were to come off the island into the big bad world you would realise that the earth is actually round and is not flat as have probably been taught. (in your gaelic school)
Reg Cottershaw | 15.10.08 - 8:17 am | #
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Quote( Beklager den dårlige grammatikk-og stavefeil.
Donnie Murdo)
It's amazing what you can find on wikipedia lol.
soar alba
I am the Real Donnie Murdo | 14.10.08 - 5:56 pm | #
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Beklager den dårlige grammatikk-og stavefeil.
Donnie Murdo | 14.10.08 - 12:49 pm | #
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While Mairi’s rhetoric may be quite strong I can understand her position. As a parent of a child who is in Gaelic medium education and as someone who grew up speaking Gaelic I find it disturbing that the anti-gaelic lobby are so vehemently against the language. I have been accused of child abuse for forcing Gaelic on to my daughter and have had people verbally attack me for daring to speak the language. I strongly believe that Gaelic is an important part of our culture and it absolutely should be supported and allowed to thrive. The money spent on Gaelic is a small when you compare it to the Parliament building and the tram system in Edinburgh…. it pales in significance.
Remember that the Gaelic schools, bilingual signs and the Gaelic Bill were all things that were introduced by the LABOUR government.
leodhasach | 14.10.08 - 11:44 am | #
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Calm down, Mairi. Anyone who objects to the funding of Gaelic isn’t indulging in ‘self-hate’ – they simply think that other things deserve priority. As for ‘blind disgust towards Gaelic’, you mistakenly believe that your opponents are as passionate about the cause as you are. They’re not. Most see Gaelic as an irrelevance, not ‘a dangerous threat to humanity’. You devalue your cause by making such silly statements.
Black Isle Boy | 14.10.08 - 10:01 am | #
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Mr Murdo's loathing for Gaelic, an important part of Scottish Culture, is in fact a form of self-hate. It is once again incredible how a small minority of Scots think that Gaelic is the most dangerous threat to humanity. However I support Mr Murdo's democratic right to spout his blind disgust towards Gaelic, he indeed demonstrates where this minority argument is coming from.
Mairi | 14.10.08 - 9:28 am | #
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Rather than spend your time criticising our nation's mother tongue, why not spend your time more fruitfully sorting out your own spelling and grammar in English? Gaelic is a treasure that Scotland is lucky to have-which is both spoken and loved in many corners of the globe let alone Scotland, in places far outwith the Western Isles. Even other languages such as French will soon die if we allow the boring monoglot culture of English to take over Europe.
Cate MacDonald | 13.10.08 - 11:50 pm | #
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Why are we wasting money on this language. Would it not be more sense to get the kids more cosmopolitan by getting them to learn French or Spanish. What use is this language other than to shoot the breeze with a handful of folk on the Islands. Out of curiosity I wonder how much Gaelic our Brave Heart Alex Salmond can talk, none I bet. If we are the much into out Heritage why ain't they teaching the kids Pictish. All this is going to do is create Gaelic fundamentalism where they are going to create a cleek where the Tourist and Scottish T.V. are sewn up by this quango cartel.
There has been millions pumped into this bygone language over the years, for what? For Alex Salmond to pat himself on the back while he lets his P.R. machine suck up the brain washed electorate.
Donnie Murdo | 13.10.08 - 2:25 pm | #
2) Comments on a news story:
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news ... ation.html
Steve.
Get real man.
If you are concerned that the Gaelic economy of Inverness and the organisations with Gaelic interests will relocate if the Council decide to be in tune with the majority and thus refute this irrational proposal, then let me put your mind at rest by assuring you that this will NOT HAPPEN.
To confirm this, just you ask them!
Jo King. | 17.10.08 - 1:23 pm | #
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Aaron.
No doubt your little insight into the profligate actions of the Vancouver local authority will be welcomed by those who clamour for the introduction of English/Gaelic signs in the Highland Region, but be assured; the majority of Highland ratepayers will not be as complicit as your Vancouver taxpayers apparently are.
You state that the vast majority do not speak French. Presumably, they do not understand the language either, so this will have been a rather expensive and pointless exercise - for the vast majority at any rate.
Let me assure you Aaron, that I am no racist. I am however a realist. I am not an old foggie either. I'm just an individual who is not as wet behind the ears, as you appear to be.
Welcome to Scotland anyway, or if you are a returning expatriate, welcome home.
As a matter of interest. Is Tapadh leat, your address? Perhaps you could tr*nsl*t* it for the majority of Highlanders.
Jo King. | 17.10.08 - 1:08 pm | #
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Dear Dan. What majority do you speak of? The majority on council? Do you think all people who now only speak English are as disrespectful of Gaelic as you are? If you are against this so passionately run for office on an anti-gaelic ticket, let's see how far you get.
Aaron | 16.10.08 - 10:58 pm | #
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Well coming from Vancouver in Canada, we have bilingual signs in English and French in all public buildings, yet the vast majority of people here cannot speak French. When the push for bilingualism started, there were the usual bigots and those unwilling to deal with change. Constantly grousing and moaning, but they eventually simmer down. I think it's similar to what you're seeing now, old fogies like Susan Mathieson, Francis Rizzo, and Jo King etc. Racists to be sure. Who must be called out for what they really are. But they will be overcome.
Tapadh leat.
Aaron | 16.10.08 - 10:48 pm | #
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I am amazed at how many people here seem to abhor their own culture. In fact, I don't think I want to come back to this thread....
anonymous | 16.10.08 - 10:33 pm | #
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To all the people against bilingual signs could the answer this one simple question: There is a significant Gaelic economy in Inverness and all the various Gaelic organisations support bilingual signs. Do those against the signs want to see these organisations take their jobs elsewhere?
Steve | 16.10.08 - 10:41 am | #
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I have read with interest the discussions about Gaelic and English signage.
How I wish that the Gaels would post in Gaelic on this site and not English. Then it would be easy for English speakers like myself to seperate the opinions from those in favour of Gaelic and those, the democratic majority, who have the right by sheer weight of numbers to say "Sorry - up yours - we disagree with you and you are not spending our money on this tokenism!"
I use the term tokenism because sadly Gaelic is dying and Gaelic will eventually die because the Gaels are no longer in a position to produce enough children to pass their wonderful language on to the future.
The exinction of Gaelic in an aging Scotland is as inevitable as it is tragic.
It is ok for us to argue all we like but the death of Gaelic comes down to spending and the greed of the landowners who organised what has come to be known as the Highland Clearances.
Gaeldom has never recovered and nor will she / he / it or whatever they call it.
Dan | 15.10.08 - 10:04 pm | #
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I appreciate your support Jo King - PMDC "condescending and hiding behind initials!"
Susan Mathieson | 15.10.08 - 1:10 pm | #
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PMDC.
I am astonished to learn that the taxpayers of Airdrie have been lumbered with the additional costs of maintaining these totally un necessary signs.
You are probably correct in claiming that almost half of Gaelic speakers live in and around Glasgow. There is a preponderance of them around the Partick area, but I have yet to encounter any one of them suggesting that street signs in their area should be bi-lingual. They seem to manage fine with them as they currently are.
Why are you being so condescending to Susan". Civility is something you should consider cultivating. cultivating.
Jo King. | 14.10.08 - 3:00 pm | #
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Dale MacLennan,
"I wish people would lose the chip on their shoulder..." you say, and then refer to "all the stupid billboards around the city". You appear to have a chipon your shoulder regarding the billboards!
Their relevance or Invernessians is not too important, but the ability to read them is, and being that the messages conveyed are in English, they will be understood - even by literate Gaelic speakers.
Jo King. | 14.10.08 - 2:48 pm | #
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Further to the never ending bilingual debate, and accepting that tourism is almost the life blood of the Highlands... How about Highland Council tr*nsl*t*ng information plaques into Spanish, or French, or Japanese, so that, for example tourists watching the seals at the Cromarty bridge could grasp the extra information, instead of only enjoying the view !
Julie MacDonald | 14.10.08 - 2:00 pm | #
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These councillors should stop attacking an important part of Scottish culture!
Mairi | 13.10.08 - 9:22 am | #
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If it really is too much expense to put signs up in more than one language, perhaps the road signs should be in Gaelic only. After all, monoglot English-speaking motorists do not seem to have much problem in driving round parts of Europe without English signs...
However, it is not actually the case that bilingual signs represent any significant drain on resources. Neither, indeed, do they confuse motorists (there are plenty in, e.g., Brussels). As for arguments about seeing and old familiar sign replaced by one with more information on it - and thus getting confused (Susan Mathieson) - the lie is in the "familiar sign" - if you know the area already, what need have you of any sign, monolingual or bilingual? Confused? Rubbish.
Not only is the cost of going bilingual relatively small, it also actually increases revenue. Indeed, it is precisely because this is the case that ScotRail has long had a policy (regardless of whoever the current franchisee happens to be) of maintaining bilingual signs at its northern and western stations. If it makes money for ScotRail, it will also make money for Highlands Council.
John Morton | 12.10.08 - 10:49 pm | #
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I wish people would lose the chip on their shoulder, and take pride in their own culture. After all, they don't protest about all the stupid billboards around the city do they? These adverts often have less relevance to Inverness...
Dale MacLennan | 12.10.08 - 9:55 pm | #
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The letter's got one thing right: this was done by a democratic process. The region as a whole has voted on this issue, yet small areas want excused from the process.
Now the big question:
When the people of Caithness or Inverness speak out, are they speaking out against Gaelic or against the unitary authorities? Do we want to go back to the mess of Regions and Districts, and the left hand not giving a **** about what the right hand is doing?
Nigel T. | 11.10.08 - 4:57 pm | #
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The problem PMFS - whoever thou art - is that you sound just as pretentious as these signs and you are right the Gaelic speakers are not here they are in and around Glasgow so let them have the signs ... fine by me!
Susan Mathieson | 10.10.08 - 11:59 pm | #
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It is amazing how some people think Gaelic is the most dangerous thing in the world and a threat to all they hold dear.
Get over it, live and let live!
Sin thu fhèin Dhòmhnaill!
Tha mi ag aontachadh leis a h-uile facal!
Graisg | Homepage | 10.10.08 - 11:45 pm | #
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The problem Susan, is that you do not understand English, so I can see why you are upset with some Gaelic signs - 2 languages are too much for you to comprehend. Gaelic is not a foreign language - a quick look in the Oxford University Dictionary - Foreign, adjective; of, pertaining to, or derived from another country or nation; not native. Under no circumstances can you call Gaelic not native to Inbhirnis. Jo - Airdire has had Gaelic signs for over 20 years - almost half the Gaelic speakers in Scotland live in and around Glasgow.
PMFS | 10.10.08 - 1:00 pm | #
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This Gaelic signage issue is a nonsense.
I was in Airdrie recently, and I was amazed to find that this nonsense is prevalent there also! Yes, Airdrie town centre steet signs - resplendent in black and gold - are bilingual.
What a waste of taxpayers money.
Jo King. | 10.10.08 - 12:24 pm | #
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I'm very sorry but I come from a great heritage of Gaelic speakers, teachers and Professors none of which I'm sure would have felt the need to duplicate all the signs in Inverness and thereabouts in Gaelic in this day and age... Even at the reception desk in the Citizens Advice Bureau there was a sign first in Gaelic saying 'reception' and then in English saying 'reception' which was just downright ridiculous. It is so confusing to be driving in the country and suddenly come across a once a familiar sign that is now to most of us firstly 'in a foreign language'. I have had many near accidents wondering where I was! Great to have the school and yes keep the language going but all the Gaelic signs in an Scottish/English speaking town is quite pretentious. The true Gaelic speakers I've talked to think this is a complete waste of money and cause of confusion. What an entire embarassment when the 'visitors' to the town want to meet someone in the street who actually speaks Gaelic - where are they going to find them? Shall we have a special Gaelic shop just to make it more authenic and we can send them there ... We were a lovely little TOWN in the Highlands of Scotland speaking 'the best Queen's Scottish/English' and not a GAELIC speaking CITY which is now almost unrecognizable ......S O R R Y ...
Susan Mathieson | 09.10.08 - 10:36 pm | #
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The argument has nothing to do with culture and equality.
Road signs should be clear and simple.
Dual sign are anything but that.
Sid | 09.10.08 - 6:05 pm | #
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Nice to see some support and a little silliness too! Our culture is worth a lot, lot more than a fistful of dollars paid by poor overseas visitors who are fed Scottish myths of haggis etc ad nauseum.
Simply put, it is an act of reclamation...
Rhodesia = ????? please fill in blanks if able/willing
Avoch = Abhach
The Larkin - Leacainn
Nothing romantic about the way our history and culture - including corrupted placenames - have been portrayed.
We are the Aborigines / Maoris / Sioux Clan of Britain.
Tapadh leibh a h-uile duine. Sorry - a written language is a living one, far from deid.
Niall Gordan.
Niall Gòrdan | 08.10.08 - 4:27 pm | #
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It's a waste of money creating bilingual signs, all it's trying to do is create a Scottish romanticism which is more a fanaticism.
If you can speak Gaelic, you can speak English, so why do you need a double confirmation on where you are going. Or is it for the Yanks who think 99% of us still speak this died out language and run about the Glens shooting Haggis with our kilts and bunnets on?
Francis Rizzo | 08.10.08 - 12:12 am | #
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I'll second Niall's comments. It's about time we got away from the Gaelic 'cringe-factor' and got on board with supporting this vibrant and important part of Highland (and Scottish) culture. I wonder if the councillors who have a bee in their bunnet about bilingual signs have even noticed that street signs in the town centre have been bilingual for years without any seeming adverse affect on the general populace.
Leodhasach | 07.10.08 - 7:07 pm | #
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Let's join Ireland!
How much longer do we need to justify our existence to these people?!
Ken | 07.10.08 - 7:04 pm | #
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I wish to add my assent to this finely-written and calm appraisal of current attitudes towards bilingual Gaelic signeage in "priomh-bhaile na Gaidhealtachd", Inbhir Nis.
We Gaelic speakers/users/readers have for too long allowed our voice to be smothered in the darkened corners of racism and prejudice.
How I wish we were Irish - not only do our celtic cousins across the sea display a proper pride in their heritage, they are actually taking things further than any of us with the recent mounting of a campaign to replace English car number-plate country id initials - EIR instead of IRE. ALBA/ Alb for us?
alba abu
Niall Gòrdan.
Niall Gordan | 07.10.08 - 4:10 pm | #
3) Insane response to letter from Finlay CNSA
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news ... eries.html
As the first sentence of this letter is completely untrue it renders the remainder pointless. I wish I knew of which organisation this person is chief executive so I could be enlightened as to where the funding would be found for this nonsense, however, the name is in a foreign language and as such has no place in an English language newspaper.
Stewart | 17.10.08 - 2:18 pm | #
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