Councillors welcome talks with Gaelic agency

[an Siarach]

An Seo:

Councillors welcome talks with Gaelic agency

http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/new ... gency.html

Bhiodh e inntinneach cluinntinn an comhradh eadar an da bhuidhean. Chan eil mi smaoineachadh gun dean e feum sam bith. Nam biodh uidh aig muinntir Ghallaibh anns an fhirinn cha bhiodh an comhstri tha seo air toiseachadh anns a chiad aite. Co-dhiu tha mi air litir a sgriobhadh don John O'Groats Journal mun cuis:


Sir,

I read with great interest about the coming discussion between Bord na Gaidhlig and the councillors of Caithness regarding the recent controversy over Gaelic in the county. One can only hope that the likes of John Rosie and David Bremner approach the meeting with open minds and a willingness to learn which has thusfar been totally absent from the anti-Gaelic block.


Quite frankly the statements from these people regarding the Gaelic history (apparently non-existent) of Caithness have been at best determinedly ignorant and, at worst, simply dishonest. The slightest effort to research the facts regarding Gaelic in Caithness very quickly leads one to learn that not only was Gaelic definitely spoken there but that it was once the language of the great majority. As one discovers from reading Scottish Place Names by WFH Nicolaisen (the classic book on the topic) not only do historic Gaelic place names cover almost all of Caithness but Caithness actually has far more ancient Gaelic place names than the Western Isles! Also if one were to go to the small effort of checking historical sources, such as those put forward by Dr. Donald Stewart in an article last summer, it is shown that in 1706 the ministers of Caithness reported that only in Wick was the population not solely Gaelic speaking and while English was understood here the population was primarily Gaelic. The same article quotes Professor Charles Withers of Edinburgh who found that Caithness remained a majority Gaelic county at the start of the 19th century.


Put simply, when it comes to this controversial topic the historical evidence and the popular anti-Gaelic opinions are like oil and water. Let us hope that the good councillors have the humility to accept reality when it is put to them rather than persist in propagating anti-historical nonsense.

yours,

Calum Bartlett

[Gràisg]

Thoir an aire BnG! Feall-fhalach aig Bearghdal?

[GunChleoc]

Sin thu fhèin, a Chaluim!

[Each]

Tha mi dochas gun gheibh an choimhearsnachd gaidhlig anns a gaillaibh cothrom bhruidhin cuideachd.

Chan eil feum idir ann air Luchd Eolaich Eachdraidh nan bhiodh aon duine leis a gaidhlig anns an Gallaibh an duigh. (Agus, tha iad ann.)

Se naire a th'ann.

Nach teid sinn a thogail fianais an aghaidh seo ?

[Gràisg]

Eich a charaid, faodaidh BnG bruidhinn leis na h-amadain ud ma thogras iad. Ach tha sinn beò ann an linn far a bheil cothroman do dhuine sam bith bruidhinn le duine sam bith eile a tha deònach sin a dhèanamh, taing dhan ghoireasan didseatach a th’ againn.

Seall seo: fòram Caithness.org Ballrachd 4,458
http://forum.caithness.org/
Carson nach tèid sibh ann gus deasbaid a thogail (gu socair, sìtheil) leis na daoine ud. Dè am fìor bheachd aig muinntir Gallaibh ? A bheil na h-amadain a’ bruidhinn air an son?

[Each]

Chuir mi suil air an foram, ach cha robh sgeul air cuspair sam bith ceangailte leis a Gaidhlig.

S'doch nach eil uidh aig dhaoine, ged a tha an papair naidhechd agus a comhairlaiche feuchainn ri togail teine.

Tha mi cinnteach gum bith a larach seo as fhearr airson facal faighainn bhon choimhearsneachd gaidhlig Gallaibh. Feumaidh sinn a toirt taic dhaibh, ann aite na bhruidhinn ris an cuid eile.

Chan eil an gaidheal ri fhaicinn an drasda. Chan eil teagamh air an adhbhar, tha sinn uile airson beatha sithail, ach de cho fad sa bith sin gar cumail saibhailte ?

[an Siarach]

Dh'fhoillsich iad an litir agam:

http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/new ... learn.html