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Welcome - Failte Romhat!

When the translation is provided submissions to the blog will be published in both English and Irish. Please send submissions to the webmaster address shown at the very top of the blog. Please visit us often. This blog is the companion of the Ottawa Comhaltas website: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/

Beidh poist a fhoilsiú i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge nuair is féidir. Tabhair cuairt orainn go minic. Is é seo an blag an compánach an láithreán gréasáin Comhaltas Ottawa: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Irish Language - Part 3

Celtic Language Revival




Language revitalization, also referred to as language revival or reversing language shift, is the attempt by interested parties to halt or reverse the decline of a language or to revive an extinct one. Those involved can include parties such as linguists, cultural or community groups, or governments.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_revival

A well-known exercise in language revival is that of the Irish Language in Ireland, notably being spoken in certain areas called called Gaeltachtaí. The Gaelic language was banned several times by governments who created cultural stigmatism.  Furthermore, the constant emigration of speakers during, and after, the potato famine fostered the loss of native speakers.  Attempts to revitalize the Gaelic language began in the mid-1800s, with strong efforts in the last few years, due to support from the Irish government and the recognition from the European Union of Irish Gaelic as an official language of the EU on 1 January 2007.

However, the language still has many obstacles to surmount, since those involved with the language revitalization have mostly focused on Irish teaching only in schools, but not in language immersion, necessary for a lasting viability of any language, the day-to-day use of a language, not just in the classrooms. 

Linguist Andrew Carnie in his paper “Modern Irish: A CaseStudy in Language Revival Failure” MIT Working Papers in Linguistics 28:99–114, 1996, indicated that people resent being forced by school curriculums to learn languages, therefore giving the taught language, a negative experience. 


If you are interested in learning what is the strategy of the Irish government in relation to the Irish language, check their publication "20-year Strategy for the Irish Language, 2010-2030."

Sunday 13 April 2014

Irish Language - Part 2


Wikipedia tell us that the Irish language (Gaeilge) has been historically spoken by the Irish people. It is spoken as a first language by a small minority of Irish people, and as a second language by a rather larger group. It enjoys constitutional status as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. It is an official language of the European Union and an officially recognised minority language in Northern Ireland.

Irish was the predominant language of the Irish people for most of their recorded history, they brought it with them to other countries, such as Scotland and the Isle of Man, where it gave rise to Scottish Gaelic and Manx.

Irish speakers in Ireland congregate in areas collectively known as the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking region where the government recognises Irish as the predominant language). North America has the first permanent and officially recognized Gealtacht outside Ireland, and can be found in Tamworth, Ontario. The Permanent North American Gaeltacht, was established on 16 June 2007. One of the founders of the North American Gaeltacht is a Comhaltas member, Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh.



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Sunday 6 April 2014

Gaeltacht Deireadh Seachtaine - Irish Language Weekend, 11-13 April 2014

From CCE
Harp of Tara
Branch
 

Next Weekend, 11 - 13 April, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Harp of Tara Branch, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Cordially invites you to their Irish Language Immersion Weekend which is open to all levels from beginner to cainteoir dúchais.

The only requirement is a desire to learn and a willingness to speak Irish at all times to the best of one's ability.

Language sessions are mandatory. Workshops are optional.

Bring your musical instruments, stories and songs for the siamsa on Friday night, and session and céilí mór on Saturday night.



When: 11-13 April 2014

Where: Peachtree Inn and Senior's Centre, 56 Francis Street. Kingston, Ontario, K7M 1L7

Cost: Can$220, US$210 (includes all activities, meals and accomodations).
Inquire about child and family rates


Meals: All meals are included, from Friday supper to Sunday lunch.

Accommodation: Double rooms guaranteed. Single rooms at additional cost of Can$100, US$100.

Check in time: 5:30-8:00pm Friday at Senior's Centre, 56 Francis St. Kingston, Ontario, K7M 1L7.

For further information, registration forms, and travel coordination, contact Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh, Stephen Rayner, Ruth Wehlau

Schedule for the weekend:

Friday

  • 07:00 pm - Supper
  • 08:30 pm - Language Sessions
  • 09:30 pm - Siamsa
Saturday
  • 08:00 am - Breakfast (hotel)
  • 09:00 am - Language Sessions
  • 11:00 am - Workshops
  • 12:00 pm - Lunch
  • 01:00 pm - "One on One"
  • 01:20 pm - Language Sessions
  • 06:00 pm - Supper
  • 08:00 pm - Céilí Mór
 Sunday
  • 08:00 am - Breakfast (hotel) 
  • 09:00 am - Language Sessions 
  • 11:00 am - Workshops 
  • 12:00 pm - Lunch

Harp of Tara Branch
Until next time / Go dtí an chéad uair eile!