Irish Language Weekend - September 23rd - 25th

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch Irish Language Weekend

When: Friday, 23rd September to Sunday 25th September 2016

Where: Galilee Mission Centre 398 John Street Arnprior, Ontario (45 minutes northwest of Ottawa off Highway 417)

Cost: $240.00 per person includes all activities, meals and accommodation (Four $100 bursaries available for students) 

Meals included:
Welcome supper – Friday
Breakfast, snacks and lunch – Saturday and Sunday Banquet – Saturday night

Accommodation included: Single rooms,  Shared bathroom

Check-in Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm Friday Welcome Supper: 6:00 pm Friday 

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch cordially invite you to our Irish Language immersion weekend, which is open to all levels from beginner to fluent speakers.

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

Language classes are mandatory. Workshops (céili/set dancing, stained glass, sean-nós singing and introduction to Celtic traditional music) are optional.

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

For more information contact:
Toni Forsythe
Phone: 613-233-9927 E-mail: toni144@gmail.com 

Caint is Comhrá and Shakespeare 400 - Hamlet in Irish

Hamlet in Irish

On April 8th 2016, members of 'Caint & Comhrá' took part in a reading of Hamlet at the University of Ottawa. A celebration of Shakespeare 400 was taking place & Hamlet was read in 37 languages, including Irish! We enjoyed translating the particular scenes, which we did in Irish and it was read in the Freiman Recital Hall at the university.

'Ar an 8ú Aibreán ghlac baill 'Caint & Comhrá' páirt i léiriú Hamlet a bhí ar siúl in Ollscoil Ottawa. Céiliúradh 400 bliain de shaothar Shakespeare a bhí i gceist. Cuireadh an dráma ar siúl i 37 teanga agus an Ghaeilge ina measc! Bhí spórt agus spraoi againn ag déanamh aistriúcháin ar na radharcanna a tugadh dúinn agus cuireadh i láthair é ar an stáitse i Halla Freiman san ollscoil.'

Cáit Ní Shiúrtáin

ICUF Scholar at University of Ottawa

Tuairisc ó Ottawa! Mí Eanáir 2016 - My time teaching in Ottawa, January 2016

Tuairisc ó Ottawa! 

Mí Eanáir 2016.

Is anseo in Ottawa, príomhchathair Cheanada, atáim lonnaithe ó mhí Mheáin Fómhair seo caite. Ón gcéad lá gur thosnaíos ag múineadh Gaeilge in Ollscoil Ottawa bhí fuinneamh le mothú sa timpeallacht. Os cionn seasca mac léinn a dhéanann staidéar ar an nGaeilge i rith seimeastar an fhómhair gach bliain. Dhá rang a bhíonn ann, roinnte idir beirt mhúinteoir. Anois, agus seimeastar an gheimhridh buailte linn, rang amháin a bhíonn ann. Cé go mbíonn níos lú i gcónaí ag iarraidh tuilleadh Gaeilge a fhoghlaim i ndiaidh na Nollag, níl aon dabht faoi ach go bhfuil dearcadh thar a bheith dearfach ag an dream díograiseach seo. Níl sé éasca dona mic léinn tabhairt faoin dteanga nua seo ach idir mhodhanna múinte éagsúla agus ag coimeád an teanga beo bríomhar sa seomra ranga, éiríonn go geal leo agus is minic a bhíonn sceitimíní orthu ag cleachtadh labhairt na Gaeilge!

Ní hí an teanga an t-aon ghné de shaol na hÉireann atá á mhúineadh agam anseo i gCeanada. An seimeastar seo, múinim lucht na tríú bliana. Is mic léinn iad a dhein stáidéar ar chuid dena teangacha Ceilteacha cheana féin agus anois atá i mbun stáidéir a dhéanamh ar an stair a bhaineann leo agus ar an stádás a bhíonn acu ina dtíortha féin. 

Ní féidir a shéanadh ach go bhfuil pobal Gaelach fíor-láidir anseo sa phríomhchathair. Múinim dhá rang ostoíche mar chuid dena ceachtanna a bhíonn ar fáil trí Caint ‘is Comhrá. Mhúineas ag an Lá Gaeilge a bhí ar siúl acu i mí na Samhna agus ag an tum-deireadh seachtaine a bhí faoi bhun acu sa bhfómhar. Bhí cultúr na Gaeilge fite fuaite leis an teanga ag na hocáidí seo. Is iontach an rud é nuair a fheicim na hócáidí seo agus na céilithe a ritheann Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Ottawa, ag dul ó neart go neart idir Éireannaigh agus Ceanadaigh! D’oibrigh mé leis an dream céanna chun cabhrú leis an iarracht domhanda mar chuid de Chomhrá ’15. 

                            

‘An rud is annamh is iontach’ agus sin díreach cad atá i gceist leis an nGaeltacht anseo in Ontario, idir Ottawa ‘is Kingston. Níl ach tréimhse gearr caite agam ann go fóill don Lá Oibre agus mar sin táim ag tnúth le teacht an earraigh nuair a bheidh tuilleadh laethanta le caitheamh ann. 

Tá an-bhaint go deo agam leis an Ionad Ealaíon agus Cultúir, Ionad Naomh Bhríde. Sin an t-ionad náisiúnta dona na hÉireannaigh anseo thar sáile. Idir Cheanadaigh agus Éireannaigh a fhreastlaíonn ar na himeachtaí, idir dhaoine a rugadh in Éirinn agus i gCeanada ach an cheangail a bhíonn eatarthu ná gurb í Éire an áit arbh as formhór a sinsearach. Chuaigh sé i bhfeidhm orm bualadh leis an gcéad mhúinteoir a bhí ag múineadh Gaeilge anseo in Ottawa; bean sna nócaidí a d’fhág Corcaigh ar bhád sna daichidí déanacha ‘is í ag tabhairt aire d’á páistí. Tá an-mheas go deo agam uirthi, mar atá ag muintir Ottawa, ag éisteacht leis na scéalta a bhíonn aici agus an slí ina chur sí múineadh na Gaeilge chun tosaigh i gcónaí anseo i gCeanada.

I láthair na huaire, táim gnóthach ag eagrú imeachtaí le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge. Cé go mbeidh cúpla ócáid faoi leith ar siúl san ollscoil beidh roinnt mhaith ar siúl sa mhórphobal chomh maith! Tá baill Caint ‘is Comhrá ag eagrú iad féin chun teacht chuig ceann dena ranganna san ollscoil go luath le haghaidh ócáide a bheidh ar siúl againn ‘is tá gach éinne ag tnúth leis! Tá baint agam ón bhfómhar le Ottawa Gaels agus Éire Óg, agus beidh siad ag tabhairt cuairte ar mo rang ollscoile go luath freisin chun baill fóirne a mhealladh sula dtosnaíonn an traenáil arís don athbhliain!

‘Is mé ag siúl thar Chnoc Parlaiminte gach lá, tugaim áilleacht na cathrach faoi ndeara agus bím cinnte de go mothóidh mé Ottawa go mór uaim nuair a chríochnóidh mo thréimhse anseo. Éispéireas den chéad scoth atá ann ach mar a deirtear ‘ní bhíonn in aon rud ach seal’. 

Cáit Ní Shiúrtáin

ICUF Scholar at University of Ottawa

A student's reflection on the Arnprior Irish language immersion weekend

 

 

I remember when I first came to the Arnprior immersion weekend someone said "you'd be surprised at how much Irish you learn in just one weekend." 

Five years of tenses, genders, cases, and mutations (these are sexier than their English name suggest) later, it was sometimes difficult to keep this in mind. Two days could not possibly matter when faced with the immense task that is mastering a language. But in fact, every language weekend is like an overdue recharge. Two days without cooking. Two days soaking in fresh autumn air. Two days with friends. Two days hearing as much Irish as you desire. 

Galilee Mission Centre, Arnprior

 

 

Cheap mé gurb fhéidir liom é sin a scríobh as Gaeilge go léir, ach faraor tá mé fós níos compórdaigh dul i muinín an Bhéarla. Tá mé sásta, sin ráite, chun mo chuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Ní hé an deireadh seachtaine seo ach ceann do na seansanna atá ag an phobal na Gaeilge ar fud an domhan taisteál nó daoine suimiúla a chasadh. 

The events here use not only language classes to immerse learners, there is also music, dance, and games. Talking about grammar (no matter however necessary at times) will definitely earn prompt and loud 'boo's from the crowd. Not knowing Irish or not knowing "enough" Irish is not considered an original sin because all of us have been there. 

The organising committee puts many tireless hours of work into every such event so we learners can worry about nothing but to learn (with, perhaps, the exception of what to perform as a party piece). 

In fact, Arnprior is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the federal capital for everyone who has wondered what it would feel like to take part in an immersion environment. Keep an eye out for next year's brochure!

Submitted by O. Mou

Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, February 2015

Many thanks to current PRO for teaching the Beginner level Irish classes at the start of the term. Bridget Gulich gas accepted to take the instruction of the Beginner class onwards.

Also we have received confirmation that Ottawa will be hosting four levels of the TEG this year: A1, A2, B1 and the new B2. Ottawa is the only testing centre for Canada!

We are encouraging students in the English Intensive program at Ottawa University to attend our ceilis.

I have confirmed that I will be running a language teaching workshop on basic sean-nós dance class and to call the ceili of the Hamilton branch on Saturday March 7th.


Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Notes from the CCÉ Ottawa Chair, January 2015

Happy New Year everyone!! I wish you all a bright, happy and healthy 2015. 

Language and dance classes are underway. Attendance to the Irish classes was middling on the Monday evening when we resumed classes, but there are two new students in the beginner class. Joan, Barry, and Tomas are back teaching their respective classes. Unfortunately, Oscar Mou cannot teach the beginner classes this semester as he has a course conflict at OttawaU. I want to take this opportunity to officially thank Oscar for teaching the Beginner group all last fall and doing such a great job. The students have said to me that they really enjoyed his classes.  

We have had a special request by one of the regular ceil attendees to assist him in surprising his girlfriend with a proposal of marriage at our January ceili. I have indicated that we would be delighted to help out. I suggested that we adapt the bonfire dance so that as many people are on the dance floor and in a circle. I think this is an exciting event to have take place at our ceili. (update: the proposal was accepted!!)

I have contacted the ‘activities coordinator’ for the English Intensive Program at OttawaU and have proposed our ceilis to them. I have also suggested our Monday night dance classes as well. We are still working on the details for the Monday night classes.


Respectfully submitted, Cathaoirleach

Lá Gaeilge - 15 November 2014

Lá Gaeilge Irish Language Day

Caint is Comhrá, under the auspices of the Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann invites you to an Irish Language Immersion Day.


When: 15 November || 15 Samhain

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, 194 Fourth Avenue/ Percy St.

Cost (lunch included) || Costas (lón san áireamh): $25


An Irish-immersion experience close to home. All welcome. Lá lán-Ghaeilge i ngar dúinn. Tá fáilte roimh gach fomhlaimeoir.

Registration || Clarú 

8:30am 

Classes || Ranganna 

9:00am – 4:00pm 

Lunch || Lón 

12:00pm – 1:00pm 

Further information || Tuilleadh eolais Toni Forsythe


Note: the November ceili will be held on the same day, at the same location, beginning at 08:00 PM.

We hope to see you there for a good craic!

Irish Language Weekend - September 26th - 28th

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch Irish Language Weekend
When: Friday, 26 September 2014 to Sunday 28 September 2014
Where: Galilee Mission Centre 398 John Street Arnprior, Ontario (45 minutes northwest of Ottawa off Highway 417)

Caint is Comhrá and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch cordially invite you to our Irish Language immersion weekend, which is open to all levels from beginner to fluent speakers.


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

Language classes are mandatory. Workshops (céili/set dancing, stained glass, sean-nós singing and introduction to Celtic traditional music) are optional.

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



Information:
Cost $220 per person (includes all activities, meals and accommodation)

Meals included: 

Welcome supper – FridayBreakfast, snacks and lunch – Saturday and Sunday
Banquet – Saturday night

Accommodations included: single rooms/ shared bathroom
Check-in time: 5:30-7:00 pm Friday
Welcome supper: 6:00 pm Friday


For more information contact Toni Forsythe (613-233-9927)

____________________________

Gaeltacht Deireadh Seachtaine

Dé hAoine 26ú Meán Fómhair, 2014 Go Dé Domhanaigh 28ú Meán Fómhair
Galilee Mission Centre 398 John Street Arnprior, Ontario

Ba mhaith le Caint is Comhrá agus Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa
Cuireadh a thabhairt chuig ár Deireadh Seachtaine. Glacfar le hierratas ó gach duine idir thosaitheoirí agus cainteoirí líofa.

Riachtanas fonn foghlama, agus toil chun do chuid Gaeilge a úsáid (cibé leibhéal ar bith atá agat) í rith an deireadh seachtaine ar fad.

Beidh na ranganna teanga sainordaitheach. Tá na ceardlanna (amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós, damhsa céili/seieanna, gloine dhaite, agus ceol traidsiúnta) roghnach.

Tabhair bhur gcuid uirlisíceoil, bhur gcuid amhráin libh don chéilí mór oíche Dé Sathairn.


Eolas
Costas: $220 an duine
imeachtaí uile, béilí agus lóistín san áireamh


Béilí san áireamh:
Suipéar fáilte – Dé hAoine
Bricfeasta, scroideanna agus lón – Dé Sathairn agus Dé Domhnaigh

Féasta – Dé Sathairn



Lóistín san áireamh:
Seomraí singil
Seomraí folctha I gcomhroinn

Am Clárú: 5:30 – 7:00 pm Dé hAoine

Suipéar fáilte: 6:00 – 7:00 pm Dé hAoine



Tuilleodh eolais, agus cuidiú le taisteal: Toni Forshyte (613-233-9927)

We hope to see you there!

Irish Immersion August 2014!

When: 10-16 of August, 2014
Where: Tamworth/ Erisnville, Ontario

The Summer Gaeltacht Immersion Week coming up, 10 – 16 August.   As part of the immersion week, They are running for the first time  an Irish Language Teachers’ Workshop on Friday, 15 August.  The workshop will be run by Colette Nic Aodh,  an experienced Irish language teacher and poet, and  one of three teachers participating in our Irish immersion week this year.  

The workshop runs all day Friday from 9:00 to 4:00. The fee for the day is  $30  (each session, morning and afternoon is $10.00 each and lunch is $10.00)

Additional information about the language immersion week is provided below in case you feel that you might like to come for the whole week.

Please respond to me directly if you are interested in attending. I hope many of you can make it.  If you don’t have any camping equipment, don’t let stop you, we have extra tents and sleeping bags... 

Slán anois,

Sheila

IRISH: THE LANGUAGE WE SPEAK

GAELTACHT IMMERSION IN CANADA

WHAT: Week Long Intensive Irish Language Course (5 levels)

WHERE: Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileáin Úir

                        Tamworth/Erinsville Ontario (http://oireachtas.ca/Ionaid-bea.shtml)

WHEN: 10 – 16 August 2014

COST: $120 (tuition) + $165 (meals)

ACCOMMODATION: $5/night (camping) or B&B ( athomebandb@gmail.com, 613 379 3006)

ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Language.htm

HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS FROM IRELAND AND CANADA

In partnership with the Mayo County Council

Cultural Workshops: Singing (Sean Nós and other), Dancing (Sean Nós, Set, Céilí), Sports (Gaelic Football, Hurling), Art (Knotwork, Jewelry), Poetry and Writing, History, Music (Bodhrán, Fiddle), Dráma

Campfires, Story Telling, Field Trips, Swimming, Fishing, Hiking, Concert, Banquet, Céilí

________________________

AN GHAEILGE: ÁR dTEANGA FÉIN
TUMADH GAELTACHTA i gCEANADA

CAD: Dianchúrsa Seachtain Ghaeilge (5 leibhéal)

CÁ hÁIT: Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileáin Úir

                        Tamworth/Erinsville Ontairió (http://oireachtas.ca/Ionaid-bea.shtml)

CATHAIN: 10 – 16 Lúnasa 2014

COSTAS: $120 (teagasc) + $165 (béilí)

LÓISTÍN: $5/oíche (campáil) nó Teach Aíochta (athomebandb@gmail.com, 613 379 3006)

CLÁRÚCHÁIN AR LÍNE: http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Language.htm

MÚINTEOIRÍ ARDCHÁILITHE Ó ÉIRINN AGUS CHEANADA

i bpáirtíocht le Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo

Ceardlanna Cultúir: Amhránaíocht (sean nós agus eile), Damhsa (Sean Nós, Seit, Céilí), Spóirt (Peil, Iománaíocht), Ealaín (Snaidhmeanna Ceilteacha, Seodra), Filíocht agus Scríbhneoireacht, Stair, Ceol (Bodhrán, Fidil), Dráma

Tinte Cnámha, Scéalaíocht, Turais Allamuigh, Snámh, Iascaireacht, Spaisteoireacht, Ceolchoirm, Féasta, Céilí

2014 Irish Immersion Week

Summer Immersion Week at Gaeltacht An Oileáin Úir

http://www.gaeilge.ca/programs---events.php

Once again this year, our friends at the Cumann Na Gaeltachta, the Permanent North American Gaeltacht, are hosting this annual event.  Every year this week-long event is sold out and currently the registration is open and filling up! Besides learning to speak Irish, there are associated activities: ceili, concert with the very talented couple Steafan Hannigan and Saskia Tomkins, and diverse workshops (singing, dancing, music, arts and crafts).

When: 10-17 of August, 2014

Where: Tamworth/ Erisnville, Ontario

Registration forms can be downloaded here, you could also register online!

We hope to see you there!

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada: Tamworth and Dún Laoghaire (Ontario) 2014

www.oireachtas.ca

Do not miss the upcoming 2014 Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada as part of the Gaeltacht Thuaisceart An Oileáin Úir that will held both in Tamworth and at the Days Inn and Conference Centre in Kingston (Dún Laoghaire), Ontario. This Irish cultural festival runs from the 27 to 29 June 2014.

For detailed information check: http://www.oireachtas.ca/Baile-bea.shtml

Again this year, the CCE Ottawa branch will be represented in competition by the CCE Set Dancers. The competition categories are Sean-nos dancing and singing, harp, Ceili Bands, Uilleann pipes, recitation and poetry, choir performance, etc.

Come and join us for a good craic!

42nd Scoil Éigse

from http://www.fleadhcheoil.ie/scoil-eigse

Scoil Éigse 2014 Sligo 10th - 15th August

International Summer College of Irish Traditional Music Instrumental – Vocal – Dancing Workshops – Lectures – Sessions – Irish Language 

When: 10 August 2014–15 August 2014, at 3:00 pm (Irish time)

Where: Sligo

Contact: Siobhán ní Chonaráin 

Phone: +(353) 01 2800295

Email: liza@comhaltas.ie or siobhan@comhaltas.ie

Website: http://www.fleadhcheoil.ie/scoil-eigse 

The 42nd Annual Scoil Éigse organised by Comhaltas this year will take place in Sligo, between 10- 15 of August, the week before the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.


What is the Scoil Éigse? The Scoil Éigse is the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann where Irish people and students from the Commonwealth (or from anywhere in the world where is a Comhaltas branch) attend to obtain a better and deeper understanding of Irish music and culture.


At the CCÉ’s annual international Summer School, students of all ages register for the various classes offered. The school provides workshops, lectures and sessions the week before the Fleadh and continues each day during the Fleadh. The emphasis of the school is in traditional music, dance, and song during the day with informal céilís and sessions each evening.

For details check the Scoil Éigse descriptive document, and the registration form.

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."

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.

typo

Irish Language

The Irish Language is one of the six Celtic languages, the others being Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Cornish, Welsh, and Breton. In pronunciation, Irish most closely resembles its nearest relatives, Scottish Gaelic and Manx.

Gaeilge, also known as Irish Gaelic or Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family (Indo-European → Celtic → Insular Celtic → Goidelic → Irish), historically spoken by the Irish people. 

Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of the population. Around the turn of the 21st century, estimates of native speakers ranged from 20,000 to 80,000 people. In the 2011 census for the Republic, 94,000 people reported using Irish as a daily language outside of the education system, and 1.3 million reported using it at least occasionally in or out of school. Currently the UNESCO has classified the Irish language as “Definitely Endangered.”

There are also thousands of Irish speakers in Northern Ireland, and a comparable number of fluent speakers in the United States and Canada. Historically the island of Newfoundland had a dialect of Irish Gaelic, called Newfoundland Irish.

Listen to a documentary that explains all disappearing languages in the world. The Irish part starts about 05:40 of the 12+ minutes. Here is the link to the France24 program: http://www.france24.com/fr/20130119-intelligence-economique-disparition-des-langues-les%20degats-de-la-concurrence-irlande-gaelique


If you are interested in learning the Irish language, here in Ottawa, join us for our weekly classes. For more information, check: http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/events.php