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

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

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

Two Irish poets at Ottawa poetry festival VERSeFest 2014

When: Saturday 29 March at 9:00PM

Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa.



Two Irish poets, Stephen James Smith and Sarah Clancy, will perform at the Ottawa poetry festival VERSeFest 2014 with support from the Irish Embassy. 

Stephen and Sarah will take part in “Capital Slam” at 9pm on Saturday 29 March. The VERSeFest 2014 runs from the 25 to 30 March 2014. More details, including tickets which can be purchased online or at the door, are available here: http://www.versefest.ca/2014/schedule/saturday

Irish lettering, scripts and fonts

The beginning of the Gospel of Mark from the Book of Durrow.
(example of Insular (Gaelic) script, Wikipedia)

When wanting to use an Irish-looking font on their computers, most people use fonts related to the Uncial script. But, where did it come from?

Contrary to what most Irish believe, the Uncial script is not their invention.  Uncial was derived from "Old Roman Cursive" between the 1st and 2nd century with the oldest known Uncial manuscript found in Egypt.  It remained as a high-level book hand until the 12th Century but was not a major influence past Britain.  Emerging alongside Uncial in the Roman Empire was Half Uncial, which was a derivative of "New Roman Cursive"

Two of the best examples of Half Uncial known are the Lindisfarne Gospel circa 700 AD and the Book Of Kells, now in Trinity College, dated about 100 years after the Lindisfarne Gospels.  The Half Uncial used in Roman England, after the Romans departed, developed into several distinctive scripts, which have been named Insular.  

Insular scripts were "of the Islands" and followed the flow of Christian missionaries and scribes, particularly to and from Ireland.  A distinctive Insular Half Uncial, sometimes called Insular Majuscule, was first used in Christian Ireland where it adopted a Celtic influence especially in its use of decoration and illumination.

On the continent, the Half Uncial script, with an extra 300 (or so) years of Roman influence developed into several "National Hands” like Lombardic and Merovingian.  These variations were consolidated by Charlemagne and Alcuin of York into Carolingian, which is the ancestor of our present day minuscule (lower case letters). Carolingian, made it to England by the 9th century where it became known as English Caroline.  This script never had a major influence in Ireland, which continued to develop and use the Insular Half Uncial, until quite recently.  

An early typographic font, from the 16th Century, used the distinctive rounded letter form, flattened pen angles and some distinctive letters like the "a", "d", "g" and "t" of the historical script.  This font when used in Ireland today is commonly called Gaelic Uncial or Irish Uncial while our normal selection of fonts like Times New Roman are used for everyday printing.

The Irish can certainly take pride in the script which has become associated with them and the Book Of Kells, the highest example of the Insular Half Uncial and its illumination. A history and pictures of the Book of Kells can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells

A word of caution, Paleography, the study of ancient writing, is not a precise science and accurate dating of scripts or manuscripts is difficult.  My sources for this summary were Claude Mediavilla, Calligraphy, Scriptus Publications; Stan Knight, Historical Scripts from Classical Times to the Renaissance, Oak Knoll Press: Michelle Brown and Patricia Lovett, The Historical Source Book for Scribe, the British Library; Michelle Brown, A Guide to Western Historical Scripts from Antiquity to 1600, University of Toronto Press and Rutherford Aris, Explication Formarum Letterarum - The Unfolding of Letterforms, The Calligraphy Connection; all of which would be good sources for further study."

By Rick Draffin

(Rick is a Professional Calligrapher who provides calligraphy services to Veterans Affairs Canada. You can see his work on the “Book of Remembrance,” in the Peace Tower).