Gaelic Language attack

[Oldhiker]

Please read the following, and if you are so moved, let Mr. Charteris know how you feel by writing him at
john.charteris@dumgal.gov.uk

Please send this to anyone who may be interested.

Tory councillor dubs Gaelic “dead” language Dec 1 2010 by Doug Archibald, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

A TORY councillor is under fire after a “dreadful” attack on the Gaelic language
John Charteris (pictured left) told members of the education committee on Thursday afternoon that the money the government is pumping into Gaelic should be diverted to improve modern language teaching across the country.

“You’re not going to speak Gaelic in Western Europe, I can assure you of that,” he said.

The councillor’s outspoken criticism was met with incredulity by Helen Edgar, last president of the An Comunn Gaidhealach club in Dumfries. “I think it was a dreadful thing to say,” she said.

“He’s not thinking about Scottish history.

“How can he say Gaelic is not spoken in Western Europe when so many people speak the language in the Highlands.”

Andrew Wilson, the council’s Gaelic development officer, said: “It’s very sad he feels that way.

“Are the Western Isles and the Highlands not in Western Europe?

“Gaelic is part of the culture of Scotland. It was brought here by the people who gave Scotland its name.

“Many of the names in Dumfries and Galloway derive from Gaelic.

“People are happy to hang on to aspects of the culture like the kilt, the pipes and tartan.

“It would be wrong to let the language die.”

Mr Wilson was appointed after the council successfully applied to the government for cash to develop Gaelic in the region.

“We have identified several people who can teach the language and classes will be starting soon,” Andrew added.

The education committee was told that cutting the specialist service of teaching modern languages in primary schools could save more than £450,000 over three years.

Dee ward councillor Tommy Jacques told members that, rather than cutting the service, it should get more money. Axing the service is eighth on a priority list of 19.

[BoldHighlander]

Thanks for posting this George!
I saw it earlier today in an email from Slighe nan Gaidheal, and was going to post it myself but got side tracked (so what's new ).

[beloitpiper]

An bhfuil Gaeilge agat, Oldhiker? Ní? Ní áitíonn tú. Ní chabhraíonn tú.


Béarlaoir aineolach.

[Woot22]

I don't want to seem like the bad guy here because I am in total agreement that the Gaelic language needs to be protected and preserved. However, I would hope my fellow US citizens would resist the temptation and not email this individual. Personally, I would be bothered if people from other countries wanted to tell the State of Tennessee how to spend our tax dollars. So I would not presume to tell any elected official in Scotland how to spend their money. Even though I agree the remarks the gentleman made seem to be very ignorant.

[BoldHighlander]

I don't want to seem like the bad guy here because I am in total agreement that the Gaelic language needs to be protected and preserved. However, I would hope my fellow US citizens would resist the temptation and not email this individual. Personally, I would be bothered if people from other countries wanted to tell the State of Tennessee how to spend our tax dollars. So I would not presume to tell any elected official in Scotland how to spend their money. Even though I agree the remarks the gentleman made seem to be very ignorant.

I wasn't planning to write, however I did plan to post this to make more people aware....George/Oldhiker just beat me to it

[Woot22]

I wasn't planning to write, however I did plan to post this to make more people aware....George/Oldhiker just beat me to it

Fair enough, and I do understand that we have many members on the forum that this would be a local issue for so in that regards it is good they are made aware of the issue.

[figheadair]

S'e amadan a th'ann. Bith mi a'sgriobhadh ris gun teagamh!

[figheadair]

S'e amadan a th'ann. Bith mi a'sgriobhadh ris gun teagamh!

And so I did!

Dear Mr Charteris,

I’ve recently read of your comments/attack on the funding of Gaelic and your view that it should be pumped into modern European languages.

Frankly I’m staggered, but not surprised, by your public display of ignorance. You obviously belong to the same camp as my erstwhile MP, Nicolas Fairbairn, whose description of Gaelic as being akin to sign language and something that a minority use to communicate amongst themselves rightly earned him the enmity of many and lost him a fair proportion of his vote.

I’m sure that I won’t be the first to point out that your comment that ‘You’re not going to speak Gaelic in Western Europe, I can assure you of that’ was both crass, and wrong. The last time I looked we were part of Western Europe.

Gaelic is a rich part of Scotland’s national identity and helps define who we are within the United Kingdom, Europe and the World. He who forgets his history forgets who he is! If you want to redirect money into languages I’d fully support that but can think of many other areas that could be cut.

Perhaps it’s fortunate for you I’m not a voter in your area because you’d have lost mine.

Yours sincerely

[Oldhiker]

S'e amadan a th'ann. Bith mi a'sgriobhadh ris gun teagamh!

Figheadair
tha aontaich Amadan Mhor

[Tobus]

I don't want to seem like the bad guy here because I am in total agreement that the Gaelic language needs to be protected and preserved. However, I would hope my fellow US citizens would resist the temptation and not email this individual. Personally, I would be bothered if people from other countries wanted to tell the State of Tennessee how to spend our tax dollars. So I would not presume to tell any elected official in Scotland how to spend their money. Even though I agree the remarks the gentleman made seem to be very ignorant.

I'm going to respectfully disagree. People around the world have a vested interest in seeing the Gaelic language preserved, and even though we have no legal voice in their political decisions, they at least should know that their decisions have cultural ramifications that extend beyond their own borders.

There's no harm in offering him international opinions. He has the power to ignore them if he wishes. So it's not that anyone would be 'telling them how to spend their tax dollars'. But he should know that the world is watching (especially those whose heritage extends from the area in question, and who may still have family there), and decide for himself whether to let that affect his future actions on this matter.