forum Suas leis a' Ghàidhlig
Started by @sgadanwrites
tune

people_alt 45 followers

@Yamatsu

(You're asking if anyone can speak Irish Gaelic, in Scottish Gaelic?)

(Is that directed to me or the first guy? I did notice the regional difference, though.)

@The-Magician group

Ní labhraíonn mé Gaeilge go pearsanta.
Chan eil mi a ’bruidhinn Gàidhlig na h-Alba nas motha.

I only know a few phrases because someone very close to me is Gaelic.

@sgadanwrites

@lee+Co Ar fheabhas! It's wonderful to know that someone, somewhere is still speaking the language and keeping the culture alive. The impact of colonialism on the language's decline cannot be understated and its legacy continues even into the present day in Scotland and Ireland as the remnants of mass ethnocide, to which the Celtic languages and the Gaels have been victims for centuries. Even though Irish is the official language of Ireland, it is taught in a way that is dispassionate and mostly ineffectual and is often treated with scorn and derision as a minority language that no-one speaks. The needs of Gaelgeoirí and the fragile communities are often brushed aside or criminally underrepresented. In Scotland, with no nation-state to sanction official rights to ensure the survival of Gàidhlig and consequently all that is associated with it, the situation is even worse - the Gaels of the Highlands are teetering upon the precipice of cultural extinction. Still, it is encouraging to see a fresh surge of interest by young people in what is left of their cultural heritage, to uphold and preserve an ancient way of living full of rich wisdom, stories and traditions they were unwillingly deprived of and are at risk of vanishing forever. I am grateful to the new generation of Gaels with the audacity to speak up for their futures and future generations; however, I am still of the opinion that the Gaels as an indigenous people are neglected and underrepresented on an international level. That's why in my story I hope to increase visibility and awareness of the plight of the Gaels and the invaluable languages and traditions we can't afford to lose. I have five characters who speak Irish and Scottish Gaelic, from all walks of life; hopefully, the most I can do is spread a greater appreciation and understanding of Gaelic culture and its place in the modern world. Go raibh maith agat for taking the time to read my wee rant.

@sgadanwrites

@lee+Co You'd be surprised. There is a growing movement of young people who are discovering what Gaelic means to them and are doing everything they can to keep it alive. If Gaelic is truly dying it is taking a very long and rollicking time to do it. KNEECAP - a republican, Irish-language hip-hop trio from west Belfast - are probably doing more for the Irish language than extra points on the Leaving Cert ever will, Misneachd Alba are petitioning for Gaelic-language rights, Griogair Labhruidh is using ancient Gaelic "rap"
to advocate for the survival of his indigenous culture, SIAN are becoming the Scottish Spice Girls, Peat and Diesel's irreverent piss-takes of island life are breathing new life into tired old clichés… the list goes on and on.

@sgadanwrites

@lee+Co Honourable mention also goes to Séamus Barra Ó Súilleabháin, poet and Irish-language rap pioneer, everyone at BlocTG4, Siún Ní Dhuinn of bilingual feminist blog As An Nua, Darach Ó Séaghdha of The Irish For, Niteworks, The Daily Gael, FilmG, Eilidh Cormack, Calum MacLean, and supremely talented Sgitheanach Lana Pheutan, who wrote and starred in the first-ever Gaelic film with a trans main character. I have seen Gaelic everywhere, on Facebook, Instagram, and even Snapchat- the future may be bleak but it is not hopeless.

@sgadanwrites

@lee+Co Manx is also going through a revival, as well as Cornish to a lesser extent. All the Celtic languages have fallen victim to colonialism but something can still be done to save them. As an indigenous person in an ever-conforming, globalist world I believe that it's our duty to safeguard such a wealth of diverse thought, expression, and experiences before it is lost forever because our strength as humans arises from our beautiful and meaningful differences. A variety of languages and cultures are our greatest treasure - everyone has something to learn from someone else. I even have a disabled character who is part Romani, part Irish Traveller, and part Welsh, who communicates with my Gaeilgeoir character in the Welsh language. I call my characters the Celtic Union of Craic, or alternately, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly agus na h-eileanaich.