The University of Aberdeen will celebrate Scottish and Gaelic culture this week (Friday, April 26) at the Sir Duncan Rice Library, with exhibitions and information stands from organisations including Scottish Culture & Traditions, Clì, Learngaelic.net, The Gaelic Books Council and Historic Scotland.
There will also be a number of fun workshops to learn more about the Gaelic language and culture, including a free Gaelic language taster session.
As part of the celebration, the University will launch its first Gaelic Language Plan, which highlights how the University will assist the national effort to increase the use, acquisition and status of Gaelic and contribute to the language’s development.
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to English. One of the key features of the 2005 Act is the provision enabling Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national public body responsible for the preservation of Gaelic, to require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. This provision was designed to ensure that they play their part in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile and creating practical opportunities for its use.
Through the provisions in its Gaelic Language Plan, the University will contribute to the national effort to put in place structures and initiatives to ensure that Gaelic has a sustainable future. The University has made a number of commitments to incorporate Gaelic into aspects of its corporate identity and services. Some examples include: a Gaelic language strand to the University’s public engagement research seminar series; the wider use of a Gaelic version of the University logo; and the introduction of some bilingual signage.
The University’s Gaelic Language Plan was developed by an Advisory Group chaired by Vice-Principal Professor Bryan MacGregor.
Professor MacGregor said: “The University of Aberdeen recognises that the position of Gaelic is fragile and that if Gaelic is to be revitalised as a living language in Scotland, a concerted effort on the part of government, the public and private sectors, community organisations and individual speakers is required. The University of Aberdeen is committed to the aspirations and objectives included as part of the National Plan for Gaelic.”
For further information about the event, or to learn more about the plan, visit www.abdn.ac.uk/gaelicplan or email gaelicplan@abdn.ac.uk.
COMHARRACHADH CULTAR ALBANNACH IS GÀIDHLIG AIG OILTHIGH OBAR DHEATHAIN
Comharraichidh an t-Oilthigh cultar Albannach is Gàidhlig Dihaoine 26 An Giblean aig Leabharlann An Ridire Duncan Rice, le taisbeanaidhean agus bùird-fiosrachaidh le buidhnean mar Scottish Culture & Traditions, Clì, Learngaelic.net, Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, Alba Aosmhor, agus eile. Cuideachd, tha àireamh bhùthan-obrach spòrsail ann airson barrachd ionnsachadh mu chànan is cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ gabhail a-steach seisean blasad na Gàidhlig a tha saor an-asgaidh.
Mar phàirt den chomharrachadh, cuiridh an t-Oilthigh air bhog a chiad Phlana Gàidhlig, a mhìnicheas ciamar a chuideachas an t-Oilthigh an oidhirp nàiseanta gus cleachdadh, ionnsachadh, is inbhe na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh, is ciamar a chuireas e ri leasachadh a’ chànain.
Ghabh Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ri Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 gus inbhe na Gàidhlig a dhaingeneachadh mar chànan oifigeil na h-Alba leis an aon urram agus a tha aig a’ Bheurla.’S e aon de na nithean as cudromaiche ann an Achd 2005 an t-ullachadh gum faod Bòrd na Gàidhlig iarraidh air buidhnean poblach Planaichean Gàidhlig a dheasachadh. Chaidh an t-ullachadh a chur ri chèile airson dèanamh cinnteach gun gabh iad am pàirt ann an cruthachadh seasmhachd airson na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd, le bhith a’ togail a h-inbhe is a h-ìomhaigh agus a’ cruthachadh chothroman phragmatach airson a cleachdadh.
Tron Phlana Ghàidhlig aige, bheir an t-Oilthigh taic don oidhirp nàiseanta gus structairean agus tionnsgnadh riatanach a chur air dòigh a bhith cinnteach gum bi Gàidhlig seasmhach san àm ri teachd. Chuir an t-Oilthigh roimhe aireamh dhleastanasan gus Gàidhlig a ghabhail a-steach ann an roinnean de na seirbheisean aige is ìomhaigh chorporra. Seo cuid de dh’eisimpleirean de dhleastanasan: taobh Gàidhlig anns an t-sreath òraidean rannsachaidh ann an iomairt com-pàirteachaidh poblaich an Oilthigh; cleachdadh nas fhairsainge de suaicheantas an Oilthigh ann an Gàidhlig; agus cur an gnìomh cuid shoidhnichean dà-chànanach.
Bha Plana Gàidhlig an Oilthigh air leasachadh le Buidheann Chomhairleachaidh le Iar-Phrionnsapal An t-Àrd-Ollamh Brian MacGriogair air a ceann. Thuirt esan:
Aithnichidh Oilthigh Obar Dheathain gu bheil suideachadh na Gàidhlig cugallach, agus ma bhitheas Gàidhlig gu bhith air ath-bheòthachadh mar chànan bheòthail ann an Alba, tha feum air oidhirp bhon riaghaltas, roinnean poblach is prìobhaideachd, buidhnean coimhearsnachd agus luchd-labhairt fa-leth. Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain a’ cur roimhe nam mòr-mhiannan agus nan amasan a th’ air an gabhail a-steach ann am Plana Nàiseanta Gàidhlig.
Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh mun thachartas, no airson barrachd ionnsachadh mun Phlana, theirigibh gu www.abdn.ac.uk/gaelicplan no cuiribh post-dealain gu gaelicplan@abdn.ac.uk.