Iomairt na Gaidhlig/ Gaelic language action
Ceartas | 12.07.2002 16:39
Many Scots are now taking action to save their indigenous language from extinction. Despite repeated promises from New Labour, Gaelic still has no official standing in its own country. Action is happening in both the rural Highlands and Islands and in the cities.
CEARTAS!
As part of a campaign against language imperialism, English-language roadsigns in the Highlands and Islands have been painted out by activists from Ceartas. Gaelic-language slogans such as ‘Tog I’ (Build it) agus ‘Ceartas dhan Ghàidhlig’ (Justice for Gaelic) were also painted. Gaelic students at Colaiste a’ Chaisteil in Stornoway have also stepped up their campaign against the MSP for na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles). Despite promises, New Labour has refused to grant Gaelic secure status which means that in its own country, Gaelic still has no official standing. In some regards Gaelic is still effectively illegal with some councils receiving advice from Scottish Executive civil servants against bi-lingual signage with the excuse that it is ‘dangerous’ to road-safety!
Many Gaels and supporters of the language have now started pressuring MSPs before next year’s election. This includes mass e-mail campaigns, often in Gaelic which requires a translated reply, to harass the politicians until we get justice. To harass your MSP, write an e-mail demanding ‘Ceartas dhan Ghàidhlig’ to
Name.Surname.msp@scottish.parliament.uk – i.e. Alasdair.Morrison.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Information on other Gaelic campaigns can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iomairtean_Gaidhlig/
As part of a campaign against language imperialism, English-language roadsigns in the Highlands and Islands have been painted out by activists from Ceartas. Gaelic-language slogans such as ‘Tog I’ (Build it) agus ‘Ceartas dhan Ghàidhlig’ (Justice for Gaelic) were also painted. Gaelic students at Colaiste a’ Chaisteil in Stornoway have also stepped up their campaign against the MSP for na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles). Despite promises, New Labour has refused to grant Gaelic secure status which means that in its own country, Gaelic still has no official standing. In some regards Gaelic is still effectively illegal with some councils receiving advice from Scottish Executive civil servants against bi-lingual signage with the excuse that it is ‘dangerous’ to road-safety!
Many Gaels and supporters of the language have now started pressuring MSPs before next year’s election. This includes mass e-mail campaigns, often in Gaelic which requires a translated reply, to harass the politicians until we get justice. To harass your MSP, write an e-mail demanding ‘Ceartas dhan Ghàidhlig’ to
Name.Surname.msp@scottish.parliament.uk – i.e. Alasdair.Morrison.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Information on other Gaelic campaigns can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iomairtean_Gaidhlig/
Ceartas
Homepage:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iomairtean_Gaidhlig/