Dh’ainmich Oilthigh Ghlaschu an-diugh, ann an com-pàirteachas le Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu, foillseachadh air Gaelic Connect, àrd-ùrlar didseatach ùr-ghnàthach a tha dealbhaichte gus coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig a’ bhaile a neartachadh.

Tha an app eadar-lìn air a chruthachadh gus cuideachadh le lìonraidhean Gàidhlig air feadh a’ bhaile a leasachadh, agus bidh seo mar chlach-mhìle chudromach ann an slighe gealltanais Ghlaschu a thaobh a bhith na phrìomh bhaile do chànan is cultar na Gàidhlig.

Tha Gaelic Connect a’ solarachadh mòr-ionad didseatach eadar-obrachail a cheadaicheas dhaibhsan a tha airson gabhail ris a’ chànan, ceangal a dhèanamh le coimhearsnachd de luchd-labhairt, luchd-ionnsachaidh agus dìoghrasaich na Gàidhlig. Eadar gur e cèilidh neo-fhoirmeil san taigh-seinnse a th’ ann, gèam scrabble sa Ghàidhlig ann an cafaidh blàth seasgair no coinneachadh cànain foirmeil, tha an app air a dhealbhadh airson fiosrachadh a chumail ri daoine.

Tha an app eadarlìn a’ gabhail a-steach fheartan geamachaidh a tha a’ toirt duais do luchd-cleachdaidh airson Gàidhlig a labhairt ann an suidheachaidhean fìor, còmhla ri cothrom air goireasan ionnsachaidh agus fòraman coimhearsnachd. Tha na feartan sin air an dealbhadh gus cleachdadh cànain cunbhalach a bhrosnachadh agus faireachdainn coimhearsnachd nas làidire àrach am measg luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig Ghlaschu.

Air a leasachadh tro cho-obrachadh eadar-chuspaireil eadar rannsaichearan agus leasaichearan bathair-bog aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu, tha am pròiseact ga thogail air rannsachadh coimhearsnachd farsaing agus fiosrachadh air ais.

Thuirt an t-Àrd-Ollamh Bernadette O’Rourke, Àrd-Ollamh ann an Sòiseo-Cànanachas aig Sgoil Nua-Chànanan is Cultair Oilthigh Ghlaschu: “Tha cànan a’ soirbheachadh nuair a tha e air fhighe a-steach do stuth na beatha làitheil. A thaobh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig agus mion-chànanan eile, tha àiteachan ruigsinneach far an urrainn dhaibh an cànan a chleachdadh gu nàdarra – eadar gur ann a’ cabadaich le cupan cofaidh no dìreach a’ coileanadh an latha – gu tur deatamach.

“Le Gaelic Connect, chan eil sinn a’ cruthachadh àrainneachdan fuadain ach ’s ann a tha sinn a’ cumhachdachadh na coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig gu na h-àiteachan sin a lorg agus a chruthachadh gu nàdarra.”

Tha an iomairt ùr mar phàirt de phròiseact Aon Ghlaschu aig Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu, a tha ag amas air fàs na Gàidhlig adhartachadh air feadh a’ bhaile. Mar phàirt den phròiseact seo, chaidh smaoineachadh air mòr-ionad didseatach airson Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu, a tha a-nis ceum nas fhaisge air a thighinn gu bith leis an fhoillseachadh air Gaelic Connect an-diugh.

Tha am pròiseact a’ leantainn air adhart, le iomadh ìre san amharc gus a bhith a’ leasachadh an app lìn gu cunbhalach, stèidhichte air ais-fhiosrachadh bho luchd-cleachdaidh agus feumalachdan coimhearsnachd. Tha an sgioba rannsachaidh cuideachd an dòchas dàta bhon app a chleachdadh gus fiosrachadh a thoirt do bhuidhnean leithid Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu air mar a tha Gàidhlig ga cleachdadh sa bhaile, agus na seirbheisean eile a dh’fhaodadh a bhith feumail.

Thuirt Cormac Quinn, Manaidsear Poileasaidh Corporra aig Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu: “Bheir Gaelic Connect cothrom nas fhasa do choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig a’ bhaile air àiteachan ruigsinneach a lorg agus a chleachdadh, airson coinneachadh agus àrainneachdan cofhurtail a chruthachadh gus an gràdh don chànan a leasachadh.

“Tha com-pàirteachas fada agus pròiseil againn le Oilthigh Ghlaschu agus leanaidh co-obraichean orra a’ co-obrachadh, gus dealas na comhairle a thaobh Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu a chumail suas agus a leasachadh.”

Bidh an app lìn ri fhaotainn airson a luchdachadh sìos air prìomh àrd-ùrlaran fòn-làimhe uile, a’ frithealadh diofar luchd-cleachdaidh, a’ gabhail a-steach:

• Fileantaich dùthchasach a’ sireadh chothroman air a’ chànan aca a chleachdadh.
• Luchd-ionnsachaidh ag obrachadh air an sgilean a leasachadh.
• Luchd-còmhnaidh le ùidh ann an rannsachadh dualchas cultarach.
• Luchd-tadhail ag iarraidh eòlas a chur air an taobh dheatamach seo de chultar Albannach.

Tha am pròiseact cuideachd na fhreagairt dhìreach do fheumalachdan solar cànain aig coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu. Ann an 2022, chaidh suirbhidh a chur an gnìomh le sgioba air a stiùireadh leis an Àrd-Ollamh O’Rourke agus DK Mac a’ Phì, ann an co-obrachadh le Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu, gus feumalachdan agus prìomhachasan luchd-labhairt a thaobh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig anns a’ bhaile, a chomharrachadh. Aig teis meadhan nam feumalachdan agus nam prìomhachasan sin do luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu, bha an fheum air barrachd chothroman airson cleachdadh neo-fhoirmeil air a’ Ghàidhlig agus tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu dheidhinn far am faighear fiosrachadh mu a leithid sin de chothroman.

Ann an co-obrachadh le Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu, rinn Oilthigh Ghlaschu deuchainn air dearbhadh-beachd airson app stèidhichte air mapa gus àiteachan far a bheil

Gàidhlig air a brosnachadh ’s air a cleachdadh a leantainn agus a lorg, a fhuair freagairtean deimhinneach agus taic làidir bho phrìomh luchd-ùidhe agus bhon choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig nas fharsainge.

Thathar an dòchas gun toir mòr-ionad didseatach ùr Gaelic Connect comas do luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu, air tachartasan agus àiteachan a lorg airson Gàidhlig a chleachdadh agus lìonra coimhearsnachd de dhìoghrasaich eile a leasachadh. Am measg phlanaichean mu choinneamh an ama ri teachd, tha atharrachadh air an àrd-ùrlar gus taic a thoirt do choimhearsnachdan mhion-chànanan eile air feadh na RA agus Èirinn, a’ gabhail a-steach luchd-labhairt Cuimris ann an Cardiff agus luchd-labhairt Gaeilge ann am Baile Átha Cliath agus Béal Feirste.

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The University of Glasgow, in partnership with Glasgow City Council, today announced the launch of Gaelic Connect, an innovative digital platform designed to strengthen the city’s Gaelic-speaking community.

The web app, unveiled at the start of Seachdain na Gàidhlig/World Gaelic Week, has been created to help develop Gaelic networks across the city and will mark a significant milestone in Glasgow’s commitment to becoming a leading city for Gaelic language and culture.

Gaelic Connect provides an interactive digital hub that allows those wishing to embrace the Gaelic language to connect with a community of Gaelic speakers, learners and enthusiasts. Whether it’s an informal cèilidh at a local pub, a game of Gaelic scrabble in a cosy café or a formal language meet up, the app has been designed to keep people in the loop.

The web app includes gamification features that reward users for speaking Gaelic in real-life settings, along with access to learning resources and community forums. These features are designed to encourage regular language use and foster a stronger sense of community among Glasgow's Gaelic speakers.

Developed through an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and software developers at the University of Glasgow, the project builds on extensive community research and feedback.

Professor Bernadette O’Rourke, Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Glasgow’s School of Modern Languages and Culture, said: “Language thrives when it’s woven into the fabric of everyday life. For speakers of Gaelic and other minoritised languages, having accessible spaces where they can naturally use their language - whether it’s chatting over coffee or simply going about their day - is absolutely vital.

“With Gaelic Connect, we’re not creating artificial environments but rather empowering the Gaelic community to find and create these spaces organically.”

The new initiative is part of Glasgow City Council’s Aon Glaschu (One Glasgow) project, which aims to promote Gaelic language growth throughout the city. As part of this project, a digital hub for Gaelic in Glasgow was envisioned which has now come one step closer to fruition with today’s launch of Gaelic Connect.

The project remains ongoing, with multiple phases envisioned to constantly improve the web app based on user feedback and community needs. The research team also hope to use data from the app to provide information to bodies like Glasgow City Council on how Gaelic is used in the city, and what other services may be needed.

Cormac Quinn, Corporate Policy Manager, Glasgow City Council said: “Gaelic Connect will give the city’s Gaelic community easier access to find and nurture accessible spaces to meet and create comfortable environments to develop their love of language.

“We have a long and proud partnership with the University of Glasgow and colleagues will continue to work collaboratively to maintain and develop the council’s commitment to the Gaelic language in Glasgow.”

The web app will be available for download on all major mobile platforms, serving various users including:

• Native Gaelic speakers seeking opportunities to use their language.
• Language learners working to improve their skills.
• Residents interested in exploring their cultural heritage.
• Visitors wanting to experience this vital aspect of Scottish culture.

The project is also a direct response to the language provision needs of Glasgow’s Gaelic-speaking community.

In 2022,  was conducted by a team led by Professor O’Rourke and DK MacPhee, in collaboration with Glasgow City Council, to identify speakers’ needs and priorities for Gaelic usage in the city.  Key among these needs and priorities for Glasgow’s Gaelic speakers and learners was the need for more opportunities for informal Gaelic usage and more information about where to find out about such opportunities.

In collaboration with Glasgow City Council, the University of Glasgow tested a proof-of-concept for a map-based app to track and navigate places where Gaelic is encouraged and used, which received positive responses and strong support from key stakeholders and the wider Gaelic-speaking community.

It is hoped that the new Gaelic Connect digital hub will enable speakers and learners of Gaelic in Glasgow to find events and spaces to use Gaelic and develop a community network of other enthusiasts. Future plans include adapting the platform to support other minority language communities across the UK and Ireland, including Welsh speakers in Cardiff and Irish Gaelic speakers in Dublin and Belfast.

Mu Chomhairle Baile Ghlaschu/About Glasgow City Council

Tha Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu dealasach a thaobh coimhearsnachdan in-ghabhalach a neartachadh agus dualchas cultarach a ghlèidheadh. Tha oidhirpean co-obrachail le luchd-ùidhe ag amas air iomairtean leasachaidh seasmhach a stiùireadh, a’ gabhail a-steach ath-bheothachadh air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig anns a’ bhaile.

Glasgow City Council is committed to fostering inclusive communities and preserving cultural heritage. Collaborative efforts with stakeholders aim to drive sustainable development initiatives, including the revitalisation of the Scottish Gaelic language and culture within the city.

Mu Oilthigh Ghlaschu/About University of Glasgow

Tha Oilthigh Ghlaschu, prìomh institiùd dian-rannsachaidh, stèidhichte aig fìor-thoiseach ùr-ghnàthachas acadaimigeach agus buaidh sòisealtasach. Tha a chom-pàirteachas le Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu a’ dearbhadh dealas co-roinnte a thaobh eòlas adhartachadh agus sàr-mhathas ann am foghlam agus glèidhteachas cultarach àrdachadh.

The University of Glasgow, a leading research-intensive institution, remains at the forefront of academic innovation and societal impact. Its partnership with Glasgow City Council underscores a shared commitment to advancing knowledge and promoting excellence in education and cultural preservation.

Gaelic Connect

Tha am pròiseact maoinichte le Duais Luathachaidh Co-Bhuaidh Oilthigh Ghlaschu. Tha an rannsachadh seo air a cho-dhaingneachadh tro mhaoineachadh bho Chomhairle Maoineachaidh Alba-Oilthigh Ghlaschu airson Ath-bheothachadh Rannsachadh ann an 2022, tabhartas bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig (buidheann gnìomha poblach neo-roinneil de riaghaltas na h-Alba le uallach airson Gàidhlig) cuideachd ann an 2022, agus Tabhartas Beag Acadamaidh Bhreatainn ann an 2021.

Tha am pròiseact air a thoirt gu buil le sgioba eadar-chuspaireil de dh’acadaimigich bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu, a’ gabhail a-steach:

• Tha an t-Àrd-Ollamh Bernadette O’Rourke (stiùiriche a’ phròiseict) air a bhith ag obair fada is farsaing air Luchd-labhairt Ùr mhion-chànanan ann an co-theacsaichean bailteil.
• Tha eòlas farsaing an Àrd-Ollamh Qunshan Zhao ann an anailiseachd bailteil, a’ cleachdadh appan gus gluasad daonna a thuigsinn, na phrìomh chuideachadh don phròiseact.
• Bha saothair cho-obrachail fad-amail an Àrd-Ollaimh Muhammad Imran agus an Àrd-Ollaimh Lei Zhang, air modhan-obrach glèidheadh-prìobhaideachd, modhan ionnsachaidh innealta agus cleachdaidhean earbsach ann an AI, deatamach don phròiseact.
• Tha an Dr Erin McNulty, a tha air obrachadh air atharrachaidhean cànain am measg Luchd-labhairt Ùr mhion-chànanan, na Co-Rannsaichear air a’ phròiseact seo.
• Tha eòlas rannsachaidh farsaing ann an cleachdadh innleadaireachd bathar-bog aig an Dr Tim Storer, còmhla ri a dhreuchd mar stiùiriche acadaimigeach ann an Seirbheis Bathar-bog Oilthigh Ghlaschu (GUSS), air cuideachadh le taobhan bathar-bog a’ phròsieict seo a lìbhrigeadh.
• Chaidh an aplacaid a leasachadh le sgioba fo stiùir Tess Vaughan.

· B’ e Emilie Ewing agus Christopher Colquhoun na h-inntearnaich oileanach air a’ phròiseact.

Faigh a-mach tuilleadh an seo - Gaelic Connect: Glasgow's Digital Gaelic Hub — Planadh Mion-Chànain | Minority Language Planning

The project is being funded by a University of Glasgow Joint Impact Acceleration Award. This research has been consolidated through University of Glasgow-Scottish Funding Council funding for Reinvigorating Research in 2022, a grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government with responsibility for Gaelic) also in 2022, and a British Academy Small Grant in 2021.

The project involves a cross disciplinary team of academics from the University of Glasgow including:

• Professor Bernadette O’Rourke (project lead) has worked extensively on New Speakers of minoritised languages in urban contexts.
• Professor Qunshan Zhao’s extensive expertise in urban analytics, using apps to understand human movement, is a key contribution to the project.
• Professor Muhammad Imran’s and Professor Lei Zhang’s longstanding collaborative work on privacy-preserving techniques, machine learning tools and trustworthy practices in AI was also vital to the project.
• Dr Erin McNulty, who has worked on language variation among New Speakers of minoritised languages, is a Research Associate on this project.
• Dr Tim Storer’s extensive research expertise in the practice of software engineering, as well his role as academic director of the Glasgow University Software Service (GUSS) has helped deliver the software aspects of this project.
• The application was developed by a team directly managed by Tess Vaughan.
• Student interns on the project were Emilie Ewing and Christopher Colquhoun.

Find out more here - Gaelic Connect: Glasgow's Digital Gaelic Hub — Planadh Mion-Chànain | Minority Language Planning

Seachdain na Gàidhlig/World Gaelic Week

 

 

First published: 24 February 2025