Oilthigh Ghlaschu a’ foillseachadh an dàrna Plana Gàidhlig/University of Glasgow unveils its second Gaelic Language Plan

Tha sgeulachdan luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu gam foillseachadh mar phàirt de phlana airson ìomhaigh a’ chànain a thogail air feadh an Oilthighe.

Tha Plana Gàidhlig Oilthigh Ghlaschu, a chaidh fhoillseachadh an-diugh  (14 Samhain 2018) a’ nochdadh sgrùdaidhean-cùise de luchd-obrach agus oileanaich aig a bheil Gàidhlig.  

The stories of Gaelic speakers and learners at the University of Glasgow are being highlighted as part of a plan to raise the language’s profile across the organisation.

The University’s new Gaelic Language Plan, launched today (14 November 2018) features case studies of staff and students who speak Gaelic.

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Am measg nan sgeulachdan air a bheilear a’ togail sa phlana, tha Iona NicIlleBhàin, ceumnaiche ann an Lagh agus Fraingis; Fionnlagh Cunniffe, a tha ag obair a dh’ionnsaigh ceum BSc ann an Corp-eòlas, agus Caitrìona NicÌosaig, Iar-Stiùiriche, Seirbheisean Fiosrachaidh nan Oileanach a thuilleadh air an luchd-ionnsachaidh Gàidhlig Ryan Dziadowiec às a’ Phòlainn agus Joe Sanders a cheumnaich o chionn ghoirid le MA ann an Gàidhlig.

Tha am Plana Gàidhlig 2018-2021 a’ cur an cèill taic agus mòr-mhiannan an Oilthighe don chànan thar nan trì bliadhna a tha romhainn, agus togar air euchdan a’ chiad Phlana Ghàidhlig aig an Oilthigh a chuireadh air bhog ann an 2012. 

Thuirt Fiona Dunn, Manaidsear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig Oilthigh Ghlaschu: “Tha sinn air am plana seo a leasachadh ann an dlùth cho-obrachadh le co-obraichean, oileanaich agus com-pàirtichean air an taobh a-muigh. 

“Is e ar prìomhachas leantainn air adhart a’ taisbeanadh an tabhartais air leth as urrainn dhuinn, agus gu dearbh roinn nan OIlthighean san fharsaingeachd, a chur ri leasachadh na Gàidhlig.

“Bha a’ chiad Phlana Gàidhlig againn a’ ceadachadh dhuinn iomairtean ùr-ghnàthach bunaiteach a stèidheachadh agus sinn a’ coimhead ri coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig air feadh an Oilthighe a neartachadh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a dhèanamh àbhaisteach taobh a-muigh an t-suidheachaidh acadaimigich thraidiseanta.

“Chan eil dòigh nas fheàrr ann air farsaingeachd na coimhearsnachd sin a thaisbeanadh na sgeulachdan luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a thoirt am follais, feadhainn a tha ag ionnsachadh agus ag obair nar Colaistean agus an lùib ar Seirbheisean.”

Tha Plana Gàidhlig Oilthigh Ghlaschu air a dhealbhachadh mu thimcheall ceithir raointean prìomhachais, ’s e sin Daoine, Àite, Adhbhar agus Com-pàirteachas agus tha e co-shìnte gu dlùth ri Ro-innleachd an Oilthighe 2015-2020; Brosnachadh Dhaoine, Ag Atharrachadh an t-Saoghail. 

Thuirt an t-Ollamh Sir Anton Muscatelli, Prionnsapal agus Iar-Sheansalair Oilthigh Ghlaschu: “Tha mi air leth toilichte an dàrna Plana Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu a chur fur comhair, a bheir comas dhuinn coltach ris a’ chiad phlana, air tabhartas cudromach a dhèanamh a thaobh dìon, cumail suas agus adhartachadh air cànain is cultar na Gàidhlig, gu h-ionadail, gu nàiseanta agus gu h-eadar-nàiseanta.

“Is e oilthigh a tha air leth eadar-nàiseanta is ioma-chultarach a th’ ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu, ach tha sinn air leth mothachail dar suidheachadh ionadail agus dar suidheachadh cruinn-eòlasach ann am Baile Ghlaschu, prìomh àite airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig ann an Alba an latha an-diugh.

Thuirt an t-Ollamh Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Iar-Phrionnsabal agus Ceannard Cholaiste nan Ealain, agus Ollamh na Gàidhlig san Oilthigh: “Tha an t-Oilthigh a’ coimhead ri cur ann an dòigh bhrìgheil ri leasachadh leantainneach na Gàidhlig an dà chuid ann an Glaschu agus ann an Alba tron dàrna ro-innleachd seo.”

Tha Plana Gàidhlig an Oilthighe ga fhoillseachadh a’ leantainn air an naidheachd gun toir Celtic Connections, fèis ciùil tuatha, freumhan agus cruinneil Ghlaschu a tha aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta, aoigheachd do dhusan cuirmean-ciùil ann an Ionad na Banrigh Mairead san Oilthigh le aon tachartas mar cho-obrachadh le UofG Gàidhlig, Seirbheis Poileasaidh is Leasachaidh an Oilthighe don Ghàidhlig.

Bidh ceòl na phàirt chudromach den tachartas foillseachaidh air a’ Phlana Ghàidhlig le òrain ùra air an seinn leis an t-seinneadair Ghàidhlig agus cleasaiche Outlander, Gillebrìde Mac Ille Mhaoil, a tha aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta agus cuideachd na òraidiche Gàidhlig san Oilthigh.

Thuirt an Dr Dorothy Welch, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig an Oilthighe: “Tha obair tro chom-pàirteachas agus conaltradh catharra nam pàirt fìor chudromach den obair againn ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu agus tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith a’ cur fàilte air fèis Celtic Connections chun na h-àrainn againn. Tha an com-pàirteachas seo a’ toirt  cothrom prìseil don choimhearsnachd againn agus gu h-àraid don choimhearsnachd eadar-nàiseanta againn, a dhol an sàs ann an cultar traidiseanta.”

Chuir i ris an sin, ag ràdh: “Chan eil Gàidhlig ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu air a cuingealachadh gu aon raon sònraichte agus, ged a tha mòran againn ri choileanadh fhathast don chànan, tha coimhearsnachd an Oilthighe a’ faicinnn agus a’ cluinntinn Gàidhlig air na làraichean againn agus barrachd anns na còig bliadhna a dh’fhalbh.”

Tha Plana Gàidhlig ùr an Oilthighe 2018-21 air ullachadh ann an co-rèir ri Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 agus a rèir prìomhachasan Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig 2018-23.

 

Aithrisean bho ar n-oileanaich agus luchd-obrach air a bheilear a togail sa Phlana Ghàidhlig againn/ Quotes from our students and staff highlighted in our Gaelic Language Plan:

 

 

Thuirt Ryan Dziadowiec: “Tha Gàidhlig fìor bheò ann am Baile-mòr Ghlaschu agus bha sgrùdadh air a’ chànan ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu na stèidh a-steach do shaoghal ciùil is cultair, gnìomhachadh Gàidhlig agus tachartasan neo-fhoirmeil is cothroman ionnsachaidh.”

Ryan Dziadowiec said: “Gaelic is very much alive in the city of Glasgow and studying the language at the University of Glasgow was a springboard into the lively music and cultural scene, language activism, and informal events and learning opportunities.”

 

Thuirt Joe Sanders: “Tha Gàidhlig air a thighinn gu bhith na pàirt mhòr de cò mi. Fiù ged nach eil eachdraidh sam bith a thaobh Gàidhlig san teaghlach agam agus cha chanainn gur e Gàidheal a th’ annam, tha an cànan fhathast a’ faireachdainn cudromach do mo bheatha mar a tha mi an-diugh.”

Joe Sanders, said: “Gaelic has become a big part of who I am. Even though there’s no history of Gaelic in my family and I probably wouldn’t call myself a Gael, the language still feels important to who I am today.”

 

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Thuirt Caitrìona NicÌosaig: “Tha mi anabarrach pròiseil a bhith ag obair ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu agus tha e doirbh a mhìneachadh na tha e a’ ciallachadh dhomh cothrom a bhith agam Gàidhlig a chleachdadh an seo air a’ champas. Tha e a’ toirt a leithid de thoileachas dhomh a bhith a’ cluinntinn Gàidhlig ga labhairt timcheall orm agus a bhith a’ coinneachadh dhaoine bho air feadh na buidhne leis an urrainn dhomh Gàidhlig a chleachdadh."

Catriona MacIsaac said: “I am very proud to work at the University of Glasgow and it’s difficult to put into words just how much it means to me to have the opportunity to use Gaelic here on the campus. It gives me such a great deal of joy to hear Gaelic being spoken around me and to meet people from across the organisation with whom I know I can use Gaelic."

 

Thuirt Fionnlagh Cunniffe: “Tha mi a’ faireachdainn glè fhortanach a bhith comasach air Gàidhlig a labhairt agus fhuair mi m’ oideachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig an dà chuid sa bhun-sgoil agus san àrd-sgoil nuair a bha mi a’ fàs suas ann an Dùn Èideann. Tha mi gam fhaighinn fhìn a-nis ag obair a dh’ionnsaigh ceum BSc ann an Corp-eòlas ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu, agus tha a’ Ghàidhlig fhathast na pàirt chudromach dem fhèin-aithne agus dem bheatha làitheil.”

Finlay Cunniffe said: “I feel very lucky to be able to speak Gaelic and was educated through the medium of Gaelic in both primary and secondary school while growing up in Edinburgh. I now find myself working towards a BSc in Anatomy at the University of Glasgow and Gaelic remains an important part of my identity and everyday life.”

 

Thuirt Iona NicIlleBhàin: “Tha mi den bheachd gu bheil e a’ fàs nas cudromaiche gu bheil buidhnean leithid Oilthigh Ghlaschu, gu h-iomlan taisgte ann a bhith a’ dèanamh Gàidhlig agus an cultar a tha a’ tighinn leatha, pàirt den bheatha làitheil chan ann a-mhàin gu h-acadaimigeach ach tarsainn na h-àrainn. Tha an cànan a-riamh air a bhith a’ fosgladh dhorsan dhòmhsa agus tha mi glè fhortanach a bhith comasach a cleachdadh taobh ri ta

Iona Whyte said: “I think it is increasingly important that organisations such as the University are fully invested in making Gàidhlig and the culture that comes with it part of daily life, not just academically, but across campus. The language has only ever opened doors for me and I am very fortunate to have been able to use it alongside my other interests.”

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The stories highlighted in the plan include Iona Whyte, a Law and French graduate; Finlay Cunniffe, who is studying for a BSc in Anatomy, and Catriona MacIsaac, Assistant Director, Student Engagement Information Services as well as Gaelic learners Ryan Dziadowiec from Poland and Joe Sanders who recently graduated with an MA in Gaelic.

The Gaelic Language Plan 2018-2021 outlines the University’s support and aspirations for the language over the next three years. It will build upon the achievements of the University’s original Gaelic Language Plan launched in 2012. 

Fiona Dunn, the University of Glasgow’s Gaelic Development Manager, said: “We have developed this plan in close collaboration with colleagues, students and external partners. 

“Our priority is to continue to showcase the unique contribution that we, and indeed the University sector more broadly, can make to the development of Gaelic.

“Our first Gaelic Language Plan allowed for the establishment of innovative grassroots initiatives with a view to strengthening the Gaelic community across the institution and to normalising the use of Gaelic beyond the traditional academic setting.

“There is no better way to demonstrate the breadth of that community than to share the stories of Gaelic speakers who are studying and working in all of our Colleges and Services.”

The University of Glasgow’s Gaelic Plan is shaped around the four key priority areas of People, Place, Purpose and Partnership and is closely aligned to the University’s Strategy 2015-2020; Inspiring People, Changing the World.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “I am delighted to present the University of Glasgow’s second Gaelic Language Plan which, like our inaugural plan, will enable us to make a significant contribution to the protection, maintenance and advancement of Gaelic language and culture, locally, nationally and internationally.

“The University of Glasgow is a hugely international and multi-cultural organisation, but we are also acutely aware of our local surroundings and our significant geographical position in the city of Glasgow, a key area for Gaelic development in Scotland today.

Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Arts, and Professor of Gaelic at the University, said: “Through this second plan, the University seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing development of Gaelic in Glasgow and in Scotland.”

The University’s Gaelic Plan is launched following the announcement that Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s internationally-renowned folk, roots and world music festival, will host twelve concerts in the University’s Queen Margaret Union with one event in collaboration with UofG Gàidhlig, the University’s Policy and Development Service for Gaelic.

Music will play an important part in the launch event for the Gaelic Plan with new songs performed by internationally-renowned Gaelic singer and Outlander actor Gillebride MacMillan, who is also a Gaelic lecturer in the University.

Dr Dorothy Welch, Chair of the University’s Gaelic Committee, said: “Partnership working and civic engagement is a really important part of our work at Glasgow and we are thrilled to be welcoming Celtic Connections festival onto campus. This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity for our community and in particular our international community, to engage with traditional culture.”

She added: “Gaelic at the University of Glasgow is not just confined to one particular area and, while we still have much to achieve for the language, the University community is seeing and hearing Gaelic on our campuses, increasingly so over the last five years”

The University’s new Gaelic Language Plan 2018-21 has been prepared in line with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and in line with the priorities of the National Plan for Gaelic 2018-23.

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For more information please contact Aine Allardyce in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on 0141 330 7126 or email aine.allardyce@glasgow.ac.uk

The University of Glasgow’s Gaelic Language Plan can be found here – www.glasgow.ac.uk/gaelic

The University of Glasgow’s Statutory Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared under section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

The University of Glasgow’s Gaelic Language Plan was approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig on the 24 September 2018.

Glasgow’s international festival, Celtic Connections will host a series of concerts in the University of Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union for the first time 

The University’s Gaelic Language Plan will be launched in the University’s Concert Hall on 14 November from 14.15 – 15.30.

First published: 14 November 2018