Gaelic North America

I’ve discussed the popularity of the Irish language in North America before but it’s not the only Gaelic tongue enjoying a renaissance there. In Canada they take their Gaelic heritage, Irish and Scottish, very seriously and in recent years it is the Scottish language that has seen substantial investment by the regional government in the easternmost province of Nova Scotia.

Halifax Newsnet reports that:

“Nova Scotians interested in improving their understanding and use of the Gaelic language will be able to further their study with a new bursary program funded by the government of Scotland and administered by Gaelic Affairs.

The bursary will support five Nova Scotians attending language training in Scotland with travel, meal and accommodation costs. Individual bursaries will be valued at about $3,100.

“Language learning can occur more quickly through immersion and this new bursary program from the Scottish government will provide this opportunity for Nova Scotians,” said Gaelic Affairs Minister Maureen MacDonald. “The province is pleased to help promote the program through Gaelic Affairs and its community partners.”

Recipients will enrol in Gaelic-language study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a national centre for Gaelic language and culture, in Alba, Scotland. They will choose a Gaelic dialect as a focus for their study and interview a native Gaelic speaker of the dialect to learn more about the language and its related cultural customs, practices, values and beliefs.

“With links between Scotland and Nova Scotia so strong, it made perfect sense to open up Gaelic language training in Scotland to a small number of Nova Scotians,” said Scotland’s Minister of Gaelic Alasdair Allan. “I will be delighted to welcome the successful candidates to our shores later in the year.”

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and permanent residents of Nova Scotia to qualify for the bursary.”

Meanwhile The News carries an article on new funding being made available for Nova Scotia’s popular Gaelic College:

“Students attending classes this summer at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts will see a significant improvement to their accommodations.

With $117,667 in funding provided by the federal government, the Gaelic College Foundation is undertaking a number of improvements to the college site to meet the current and future needs of its students and visitors. These include renovations to the residence, construction of new classrooms, indoor stage improvements and upgrades to the outdoor performance centre.

“Our government is focused on jobs and growth and through key investments to help communities build on their strengths, we are supporting local and regional economic development and jobs for Atlantic Canadians,” said Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia Peter MacKay, in a statement Monday. “The Gaelic College has a significant impact on tourism in Cape Breton. That’s why we’re pleased to support the college in its efforts to preserve and promote the language, heritage and culture of Nova Scotia’s Gaels.”

The total cost of these enhancements at the Gaelic College is $309,987.”

And now this from the Cape Breton Post:

“The Nova Scotia government is developing a new interactive website to promote and preserve the Gaelic language and culture.

Minister David Wilson says the site will offer samples of local Gaelic dialects, songs, stories, music, dance and customs.

The site is called “An Drochaid Eadarainn,” which means “the bridge between us.””