Posts Tagged ‘languages’

UNESCO: Status of Celtic Languages Outlined By Atlas

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

The status of the Cornish was reclassified last week by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), who recognised that the language was not `extinct’, but ‘critically endangered’.

Last Wednesday (8th Dember2010) the most recent edition of the Atlas of World Languages in Danger was published, which for the first time recognised the existence of Cornish as a living language. In February 2009, the Cornish language was classified by UNESCO as extinct, despite numerous complaints from individuals and organisations, including the Celtic League. Previous to 2009, UNESCO listed endangered languages in the Red Book of Endangered Languages, which the Atlas has superseded. The online Atlas is a much more comprehensive list of the world’s endangered languages and also includes some interactive features. In 2009 though, Cornish was listed as extinct alongside the Manx language, leading some linguists to question its academic validity.

Over the last ten years the Cornish revival has grown rapidly, with the language has been recognised by the (UK) government and receiving funding for its development. Manx was even further advanced in its revival than Cornish, with the language being taught in its own Manx medium schools system and as part of the curriculum in others.

Campaigners were therefore surprised to discover that UNESCO had described both languages as extinct in 2009. Following an outcry by campaigners and a re-designation of the degrees of endangered terminology on the Atlas, both Cornish and Manx have now been reclassified, with Manx being reclassified earlier on this year. Both languages also have a `revitalised’ status, showing that they are revived.

Nevertheless, this means that all the Celtic languages are now recognised as living, albeit endangered languages, for the first time by the UN. The Breton language is the only Celtic language that is not `officially’ recognised by the state government. The Celtic languages also occupy all classification categories with the exception of `extinct’. The classification of the six Celtic languages
is as follows, with the healthiest classification at the top. A rough approximation of numbers of speakers compared to population can be found alongside.

Cymraeg/Welsh: Vulnerable (611,000 speakers out of 2.98 million population)

Gaeilge/Irish: Definitely endangered (80,000 speakers out of 6.1 million population)

Gàidhlig/Scottish: Definitely endangered (58,652 speakers out of 5,168,500 population)

Brezhoneg/Breton: Severely endangered (200,000 speakers out of 4365500 population)

Gaelg/Manx: Critically endangered (revitalised) (1,689 speakers out of 76,315 population)

Kernewek/Cornish: Critically endangered (revitalised) (2000 speakers out of 500 000 population)

The 2010 edition of the Atlas has been made possible through funding by the Norwegian government.

Link:

http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/

This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              

M: 0044(0)7787318666 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              

gensec@celticleague

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

14/12/10

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Minister Responds to Schools Funding Concern

Friday, November 26th, 2010

The Minister for Education In Ireland has responded to concerns expressed by the Celtic League about funding of Irish medium schools. The issue was discussed at the League AGM in Mannin in July and a resolution from Irish branch delegates was adopted (see link):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3409

A copy of the letter from our GS is set out below together with Minister Coughlan’s response:

“Dear Minister Mary Coughlan TD

Gaelscoil Ráthó

On 30th August 2010 the Irish medium school Gaelscoil Ráthó opened its doors to the public, but did so without receiving funding or recognition from the Department of Education. This has placed a huge financial burden on the parents and founders of the school, who now have to rely on donations and non governmental grants to continue.

We are aware that there is currently a moratorium on the process of state funding of Irish medium primary schools, which has been in place for the past two years while the funding process has been under review. However it seems clear that under the new system the Department of Education now favours, schools will only be funded if they are located in growth areas. What concerns the Celtic League in the case of Gaelscoil Ráthó though is that the school is in a growth area itself, but the government has still chosen not to fund the new school. I would therefore like to ask you, on behalf of the Celtic League, what the reasoning is behind this decision not to fund Gaelscoil Ráthó.

Following our annual general meeting this year I am compelled to express the view of our members that the new government policy of only funding some Irish medium schools if they are set up in certain areas is a deeply worrying development. This new policy will not only hinder efforts to found Irish medium schools across the country, but it will also jeopardise the revival of the language itself. The policy also totally ignores the widespread proven demand for Irish medium education throughout the country, with much of the demand for
new schools arising in areas that are not currently experiencing a population growth. The people who are living in areas that are not experiencing population growth are being unfairly penalised and in effect being discriminated against for wanting to send their children to an Irish medium school.

We therefore request that you put an end to these polices that are threatening the development of the Irish language in Ireland.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary
Celtic League”

“Subject: RE: Gaelscoil Ráthó
Mr. Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
Gensec@…

PLEASE QUOTE REF NUMBER ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE
Our Ref: 1006648

Dear Mr. Tal-e-bot

Thank you for your recent email in relation to Gaelscoil Ráthó.

Based on a detailed analysis of the increase in pupil numbers for September 2010 and the capacity in existing schools in Ratoath, and taking into consideration information received from the patron bodies in relation to Ratoath, the Department was satisfied that all pupil numbers could be catered for in existing schools and that a new school was not required in the area for September 2010.

The situation in relation to the requirement for additional school provision in the Ratoath area will be reviewed for September 2011 in light of needs and consultation with the patron bodies. If, following Forward Planning Sections analysis of future school requirements, it is deemed that significant additional accommodation is required in Ratoath the Department will, as was done in 2009, carry out detailed consultation with all patron bodies in relation to how this additional accommodation might be provided.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

Mary Coughlan T.D.
Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills”

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

04/11/10

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Canada: Name Change Query

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

CANADA: NAME CHANGE QUERY

“A member of the Alba Branch has contacted the Canadian Embassy in London in an attempt to discover why a city named after its Scottish novelist has been changed in recent history.

Iain Ramsay, who was the previous Alba/Scotland branch secretary, first contacted the Honary Consul for Canada in Scotland, before being referred to the Canadian Embassy in London to find out more. However, the Canadian Embassy was not able to provide sufficient detail as to why the name of the city of Galt was replaced by `Cambridge’ – a name, which according to Mr Ramsay, is an `irrelevant Anglicisation’.

The General Secretary (GS) of the League has written to the Mayor of Cambridge, Doug Craig, to ask why the name of Galt was replaced and whether Cambridge City Council or the Provincial government would consider reverting back to Galt.

Dear Doug Craig

City of Galt

I am writing to you following a request made by our previous Alba/Scotland branch secretary, Iain Ramsay, who would like to know what the reasoning was behind adopting the name `Cambridge’ for your city. Mr Ramsay has previously written to the Honary Consul for Canada in Scotland and the Canadian Embassy in London, but has not received an adequate response to his enquiries.

We are aware that Cambridge was an amalgamation of the city of Galt, the towns of Preston and Hespeler and the hamlet of Blair in 1972, but we are unclear as to why the name Cambridge was chosen. We believe that the previous city of Galt covers the largest portion of what is now Cambridge and consequently would have thought that the name of Galt would have endured. We believe that there was considerable resistance to the amalgamation among the inhabitants at the time and we would like to know if there is or has been any interest in replacing the current name of Cambridge with the name Galt.

We are interested in this matter because we are aware that Galt was named after the Scottish novelist John Galt in the early part of the nineteenth century and that he is now buried in Greenock, Scotland. Our previous Alba/Scotland branch secretary is from Greenock and has related to me that the memory of John Galt in the area is closely associated with his work in Canada. Moreover, it is felt that the name `Cambridge’ does not adequately reflect the Scottish connections that the city has.

Many thanks in taking the time to consider this matter and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary
Celtic League

CC

Gary Goodyear MP
Gerry Martiniuk MPP”

This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
M: 0044(0)7787318666

rhisiart.talebot@…
gensec@…

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

31/08/10

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

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Cornwall: Police Queried As Bilingual Signs Go Missing

Friday, August 27th, 2010

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

CORNWALL: POLICE QUERIED AS BILINGUAL SIGNS GO MISSING!

The General Secretary (GS) of the League has written to Camborne police station at the request of the Kernow branch, following complaints regarding the use ofthe Cornish language.

The branch had been contacted after it was discovered that bilingual Cornish/English language signs used at the station had been removed this month to be replaced by English only signs. It was communicated to the League that a complaint about the signs had been made and that the complainant had said that the signs had caused them offence.

The League is led to believe that under new legislation it is enough for a person who makes a complaint to perceive it as such for it to actually be an offence. The branch were informed that there have been instances in the Devon and Cornwall constabulary where this has been applied to issues relating to Cornishness.

The full text of the letter sent by the GS can be found below.

“Superintendent Martin Orpe
Camborne Police Station
South Terrace
Camborne
Cornwall TR14 8SY
25/08/10

Dear Supt Martin Orpe

Cornish Language Signs

It has been brought to our attention that the Cornish/English language bilingual signs that were on display at Camborne police station have been removed. I have therefore been asked to write to you on behalf of the Kernow Branch of the League to enquire why this has been done.

As you will be aware the Cornish language is a fundamental part of the heritage of Cornwall and the language has been recognised under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The European Charter places an emphasis on public institutions to promote the Cornish language. Consequently a number of organisations now use the Cornish language on an everyday basis, including on the use of signs. You will be aware that in November 2009, Cornwall Council decided to adopt a bilingual road sign policy throughout Cornwall. In addition,
in March 2010 Cornwall Council also published their Equality and Diversity Framework document which stated:

“Cornwall has a unique and special culture heritage. An increasing number of people describe themselves as Cornish and it is important in all our equality and diversity work that we actively recognise Cornish as a minority group and continue to support the Cornish Language and the Cornish indigenous culture.”
(see link).

In 2007 the Celtic League wrote to all the police forces that served the Celtic countries of Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales to ask them to consider using more in their work the Celtic language and culture of their particular nation. The suggestions that were made by us as to how this could be done were received very positively by the different forces and a number of changes were made, including the use of the Manx language on all police vehicles in the Isle of Man.

We were consequently very encouraged to hear of the Camborne police station decision to use the Cornish language on signs in their premises, but are now equally disappointed that that decision seems to have been reversed for some inexplicable reason. I would therefore like to urge you, on behalf of the Kernow Branch and the Celtic League, to reconsider using the inclusive bilingual Cornish/English language version of the signs that you had up previously.

The area of Cornwall that Camborne police station serves is very proud of its Cornish heritage and I am sure you would like to reflect a part of this heritage in your work at the station.

We look forward to hearing your views on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary
Celtic League”

See link here:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=ca8be29f-8f7b-44a8-b562-59e8552b582b&\
version=-1

This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
M: 0044(0)7787318666

rhisiart.talebot@…
gensec@…

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

26/08/10

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

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Breizh: Call For Change To Language Law

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

There has been a call for the French Government to modify its laws to give
effect to the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.

The call was made at the recent Annual General Meeting (10/11 July) of the
Celtic League held in Mannin (Isle of Man), by Breton delegates attending the
conference.

Background on the intrinsic hostility of the French Government to languages
other than French was provided by Council Officers. It was noted that whilst
great strides had been made in ensuring the UK provided greater recognition to Celtic languages France was very much `dragging its feet’.

A resolution moved by the Breton branch (text below) was unanimously adopted:

“The Celtic League AGM call on the French Government, in line with the
modification of the French Constitution (the languages of France are part of
French heritage) to vote for a new law in order to apply the European Charter
for Regional and Minority Languages.”

Implementation of the resolution is devolved to the General Secretary and Breton branches however several other branches indicated that they would also provide practical support.

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

14/07/1

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Store Queried On Languages Policy

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The Celtic League General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has written to the Sainsbury’s supermarket group querying the Companies policy towards the Celtic languages.

The ongoing initiative is part of a general campaign that in due course will target stores from a number of groups which operate in the Celtic countries (see below):

“Dear Sir/Madam

Language policy

I am writing to you to enquire what Sainsbury’s policy is regarding the use of the Cornish, Irish, Scottish and Welsh languages in your stores in Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

I have been informed that Sainsbury’s are currently leafleting people in the Llanbedr Pont Steffan (Lampeter) area to promote a new store that will be opening there, but that there is not one word of Welsh on the leaflet. In an email to Sainsbury’s customer service department (RE: Welsh language [SR 1-233793507]) on 15th June 2010, a Sainsbury representative replied, after speaking with a Welsh speaking colleague in a Sainsbury store in Swansea, that:

“…the name badges are clearly marked if they can speak Welsh, so that customers have the opportunity to speak to somebody in either language. The signage in store is also written in English and Welsh.”

However, even though we are pleased to hear that is the case in the store in Swansea, can I have your assurance that this is also the case in all your stores in Wales? In addition, my organisation would also like to know what Sainsbury’s
language policy is in your stores in the other Celtic countries mentioned above. I would like to point out that, even though private companies are not obliged to provide services in other languages, all of the languages mentioned above do have some form of protection in the countries to which they belong and we would like to know what Sainsbury’s is doing to promote and protect that right. If Sainsbury’s does not have a specific language policy as part of its company, relating to the use of the above mentioned Celtic languages, would you consider adopting one?

Further, in May 2007, I wrote to all the main supermarkets in the UK, highlighting the fact that the Spanish supermarket, Eroski, use four different languages on their own store products. In the letter I asked if Sainsbury’s had any plans to do the same with their own products in respect of the different Celtic languages. In your response, a Sainsbury’s representative said that the company did not have any plans to do this, but the Celtic League would like to
know if Sainsbury’s would now consider this option?

At our 2009 AGM, the following resolution was passed:

This AGM:

“Urges supermarkets in the Celtic countries to adopt a bilingual policy on their own branch products to include the Cornish, Irish, Scottish, Manx and Welsh languages.”

I have therefore been tasked with writing to all supermarkets in the Celtic countries of Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales to ask if they will consider adopting such a policy. I realise that you don’t have any stores in the Isle of Man, but would appreciate a response to the above questions relating to the other Celtic countries.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot”

An update on this campaign will be posted in a forthcoming issue of the Celtic League journal CARN.

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

09/07/10

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