Manx Language Network Interim Report January 2021 Manx Language Network Interim Report ~ January 2021 Introduction The Manx Language Strategy set out a five-year vision for effective, coordinated support for the promotion and delivery of the Manx language. As we approach the final year of the action plan, it would seem an appropriate time to share an interim report before we consult with the language community once more to plot out the next five years. Jeebin is made up of language professionals, who have worked together with the community to devise the strategy, deliver the action plan, and to produce this report. Jeebin acts as a coordinating and facilitating network, and individual members also represent many of the voluntary language bodies who support the Manx language in a variety of ways. We are also very passionate advocates and supporters of Manx. We share the aspiration of the Manx language community that our language continues to grow in the hearts of more and more people. The focus of the first five years of the strategy has been on how the Manx language community can work together most effectively, coordinating activity to avoid duplication, and working together to focus on the strategic support needed to develop the use of the Manx language. Jeebin recognises the need to work closely with others, as well as to communicate what it is doing as effectively as possible, to the benefit of all. Recognition of the importance of the Manx language has changed dramatically in recent years, partly as a result of successful educational policies which have built upon grassroots success and have worked to make Manx accessible to all. Many Government departments, businesses and organisations have recognised the impact of the language for their brand identity, using the language in their marketing, and on answering the phone and welcoming people. It is also true to say that many of these developments have been influenced by the strategic plan developed by Jeebin and the implementation of targets which were then shared and delivered in partnership with stakeholders in the Manx language community. "1 Manx Language Network Interim Report January 2021 The Isle of Man has always benefitted from worldwide support from minority and minoritised language communities, and we report regularly to the British Irish Council (BIC) and Council of Europe’s workstreams for Indigenous, Minority and Lesser used languages (IML), learn from their expertise and benefit from their generosity in sharing ideas and resources. In April 2018, the Isle of Man hosted the first ever visit of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts for regional and lesser used languages, and in 2019, we were honoured to host the ministerial meeting of the British Irish Council IML work sector. During both visits we were able to share and celebrate the success of the growth of the Manx language. The Manx Language Strategy has enabled us to work together in a coordinated way to the greatest benefit of the Isle of Man, but it has also identified opportunities and needs for future development. We encountered various issues outside of our control, not least the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic, which affected recruitment and planned community activities. There were also delays to the Communication Bill which impacted the work of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, and internal issues and review within the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC). Although Covid-19 did hold up some activities, it was impressive to see how the Manx language community across the Isle of Man and around the world continued engaging with Manx through online methods and projects. Learning and using Manx not only has a positive impact on personal well-being, but also provides economic benefits, helps to positively promote the Isle of Man internationally and strengthens our cultural and national identity. We remain excited and committed to continuing to work together to take the development of the Manx language forward in ways that are inclusive and accessible to all, and are optimistic that we can enhance the successes of the past five years. "2 Manx Language Network Interim Report January 2021 Theme 1: Appropriate & Accessible resources Strategic Commitment • We will work to ensure resources are appropriate, accessible and of good quality. • We will ensure any developed resources are coordinated so as to avoid duplication. Progression In 2018, Jeebin carried out an audit of existing Manx language materials and resources. This audit enabled those groups producing language resources to be aware of what already exists, avoid duplication and encourage sharing. This resulted in the development of a comprehensive database “Storfys” which can now be made available to Manx language professionals. This database will make it easier for us to look at what resources need to be developed, particularly for educational use at all levels. In addition to this, a small reading area has been set aside at Culture Vannin which includes a lending library, encouraging and enabling greater access to books and printed material. There has also been a lot of work completed sourcing, transcribing and creating an archive of Manx language material that will form the basis of a new online dictionary and possibly machine translation applications in the future. The website learnmanx.com has been redesigned to create a digital hub of online resources and lessons which are more accessible, and this is being improved and reviewed continually. In terms of a consistent approach to the use of social media, it has been agreed that, wherever possible, individual bodies should be encouraged to develop their own specific approaches, guided by the themes within the Manx Language Strategy, where appropriate. We have worked to strengthen the social media presence of Manx by establishing and using common hashtags, and by sharing the posts of other groups in a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. The translation service provided by Culture Vannin and Coonceil ny Gaelgey has been promoted by Jeebin, including the production of information cards advertising the service which continue to be circulated to Government departments and bodies, and to the private sector. There has been an uptake in the use of the service "3 Manx Language Network Interim Report January 2021 since Jeebin began and there is now a need to manage expectations in terms of wait time, especially for new concepts as well as ensuring the service is as responsive as possible. Future Work ‘Storfys’ will be more widely circulated across language professionals, thus increasing the awareness of its existence and enabling groups in the future to continually add to it, keeping it live as a working document. The next step is to host the database virtually in order to make it more accessible and interactive and where available to include links to the materials within the database. The reading area at Culture Vannin will be promoted so that it is used more regularly and users encouraged to input ideas for books that should be included. During 2020 a new Greinneyder (Manx Language Development Officer) began at Culture Vannin and, as such, she will be working to continually develop the the learnmanx.com digital hub so it is more easily navigable. Mooinjer Veggey has just launched a new resource development project with support from the DESC and the Manx Lottery Trust which will significantly enhance the amount of educational resources available for preschool, primary and secondary school teaching. The resources will be freely available on Mooinjer Veggey’s website and will be relevant to adult learners, too. The work of the translation service needs to be promoted continually in order to make it even more accessible to those wishing to access it. "4 Manx Language Network Interim Report January 2021 Theme 2: Manx as an Important Part of National & Cultural Identity. Strategic Commitment • We will work together to ensure that the Manx language continues to be visible, inclusive and a valued part of our distinctive, contemporary, cultural and national identity, and that the advantages of bilingualism are recognised. Progression Following a very successful visit by a Committee of Experts from the Council of Europe in 2018 to learn more about the Isle of Man’s commitment to Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Jeebin worked together with the Isle of Man Government to explore the possibility of signing up to Part III. Once the submission had been prepared, the Isle of Man Government went through the formal process of asking the UK Government to extend the ratification of Part III of the Charter to the Island in relation to Manx. The UK Government reviewed the Island’s implementing measures for the Manx language under Part III and approved it, with the extension announced by the Council of Europe on 23 December 2020. By adopting Part III of the Charter, the Isle of Man is showing its commitment to our language and culture, and taking proactive steps to protect and promoted them. A simple and accessible history of the Manx language provided for Jeebin by Mooinjer Veggey and the DESC Manx Language Unit has now been completed which will be included on learnmanx.com and will form part of the advocacy toolkit, enabling community awareness of the cultural and historical importance of the Manx language. Another part of the advocacy toolkit will be key facts about the language both today and in the past, which has been developed in draft form by Culture Vannin. Mooinjer Veggey has also produced a Manx trivia language facts page for the European day of Languages which is available to all. In 2018, Jeebin initiated the now annual Londeyr (lantern/light) award for the promotion of the Manx language, presented at the Cooish Manx language festival.