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.

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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.

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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.

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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. So far there have been three recipients; Dollin Mercer - Manx Radio, Paul Moulton - MTTV and Vicky Webb - Illustrator, Crumpets and Crabsticks. Inspired by this, Manx Radio adopted a ‘Manx word of the Day’ initiative, which often involves schools and Mooinjer Veggey nurseries and which has proved extremely popular.

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Manx Radio presenters’ use of Manx language greetings continues to grow, and sits alongside their Manx language programming.This is a very important step in making Manx visible and should be extended to other services where possible.

A collection of Manx language videos and gifs are now available through Culture Vannin along with the Manx Calendar Customs videos, including supporting educational resources from DESC for each of the customs, available for schools. Positive feedback has already been received from teachers and the wider community.

Culture Vannin ran successful Manx classes and cultural awareness training at Lloyds Bank which improved the visibility and the take-up of the language in the corporate sector and developed a framework for working with other businesses in the future.

Jeebin recognised the importance of developing clear branding and worked with local artist Adam Berry to produce a series of striking logos for the Network. These have been used on printed material and online resources during the last few years with interchangeable colours and bilingual wording. Jeebin has now chosen a single colour- schemed logo to be used in future.

Future Work An advocacy toolkit, important for shaping the positive public perception of the Manx language, is underway and will form part of the online hub of resources. More work needs to be done to make sure that the toolkit is lively and engaging and accessible to all. This will include specific information for parents wishing to raise their children through Manx and for teachers and nursery leaders interested in using more Manx.

A wealth of pre-existing videos from the Culture Vannin archive are to be narrated/ subtitled with the Manx language, and will be available for public use.

Following the ratification of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages an ongoing monitoring programme will be developed.

The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee had been waiting for the delayed 2018 Communications Bill to successfully pass through Tynwald. At the time of writing, the Bill is awaiting Royal Assent. Once the Committee moves fully to Culture Vannin, its membership and policies can be re-defined where necessary. Culture Vannin has been providing budget for the Committee’s work for a number of years now.

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Theme 3: Manx for the Manx Speaking Community

Strategic Commitment • We will support people to develop the social use of the Manx language at home, at work and in their free time. • We will support schools to develop the social use of the Manx language in a range of contexts. • We will support parents who raise their children as Manx language speakers, and those who send their children to Manx medium education, to develop opportunities for social use of the Manx language.

Progression The Pobble ’buddy system’ has worked well with numerous pairs of Mainshter (master) and Prindeys (apprentice). There are significant opportunities for this successful system to be extended in future.

A simple calendar of regular events has been produced by Jeebin and is available both online and in printed format. This contains the main events planned every year. There is scope to include other events on the digital hub in future.

A playground pack of simple Manx language games for mainstream schools is to be launched in June 2021.

Several parents’ drop off classes have been established and work well.

The Bunscoill Ghaelgagh is supported by a parents association called Sheshaght ny Paarantyn, which fundraises and organises activities and Mooinjer Veggey provides additional financial and policy support to the Bunscoill.

Mooinjer Veggey undertakes regular surveys of parents of children attending its nurseries which help it plan for future services.

Pobble have established the ‘Aundyr Brian Stowell’ for creative use of the Manx language. The first recipients were Jo Callister (two Manx stories) and Felicity Wood (Manx traditions calendar) This is awarded bi-annually.

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The Cooish festival has been successfully relaunched in the past few years, and in 2020 incorporated a Manx language meal, Manx bingo, and a ‘Cooish as Cappan’ event with all the groups involved.

Aundyryn Kiaull Theay Vannin (The Manx Folk Awards) now have a designated ‘Laa ny Gaelgey’ once again for the Manx language, and this has gone from strength to strength and includes readings, duologues and play extracts in both Manx dialect and Gaelic. All keystages are involved.

The Isle of Man hosted the Celtic Media Festival in 2017 and Jeebin partners ensure that there continues to be entries from the Isle of Man each year.

Future Work Delays to the Communications Bill meant that it was difficult to define a clear broadcasting policy going forward. Now the Bill is awaiting Royal Assent and the Gaelic Broadcasting committee will move to become a subcommittee of Culture Vannin, there is hope that this can be actioned asap.

Key events within the Jeebin Manx Calendar of regular events will be included in a joint digital calendar of events for member administrations of the British Irish Council IML work sector.

It had been hoped that the International Linguistics Olympiad could be held in the Isle of Man in 2021, but plans had to be deferred due to the global pandemic of Covid-19.

A list of visits from and partnerships with other language communities around the world is being collated and will be available online to show the importance of the Manx language internationally, and to recognise the value of international support and exchange of ideas.

We plan to assess parent need going forward so that existing drop-off sessions can be enhanced and resources developed to help parents improve their Manx to support them using more Manx with their children.

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Theme 4: Lifelong Learning of the Manx Language from Early to Later Years

Strategic Commitment • We will ensure that anyone, of any age, anywhere, has the opportunity to learn and speak the Manx language and that the language’s role in community cohesion is recognised.

Progression Language classes have been run within the community by Culture Vannin and other organisations delivering basic conversational skills in an informal environment. The uptake has been good in particular amongst parents of children attending the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.

As face to face lessons could not continue during the first Covid-19 lockdown, an excellent opportunity for the enhanced provision of online and distance learning was created which meant many more people on Island and around the world were able to access Manx lessons remotely. The success of these initiatives has shown that there is a wider appetite for learning Manx .

Lessons with a heavy emphasis on spoken language have also been held at the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture, the Cabinet Office and at Post Office Headquarters. Groups of up to ten learners enabled participants to make more progress because of the small group approach and the informal atmosphere created by the course leader. These lessons have delivered basic conversational skills to interested employees and helped raise the profile of Manx in these organisations. If more resources were available, this model could be rolled out successfully amongst other groups and many more people could access basic conversational classes and develop their confidence in the language.

The Manx translation service continues to receive a large number of translation requests from public, government, private and third sector organisations. This has resulted in more Manx language being visible within the public domain, which supports positive cultural identity.

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DESC opened up its ‘Introduction to the Isle of Man’ Primary and Secondary teacher induction training to other government departments. This annual training is for teachers new to the Isle of Man and includes Manx culture and language.

DESC produced a video showing the learning of Manx in mainstream primary schools by the Manx Language team. This highlights the importance of the Manx Language team at DESC in teaching Manx within all the Island’s schools.

The Loayr Gaelg series of books aimed at adult learners was developed for Culture Vannin, and aims to set out staged progression for learners.

A fact-finding visit to Wales (hosted by the Welsh Government) by Manx language education professionals from DESC was undertaken in order for plans to be progressed linked to evidence from another nation. Delegates were able to visit Welsh-speaking schools and speak to programme leaders and students about their Welsh immersion courses for English-speaking teachers and also look at strategic plans and funding models which ensure that the programme achieved success. Commitments at Welsh Assembly level were central to this.

The Welsh hub school system was particularly interesting as this was a model we could trial in the Isle of Man. Some ideas from this visit have already been piloted in Manx schools, particularly using school children as ‘Manx Buddies’ (Language Ambassadors) and Manx lessons for school staff.

Meetings with delegates from Cornwall and Jersey through the British Irish Council have been particularly useful in enabling our nations to work together in progressing strategic plans.

Mooinjer Veggey has funding in place to enable teachers at the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh to attend relevant training so that good practice in immersion learning can be shared and learned from.

A year long Manx Mysteries project has also been developed by the DESC Advisory Teacher for the Manx Curriculum. A group of primary schools are using the Manx language to solve puzzles linked to cultural events.

A proactive member of Bus Vannin was responsible for raising the profile of Manx throughout the Island with the introduction and maintenance of destination names in

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Manx on the Island’s buses. This is a very important step in making Manx visible and should be extended to other services where possible.

Evening classes are now being run at the University College IoM and there is also now some provision of Manx medium classes at Ballakermeen High School, with the Manx language being a curricular option at 4 out of 5 high schools.

Future Work It is hoped that in the future a Manx version of the Welsh hub school model can be developed here. With the implementation of a pilot project involving four main hub primary schools promoting the use of Manx within their own schools and subsequently sharing those successes with other schools affiliated to each hub. If successful, this could enable more staff within the Manx Language Unit to eventually be freed up to facilitate more Manx language teaching at secondary level.

We need more funding and personnel to roll out the cultural awareness and language teaching in the business community as feedback has shown that there is a desire within the community for more people to access basic conversational classes and training. In a financially constrained environment this may require a review of existing priorities.

We urgently need a scheme for training, recruiting and providing Continuing Professional Development to nursery leaders, and Primary and Secondary teachers. Ongoing financial commitment is required if the significant progress made for Manx Language education in recent years is not to be lost.

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Conclusion Our work since this Strategy was established in 2017 has helped strengthen and support the Isle of Man’s global standing as somewhere different and special, with its own unique culture. Seeing so many young people learn and love our language gives us great hope and encouragement for the future. That hope and future-focus, our sense of partnership both within the language community and the many people keen to join it, and knowing that we are all part of a much longer story for the Manx language, inspire and drive us on to greater success. Fifty years ago, the Manx language was on the verge of becoming a footnote in the history of our incredible Island. The successful revitalisation of Manx as a community language has been due to the phenomenal dedication and energy that speakers of the Manx language have put into teaching, learning and promoting Manx over the past five decades and more. Through generations of enthusiasts, there has been an unbroken line between those whose first language had been Manx for many centuries to the new native speakers of the present. We are now in the fortunate and almost unique position of being able to broaden the scope of the language because of an enormous shift in grassroots support for Manx as part of our island’s identity, economy and culture . Jeebin members have tapped into this groundswell of support at a critical time in order to provide a comprehensive framework in which the long-term future of the language is secured. The new collected focus and targeted approach developed by Jeebin attempts to set strategically important and challenging development goals. These goals firmly root the language at the heart of our culture and identity and also expand its role in economic development, in defining our national character and being an integral part of life in the Isle of Man. We are strongly encouraged that the Isle of Man Government, in signing up to part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, has demonstrated a strong international commitment to our languages which both protects the rights of Manx speakers and secures the future of Manx language services. The Manx language is in a stronger position today than it has been for over a century. Through Jeebin, we have the ambition and commitment to not only maintain the progress of the past, but to continue be world-leaders in the development and growth of Manx in the decades to come.

Developed by Chrissy Callaghan, Jo Callister, Phil Gawne, Ruth Keggin-Gell, Breesha Maddrell, Julie Matthews, and Rob Teare together with the Manx Speaking Community.

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Mean Souree & Jerrey Souree June & July Laa Tinvaal Tynwald Day www.tynwald.org.im Gaelg Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering celticgathering.im car ny Bunscoill Ghaelgagh School Concert bunscoillghaelgagh.sch.im Mee Luanistyn & Mean Fouyir August & September bleeaney Laa Luanys start of August traditions www.culturevannin.im

Jerrey Fouyir & Mee Houney October & November Manx Yn Mhelliah harvest traditions www.culturevannin.im throughout Hop tu Naa www.manxmusic.com Cooish festival www.learnmanx.com & www.ynchruinnaght.com/cooish the year Leaght Ned Maddrell Lecture www.learnmanx.com

Mee ny Nollick December Shelg y Drean Hunt the Wren www.manxmusic.com Jerrey Geuree & Toshiaght Arree January & February Shirveish y Nollick Bunscoill Christmas Service bunscoillghaelgagh.sch.im Oie’ll Verree (Michael Players) www.facebook.com/michaelheritagetrust Shirveish y Nollick Tynwald Christmas Service www.tynwald.org.im Shirveish y Nollick YCG Old Christmas Service www.learnmanx.com This calendar gives you the times of years rather than specifc dates for Arrane Son Mannin Song for Pan-Celtic www.manxmusic.com opportunities to hear and use Manx. Websites and social media pages should give you more details. Mee Vayrnt, Averil & Boaldyn March, April & May Look out for regular activities including the buddy system from pobble.im Aundyryn Kiaull-Theay Vannin Manx Folk Awards manxfolkawards.weebly.com New events pop up all the time, so check out: Shennaghys Jiu Celtic Festival shennaghysjiu.com Flitters tradition for Easter www.culturevannin.im www.learnmanx.com Manx Music Festival - The Guild www.manxmusicfestival.org Your one-stop shop for all things Manx Gaelic Oie Noo Markys St Mark’s Eve 24/25 April www.culturevannin.im Boaldyn May traditions www.culturevannin.im Chaglym Bleinoil AGM Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh www.learnmanx.com www.learnmanx.com Your one-stop shop for all things Manx Gaelic

Useful Links: • LearnManx: https://www.learnmanx.com • Mooinjer Veggey: https://www.mooinjerveggey.org.im • Bunscoill Ghaelgagh: https://bunscoillghaelgagh.sch.im • Culture Vannin: https://www.culturevannin.im • Jeebin Calendar: https://www.learnmanx.com/media/Jeebin%20resources/ Jeebin%20calendar%20A5%20back%20to%20back%20card%20FINAL.pdf • MNH Museum on the Move: https://manxnationalheritage.im/learn/family- learning/ • Manx Radio word of the day: https://www.manxradio.com/on-air/blogs/manx- word-of-the-day/ • Manx language trivia: https://edl.ecml.at/Facts/LanguageTrivia/tabid/3129/ TagID/50/language/en-GB/Default.aspx#q • DESC Manx in schools video: https://vimeo.com/271271475 • Manx Greetings stamps: https://www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/product/ greetings-in-manx-set-and-sheet-set-/

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