Winter 1997/98 £2.00

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ALBA: C O M A N N 'U Breizh CEÌLTEACH • BREIZH: KEVRE KELTIEK • CYMRU: UNDEB Í CELTÁIDD • EIRE: CONRADH CEILTEACH • KERNOW: KESUNYANS KELTEK • MANNIN: C30DC LEAGUE (§t COMMEEYS CELTIAGH The movement to Scottish self-government sovereignty campaigners to the Sillars faction of the SNP who bounced the party "pii the summer of 1977 hopes of a Tax and Thatcher's demise, kept another into fighting the 1992 election under a free I breakthrough to devolved government focus on driving the Tories from Scotland. by ‘95 unofficial slogan. In the event Sillars -ifo r Scotland seemed certain. The I his became an obsession through the himself lost his Govan seat and retired to emasculated Scotland Act was passed in botched 1992 General Election. Labour had the edges of politics as a Scottish Sun August 1978 and in the mandatory failed four times to dislodge the Tories. columnist and business contact with the referendum on St David's Day. 1979 Scots Neil Kinnock resigned as their leader and Arab world. Whereas inside the SNP and voted narrowly in favour (51.6% to Scot. John Smith continued the internal Scottish life the benefits of the EU were 48.4%). but due to the wrecking 40% rule work to make Labour electable to an brought home with a growing use of the Yes vote lost as only 32.9% of Scots increasingly eonsumerist SE English Independence w ithin Europe to build to a had voted Yes. electorate. 33% vote in the European Parliament In the recent book of key Scots historic He had embraced devolution in the Elections of 1994 which saw SNP gain a documents Paul H. Scott the most prolific seat in NE Scotland. This gave Labour -six propagandist for the values of of an and SNP two. From a Tory majority of independent, culturally confident Scotland Euro seats in 1979 they now had none. I his took John Steinbeck's quote from his letter ‘A new, hopeful, focus for focus had boosted the democracy to Mrs John F Kennedy lor his title piece. movement since it had attracted over He wrote - ’You talked of Scotland as a lost Scottish life, culture, 40.000 demonstrators onto Edinburgh cause and that is not true. Scotland is an environment and streets when the EU heads of state held unwon cause.' To those who fought on their summit in December 1992. file media when hope seemed dashed, the 74% and development was proclaimed blackout on the size of the demo stemmed 63% Yes Yes votes on 11th September 1997 in the campaign posters in from a view that devolution was dead. ended twenty years of despair and opened a Gaelic, Scots and English, Nevertheless the stunning victory for new era in Scottish public life. Blair's New Labour on May 1st 1997 at Two significant groups of Scots who Thai Thai, Aye! Aye!, Yes! last removed the last 10 lory VIPs from dragged the nation back from the deep Yes! - it is an exciting time to Scotland and produced the biggest depression of the Thatcher decade deserve be alive in Scotland. ’ peacetime victory for any one party since every praise. In all 18 years of British Tory 1832. Having voted overwhelmingly for rule, which the Scots rejected from the first change Scots gave a 23% vote, a virtual taught lessons that the divisions in the standstill in 1992 terms, to SNP which ruling Labour party in 1979 were fatal. 1970s. along with pro-European doubled its MPs to 6 putting the party now Keeping the light shining took various Community views. He considered Scottish the clear second choice in Scotland for five forms. Those choosing a devolution Home Rule to be unfinished business and years. [The full details are described in settlement of limited autonomy set up a as the settled will of the Scottish people. Carn 98] Campaign for a Scottish Assembly and Ilis sudden death in 1994 led to the In UK terms the 41% Labour vote subsequently in 1989 a fourth historic elevation of Tony Blair whose ruthless benefited from the first-past-the-post voting Claim of Right was signed by Labour and surge for electability dropped most of what system to distort its representation. So fair Liberal MPs representatives of the Scottish Labour cherished of its socialist past. The voting systems became the watchword for Trade Unions. STUC. the Scottish churches catharsis was a purge of old hands, the proposed Scottish parliament. Indeed and civic bodies. dropping Clause IV the socialist policy aim the new Foreign Secretary. Scot. Rob The reason for Labour's inclusion and the and suddenly imposing on Scotland in a Cook, a former No man in 1979 and now SNP's abstention was the stunning 33% policy switch in the summer of 1996 a new an ardent Yes advocate gained cabinet suing by Jim Sillars to win the Govan two question referendum to test Scottish agreement that the next European Election constituency in a by-election in November will not just for a parliament but whether it poll in 1999 should be fought under a fair 1988. should have tax varying powers. Deep voting system. This in turn led the Whilst castigated for separatist behaviour suspicions were raised as the crucial opposition Liberals, with the second the SNP kept the pressure on Labour to General Election loomed on 1st May 1997. biggest number of Scottish MPs. to join promote and deliver what they had failed to A fundamentalist strand in the SNP with the SNP in calling for fair voting in in 1979. However the centralisation of Tory represented by the independence nothing local council elections when Labour's lev rule, which included the imposition on else concept moved from being the Yes referendum campaign hit early Scotland of the hated and short lived Poll province of anti EU. pro Scottish difficulties in August due to the suicide of the MP for Paisley South. Gordon MacMaster. and the subsequent charges of sleaze amongst local councillors and a neighbouring Labour MP. Fortunately a huge reaction built up against Bruce Pattulo. the Gov ernor of the private Bank of Scotland, in the middle of the campaign. He demanded a No vote against tax varying powers but polls showed little change in overall support despite a high don't know, won't say block. In the event the cross party campaign led hy Labour's new Scottish Secretary. Donald Dewar, along with Scottish Liberal leader. Jim Wallace and SNP leader. Alex Salmond. hit the ground in the last week of campaigning after the enforced suspension of the previous week between Princess Diana's death and burial. The stunning Yes Yes result on a 60% poll, the same lev el of voting as in 1979 nevertheless met the government condition. .1 lex Salmond on the campaign trail Dewar’s White Paper. Scotland's Parliament |2| had been a best seller and without fuss a united Scottish public delivered their positive verdict. Blair was v indicated, his Secretary Donald Dewar, delighted that the Scots could look forward to the millennium: Alex Salmond for the A Gfiàidhlig SNP kept independence In the frame, 'making a success of running some of our affairs is the best grounding lor people wanting to run ALL our affairs.' he said. Ficfiead Bliadfma a Fas Irade union leaders, church leaders.

The twenty years since Cam ’s last detailed account of the position of Gaelic has been a very contrary period for the language. On one hand the 80s and 90s have witnessed an increasing interest in Gaelic and the development of an infrastructure for the language in such fields as broadcasting and education. These decades have, however, also seen a decline in the number of Gaelic speakers and signs of the Tina! collapse of the language in its heartland.

The 1980s were a decade when the group. The 1990s have witnessed a Gaelic revival could be said to have continuation and acceleration in demand doctors and tourist chiefs were joined by reached a critical mass, building upon the for and provision of infrastructure for the business representatives who welcomed hard work of the previous decades. language. They have also been a period in and accepted the result and the challenge. Realisation by Gaels of the fact that the which the profile of the language has risen So after 300 years a democratic Scots language was dying on its feet combined and in which the debate Is increasingly parliament Is on the way. The battles for with more concerted lobbying on the part moving towards issues of community Scotland's future now recognise devolution of the Gaelic community was instrumental development and the status ol'the language as the status quo. A fortnight later on 26th at this time in leading to increased One of the most encouraging September Salmond in his SNP Conference government support for the language in developments ol'the last two decades has Speech called on Donald Dewar to locale such areas as the arts, education and been the expansion of Gaelic medium the new parliament in the heart of broadcasting. The report "Cor na Gaidhlig - education at all levels. The Gaelic pre- Ldlnburgh and to formally consult the Language Community and Development" school council Comhairlc nan Sgofltean people's view, and accept the people's will, (1982). funded by the Highlands and Araich (C'NSA) was founded in 1982 and for the people's parliament. A new. Islands Development Board was a key has overseen the growth of Gaelic medium hopeful, focus for Scottish life, culture, factor in leading to u more sympathetic pre-school education. Since its inception, environment and development was government view of the language. A CNSA has established over 140 Gaelic pre- proclaimed In the campaign posters In significant change ushered In following this school groups which in 1996 had an Gaelic. Scots and English. Thai Thai. Aye! report was the formation ofComunn na attendance of 2.5 10. Progress in the Aye!. Yes! Yes! - It Is an exciting Otime to Gaidhlig (CnaG). the national Gaelic primary schools has been no less marked be alive in Scotland. development agency, a move which saw following initiatives tor bilingual CnaG taking over from An Comunn education in Skye and the Western Isles in Rob Gibson Gaidhealach as the main Gaelic lobbying the late 1970s. the I98()> saw the

Cttrn 5 development of Gaelic medium primary only one Gaelic speaker in three lives in an education. The first Gaelic medium area w here Gaelic is the majority language primarv units were opened in Glasgow and '...Gaelic is increasingly and that even in families where both Inverness in 1985 and by the 1995-96 parents speak Gaelic (this being only about session there were 5 1 units offering all or coining To be seen as a 13 of all families containing a Gaelic part of the curriculum through Gaelic, speaker) only 72% of the children were many being situated outwith the I lighlands. language which is Gaelic speakers. 15y 1995-6 the number of pupils being important to the whole o f There are still positive signs for the educated through Gaelic had risen to 1.461. future, however. Perhaps the most The development of Gaelic medium Scotland - as a national important of these has been the upsurge in secondary education, despite some cultural and political nationalism in stumbling blocks, has also been language rather than as a Scotland which helped ensure that the 1997 progressing and by 1996. around 130 referendum had a very different result from children were being taught some subjects peripheral, regional one. ’ that of its 1979 predecessor. \ component through the medium of Gaelic. of this, aided by the growing v isibility of The revolution In Gaelic education has Gaelic through areas such as music and also progressed into further and higher television, has been that Gaelic is education. From 1983 onwards. Gaelic has population was Inaugurated. While the high Increasingly coming to he seen as a been used as a medium for further quality radio service has played a key role language which is Important to the whole education courses in areas such as business in the Gaelic revival, being highly popular of Scotland - as a national language rather studies. rural development and amongst Gaelic speakers and learners than as a peripheral, regional one. Public broadcasting at Sabhal Mor Ostaig the however, it is through television that the goodwill to the language has been steadily Gaelic medium college on Skye. From a language has made its greatest impact on increasing and anti-Gaelic views, once handful of students at the beginning, the population of Scotland as a whole. In common, are being heard less and less Sabhal Mor Inis expanded greatly and 1990 the Broadcasting Act established the often. hopes to have 162 students by 1999. As a £9.5 million pound Gaelic Television Fund, 1997 has been a year of great hope lor constituent college of the projected administered by Comataidh Telebhisean Gaelic containing as it has the election of a University of the Highlands and Islands. Gaidhlig which was to Increase Gaelic T.V new government and the appointment of Sabhal Mor Ostaig intends to introduce output from 100 hours to 300 hours per the first ever Minister for Gaelic in the degree level Gaelic medium courses by the year. form of the strongly pro-Gaelic Brian turn of the century. Lewis Castle College in The Gaelic arts have also been a key- Wilson. Even more significant has been the I ewis also teaches some courses through component of the Gaelic revival. Fels resounding double yes vote for a Scottish the medium of Gaelic. A very welcome Bharralgh. the first Gaelic community Parliament which will bring control of addition to the Gaelic education scene in festival was held in Barra in 1981 and Gaelic policy back to the Scottish people the late 1990s has been the establishment became the model for the Feisean nan and which will certainly contain a larger of much needed Gaelic immersion courses Gaidheal movement which today Is proportion of nationalist MPs. which have been developed in areas such responsible for 26 feisean in a v ariety of Follow ing the single largest change to as Clydebank. Edinburgh. Inverness and different locations. While the National Mod Scotland's constitution since 1707. Fort William and which seem set to expand continues to be a central event in the Gaelic Comunn na Gaidhlig (CnaG) hope to see in numbers in the near future. calendar, it has now also been joined by an the second largest In the form of national I he growth of immersion courses reflects increasing number of local Mods. The official status for Gaelic by the year 2000. the growing number of people throughout Gaelic arts have also been aided by the Scotland Interested in learning Gaelic. The formation of Proiseact nan Ealaln. the society for learners and supporters of national Gaelic arts project. The national Gaelic - Comann an Luchd-lonnsachaidh - Gaelic theatre company Tosg has also was founded in 1984 and has recently recently been established, based at Sabhal recruited its 1.000th member. Research by Mor Ostaig. where it is joined by a new Dr. John Galloway has suggested that there HNC certificate in the Gaelic Arts. In the are up to 8.000 Scots actively learning period in question. Gaelic music has comunn na g a id h l ig Gaelic and a poll for BBC Scotland has continued to gain converts to the language, gone further, stating that over a million particularly through Runrig and people are interested in learning the Capercaillie. language. While both of these figures are Despite all the aforementioned advances Going hand In hand with official status is too high to be an indicator of the number of however, the position of Gaelic remains CnaG s proposal for a national policy for people who will actually learn the more precarious than ever. This can be seen Gaelic education which would Inject more language, they do serve to show the large most clearly from the 1991 census in which security into Gaelic medium provision and amount of goodwill existing towards the total number of Gaelic speakers fell help to afford it some protection from the from around 80.000 to around 66.000. In Gaelic In Scotland. parochialism and short-termism of local In addition to Gaelic education, the other addition to this overall picture, the mosL authorities. great success of recent times has been the worry ing figures came from the Gaelic Having tackled some of the more expansion of Gaelic broadcasting. Radio heartland of the Western Isles. According pressing infrastructural issues in the course nan Gaidheal the Gaelic radio station was to the census, only 49% of the children of the 1980s and 90s. the Gaelic movement established in 1985 and by the late 80s was between 3 and 15 in the Western Isles were is now beginning to tackle broader issues able to speak Gaelic as compared with 67°o broadcasting for around 28 hours per week. as to the language's future. Education and in 1981. In addition to this, only around a The amount has since increased to around broadcasting are simply not enough to save quarter of children in the Western Isles 40 hours per week and in 1996 a national a language and discussion is now shifting attend Gaelic medium schools. Studies by Radio nan Gaidheal service serving the more and more towards ways of creating majority, though not all. of the Scottish Kenneth MacKinnon have also shown that and strengthening Gaelic as a home and community language. Coimhearsneachd Ghaidhlig Dluin Eideann has been founded in Edinburgh as a pilot Gaelic community group which can help to bind the disparate reiz h R urban Gaelic population together. Another significant move has been the development of Taighean na Gaidhlig - Gaelic houses - which act as community centres for Gaelic. Introduction Such centres ha\e already been established in Dingwall and Meiness and plans are Brittany has all the characteristics of a nation. Its people are descended from a underway to establish a large Taigh na fusion of the Celtic immigrants from Britain with the Celtic and pre-Celtic Gaidhlig for Edinburgh. Such projects inhabitants of the Armorican peninsula. The Bretons have 1150 years of reveal an increased confidence amongst history in common. For 700 years they constituted an independent State, the) friends and supporters o f Gaelic which were annexed by France in 1532 but became fully absorbed only 200 years ago bodes well for the future. This has also in the French State. They possess a culture and language of their own. the only been manifested in the increased tendency Celtic language spoken on the continent of Europe. However, w hile they have a of Gaels to use the language of civil and sense of community, feeling in ways different from the French, the majority of human rights with reference to Gaelic them do not claim the right of self-determination as a nation. provision and in the increased willingness of Gaelic speakers to campaign for the language. Too often the energy of Gaelic French Policy of France's culture hut the facts continued activists has been sapped through endless o understand the Breton situation it to testify to a deep rooted hostility towards campaigns to protect w hat we already have is essential to be well acquainted them |and to a determination to do nothing against cuts. Official status and a national Twith the French State's policy to promote their recovery|. Just when the policy on Gaelic education would enable towards its ethnic minorities. To European Charter for Minority Languages Gaels to concentrate their energy on more consolidate a construction which was was being proposed for signature by the positive fields and with more tangible achieved in several instances by military Council of Europe's member states. France results. conquest, the State proclaimed the doctrine amended its constitution to make French There can be no doubt that 1998 will find of onc-and-indivisibilily and denied the The language of the Republic, thus ruling Gaelic in a very different situation from existence of such minorities by referring to out the adoption of that Charter. Numerous that which it occupied in 1978. Basically its own notion of equality. They were instances in the past 2 or 3 years indicate Gaelic has been rapidly changing from a subjected not only to laws and regulations that the state, faced w ith the success of the language with a community hut no but also to strong psychological pressures Diwan system of education and the infrastructure to one with ail infrastructure in order to bring about their linguistic and unexpected interest of the Bretons in saving but no community. Any attempts to remedy cultural assimilation and the extinction of their language, is presently engaged in a this situation must both protect Gaelic in their sense of collective identity. I he State counter-offensive to claw back its stingy the Gaidhealtachd and develop the was divided into departments to be concessions. language's massive potential in the administered under strict control from Paris Lowlands. The development of community with no reference to the historic prov inces. initiatives throughout Scotland combined Soon after World War II. aided by an with legislation for official status and intense patriotic propaganda it appeared to Gaelic education will be key strategies to have achieved its aim. having in Brittany The Breton People tiiis end the twenty first century . Another demonised ihe national movement and Kept ignorant of their origins and crucial factor which has not been finally succeeded in getting the vast thousand years of independent history, mentioned by most Gaelic groups so far is majority of parents to give up transmitting made to believe that their own language the need for a more language planning the Breton Language to their children. Our was only a patois unfit for modern centred approach to Gaelic. The protection article "Breton Language Survey" in Carn expression, devoid of political leadership and revitalisation of Gaelic will be a very 99 shows that Breton is indeed one of the throughout the 19th and the beginning of complicated and multi-faceted task. most endangered European minority the 20th century, the Bretons had generally Scotland could benefit from a language languages. come by 1925 to accept the State planning agency with the aim of carving All attempts made since 1945 by means propaganda that they should become out a viable future for Gaelic and with of parliamentary bills to obtain legal status "French like everyone". The emergence of sufficient finance and power to carry this for it or to establish its teaching in schools a national movement lor self-government out. Such a body would have to recognise on a serious basis have been thwarted. With around 1920 thus seemed to them like the seriousness of Gaelic's current situation the aim of eradication w ell within sight and asking to reverse the clock: only a minority and would have the duty of drawing up a the desire to avert international criticism, a dared to join it while in others it evoked blueprint for the language's survival based softer approach was adopted by "granting a distrust or hostility. It was easy after 1945 on thorough academic research and Cultural Charter In 1977. opening some to heap opprobrium on those who. In view comparative study of other minoritised bilingual classes in State schools (to reduce of the critical state of the Breton nation had languages. It is to be hoped that any Gaelic support for the all too independent Diwan seen France's defeat as an opportunity | hut Language Board or similar organisation set schools?), as well as leaving it to the also to try and discredit the nationally up by official status legislation will be regional and other local councils to give minded members of cultural and languages based on such a model. subsidies to publications, festivals, etc. if organisations.] However the revolution they wished, within their overall State- achieved in the 60s by the Breton farmers Alasdair MacCaluim controlled budgets. Lip service w as paid by was accompanied by the appearance of u government figures to the contribution of new political movement for self- the regional languages to the rich tapestry government. and a gradual increase in self-

( 'urn 5 confidence among ihe people. Surveys carried out in the 70s and 80s showed what while 50% of them saw themselves as being Breton but also I reneh. 20% were "Breton above all" (In Breton-speaking areas, and in rural areas of Upper Brittany, the figure was even as high as 37%). Today 80% r more in Lower Brittany want Breton to survive and to be taught in all schools, albeit on an optional basis, and the sense of Breton identity is quite widely felt and recognised as an important factor in the field ol economic competition. Yet these attitudes nave not v et translated into a significant support for the parties which campaign lor self-government. Nor do those who hold them seem to realise that rather drastic Pleasures are needed to restore the Breton language to a healthy position in society

POBl. Congress. Mur. 11-12 10/97. Members of the party's Executive Committee R Mantaicier. Vann Fouere anti Jeon Cevaer. with guests from other European countries

Breton Parties matters be the reason for Tailing to attract (JDI WAN) or by partial immersion with y comparison with the advance militants?) parity of hours (State schools. Private being made towards self- E MG ANN Is outspoken in its advocacy Catholic schools). It does not deal with Bgovernment in Scotland and Wales, of Breton independence. On social Issues other types of teaching Breton varying the Breton political “movement" appears to Its position appears to be more radically from a simple initiation to up to three hours be making very little headway. Those two leftist than that of the UDB in its support a week and from the nursery to the countries are held as examples Tor Brittany for workers' grievances and its criticism of secondary level. In that second field the to emulate but there appears to be no the ruling bourgeoisie but it is not clear Breton Teachers Union (UGB) records a willingness to learn from the fact that it what proposals it has for a socialist widespread jacobinic offensive (= all was by rallying the vast majority of the Brittany. It has committed militants, children must be taught through French supporters of self-government that the present in the streets, in demonstrations, only): this takes various forms such as not Scottish and Welsh national parties were prepared to risk their personal freedom. It informing pupils of the availability of able to force the London government to organises the annual Breton language courses and open hostility. partially concede their demands whereas in festival which Is increasingly successful. Yet. in spite of the absence of a general Brittany a disperal of efforts between a Anyone longing for the emergence of a campaign to inform families by the variety of parileis leaves these with a national party capable of mobilizing education authorities if there were a marginal role in the political field and a militants like EMGANN. presenting genuine linguistic policy, in spite of the weak impact on the population, to begin reasoned arguments for self-government lack of trained teachers which prevents the with. They have several objectives in like POBL. addressing social injustices and opening of new schools or streams, common, but they differ on social issues the excesses of a liberal system which is particularly in Morbihan. bilingual and in their tactics and methods. destroying countless ethnic communities education has progressed more than ever I he UDB can claim to have the strongest and bringing about an ecological disaster, this year. ('.Stream' meaning a succession support and the best organisation. It puts taking into account that half the Breton of classes taught billngually. In a school great emphasis on being socialist. By people are not left-inclined, anyone who where teaching is otherw ise In French). means of pacts with the French leftists it believes that such a party would offer the can secure seats on local councils and thus best chance of maximizing popular support seek to influence their decision on Breton and bring about the necessary recognition Encouraging figures matters. By allying themselves with parties of our national rights will again be bitterly In all 4011 children and teenagers are from other regions they hope to push disappointed by the absence of a common now being taught bilingually. as against France towards federalism but in the Breton front in next March's regional 3412 In 1996 and 3037 in 1995. This is an second rounds of general elections they act elections. increase of 17.5% compared to last y ear and as a conveyor belt for candidates of the A. Heusaff of 32% compared to the previous one. It French left. Their approach is therefore a took 12 years to reach a total of 1000. then pragmatic, reformist, regionalist one. 4 y ears to 2000. 3 years to 3000 and 2 years POBL stands for Brittany's right to to 4000. This movement can only accelerate national sovereignly and the establishment given that the pyramid of the age-groups is of a Breton state with membership of a Teaching of Breton well balanced: 1821 in nursery schools. European federation. Their primary 1607 in primary schools. 482 in colleges concern is to get institutions empowered to in schools and 101 in the (Diwan) lycee. deal with the Breton interests. They avoid his article takes stock of the The strongest increase in absolute raising social issues (they might well argue situation in the present school year terms was in Diwan (+ 255). followed by that until a Breton State Is set up. a Breton regarding bilingual education the private schools (+ 204) and the public party can do very little to solve social T (Breton-French) either by deep immersion problems but can their silence on such ones (+ 133). However in percentage terms else in the world, we are in Brittany education has not been matched in any way the increases were respectively 17%. 27% witnessing a sheer pedagogic waste and the by a teaching of our history . and 11.6%. A detailed analysis would show deliberate sacrifice of a culture. There are plenty of hooks devoted to it. that die more serious!) a true bilingualism Whereas seven years ago the present In the past ten years alone a large body of is applied the firmer the progress. writer went for 38 days on hunger strike in literature has been produced on the subject, Regarding the geographical Vannes to draw attention to the need to monographics, local and national history, distribution. Finistère being entirely in the train teachers (then for public schools), sociological studies, etc. But if you ask Breton-speaking area comes first with 34 nothing serious has since been done bv the y oung people or adults, they are unable to •sites' and 1913 pupils (+ 20%). (but a education authorities to solve the problem. name any important figure of the history of number of these come from Morbihan and In Morbihan no public school could be Brittany apart from the Duchess Anne (who Loire-Atlantique where no bilingual opened in the past 3 years and a private became Queen of France!). A recent colleges exist). Morbihan has 24 sites and school post remains without teacher in spite opinion poll showed that over 85% of the 998 pupils (+ 15%). Côtes-d'Armor II of all the efforts to fill it. Bretons know absolutely nothing about the sites and 766 pupils (+ 10%). In percentage Parents are asking for bilingual schools past of their country. terms the progression is highest in Upper in numerous communes throughout Lower I low could a people that has forgotten Brittany with + 37%. 221 children in the 3 Brittany. I could name a dozen, to mention its own history have a clear awareness or I lle-et-Vilaine sites and + 29%. 113 but State schools. Some officials allege, to sense of its identityIn fact, the Bretons children in the 3 Loire-Atlantique sites. relieve themselves of responsibility, that have not forgotten because they vv ere nev or The prize still goes to Diwan but all one of the reasons, if not the main one. is taught their history General, public deserve congratulations for this evolution. education has been organised by the French Exam results are excellent. 12 Diwan Stale from 1881 onwards: since then wo students presented themselves for the first have been taught only the history of time for the "baccalauréat" (GCE 'If we had in Brittany a France. The majority of teachers in Brittany are A-I.evels). all got it (six with honours), as linguistic policy similar to what in Lannuon in 1996. The first pupil from a Breton but they are obliged to abide by the Catholic school to do the History- exists in Wales, Catalonia, the programme dictated by the Department of Geography paper in Breton for the O-levels in Vannes got a 96% mark. South-Basque Country or Six new sites were opened in September: 4 in public schools and 2 in Fryslân, our language would Catholic ones. The third Diwan college be in a comparable situation to opened in Kemper. This makes a total of 75 bilingual sites (26 Diwan. 26 Catholic and theirs. ’ 23 public) at primary level. 3 colleges and a lycee (Karaez). A follow-through in the teaching of Breton exists otherwise in about 15 public the lack of demand on the part of the and private colleges and in 4 lycées Bretons themselves. How can they (hen (Lannuon. Rennes. I.annerster. public: explain that in schools where a bilingual Vannes. Catholic). But their teaching can stream is introduced, it progresses rapidly, hardly be called "bilingual" as generally it attracting 20. 30. 50 and sometimes 100% of the children (this happened in the St. amounts to only between 6 and 10.5 hours a week in Breton (Vannes being yet the best). Gilles schools in Henbont recently, when such a stream started at nursery and Laying a wreath at the monument to the preparatory level). Everything is possible 6,00(1 /Livrons anti their European allies when the school principal, the teachers and who fell for Brittany's independente on the parents, properly informed, want it. 28.0 7 1488 at St. . Orbiti tin ( 'armici: The centralisers, heirs to the Jacobines (Commemorato m organised by Kotin A crying need: a Breton of the 1789 Revolution by tradition or by Bivizh. 27.07 97) Courtesy Th. Jigtmrcl. linguistic policy training, allied to the inertia of the gigantic However pleasing the above figures are educational administrations which put a they cannot blind us to reality! 75 bilingual constant brake on innovation, are still try ing sites at primary level, that means even by to oppose a world movement, but they will Education in Baris. (Obey or else...! | I was counting only the communes of Lower also be left behind in our country, and fairly warned by the inspector who came in Brittany that 95% of them have no teaching soon, if we apply our energy to it. January 1997 to investigate a complaint by of Breton. And ev en if one takes into Yannig Baron a teacher from another school that I was a account the 18.000 primary and secondary "racist” because I taught my pupils the pupils who. we are told, arc learning some history of Brittany front the early Celtic Breton (in addition to the 4000 bilingual period to the 16th century when we lost our ones), that represents only 3% of all the independence: "We. you and I. are paid by school-goers of Brittany . Teaching of Breton the Stale to teach the history of France, and In this country 95% of the young we have to do it." people are deprived of access lo the Breton History Outlawed? Whai can be done to change things? To language. That was the crucial question to For several decades now the Breton attack a fortress from the outside would be raised at the conference about the future Movement, the Emsav. has fought more need a whole army... Or wc could win by of the Breton culture held in Rennes on and more strongly for our language to have cunning, using a T rojan horse in the form October 4th. In view of the results obtained its place at every level of society. The of a Breton Teachers Trade Union. I hat in through bilingual education everywhere progress it has made in the field of my v ievv is the best way to get inside the dinosaur-like Department of Education. I Lower Brittany hope it is possible School inspectors may tolerate the teaching of local aspects of the history of Brittany but I doubt if a comprehensive Sked'- 1 Gtyjel ar Brezhoneg ©„ A . ' ■ . . (and truthful) account of it is possible e* AA" ; 1 * x d ‘ without legal change. kD A A © “Roudour" > Our national identity expresses itself Brest A v through both our language and our history. Kerne v But the latter has not been brought properly '^Breton Cornwall) 0 O into play by the Emsav. Why are we "Spered ar Yezh“ _ Foujera | Univ & -'JKBBFr waiting to do so? © AG Roazhon (y) A c | T ® û .. _... ©0O Jakez Gaucher •servent \ *-v A © Upper Brittany | Bro Vigoudenn \ X . < ( ® V Bro-Wen ed . KDPB-APLB

© Paris A'ea Q n 14 places "Bro an Onant' © Le Havre ) Rouen "An Onant" I ft . /-v Gwened ) Lille Approx, limits o f dialect cs Breton for Adults areas he great majority of the 'traditional' Limit of the traditionally Breton Breton speakers are illiterate in their speaking area Tlanguage. They are familiar only ® Classes held locally (mainly in the evening) with their dialects, these are now Courses (various levels, frequencies, grammatically rather defective, crammed duration) St Nazer Naoned with French words and locutions, lacking Courses on a continuous basis © ~ © in the necessary neolgisms. However, with A Practice meetings the new widespread desire to save the X K.FAV Cultural centres w here courses are held Breton in Public Life language, many people outside the militant Theatre in Breton aving no official status. Breton has a organisations increasingly realize that they —> Correspondence courses for adults very low profile in public life. Its must improve their know ledge of it or learn ( for students) spoken use is very rare in official it front scratch. The all too few school- H Radio Stations occasions. How ever you can see it on some goers to whom it is taught must see that it <— Television Station road signs in parts of the country , essentially is not a thing just for the school room, to be in some western administrative areas. put aside once they have finished their This is the result of years of studies. It is up to the adults who failed to campaigning by Breton-language militants transmit it 40 or 50 years ago to give the federations, e.g. Mervent in the SW. Sked In the late 70's and early 8(>'s demands for example of using it. Since no stigma (Brest). Emglev Bro an Oriant (Lorient) Breton or bilingual road signs were carried attaches any longer to it. it should not be under the aegis of which numerous classes out by the members of Skol an Emsav. and too difficult to overcome inhibitions. By are held, mainly in the evening. Thus throughout the 80's and the 90"s more multiply ing classes for them and providing Mervent. which consists of 13 groups and v igorous methods were used by Stourm ar numerous occasions for them to meet, they employs 3 paid and 6 voluntary teachers, Brezhoneg members who daubed could contribute, for several years to come, runs a total of 29 classes a week attended thousands of road-signs all over Brittany. more than the schools to a consolidation of by many public and private school teachers Their demand was very simple that the language's position. Immersion is the (who will hopefully in (urn teach the Breton forms o f place-names he seen along key to proficiency. language in their classes). Attention is roads, and therefore that Breton he Many opportunities now exist for adult being giv en by several of these associations recognised as a language to he used in to acquire a basic ability to speak Breton. to the need to train teachers. The necessity public life Some local authorities As early as 1932 the OBER for putting the acquired knowledge into responded to that demand, and today you correspondence school was set up. free of daily use cannot be sufficiently impressed can see Breton indications on the road charge Since the war. Ramp Etrekeltiek ar on all. Speaking Bicton must be the signs of some localities, f he administrative Vrezhonegerian (KEAV) has brought priority. areas of "Finistère" and "Côtes d'Armor" - hundreds of people together annually for a It is imperative that those who take which can be compared to Counties in fortnight in July to practise their know ledge seriously the task of restoring our language England or Ireland have done most in in a near-holiday environment. Both to daily use in society should help the that field, but we are still very far from undertakings are going stronger than ever. people who are willing to speak it to completely bilingual road signs in those Other correspondence schools now exist, recognise one another in public places. areas. The replacement of French-only plenty of textbooks, cassettes, various aids Many may not be bothered to wear a badge signs with bilingual ones is going on (from the minitel to the Internet) arc whenever they go out. yet I cannot think of slowly. Most local authorities have no real available to isolated students. Courses of any better way than making something policy in that field, apart from yielding to various duration, extending from week-end similar to the Irish fainne (not too local demands. And place-names are more classes to "stages" (training courses) expensive as each person would find it willingly "translated" into Breton, than lastine. a week or two are offered at *■ I convenient to have 2 or 3 such badges). It other indications such as "car park " or different times of the year but mainly in would need to be publicised widely. I wish "no entry". The response of the people has Summer (by such organisations as Skol an that Servij ar Brezhoneg would assume the generally been very good as was shown in Emsav. Ar Falz. An Oaled). or on a care of "marketing it", for that they will an opinion poll carried out by the Finistère continuous basis by Spered ar Yezh. need some additional public funding, at Departmental Council in 1992 - 82.5“i> of Roudour. Stumdi. In several districts, least initially. the people of that area were in favour of cultural associations have formed A. H eusaff bilingual Breton-French road signs. .-Is for commercial signs, or to oversee the position of the Breton by Per Yves Mogn and Rene Abjean for commercial publicity leaflets. Breton ii'ds language. Servij ar Brezhoneg has choirs and orchestras. used for those at the beginning of the rightfully pointed out the need for such a In conclusion, our music is very much century, when a lot of people spoke only watch-dog to give information on the alive, rooted in the treasure of our Breton, but it wusn V any more in the linguistic situation, on the number of traditions and confident in its future. In hall' second half of it. when everyone knew Breton speakers but also on the state of a century Brittain has regained possession French. Very recently some commercial Breton in schools, on the use of Breton In of her music. firms have started using them in their public life. etc. The project has already a publicity or on the signs of their shops, as a name. "Arsellva ar Brezhoneg " ( "Breton Tugdual kalvez mark of identity. Here too the response has language watch-dog bur it will only be been good, so that the number of such realized if the regional and local firms is increasing - supermarkets such as authorities decide to give it the necessary Leclerc. Intermarche or Carrefour. car means. makers such as Volkswagen, airline companies... have used Breton in their Iwan Kadored A Brief Survey of the publicity. But. for them. Breton is rather a symbol, a mark of Breton identity, than a Cultural Scene useful language. or centuries it was by the ordinary Speaking Breton on public occasions - people that the Breton culture was either religious offices, cultural festivals or Fborne but in this century its civic ceremonies - is on the rise too. but Breton Music promotion had to rely increasingly on a still very limited. he Breton music is remarkable for minority of educated people. Now In the eighties some members of the the w ealth of its modes and rhythms fortunately there is again a widespread Linguistics Section of the Breton Cultural Tand for the great number of tunes appreciation of its value coupled w ith a Institute created a special commission to which have come down to us from the past. strengthened sense of Breton identity. Its advise the local authorities which wanted to Many of these have been collected during protagonists want it to be a basis for put up Breton signs. This is how the the past century and a half. The collections creative developments. Its most popular Toponymy Commission was created in are preserved by the association Dastutn expression is in the field of music. The 1986 on a voluntary basis, but with a and are pul at the disposal ofthe musicians. festou-noz bring into play numerous groups secretariat inside the Breton Cultural The biniou kozh (meaning "the old of traditional musicians and kan-ha-diskan Institute. After a few years the Commission bagpipe", a bagpipe with a short chanter singers, they' have proved that they were changed its name to "Servij ar Brezhoncg'' and one drone) and the "bombard" (an old not a fad. Not only do they strengthen the (Breton Language Service) to give a better type of oboe) are the traditional instruments sense of community they also take their picture of the whole range of work it was in Lower Brittany generally speaking, but place in the Breton struggle, e.g. in support carrying out - not just toponvmic studies there is also the clarinet in Upper Breton of fund gathering for Diwan. Throughout but translations of all sorts for the public. Cornwall (Kernev Uhel). the "veuze" in the the Summer, festivals are organised Servij ar Brezhoneg now has a secretariat Gwenrann/Guerande area, the hurdy-gurdy throughout Brittany, attracting tens ol with two full-time and one part-time around Dinan... The accordion and the thousands of people. The big ones are worker, whose wages are paid by the violine were introduced in the 19th century, generally commercialised, allowing only a Breton Cultural Institute, financed by the the Scottish bagpipe and almost all sorts of minor role for the Breton language but they Brittany Regional Council, the Loire- instruments in the 20th. not forgetting the offer opportunities to musicians to become Atlantique Departmental Council and the Celtic harp which was rediscovered after known, they can even stimulate composers European Commission. World War 2. to create and stage important works, as at That secretariat and the voluntary Today we have about 5.000 players of the Lorient Interceltic Festival members - over a hundred people biniou. bombard and drum. 2.000 harpists. Breton wrestling, gouren. has won throughout Brittany — are carrying out their 40 choirs which sing in Breton, over 300 hundreds of adepts. The Gouren federation work in various fields - toponymy, professional folk singers and musicians. has sought to interest young people in other terminology, translations... Inside Servij ar More than 60 CDs are published annually. Celtic countries. Similar forms of this sport Brezhoneg was created TermBret. a The CDs are used in radio, by the exist in Cumbria. Iceland. Fry shin. terminology center, working like other independent (Community) and the official Tournaments take place between wrestlers terminology centers in countries such as stations, though mainly in their Breton from these countries and Brittany. Catalonia or Fits kadi, on specialized language broadcasts. Our music has its Theatre in Breton, has gained a vocabularies, terms required for place in the festou-noz (traditional renewed impetus in particular thanks to the administrative purposes, for sailing, etc. dancings) all the year around as well as in professional group "Strollad ar Bro Extension ofthe use of the Breton language the Summer festivals where it is performed Bagan". There are at least 3 other well in new fields has made the need for by musicians and dancers affiliated to the established groups. The Diwan schools developing adequate terminology big organisations Bodadeg ar Sonerien. involve their pupils in staging play s as part imperative. TermBret face the same Kendalc'h. War ‘I Leur which have a total of their policy of "total immersion". The problems as in many other countries membership of more than 25.000. fact that only about 30% ofthe people of wishing to develop a language that has not Competitions for pipers and musicians Lower Brittany understand Breton obliges been widely used in the past for education playing as duos take place frequently, producers frequently to use French as well and administrative purposes - dialectal attended by large crowds. In Summer they as Breton in their scripts. differences, extensive use of French words are held outdoors, in sports grounds, in It is reckoned that 70% of the Breton in the spoken language etc. But the Winter halls are always packed. speakers now live in towns. In several ol' activities of TermBret and Servij ar New works of Breton music are being these, the various associations involved Brezhoneg have been generally welcome. composed, some in the style of popular with the Breton language and culture have Another interesting feature in recent years airs. e.g. by Alan Stivell and Roland formed federations to maximise their has been the demand for a monitoring body Becker, others in a more classical vein. e.g. efficiency. Some have now premises at their disposal which they arc using for the dissemination of information or for holding conferences. The volume of hook publishing in Brittany is greater than in any region in Trance apart from Paris. Most of this is in French, but even then it relates largely to Breton matters. Let us mention as publishers of books in Breton AL LIAMM. Mouladuriou Mor Yezh. An Here. Brud Net ez. As regards films in Breton, incentives Jrom Referendum to Referendum for their production are provided by the annual Festival des Minorites held annually in Douamenez as well as by the Interceltic Film and Television Festival, but Brittany lags far behind Wales in that respect. The 1979 TO 1997 Breton Cultural Institute/Skol Uhel ar Vro (S.U. ar V.) and the Breton Cultural Council came into existence in 1977. The A coastal belts. The Tories went on to win the Institute, centred in Rennes, has 16 sections referendum next three general elections, each time grouping people active in various fields of was held in through winning a majority in England, but the Breton culture. It receives from the Wales on with only a small minority of seats in Regional Council an annual subsidy of 4.5 September Wales where, as always. Labour was the million Francs. It thus can help the 18lh 1997 majority party . For 18 y ears Wales was publication of magazines and books in Rohm tip Tornos on whether governed by a party she had not voted for. Breton. Its most active section deals with the population and it was only w hen England decided to the language. It includes the Language of Wales wanted to go Labour in the 1997 general election that Service which publishes a copious monthly have an elected Assembly with limited the burden was lifted, it was this volume of cuttings from daily papers and powers. The result of the vote was a narrow experience of 18 years of unelected Tory other publications testifying to all that is majority of 50.3% in favour of Wales government, which included the intentional done for Breton in various fields, public having its own assembly, with 49.7% destruction of the coal-mining industry in life, media advertising, publishing, cultural voting against (a majority of nearly 7000). south Wales - the foundation of many life, education... Subscription is 100 It will be explained below that the communities for generations, that F/annum. to Servij ar Brezhoneg. Skol narrowness of this majority does not mean influenced the attitude of many English- Uhel ar Vro. I rue R. Ponchon. 35069 that the Welsh nation is reluctant to have its speaking Welsh people towards Wales Roazhon cedex. own elected body. having some control oxer her own A meeting was held in Rennes on A previous referendum for a similar ty pe government. October 4 under the aegis of S.U. ar V. and of assembly was held by the previous The 1979 referendum result was no of the B.C.C. to debate the question “What Labour government in 1979. and the result surprise but it still demoralised the national future for the Breton culture in the 21st was a 'No' vote by a majority of 4 to L it movement for a while. However the battle century”. Attended by some 300 people it is significant that this was also the lor the language went on against the Tories, decided to urge the elected representatives proportion of English-speakers to Welsh- and to many the national recovery began in of Brittany to work for the implementation speakers in Wales, as language and national 1980 when the government was forced to of the following proposals: (a) a identity (the two closely connected in yield to the campaign for a Welsh language strengthening of the roles of S.U. ar V. and Wales) played an important part. The television channel. The campaign had been of the Cultural Council; (b> the creation of events over the next 18 years contributed led by Cymdeithas vr laith Gymraeg. the a Breton Television Service: (c) the much to making the result of the 1997 vote Welsh-language society, but was joined extension of the teaching of the Breton different. from many directions. The willingness of l anguage and history throughout Brittany: A few months after the 1979 referendum Gwynfor Evans, the former Plaid Cymru (d) a strengthening of relations with the a general election was held in the English president, to go on hunger-strike as part of other Celtic countries. state which was won by the Conservative the campaign will remain unforgettable. It remains to be seen hoxv the said and Unionist party, whose right-wing Following the granting of S4C. the representatives can be motivated to act. policies are based on capitalism and the television channel which has been a x ital The deep estrangement caused by 200 maintenance of English rule in the Celtic support for the language, a major campaign years of adverse indoctrination makes it countries. They won a majority of seats in for the language movement in the 1980s very difficult to overcome the resistance of England which enabled them to govern the was fora "Deddf laith Newydd'. a new law many councils to such proposals as they state, despite winning only a small minority which would give Welsh-speakers the right can alway s allege a shortage of financial of the seats in Wales (and Scotland). and to use their language in all aspects of their resources. the notorious Margaret Thatcher came to everyday lives and would make power. The Conservatives have never been bilingualism the norm in Wales. The Tories Alan Heusaff the largest party in Wales, with what opposed this fully and the campaign grew support they have now. and have ever had in strength. The Tories showed their in the past, based on the areas that are adeptness by splitting the Deddf laith longest anglicised or have the largest Newydd campaign through creating not a numbers of English immigrants, that is the law but a quango or committee of borders and the northern and southern nominated individuals who would oversee various language matters in Wales, called the Welsh Language Board. This quango, vote in favour would have been consider themselves Welsh (not necessarily while on the surface appearing to be overwhelming. as their nationality). promoting the use of Welsh, and indeed Wales has previously been divided into This three-lold division of Wales was the> have made some small contributions three theoretical parts on the basis of reflected in the referendum result. The to the language, has been a major obstacle political identity, the three labels applying mainly Welsh-speaking counties of Yrtys to the extending of language rights in both to sections of the population and to the Mon. Gwynedd. Ceredigion and Sir Wales. The weakened campaign for a Gaerfy rddin/Carmarthenshire voted Yes. Deddf Iaith New vdd continued, finally w ith the size of the No vote corresponding forcing the drawing up of a language act to the proportion of English immigrants in which look force in 1993 but which is so ..one great threat remains. .. .the each. The anglicised counties, including weak that is questionable whether it has those such as Conwy and Sir improved language rights at all. While the immigration o f English into Ddinhych/Denbighshire where many of the Plaid Cymru M.P.s in London tried to Welsh-speaking Wales in such natives speak W'elsh hut are outnumbered, strengthen the act. they voted against it on voted No. The "Valley' counties of the final vote because It would prove an numbers that not even their Glamorgan and Gwent however, changed obstacle to further progress rather than a from 1979 and voted Yes with Welsh benefit. The campaign for a law of children can be assimilated in W'ales. this allegiance thus out-voting language rights in Wales continues. places... It threatens the existence British Wales. With a Labour government in power and The return of a Labour government to a Welsh assembly on the way the outlook o f a Welsh-speaking Wales...’ London in 1997 has changed the outlook in for many aspects of the language seems Wales for both the language and the brighter. However one great threat remains. prospects of a degree of self-government in A phenomenon which started in the late Wales. The new Labour Secretary of State 1970s. the immigration of English into areas in which the respective "types* has already held productive discussions Welsh-speaking Wales in such numbers predominate. These types are 1. "Welsh with Cymdeithas yr Iaith. something which that not even their children can be Wales’ - the Welsh speaking areas where the Tories were refusing to do. While the assimilated in places, continues and is most people have a Welsh national identity, devolution referendum was an obstacle eroding the size of the part of Wales where are sympathetic to Wales and have a Labour had Imposed on itself in order to Welsh is the natural community language tendency to support . to varying degrees, gain more support in England during the rapidly. It threatens the existence of a self-government for Wales. 2. "British election campaign, the Yes victory has now Welsh-speaking Wales (as opposed to a Wales' - English-speaking and firmly finally erased the clouds of the 1979 defeat. diaspora of Welsh speakers scattered unionist, mainly areas that were anglicised There Is a new political atmosphere of through a sea of English). The answ er by high immigration where many of the optimism in Wales at the end of 1997. but proposed by Cymdeithas vr Iaith is a Deddf inhabitants, even when native to Wales, we have not so much overcome our Eiddo or Property Act to allow control of look towards England and are reluctant to difficulties but have gained sight of new the sale of land in Wales in order to prevent accept the label Welsh’. 3. "The Valleys" - opportunities to tackle the challenges. this happening. Discussions with the new the (until recently) industrialised coal­ Labour Secretary of State have started. mining area of south Wales where people, The last 20 years have seen a slow though English-speaking . are largely Robat ap Toni os strengthening of the support for Plaid descended from Welsh-speakers and Cymru, the national party, in Welsh- speaking Wales. In the 1979 election they lost one of their three seats. Caertyrddin/ Carmarthen, but held the two northern seats of Caernarfon and Meirionny dd - areas which they have held ever since. Their parliamentary representation returned to three in 1987 with the gain of Ynys Mon. A fourth seat. Ceredigion, has been held since 1992. Successes in English-speaking areas have been most notably substantial numbers of councillors in some southern valley council areas. When examining the results of the 1997 referendum one must remember that the vote was open to all living in Wales, which includes a substantial proportion of English incomers who. together w ith those of their children and descendants who are totally unassimilated, make up at least 20% of the population and possibly over 25%. (This proportion is not as high as that in Kernow and Mannin. but it is considerably higher than that in Alba and Eire.) Otherwise the result would have been much more decisive in favour of an assembly for Wales, and if Cymdeithas yr Iaith members take action against the Halifax Budding Society who had the vote had been restricted to those who refused to use Welsh, saying "English is the language of Britain " The Halifax subsequently speak W'elsh - the basis of the nation - the yielded and now recognise our language town councils in heavily colonised and Anglicised Monmouthshire. Powys and Pembrokeshire have taken a number of Che Poin and Joy clumsy sw ipes at the Welsh language. It is of course a complete coincidence that these were areas that voted no in the referendum. of Pebirlh With no other way of opposing the democratic mandate for change these Jurassic colonialist councillors have cynically tried to whip up largely imaglnar} fears about the Welsh language There is absolute!} no doubt that the too as an Englishman did not believe in Welsh in a transparent ploy to divide our nation. close tor comfort victor} in the devolution devolution. 'You see we don't want to see Yes. the age old colonial tactics of divide referendum on Thursday September 18'* the Welsh go. WE want to keep you'. "But and rule are still being deployed in a marks a watershed in Welsh histor}. perhaps Sir' I replied. 'WE don't wish to desperate rearguard action. That is of Despite the narrow winning margin the be kept'. The old colonial gent smiled course where Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg fact is enough Welsh people were willing to graciously obviously disbelieving that comes into the picture. Such cultural vote for a new future. It was a vote for Welsh people could really feel that way. buffoonery is meat and drink to a soclet} hope which starkly contrasted with the Ah. I thought there we see the attitude that that for some 35 years has made a habit of totally negative tactics of the 'Just Say No" won and LOST an empire. Thankfully deflating the egos of the pompous and campaign that fed vampire-like on peoples' enough people did feel strong!} enough to publicly shattering seed} prejudices. fears, prejudices and lack of national self- vote yes although I must confess I would Councillors in Tref-y-Clawdd decided that esteem. The true colours of the No not wish that last hour before the the} would no longer use the Welsh name Campaign were revealed to me when momentous Carmarthen result, when defeat and that the town would only he known' b} distributing 'Yes' leaflets in Cardiff's main seemed to be certain, on my worst enemy. its English name. Knighton. However after shopping street, the unfortunately named The resulting scenes of jubilation, and 1 a nocturnal excursion by members of llcol y Frenhines/Queen Street. Spotting an was one of the fortunate few who was in Cymdeithas yr laith these fading political insipid pasty young Tory giving out his Brit the Park Hotel in Cardiff and can boast in relics discovered that their love!} English propaganda (English only leaflets of best rugby tradition that 'I Was there!’, name had been painted out on road signs course) I decided to ask him if he had any were unbelievable. Hard bitten world throughout the area and that some of these Welsh or bilingual leaflets. No was his wear} journalists from around the globe signs had miraculously vanished. Needless answer due to the fact that apparently no- stood amazed at the euphoria that took hold to say this reprehensible decision was one speaks Welsh in Cardiff, our capital of us all. After all how can a person reversed within less than a week. Good city and besides there are more people who adequately put into words the sensation that guys I bad guys nil. speak 'immigrant' languages in the urea takes hold of you when for once WE won. Other unenlightened town councils than Welsh speakers. After correcting him the pent up frustration and injustices of have also decided to dabble in a spot of regarding the reality of the linguistic centuries suddenly released in a torrent of linguistic cleansing and undoubtedly by the situation in Cardiff I asked if indeed there raw. uninhibited Celtic passion, the dam of time this article sees the light of day they w ere more speakers of these languages emotion burst and the tears that followed too will have been taught a salutary lesson would it be possible for him to provide me said more than a thousand eloquent!} in cultural respect. Clearly, despite taking with leaflets in say Punjabi. Somali. phrased words. That night we could have our precarious first steps on the road to full Gujerati..... Well I'm sure you can guess witnessed one of the last nails mercilessi} nationhood there is no room for the answer 1 received. To me this little hammered into our national coffin, instead complacency. episode summed up quite perfectly the real a nation was reborn. I recall one tearful and nature of the No Campaign. Despite their stunned young lad going from person to protestations about cost, democracy etc. person, his only words. 'Dyn ni'n genedl ‘Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg etc. their real agenda was and still is to (We ARE a nation)' Yes. we have remains totally committed to keep the United Kingdom united. Naturally undoubtedly taken a huge step. Already what this means in reality is that English there is a new self-confidence apparent in ensuring a fu ll Parliament for political, economic and cultural domination Welsh public life. After the totally biased Wales... ’ would continue with the Celtic countries as coverage by the English media perhaps this cannon fodder for their industries and new- aggressive confidence was best Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg remains armed forces, our accents, languages and demonstrated by one of the Secretary of totally committed to ensuring a full values as objects of disdain and effete State For Wales personal aides. When Parliament for Wales and to opposing anti- humour. London based 1TN asked for an interview Welsh bigotry in all its ghastly with the Secretary of State the aide's incarnations. The first and perhaps the most response was short and not so sweet and difficult hurdle has been successfully how cun a person adequately with the expletives removed went negotiated it is now incumbent upon all of something like 'We don't need the English put into words the sensation that us in Wales who believe in our nation to press anymore'. w ork as we have never worked before and I couldn't have put it better myself. takes hold o f you when for once realise what for so long has remained only Like all births, or in this case rebirths, WE won,...’ a dream. The road to freedom is now a there will inevitably be a certain amount of little bit clearer, the rest is up to us. discomfort and as our ancient/brand new Gareth Niff nation matures there will be teething Cadeirydd Cenedlaethol / Whilst distributing leaflets in Cardiff problems. Indeed, we have already seen a on that fateful day one aged English .National Chairman number of councils throw ing petulant Cymdeithas yr laith Gymraeg gentleman kindly explained to me why he tantrums. Surprise, surprise a number of .-I (Visitas MacneacaU

earn as a chiad Ur c ’ham a-douez kant tha sinne, nar éidench araid. an seo. Aman emaomp, sell, gwisket diouzh hor giz, ann an breacan briathrach. an seo. llr gwiskamant gwiet kaer. far an do sgiiirs na dróbhaircan mora Aman lec’h omp betdivroet gant marc hadourien saout. sinn, an seo ann na garbh chriochan Aman en hor bro c’harv meinek creagach ar tlr. cuan sgeireach air aon Ar mor roc’hellek diouzh un tu taobh. beanntan loma bulbhagach a lia kernioú ar meneziou noazh caithcamh faileis dubha an gruaim air O ledañ ur skeud teñval trubuilhus plaidean molagach nan stiall tana War al louanoii strizh a zouar talmhainn, an cuiblirionn fearainn An tnmmig bro-mañ a rannomp gant ar strouezh hag ar brini seo. a roinn sinn leis na luibhean is Ha ni hep arar na bag na karr na feannagan, agus sinne gun rhrann Betek m'o deus merzet ar varc’hadourien gun charbad. gun luingeas, gus am Penaos e teue ganeomp eost diwar ar mein, faca na dróbhaircan mora mar a spion Gwelet o deus penaos tennañ gounid sinn an toradh a grinneal is clach, is Cus an tachennoii strizh goude hon holl strivoii. gum faisgeadh iad feum as na stialian Ha setu m'o deus rannet ac'hanomp adarre, dhnn tug sinne róicean dbe 'r saothair. kaset lod ac'hanomp da lec'h all agus rinn iad tearbadh eile, libhrig Ha lezet ma zud, un dilerc'h dister a dud iad cuibhrionn eile dhan imreachd, Ha lezet ac'hanomp neuze ach dh’fhág iad sinne, fuigheall dhen Paour-kaezh tud bresk evel ar gleizenn war ar gloaz du fltuigheall, dh’fhág iad sinne, sluagh Lezet o deus ac'hanomp d'ar brini. d’al louzeier brisg mar phlaosg air an león dubh D’an amzer griz, d ’ar rec’hier ha d'an avel yen. a rinne iad, dh'fhág iad sinne dha na feannagan, dha na luibhean, dha Met daoust dezhe e klever c’hoazh talmoü ar galón na siantan coma, dha na creagan is Ha hadafl a reomp ar grcun en douar noazh dha na clachan, dha na gaothan fuara, Ha neuze evit ar re o doa gwriet a-enep d'ar riv Hag ar re o doa pobet a-enep d’an naon ach. ga b’oil leotha. tha an anail Lakomp ‘ta ur maen war an c’hant, fhathast a bualadh cléibh. agus tha Dae ar vein kinvick glas sinne fhathast a sineadh póir dhan Ha war ar maen bleuniou ruz n-vern talamh lom, agus, dhan fheadhainn Ma vo ar c’harn leun a vuhez hag a c’hoanag a rinn am fuaghal, an aghaidh nan Ha na vo ket ur maen-bez gaillionn, a rinn am fuine, an aghaidh Met ur maen-bonn. nan gort, cuireamaid clach ris a chiad ann an cóinneach gorm an diibhlain, agus earn air a chlach de bhláthan ruadh dóchais, earn beó air a chlach Translated from Gaidhlig into Breton nach bu leac ach clach itiil by Diarmuid Johnston and A.H.

Aonghas Macneacail Spi

Da Chanig N’eus nemet daou (Ira: pignat ha diskenn ha c'hoazh nc vez na pignet na diskennet: cmañ ar Bed unvan lia lies dezhafì nientelezhioù tost-tre an eil ouzh eben ha n'eus nemetdaou (Ira: Gouloù pe Deñvalijenn.

Bez' 'z eus ouzh pentì kletnmgan ha mousc'hoarzh ar mur o ruilhal dibaouez bili, eskern. kregin ha tud, koadajoù gwisket gant barv ar bezhin ha lamm given vid ik ur pe.sk ar gouloù glas.

Bez’ ’z eus ouzh pentì gartn ha kanenn ar givez (lindan skourjez pe flourad an avel burzhud an aval e dibenn an hañv ha kistin o strakal e skodoù-tan an oaled.

Bez’ 'z eus ouzh pentì gwander ha nerzh ar vaouez kevrin ar vaouez-gwreg, mamin ha c’hoar evit sankañ da benn ouzh douster he askre ha santouto talmiñ an dcnelezh da zont. 'irnienti Givernic, Poet and Youenn Gwernic Photo by Nevez-hañv 1990 Soaz Maria, Courtesy: Th. Jigourel

An Eneoù Marv Dóchas Na hAnamacha 9 9 Dirak ar mor e hirc’hortoz, Mar bita En habaskler frcsk ar serr-noz, ® Níl ach dhá rud ann: dreapadh is teacht anuas ^ ach fós ni dreapadh ná teacht anuas è: kalonuù gvvar ha glac'harct. Cois na niara ag síorfheitheamh, Bet gant o fared trubardet. 'i‘ tá an Saúl aonchineálach is ilghnéitheach I mboige úr an tráthnóna, ® a thoisi mórán mar a chéile Croíthe multala ata buartha, A Gant keuz ha reuzioù ezteuzet, is níl ach dhá rud ann: Solas nó Dorchadas. I ndiaidli a gcarad a tliréig iad. Nctra er hed-tnañ nec’hedont, ’Met enved iskis an isfont. Tá. freisin. caoineadh is miongháire na niara Ag cutnba is tubaisti traochta, O floupo a-flav hag a-fet is i síorrai ag rabháil duirlinge. cnámha. stiogáin is daoine, Gan súil le haon ni sa tsaol seo bruth-faoi thír feistithe le féasóg featnainne Ach éanlaith aduain an duibheagáin, Deut d ’c benn breniañ o remzi, is síorraíocht an tsonais i Icim éisc sa solas glas. A alpfas iad siar ar an toirt. Dre garet diharz ha disi; Pa n’en deus gour outc soursi. Tá, freisin, liú is eeoi na gcrann Ach ’tá ídithe a n-aimsir, Ne van ken dezhe finveziñ. faoi sciúirseáil nó faoi chuimilt na gaoithe Le teann grá gan teora gan eháini: niíorúilt an úiII i dtús an tsamhraidh Tliarla gan bheann orthu ag neach. Disked lia sec’h eo o selloù, is cnóite capaiii ag cnagarnach i mease chipiní na tine. Níl de blieart ronipu ach bású. ‘N o antblaori karc’hariet, Nag ar goullo ne welont ket. Tá. freisin, laige is neart mná Scarnali ar shúile gan deora. O troidellat er pelloù, rúndiamliair na mná céile, máthair is deirfiúr Carcraithe ata siad i ndobhrón go dtig do cheann a leagan ar bhoige a bachlainne Ni léir dá n-amharc an folús, Endra m'o c'hlis skeudoù disaour. is cuisle an daonna le theacht a blirath ’Tá ón imigéin ag fáinniú. A-gelc’h ledan a-us an dour, Dispaket-bras o divaskell, ls scáthanna gránn’ á slíochadh, Estlamm o garmadeg varvel Cruinn ina gciorcal os sáile, 9 A sciatháin ar leathadh ti ni pea II. Herve Seubil gKernaudour Niscaoll go dtina ngáir bhásmhar. & Miz Du 1994 & Translated from Breton into Irish by Éamonn Ó Cíosáin translated from Breton into Irish by Éamonn Ó Cíosáin Soc h raid Encledhyiis

Tá si bósalthe faoi dheoidh Hv a verwys wosteweth bhi aois mhór aici; ha hy gyllys pur goth. bhi sochraid mhór aici: Bras o an eneledhyas a gafas: bhi Hindley ann - Kinsella. Heaney - yth esa Hindley orto - Kinsella. Heaney— An Taoiseach agus Aire na Gaeltachta, an Taoiscach ha Menystcr an Wydhalekva; an Risitas go léir an Governans yn kettep pen agus an Freasúra - ha'n Enebyans. Oró sé do bheatha abbaile! Ho, lowena dhys ha wolcuin osla tre! bhi a ciann is a leaschtann uile ann. Yth esa hy thylu y’n le ha’y lestylu olí, an t-easpag, an sagart, an epscop ha'n oferyns is an Dochtúir Ó hlrghile (Ion bán ná dcarg nior sparáladh uirthi; ha Doctour Hillery. bhi lucht na teilifise ann Ny ve sparvs warnedhy an gwyn gwyn na ruth: is iad ag carnadh na bh(ód ar a cónra yth esa tus an bellwollok ena Oró. is anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh! hag y war y geler ow palas towargh. Ho, lemmyn re dhufa dhyn an haf. cuireadh a colainn os cionn chláir baineadh sine-shíneadh as a cnámha - Y’n nos y fe hy horf gorrys a’y wroweth. is i ó caitheamh ó dhuine go chéile Hy eskern a ve tennys kepar ha mellow cltayn - ‘Is llorosa I!' ‘Is leatsa!' ha pubonen orth y thewlel an yl dh’y gyla. ‘Is linne i in éineacht!' ‘My a’s pew!‘ *Ty a’s pew!' Sineadh suas le do bhéal i ‘Ny a’s pew olí warbarth!’ gan luid uirthi Fan dhetli hy nes dha frygow ach oiread leis an lá a rugad!) i heb gwysk vyth adro dhedhy go dtugais póg di - namoy es an jeth may fe genys ara tóinin -! ty a am mas dhedhy - Ó. a dheabhaii, nach óg I! war an tyn -! Llam Prut Re'n jawl, ass yu hy yowynk!

.... muy» vuiiitru Cornish by N.J. Willia ms

Car Dm Agreiz en ‘X ’ As Agreed At ‘X ’ Rigo why besca doaz bedn gwarack coth, Ar tharla tú riarnh ar shean-cháipéis ha caned broazleveres an parna. Is nòta postúil mar é insilithe screffes ken sa lethcrednow e hanow ag bun an leathanaigh, ag ort pedn dewa an vollan Focaire éigin a cheap gur Dia é gen nebun fickier reeg credgy e bosa Dew Púitraig ó Snodaigh ar feadh lae rag edn journa? Is is ró-mhinic go mbéa leis He ree veno andelna vevu aweath Dá bhfoireann tha e vayny, ach Dia an údaráis is an chumhachta’s an phoimp buz an Dew a «thoredgack ha pollar ha solempnyta. seachas Dia an láimh chúnta. ny an Dew an doarn gwerras. Och ai bionn seal aca, seal gort Eah, fey, ma dothans ago preze, ha prt/.e scallayack ew. Is gan tábhaeht dá laghad leo ina gcuid postúlachta ha heb matter broaz et ago fasow, nuair a fheictear I i bhfuacht na mblianta siar po gwelles en yeinder a vlethidniow dewet ha.

Pádraig Ó Snodaigh

Translated from Irish into Modern Cornish by Richard Gendall Dec’ll pa oan save! innc tar éis dom éiri da c'houlaouig-deiz ag breacadli an lae ur pistig em c’hreiz oa diwanet. d’airios arraing ini chroi. An diegi. evel ur maen-touch, An drogali a tharraing mé am sache e strad va gwele. amhail adhmaint arais sa leaba. Chomet oan d’ober choukig, D'flianas ini shaimin só da selaou da gomzou plijadur. ag éisteacht leat agus tu sèsta, ag amharc ar chaiseal an tsaoil da sellet ouzh kornigell ar vuhez ag casadh go renili ar an urlar o trein ingal war ar planchod agus é ag nioillió ha chom a-sav cium stad. gorrek

Tuiluul Huon Tudual Huon

m sm ss & mmmz ts mmim » %mmm ts Pen.se

E devn da selloü tener Maen-strink ar spi An Gan Geltek Yn Arrane Celtiagh Am broud Koll sont a rin ennout fenozh Ha’n dywisygeth havysi As turrysee jeean Ha pense a rin e mor glas a-dryv Kastell Pii ow sedili nyn soie cooyl Cashtal Phurt ny h-lnshey Da voud un vorvoren vanowck hug Ben-Varrey Vann in Tudual Huon a dhyllas dhe’n neves gys niau npten n ow cs ha hade I clinkyn dy h-aash as obbceys avel oll an goelnnnes myr ny foillanyn heose ugliel mes rudhvelyn golowys agli soilshaghyn jiarg-bwee ì Ow diwskovarn a glywas Cheayll y daa chleaysh aym an gan yn Manowek mes yn arrane ayns Gaelg agh Longbha ow holonn a glywas cheavll mv chree an yeth Kernewek. yn chengey Chornagh ln iochtar do shüile gräm ha ire Drithie ghlcgeai an dóchais My woer hi pes gweyth y kerdhis Clia sÓeck ere elio foddey hooill eh Spreagann an diiil ionam. H i/r hy lergh, yn hy skeus, a-is Cooyl eck, sy scadoo eck. heese Bead anocht ag dui thar foras. Ay woer hi pes komm 'veti reknys Cita sÖeck quotd kesmad hie Im long bhiiitc i muir ghorrn Dre wlnskor hy lev, hys ha hys. er coontey do bheithe. Liorish rccriaght e coraa, Bayr Pheveril eth ha bos kione gys kione Fordh Tregeryan yn Tewvnn Bieustra Pin t ny Hinshey eth ha bos Porthia llaink Bay r Pheveril dy ve Translated from Breton into Irish by ha'n Awin Neb eth ha bos ! ley I. Bayr Tregeryan ayns Tewynn Bieustra A. He usa ff /. • % v 's'. Purt ny h-lnshey dy ve Porthia Gans tus bai kernewek ow kewsel as yn Awin Neb dy ve Heyl. an yeth freth a blomm ha synk; gans Henry Jenner ow palas As nieaineyderyn Cornagh loayrt moen yethek an ynys ma: chcngey flaaoil Icaoie as shine s iwmsm as Henry Jenner reuyrey Picthys o gwydhalek meain-chengey yn Elian shoh: yn tynn gans brythonek dhe wul an gan geltek. Fecit vaÓn Ghaelg P. Hodge dy chionn lesh Brytnish yn arrane Celtiagh Òyannoo.

(Lowender Ynys a Ilow, ¡Ylanow mis Metheven 1997 - an kan yn kres o kenvs gans Translated from Common Cornish into Bucca dhe don Manowek> Manx bv Brian Stowell Ny Tree Reayrtyn S 'aaley Boh Carswell

Ny tree reayrtyn s'aaley, rere rouailtagh reagh — Lhie ghreiney uahoilshaghey er glionney dy Hi une: Irree ny greiney lurg oie dy chiaull as rinkey; As soilshey gastey gial ayns sooillyn graih my ehree.

Ny tree reayrtyn s’aaley, rere Manninagh moyrnagh — Lhie-ghreiney niv-heear harrish Nherin ny nooghyn; Y Tair Golygfa Decaf Irree ny greiney harrish Sostyn ny seihltee; As mish aynshoh lesh shilley er’n Elian Sheeant. Y tair golygfa decaf, yng ngolwg y dihiryn gsvyllt lion - Machlud vr haul yn disgleirio ar wydraid o gwrw: Ny tree reayrtyn s'aaley. rere yn dooiney jeeragh - Codiad yr haul ar ól noson o fiwsig a dawnsio: Lhie-ghreiney Oie’ll Voirrey bannit ayns y Nollick; A’r golau disglair byw yn llygaid fy nghariad. Irree ny greiney Laa Caisht, tra dirree nyn Jiarn; As graih errecishagh meen ayns eddin Yecsey Creest. Y tair golygfa decaf, yng ngolwg y Maniiwr batch - Machlud yr haul yn y gorllew'in, dros Iwerddon y seintiau: Bob Carswell Codiad yr haul dros Loegr fydolfrvdig: A ininnau yma a’rn golwg ar yn Ynys Gysegredig.

Y tair golygfa decaf, yng ngolwg y dyn cyfiawn - Machlud yr haul ar Noson Wyl Fair (Noswyl y Nadolig) snnctaidd: Translated from Manx into Codiad yr haul ar Ddydd y Pasg, pan gododd ein Harglwydd: Welsh bv Robat ap lomos A’r cariad toreithiog mwyn yn wyneb lesu Grist.

Deth-Tarth Keltek No weift Maiilneachan Nua Ceilteach

Keltyon arta a gemer aga le Glacann na Ceiltigh a t-ionad is dual gans franketh noweth may hallensy gweilhe go mbláthóidh siad fnoi shaoirse nua.

YVosa cansow ‘vledhynnow yndan an yew Faoi smacht a bhiomar ar feadh na gcianta Agan spyrys coth tom yu lemmyn yn few ach maireann an tseansprid beo gan spionadh.

Pandra ‘wra agan lettya? Ny won poran Cén bac ata orainn? Ni fïos dom féinig. Ny agan honen omdhrehafen ynban Trínár neart féin is écart dùinn éiri.

Ledyoryon an bys agan syns kyns Na naoimh fadó a threoraigh na glúine: Ensompel da lemmyn dhyn ny yth y ns iontach an eiseantlàir iadsan dùinne.

Gwren ny ledya an bys gans skyans down Treoraímis leñar n-oidhreacht eagnai Dyworth agan lynyeth. Avonsen hep own pobail an tsaoil. Ar aghaidh gan eagla.

VVhegh whor vryntyn on ny a’n keth meny Seisear siúr ón aon fhuil uasal VVhegh toll-corn ughel gwren ny gorseny. ata ionainn féin nó sé bhinnbhuabhall

Dres oil an bys Keltyon yu scullyes Scaipeadh na Ceiltigh ar fud na cruinne: Gans oil aga nerth ny a vyth trelyes claochlófar trina neartsan sinne. siwifted c ° r n ' Sevel warbarth a wra dhyn ny cref Deirtear nach neart go cur le chéile lighella ughella a vyth agan lef into is cloisfear ar nglórna ag dui i dtréine.

Oryon fals dhyn ny lemmyn settyes Srianadh sinn le teoranna bréige: Y fyth kyns pell gans colon dha sconyes beifear le ríméad go luath á dtréigean.

Why oil na wreugh gortos! Deugh why yn rag! A phobal mo chléibh, ná fanaigi siar! Gyllys an termyn may hyllyn bos stag Bristear ár laincis is him is saor.

Ray Chubb Gleann Eilg 1956 Gleann Eilg 1956 Rad h arc

Muir ciùin, gainmheach rèidh Mor sioul ha traezh kompez, lar gcomhlui sna dumhchannai Grian carraich *s nàbaidh hcol nev’amzcr, hag un amezeg nlor fhan eatarthu ach leathshûil— le gunna. duine treun bagol gant e fuzuilb, sûil gliorm na spéire. a fabhrai t'éir toirt ballachnn a shealg. Lir c’hrennard o vont d'e heul ar dhath an ôir. mas fhìor, gu cladach d'an aod, saftset da chaseal. Biddy Jenkinson far ani biodh spòrs gun chealg. O c'bedal dihued dizrouk.

Dh’fhalbh sinn gu sànihnch, Dilavar bon eus kerzhet G H'cl dà nllt dhubh a' siubhal dalc'het pep hini gant red smuaintean uaine is anih. e breder kriz pe eeunek. Coude bezan gourvezet en tevennmi ne chôme etrezo nemet ul lagad - Stad sinn os cionn mara, Savet omp war an tornaod lagad glas an oabl. fada shios faoileag gheal ma par hor sell war ur gouelan liv an aour war mar aingeal intonili allail. re bar d’un ael en e sae wenn. e valvennoù geot. Mar aingeal naoinh tuinne Un ael heneuz gouestlet d'an donn. na suidhe leatha flièin peli en traofi ‘n e gluch ’n e unan gabhail beachd air cruinne; oc'h arvestift ouzli e ved.

’s thog mo nàbaidh gunna Savet beg ar fuzuilh, *s ghabh e oirre sealladh buket ouzh an evn, ha setu 's cha robh 'n truaghan tuilleadh kaset an tanim tru da netra. Tlachteolaiocht

's il li'fini iridi mi briseadh dùil Mantret on diwar an taol ganas. l’aisean ard uasal "s briseadh saoghal cridlie, rannet ganta à ma c'halon, fngan n mo dhaonnachd dìth a sunnd: disteraet an den ac’hanon eiscir pcacai gniomh suarach gun adhbhar, Fegcn dismeg diboell an taol, Biddy Jenkinson gain dheanamh nns lugha, me ivcz zo mezhekaet ’s gath a' chiont’ gam thadhal ha gwanet gant ar giriegezh

Maoilios M Cainibeul Geon wrfologiezh Trunslated from Càidhiig iato Breton Lir garantez bras ha nobl bv A. Heusaff a lez war lie lerc'h un darrosennad* pec’hedoù

Iranslated from I risii into Breton bv Éamonn Ó Ciosâin

Notenn: ar ger iwerzhonek citar: zo ur seurt kac uhel hag a va a-dreuz I werzhon eus bro Dulenn hetck Gaillimh. bet lezet war 1ère'b oadvezh ar skorn. SigniJIan a ra ar ger ros un dra liehvel a-walc h e kerne

Iranslated from Mans into VNcIsh b\ Robat ap Tomos A wennol, A wennol, deez, lavar an gweer. mar bell peleali vee che drethe ter men gwuve licer? Me geath tuah sooth pois bean, ma guthman, Leb ma a whirny da stella an previan. Fáinleog A wennol, A wennol, ma obma tha nyth, en skeber aworra en trester ew gwres. A fháinleog, a fháinleog, tair, inis an fhirinne dont. Per thaa me a ore, rag me an gwraze enna, Cá rabhais go dti seo ar feadh an Gheimhridh fhnda? ha me an own a car drova en kensa. Do chuas ó dheas tantali, a chara. Mar a mbionn na feithidf ag crónán i gennai. A wennol, A wennol. tha che me veath scose, en kidniath mor menta buz gurtas en close. A fháinleog, a fháinleog, seo í do nead. Na ellam gweel hedna, na, leez me a verow, Sa scioból thuas ar an mbioma mar a bhfuil si déanta. buz me vedn doaz trea en gwainten, me an thethow. Tá a fltios again go han-mhaith, ós mise a dhein ann i, Agus dciscod i mar a bhi si an uair sin. Edn voze me a adgan en sooth war an oon. na ellam omwetha rag cara liye down, A Otáinleog, a fháinleog, bead im sciatti duit. buz pecarra gwennol na vedn gortas pelha, Sa bhFómhar má bhionn tú sásta ach fanúint cóngarach. drethe oil an beaz hye a vedn moaz tha wandra. Ni féidir liom é sin a dhéananth. ni féidir, ar eagla go bhfaighead bás, Ach tioefad thar n-ais san Earrach, geallfad san. Richard Gendall Tá aithne again ar chailín ar an móinteán ó dheas, Agus nil leigheas agam air ach grá mór a thabhairt di, Ach mar an bhfáinleog ni fhanfaidh si nios sia, Imeoidh sí le fán an tsaoil go léir.

Gelert Translated from Modern Cornish into Irish by Merfyn Phillips Y Ci na fu farw yn awr yn llwybr pererindod holl anoracs y byd

Y Ci na fu yn awr yn ddafydd ar bob Goliath Gelert creigiau Gwynedd. Mur an do dh’eug an Cù Mur an robh an Cù riamb. Y Ci na fu erioed A dh’aindeon sin. Cha bhiodh an iobart ghoireasach iiige, na laddodd 'chwaith Is ceum nan co-creutairean e. Fochliadheamh athairan leinibh. Riwpart yr Arth Feadh na cruinne-cá. Nach eil sin ceart? ym Meddgelert- trueni Mur an robh an Cù uair beò, Ged a tha an Cù ach na ùirsgeal, A dh'aindeon sin, Agus eachdraidh Bhodicea an fhirinn, Y Ci na fu ond B'e Daibhidh an aghaidh gach Goliath, Chl na daoine faoin ach bàs mi-cheart fel a berth cyfleus Air carraig Gwynedd. i gleddyf y Rhiant Ach ‘s e gaisge a tha a’ ceangail iad ri chéile! cartwnaidd Mur an robh an Cù ach na ròlaist. - onide? Cha bhiodh e comasach, Riupart am Mathan a chur gu bás, GàidhUg Y Ci na fu - Ann am Beddgelert, Mated from NVeisb into Trans' lUeasbuig fel Buddug - Bu mhór am beud. GitteasbmgtachUin yn barod i lyfu cyllyll by yr anoraciaid rhyddfrydig David Grcenslade Stub bin, Gow Kiarail Cathe Manx, Kebmar Weeth

Ta’n stabbiti ?heet liood ayns y laa, Ma an cathe Manx a toaz thewh en termen deetli, Kayt caarjoil, t'ad ooilley gra. Cathe caradow, olí car driggans lauII. Cha jean eh gobbal strugey meen. Na vadnava sconya soodel eloer, Cree ta bog. jarrood cree reen. Colan ew vedali, nckeves pub droag breze. T'eh shirrey graili as treisht ass towse, Ma e wheelas carenga dres ehan. Lliieen e chorp dy kiart lesh foays. Lenol e gorff a trozor vaze. Agli eisht t’eh goit ersooyl dy bieau. Buz nena comeres ew eker mar scoen, Currit stiagh ayns bastag doo. Agoye tha ganstell towles ew. Atreih. kialgeyrys ren ?heet er, Puna deceyt trawethack reeg cramya líese lebmen. Cosney argid son roosteyr. Dendel muña rag leddarn war neb coor! As nish t’eh er ny chur ersooyl, Eah, ma hye moaz lebmen pell thor e trea, Raipit magli veih tliie er-roul, Squatches dre nearth. lowse, esgeres. Ta’n onid echey caillit nish, Na velha sempill. elyn na glane, Ribhey sodagli fuirraght rish. Brian Slowell Rag hye. maglan ew ploos. scantlower cuzal. Crc fodmayd jannoo. stubbin voght? An Gathe Manx en dewhan, drelien nye gweel? Jeeragh llieie ersooyl gyn loght? Tetha tha veaz, an Deez Manx gwyrrian? Fodmayd shassoo seose as scrabey, Nye ell sevall ha scrivinas ha garma, Gobbal goll magli er y vaatey. Ny tha nye an scathe ha meaz. Cha nel ansoor ry gheddyn ain. Metessen nag eze gorriby, Agli peeagheree ta faagitdooin. An peath ew geres ew eedgan.

Brian Stowell

Translated from Manx into Modern Cornish by Richard Gendall

An Uaimh Aìg Art

Am bi righ na chadail fo gheasaihh airigli air cail? Ogof Arthur Agus 'atbair Uthr Pendragon fon gbrinneal? Agus Merlin leis an t-sruth? Pa werth brenin dan hudlath gwsg? Le righ na chadail tuigidh nàisean ri aiseirigh san Farrach. A’r tad, Uthr Pendragon, dan y gro? Is fhiach don fheitheamh, A Myrddin wedi mynd i’r coed? Fasaidh gach darach cnò-daraich. -S e sgoiltean Mherlin a tha sna chroileagan. Am fod Brenin Cwsg yn fodd i genedl ddehongli; a’r deffro, gyda’r gwanwyn, yn werth yr aros hir. A thaobh na ciste-laighe, Dwg pob derwen ei fesen, Chan eil dieasdanas alitar, yn y mes mae Mudiad Vsgolimi Myrddin ’Aodann a thionndadh gu bàs, Ac am yr arch - A chimi diathnn is ban-diathan gii leòr, Agus a’ cur aghaidh orra, onid swydd y tad Coire mór na talmhainn a lìonadii leis a' chorp aige. vw troi ei wyneb at farwolaeth at y llu o dduwiati a duwiesau, Coltach ri Uthr, ac ar eu cyfer nh« len wi pair y ddaear gyda’i gorff? Coltach ri Merlin, Coltach ri Art. Megis Uthr. Megis Myrddin. Ma bliios gaol aig duine. Megis Arthur. Air an sgeul seo, aithrisidh e i, A gár y chwedl, edrydd. ’S ann a tha Ceiltich air beuiaibh na h-uamha, Mae Cymry wrth yr ogof Agus dùisgeadh a' dèanamh crònan gu mali air a’ chreag. a’r dadebru’n araf sisial yn y graig. Translated from Welsh into Gàidhlig David Greenslade by Gilleasbuig Lnchlainn ’llleasbuig included Bobby Sands MB and Kieran Doherty TD. The IT-Block crisis created a new leadership in Sinn Fein epitomised by people like (jerry Adams. Martin McGuinness and Danny Morrison. It was Morrison who coined the celebrated maxim "with a ballot box in one hand and an Armalitc in the other.“ This was the nationalist community. Only a minority misinterpreted at the time as a militaristic stance but was in fact indicative of a more of those detained were Republican activ ists. political approach. On 30 January 1972. Bloody Sunday. The New Ireland Forum of 1983-4 and English paratroopers shot dead 13 unamied civilians on an anti-internment march in the Hillsborough Agreement of 1985 were Derry. Following that it seemed to tens of opposed strenuously by the Unionists. The thousands of people that armed struggle latter established the International was the only way forward. Conference and a permanent secrerarial situated in Belfast and gave the Irish In March 1972 the Stormont parliament and government was replaced by direct rule government the right to be consulted on a range of northern affairs. Micheál from London which has pertained except The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a Mac for the brief period of the power-sharing series of exploratory meetings between Aonghusa executive (1973-74). This experiment was the result of the Sunningdale Agreement Cierry Adams of Sinn Fein and John Hume between the Irish and English governments of the SDLP. As the scope of these meetings widened there was a large imput but was shattered by the loyalist strike, a from the Taoiseach. Albert Reynolds. From p e a c e a h d near-putch carried out with the blessing of this process came the so-called Hume- Ian Paisley. Adams agreement. It signalled a PBOSPCP 1 CY? The 1970s saw the increasing "Ulsterisation" of the conflict (whereby the convergence of outlook on the part of RUC and the UDR played the major role in militant republicans, constitutional When the Celtic League was founded the nationalists and the Irish Government on the suppression of republicanism, rendering English empire was still something of a the basis of national self-determination and the British Army less visible), the increase major force. The blood-red bits on the map an unarmed strategy. in sectarian murders by loy alists and the of the world could be seen without the aid attempts to criminalise political prisoners. The peace process initiated by this of a magnifying glass. The break-up of the The latter followed the withdrawal of agreement was never welcomed by the United Kingdom appeared to be a pipe- Tory' government whose idea of solv ing the "Special Category" status in 1975. This led dream. Irish question was to suppress to the harrowing H-Block crisis involving The Orange Order virtually controlled the prisoners refusing to wear prison uniform republicanism. The IRA ceasefire of 31 Northern Ireland statelet with the August 1994 created a new situation. After and "going on the blanket” and the "dirty connivance of successive London protest” (refusing to slop out and smearing a generation of war the quality of life governments. That hegemony was improved greatly for all in the Six "slops" on the walls of their cells). challenged by the Civil Rights Movement Counties. It eventually collapsed because Tomas Cardinal 6 Fiaieh was mov ed to in a peaceful campaign which was met by of the failure of the English government to say "one would hardly allow an animal to violence from loyalist gangs and the react positively to it. The fall of the live in such conditions, lei alone a human paramilitary RUC and B-Specials. Reynold's government, in circumstances being." When all else failed prisoners went The Battle of the Bogside in which the that have not been fully explained, unarmed community of west Derry w eakened the process. defended itself against the RUC and B- However the defeat of the Tories in May Specials in August 1969 was followed by 1997 opened the way for a second ceasefire the invasion of nationalist Belfast by the in July. RUC and loy alist gangs. In August and This ensured that in September when the September of 1969 3.500 families were Stormont talk» began Sinn Fein sat driven from their homes in that city. alongside representatives of the two Unionists sang: governments, the main nationalist party, the Social and Democratic and Labour Party On /4 August we look a little trip. (SDLP). the Women's Coalition, the up along Bombay Street and burned out Alliance Party, the small unionist parlies all the shit. representing loyalist paramilitaries (PUP lie took a little petrol and u e took a little and UDP) and the principal unionist voice, gin the Ulster Unionist Party (Ul P). fhe latter and we fought the bloody Fenians led by David Irimble have been reluctant till we had them on the run. participants. They have been propelled into the process by the unionist community In the years that followed nationalist Bobby Sands. RIB who. as shown in opinion polls, want their homes in Belfast, in particular, suffered political representatives to talk to Sinn continuous systematic raiding and Fein. Only Ian Paisley's Democratic vandalism by the British Army. Internment on hunger-strike, ten of them dying Unionist Party (DUP) and the rump UK in August 1971 completed the alienation of between May and Octobei 1981 They Unionist Party remain outside the process phenomenon that is to be found wherever have regarded the European Union in its 'What can he expected is an one group of society has been used to various mainifestations as a welfare perpetuate hegemony over another group facility. So lar the whole of Ireland has interim agreement which will and finds it is no longer of any use to the been classed as a less-developed region of end forever the inferior status of real rulers. One is reminded of the pitiful the Community. This has brought many lament of Edward Carson. 'I was only a benefits through the Structural Fund. the nationalist community...’ puppet, and so was Ulster, and so was Nobody really believes this status can Ireland, in the political game that was to continue to be justified. get the Conservative Party its power." This is because the Irish economy has The Stormont talks are bound to be The alienation of unionists is heightened expanded in recent years and shows no sign difficult. It is unrealistic to expect them to by demographic and social changes. At the of a downturn in the foreseeable future. result in a united Ireland in the short term. May general election 42% of the Foreign commentators have, with What can be expected is an interim population of the Six Counties voted for justification, duhbed the country "the Celtic agreement which will end forever the nationalist candidates. Derry city council, Tiger." A colloquium of economists inferior status of the nationalist community, once a bastion of Orange domination, is forecast in October 1997 that virtual full recognise the Irish citizenship of all in the now under nationalist control. Belfast has a employment (defined as an unemploy ment region who cherish it and allow for nationalist Lord Mayor for the first time rate of 5% of the workforce) was substantial all-Ireland institutions. ever and is likely to have a nationalist achievable at the turn of the millennium. A symptom of newly-found confidence majority in the next election or two. A This is from a nadir of 18% unemployment in the nationalist community has been the paper from the Department of Foreign in 1986. refusal to tolerate the provocative and Affairs recently leaked suggests that within Thirty years ago most Irish exports went insulting behaviour of Orange lodges a generation people from the nationalist to Britain. Although the countries of marching through their areas. Such community will dominate the professions. Britain are still the biggest single market marches carry the old message of for Irish goods that entity has relinquished "Croppies lie down" and are a ritual its former domination of the Irish economy. marking of the caste pecking order. Events The cutting back on EU funds and grants on the Garavaghy Road in Portadown show might well be a blessing in disguise as that the English state, even under a Blairite Ireland for the first time is able to stand on administration, is prepared to baton and its own in an open economy situation. kick men. women and children to make Computerisation has had a major effect way for Orange sectarianism. on social as well as economic life, indeed, The late Jack Mitchell. Scots democrat the way the Irish have taken to computers and scholar (who died 21 April 1997) has been phenomenal. The country has wrote in his last poem: been quick to exploit the opportunities thrown up by the new information >e.v, AdoiJ'Hitter 's Brownshirts Technology sector. had iheir traditions too - It needs to be said that many have not riotous revels reaching hack to the Dark benefited from the Celtic Tiger economy. Ages. Chronic poverty and homelessness still ,\o. they were not the first exists in the cities. Drugs and drug-related to go through the ghettos tike a dose of crime is a major problem. The treatment of John Hume salts. the small Travelling community is a assaulting, insulting, terrorising; national disgrace. Social Welfare officials, hut they enriched the tradition with their gardai and judges often behave in a own mix Indeed considering the long-term deplorable manner towards those under o f depravin' and efficiency: demographic trends the Six Counties will their control and condition's in prisons are Strict-belted, jackhooted. chinstrapped. have a nationalist majority by the second appalling. Racism has been absent from the the roar was the only mouth-music generation of the 21st century. Irish scene up to now but has reared its they could muster. The course of the 26 county Republic in ugly head in a marginal way w ith some sly Braying their hate-chants the period under review has been encouragement from a small number of hearing their barbaric insignia, they dominated as much by economics as by politicians. marched out o f history politics. The Anglo-lreland Free Trade The last 20 years have seen the fairly Agreement of 1965 put the last nail in the thorough seeularistion of Irish society. The While the Orange Order is an anti - coffin of the already-abandoned efforts at Church is no longer the power in the land it Catholic body its primary purpose is to self-sufficiency. It strengthened the neo­ once was. Discussions about the morality keep Protestants in line. This is becoming colonial relationship with the English state. of contraception in the 1970s seem to increasingly difficult as more and more The Republic joined the Common Market belong to another era. Divorce has been Protestants reject sectarianism and a as it was then called on I January I97.T legalised by a small majority in a growing number accept the inevitability, Membership transformed the neo-colonial referendum It should he said that church- and even the desirability, of a united nature of the state to one of dependence on based groups are in the forefront of the Ireland. Indeed a recent book. Further Brussels. In 1972. 1986 and 1995 the struggle for social justice and often more Afield by Marilyn Hyndman. a collection Treaty of Rome, the Single European Act radical titan the parties of the left. of interviews with 40 people from and the Treaty of Maastricht respecivelv In the 1960s Ireland became an urban Protestant backgrounds indicate how close were adopted by large majorities of Irish society although practically everybody has many of them are to a quasi-republican voters. roots in the land only a generation or two position. In all three referendum campaigns the back. This trend has continued. In recent Many observers have spoken of the word "grants" was chanted like a mantra. years the average income of farmers, alienation of the unionist community, a Up to now many, if not most. Irish people already way below the average industrial wage, has been falling and the small farmer seems set to become an anchronism. Thousands are leaving farming e\ery Irish — year while many others are dependent on Eft grants, a source of income which is not going to continue indefinitely. Farming is largely circumscribed by Eli regulations Growth and and quotas. The ultimate obscenity in a world racked with hunger must surely be the set-aside procedure whereby farmers are paid to render parts of their land Decline 6 unproductive. ------Luain Social welfare benefits and services have improved greatly. In a recent study Pearse Introduction McKenna (in the weekly paper Unit), published in Belfast) has shown that such benefits and services are in many cases In looking back over almost 20 years to the last series of comprehensive state superior to those pertaining in the United of the nation reviews (published in Cam 21) a number of positive items stand Kingdom. out very clearly on the Irish language front while many of the negative Irish forces have plated a positive and features observed then continue to exist or have even deepened. progressive role In UN peacekeeping The positive items are the eventual founding of an Irish language TV operations, notably in the Lebanon. The channel, Teilifis na Gaeilge, and the strong upsurge, sustained over many advantage of being a small neutral and years, in the demand by parents for Irish medium education for their children impartial country has been the crucial resulting in a steady increase in the number of Irish medium schools. The factor in the success of Irish participation negative aspects relate to the general position of Irish in education, language in such operations in 16 countries. Recent rights and more worrying the continuing decrease in the transmittal of the developments in this field have seen the language from one generation to the next in the Irish speaking areas emergence of international forces under (Gaeltachtai). NATO control to enforce a kind of “Pax Americana" under the guise of peace­ keeping.The pressure for Irish participation (AFNT) - with broad based community in such adventures is a challenge to Mass Media support in the Gaeltacht. and the neutrality and Irish antipath) to imperialist Raidid na Gaeltachta. founded in 1972 involvement of Irish language and other militarism. after an intensive campaign, including operation of a pirate radio, developed national cultural organisations. Intensive considerably in the eighties. Broadcasting lobbying was carried out at local and was expanded from the initial two hours a national level and a small trickle of court ‘Neutrality and membership of day. Lunchtime broadcasting came in the appearances. by those still refusing to buy a mid eighties and the station now operates licence, continued. At last light appeared at the EMU are likely to be the continuously from 8.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.. the end of the tunnel when the then main issues o f contention...’ each day. The service improved in depth Taoiseach. C.J llaughey. announced in and quality and gives a good range of March 1991 that a service would he set up coverage in news, current affairs, sport, in 1992. drama, music and local news. Matters did not progress at anything For some years the Republic has found A welcome addition in Dublin was like that speed but the commitment was itself locked into an EU common foreign Raidio na Life, broadcasting in Irish (but adhered to by successive Governments and policy which does not always reflect with all types of music) between five and Teilifis na Gaeilge (Tna(i) begun traditional Irish values or the country's eleven. The station operates with the help broadcasting on Halloween 1996. The last sense of solidarity with the developing of Bord na Gaeilge (BnaG. the state board protester to be jailed incidentally in 1992. w orld. Neutrality and membership of the for the Irish language) and a volunteer team was Ciardn 6 Feinncadha. active in AFNT EMU are likely to be the main issues of who give their services free in production, and previously leader of Freagral I he contention in the referendum to ratify the presentation and general assistance. service was set up for about £ 17.5m and Treaty of Amsterdam. In the mid seventies protests began will cost about £ 10.5m a year to run. The Not everything in the Irish state is ros) about the disgracefully small amount of most important thing about TnaG is that it but as Ristcard 6 Glaisne remarked in the Irish language broadcasting on the national exists: space does not permit discussion on Celtic League Yearbook of 1964 life is full television station. RTE1 (and later RTE2). the methodology adopted or the philosophy of new beginnings. That truth is even Irish speakers began refusing to pay their obvious. TnaG broadcasts from about 4.00 clearer in the flux of 1997. Hopefully we TV licences, many were brought to court p.m to 10.30 p.m. each evening. Only five will soon be energised by the emergence of and some jailed lor periods of a few weeks. and a half hours of this is in Irish however other Celtic Tigers. A ginger group Freagrci ran a campaign of as Euronews from 6 to 7 p.m. is all in protests marches (which some hundreds English. The four to six slot is aimed at M. Mac Aonghusa attended), painted graffiti, put on pickets, children while the later segment covering a organised chain-ins. climbed the RTE mast soap opera, sport, pop. etc. is very much at its HQ in Dublin and interrupted aimed at an under twenty audience except broadcasting in the studio on one occasion. for the news (this is generally of a good No real overall improvement resulted. In standard). TnaG claims an audience of the eighties a national campaign was about 310.000 and it would seem that the organised - An Feachtas Ndisiunta Teiliflsc broadcasting of Old Gaelic football and hurling championship matches alter 10.30 difficulties from time to time has had the teachers, most with no fluency or interest in (commentaries in English) is designed to capacity to employ a full time organiser the language, are available elsewhere. bolster figures - presumably also the and in more recent years an assistant in Little has changed over the years in some curious policy of broadcasting foreign addition to funding its activities. It has regards. The question of Irish language language films with subtitles in English! active subcommittees working on planning, textbooks at second level is still a vexed There is much room for improvement and second level education and on prov iding one and the attitude of the Department of let us hope that after such a length of time courses and material for both teachers and Education to long term planning, for what taken to obtain a vital service that TnaG school management boards. Its presence is a demonstrably sustained growth, still rises to the challenge to provide a quality has grown in the educational Held and in seems to secretly wish that all would service covering all age groups and the political arena. A welcome disappear overnight. A recent welcome interests. development has been the setting up of a development, however has been, follow ing patronage sy stem under Gaelscoileanna sustained lobbying by Gaelscoileanna. the auspices which is independent of the setting up by the new Minister of Episcopal system. A number of schools Education. Micheál 6 Mairtin. of a support Education founded in recent years have opted for this structure for Irish medium education which Twenty years ago there were 18 Irish system with some of them being would also plan and co-ordinate the medium primary schools and 5 second interdenominational schools. To try to provision of textbooks and aids to learning level colleges. Today there are 114 primary address long term major funding and teaching through Irish. Let us hope that schools and 25 second level colleges/units. Gaelscoileanna founded the Foundation this will have real powers and resources. As cities like Dublin and Cork expanded for Irish Medium Education which has In the North particular problems are groups of parents, intent on providing an undertaken with slim resources some large faced due to the lack of recognition given Irish medium education for their children, scale fund-raising activities with some by the Department of Education there to came together in the suburbs and with die success. Growth always creates problems schools in existence even for a number of help of Gaelscoileanna (the national Irish of course and not the least of the problems years and to the lack of trained teachers medium school movement, founded in ot many Gaelscoileanna are caused by poor available. 1973) set up schools to ensure that. The and inadequate accommodation. This is a Unfortunately the position of Irish in movement also took firm hold in many direct result of Department of Education the education system in general lias other towns and cities around the county. policy of refusing capital expenditure on weakened due to decisions made many Parents took on themselves the continuous necessary school buildings. Over half of decades ago. More recently. In 1992. the round of fund raising activ ities required to the primary Gaelscoileanna have no oral Irish examination for applicants to the bridge I he gap between state funds and permanent premises. Furthermore, with teacher training colleges was dropped. The what it costs to run a school. generally falling school numbers, due to failure rates for Irish in the Intermediate Central to this activity in most cases demographic changes, the Department has Certificate have more than doubled since was the desire to ensure the place of Irish tried to pursue in one instance an the mid seventies so that those who either in the community and the promotion of its amalgamation of a Gaelscoil with two fail or do not take Irish amount to 3!>% of use English language schools, a move which candidates while the figure for the l eaving Initially Gaelscoileanna as an was successfully resisted. Certificate is 25%. There is a need for organisation had sparse resources and no The threat of the panel remains: a urgent remedial action in the context of an full time statT. Since 1978 it has been grant system whereby teaching positions cannot overall active bilingual State policy. aided through Bord na Gacilge and despite be filled by Interview by a school if surplus

Language Rights and the Growth in Irish Medium Schools 1978-1997 State This is still an area of grave concern. I Primary Schools & Second Level Judgements in the courts have not favoured Irish. A Supreme Court judgement in the early eighties confirmed that although Irish speakers have the right to use Irish in court cases there is no obligation on the courts to deal with their cases through Irish (even In Gaeltacht areas!). There have been continuing cases of difficulties with local authorities. Stale bodies and semi State bodies in the cases of Irish speaking indiv iduals trying to conduct their business with them through Irish. In the Gaeltacht they have acted as an anglicising influence over the years. Notices, information and forms in Irish, or even bilingual ones are rarely prov ided in offices serv ing the Gaeltacht. There has been no prov ision to ensure that there is even a minimal proficiency in Irish achieved by staff in Gaeltacht offices. It took an individual (Ciarán Ó Feinneadha again!) to highlight the ignoring of Irish in the new vehicle numbering plate system introduced in 1990 leading eventually to a system which has at least each county name in Irish on the plate - albeit somewhat small! The situation can only be resolved by the introduction of a Bill of Rights - a measure Conradh na Gaeilge and other language organisations have been pressing for over many years.

G aeltacht A Confident Cornwall The decline In the numbers of families rearing their children Irish speaking in the Gaeltacht areas has gathered pace over the Up until the 1980s Cornwall had been nation. last 20 years. Udaras na Gaeltachta - the mostly conservative politically, voting The 90s brought a minor increase in Gaeltacht development authority has been mainly for the London parties or for local prosperity along with which came an successful in bringing employment to government independents. It was only alter upturn in the fortunes of MK this also Gaeltacht areas and the Gaeltacht co­ 1979. when Margaret Thatcher became occurred after major restructuring of the operatives have been an invigorating force Prime Minister of the UK. that interest party workings. MK were able to increase but despite this the erosion continues. seemed to pick up in the culture and. the number of elections that they fought Some pessimistic commentators have fol lowing on. the politics of Cornwall. and put up candidates in all six districts. put the Irish speaking population in the in 1983 MK (founded in 1951) had This built up and in 1997 MK fought a official Gaeltacht areas (population about their first official Cornwall Councillor strong campaign in the UK General 60.000?) to be below 10.000. Certainly elected for Penzance, this allowed them to Election (Sec Cam 98) which brought an surveys and analysis of data related to the have a platform to put forward the views of end of Tory rule in Cornwall. language capability of primary school MK to a w ider audience. Celtic League member. Dick Cole was children in Gaeltacht areas indicate During the early 80s the Perranporth elected the new Chairman of Mebyon continuing decline with only some core Conferences began, these twice yearly Kernow at the party's conference in areas in the larger Gaeltachtai in Galway conferences led to die formation of several Fraddon during October. 1997. and Donegal coming dose to what could be pressure groups especially in the latter half expected from a vibrant Gaeltacht. of the decade. Some of the main issues to contribute to the rise of Cornish nationalism were the Tin crisis which led to the closing of Geevor Tin Mine and the Conclusion loss of many jobs at South Crofty. The While significant progress has been imposition of the Poll Tax which lead to the made in some areas depressing trends first Poll Tax riot outside Scotland and the continue in others. Survey results indicate a formation of CAP! (Cornwall against the high level of support for the Irish language Poll Tax) also led to the revamping of the in the general population. Studies have also Stannary Parliament which although shown that Irish is seen as important in elected in the early 70s had not been taken marketing. The language has made seriously. It was this issue which brought considerable progress in the North. Other them to the forefront and also brought the aspects of Irish culture such as traditional nationalist parties to public attention. music and dance continue to flourish. Tire other main issue which brought the There is a need for strengthening of the concept of Cornish Nationhood to the fore legal status of the language and a Bill of was the Euro Constituency debate where Dick Cole Rights, it is essential that measures be Cornwall is joined to the English City of adopted to halt the decline in the Gaeltacht Plymouth merely to make the numbers fit. During a speech to the Conference, he areas. Active promotion of bilingualism in Every time that the boundaries are changed called on the people of Cornw all, to step up local and central Government bodies must there has been a public enquiry where the the campaign for devolution to Cornwall, he persued and proper funding for bodies points for the Cornish nation are put lie said "like the Celts of Wales and such as Gaelscoileanna - coupled with forward (and then ignored by the Scotland - we arc a Tory-Free zone at constructive instead of obstructive polices - Government). A new problem appears lo Westminster. But like them - we must fight is required. be in the offing with plans for proportional to win a powerful elected body for Cathal O Luain representation, although plans have not ourselves - our own parliament or been finalised reports suggest that assembly." (To this end there are plans to Cornwall will be included in a south west set up a constitutional convention for Celtic League Internet Site regional super-constituency election on a Cornwall to get all party support for this http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/ party list system. end.) e-mail General Secretary: The late 80s saw a low point in MK 1997 presented two images of Cornwall [email protected] fortunes at a time when most people were to the wider world. The first. Kcskerdh. e-mail Assistant G.S. worrying more about keeping work and Kernow 500. saw thousands of Cornish finding enough money to buy food and People recalling a rebellion 500 years [email protected] housing than whether Kernow was a free before with confidence, pride and not a 1 iiile fervour. (See Carn 99) The second This remarkable and realistic beginning image was of neglect, with Cornwall certainly needed adding to and developing, caught in a continuing spiral of economic which would undoubtedly have been decline with job losses, continuing low attended to eventually had Jenner not wages and high unemployment, ignored by fallen ill and died. central government. Continued interest in Jenner's work, While the march was essentially a particularly its very logic and realism, and the remarkable endurance of tradition cultural expression of Cornish identity, it Cornwall needs its own powerhouse ev idenced by the fact that ev en to this day became more and more difficult to institutions - not for the sake of window previously unrecorded words from the distinguish between the cultural and dressing - but in order to win a much better historical language are still turning up. has political messages. deal for our people. resulted in a second revival of the On Blackheath Common, the marchers of Whereas the economic conditions for traditional Cornish language as used by 1997 made the Blackheath Declaration, most parts of Britain have greatly improv ed calling for a better deal for Cornwall. our latest Cornish-speaking forefathers. over the last 2-3 years. Cornwall continues This began in 1982 with a programme of The declaration has been widely to be stranded in a trough and unrequiting, research to add to Jenner's work, and to supported by bodies such as the Cornish and that is die reality of Cornwall for many fill in the gaps. Since then To ere lui Tina: Gorsedd and the Celtic Congress. Mebyon ordinary Cornish people today . Kernow and even Cornwall's four Liberal and the Cornish Language Council have Democrat MPs went further, adding been formed, both dealing in the research, Hope for the Future demands for a Cornish Assembly promotion and teaching of what was There is hope for the future. The events known of Modern Cornislr in the early of 1997 have shown a Cornwall which is 18th century, a convenient and explicit proud. Our challenge for the new As far as the UK Government is term that we use today for the revived millennium, is to make our vision of traditional language. concerned we simply do not exist. Cornwall a modern reality: culturally, Interest in Modern Cornish is politically and economically. increasing rapidly, not only in Cornwall Cornwall's demands for a greater control We must consign to the dustbin of but in many other countries. This historical of its own affairs have not met with a history, the years of Cornish neglect. Cornish is now widely accepted in favourable response. The Blackheath As the new Grand Bard Ann Trevenen academic circles where, due to its realistic Declaration has been ignored. Calls for Jenkin said at her inauguration in policy of avoiding invention and Cornish Assembly, a Cornish Development September, "there is a new spirit abroad, borrowing, it has earned the confidence of Agency, a Cornish University and fair the spirit of An Got’ and Flamank. those many universities and an ever widening funding for Cornwall as a distinct entity brave men who stood up for Cornwall and circle of professors. A mark of this have simply not been listened to. Just as the what we as individual Cornish people want. confidence has been the appointment by people of Scotland and Wales voted for the We must never forget their sacrifice, nor tlic University of Exeter of Neil Kennedy. first vestiges of self-government, the new the dedication of so many in 1997. who Chairman of The Cornish Language Labour government has. callously, actually marched for Cornwall who were Council, as part-time Tutor in Cornish continued to inform Cornwall that it with us in spirit... there are so many threats Studies with the Department of Continuing cannot have its own assembly or to Kernow. and each of us must do our best and Adult Education, and of Richard development agency, but will be to keep and develop our culture, our Gendall. President of The Cornish submerged into a ’seven-county south­ history, our language and identity." Language Council and Director of Tee re west' based on Bristol or Taunton. Martyn Miller ha Java:, as Hon. Research Fellow in the Institute of Cornish Studies with responsibility for the language. A happy note to sound is that follow ers of R.M. Nance's Unified Cornish (launched in 1928) and of Modern Cornish (revived by Jenner in 1904. and gradually The Cornish Against All returned to after 1982) are co-operating, and well on the way to achieving a greater Language Odds unity within the Cornish Language scene. It has taken a long time measured in It was Henry Jenner of years of research to produce dictionaries, St. Coluntb who. at the course books and other learning material, beginning of this century, and the list of these is still not complete, In the following articles first set about the revival but part one of .1 Practical Dictionary of of the Cornish language, fallen out of Modern Cornish was published this May. the three language groups general use since the end of the 18th and part two will be ready by Easter 1998. century, but surviving in scattered remains in Kernow give an followed by a new grammar and course till the end of the 19th century , even into book. Already the dozen classes being nm overview of the work they the 20th century, in a rich tradition of in the west, and regular coossies (social vocabulary, even some phrases. get-togethers or ceilidhs) integrated by have been doing to Jenner's revived Cornish was no Neil Kennedy, are well attended, and now invention. In his Handbook of the Cornish producing proficient users of the language develop and promote the Language 1904. he pieced together a (some now teaching in their own right). workable idiom most properly based upon The most concentrated interest in Cornish language. the vernacular as last used by native Modern Cornish is. indeed, in Penwith. speakers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Kerrier and Carrick: from this area sprung all our literary knowledge of Cornish, and here in Penwith it survived longest. This does not mean that there is no interest further to the east, and in fact it is in the Unified — preparing east, the Menheniot near Liskeard. where Teere ha Tavaz has its centre. Teere ha Tavaz engages both in research and also in public relations, it also for the next Century serves as an information and tuition centre. An increasing number of university students avail themselves of the services of in 1987 the Cornish Language Board f f e Teere ha Tavaz, given free. The case of decided on a 5 year period in order to make (a* Kaliuscia Galli of Cremona in Italy is the change from Unified Cornish to typical. Externally tutored from Teere ha Common Cornish. (Exams were to be Tavaz by many long letters and telephone offered in Unified for as long as was calls, she was awarded her doctorate by the needed). It could not hat e been anticipated Universita' Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore. at that time that the Unified Cornish Brescia, in 1996. spelling, which had formed the foundation The Cornish Language Council. of revived Cornish in 1928. would prove so centered at Mabe near Penryn. is now resilient. People it seems are not prepared organising tuition that will lead to to reject an old friend so quickly. Most qualification for the adult GCSE. receiving Church services continue to be held in much generous advice and help from the Unified, the Cornish Gorseth continues to Welsh Joint Education Committee. use Unified and a number of Cornish Information regarding courses and coossies cultural organisations seem unwilling to can be had from the Chairman. Neil change. Kennedy, at Tregenze Vean. Amron Hill. Following a failure to compromise with Mabe. Penryn. Kernow TRIO 9HH. tel. supporters of Common Cornish in 1989 01326.375362. Agan Tavas was reformed in the follow ing Teere ha Tavaz has for several years year from a closed society for fluent Bella Chubb. 14 (foreground) and his been working with Estate Publications, speakers of Cornish into an open society brother Trystan 12. They are the youngest who produce the well-known series of whose aim was to support Unified Cornish. members of Agan lavas ami both speak tourist maps, advising other historical It has achieved its aims by publishing Cornish fluently as natural or native(?) forms of place-names, and whose current books, advertising classes in Unified and speakers. They have bath won the \lap project is the production of an all-Cornish organising an annual language weekend Melyn shield far projects in Cornish at the map. Craig Weatherhill. Conservation and other events. Cornish Gorseth. Officer for Penwith Council, being our own In 1995 Dr. N.J.A. Williams of officer responsible for place-names, has University College Dublin, the first been instrumental in the setting up of the professional Celtic scholar to study rev ived first batch of signs using historical versions Cornish in depth, had published his new of names at the approach of villages and book Cornish Today. Members of Agan required. Therefore, following a request towns, and various notices connected with Tavas were pleased to see that his preferred from Agan Tavas. Nicholas Williams has places of public resort, such as option out of the three forms of revived prepared Clappya Kernowek which sets out archaeological sites, historic mine sites etc. Cornish currently available was Unified the pronunciation, amended grammar and There is no more effective force in the Cornish. changes to some of the vocabulary for presentation of one's nation and country to However. Dr. Williams went further than UCR~ the world at large, and the demand for to say that Unified Cornish was the best It would he difficult to set out here all the national recognition, than the possession choice currently available. To bring Unified detailed changes contained in UCR. und use of a native language. As our sole in line with modern Celtic studies he was Basically the sound system of Unified has surviving englvn states in its third line: proposing some changes! How would this been slightly emended, some of the Dean heb tavas a gollas e deer: man be accepted by supporters of Unified grammar has been simplified and words without a tongue last liis land. It is well Cornish. Having examined in detail Dr. borrowed from the other brythonic Celtic also to remember what the westerners used Williams' Unified Cornish Revised (UCR) languages have been replaced with words to reply when spoken to in English: Me na the Agan Tavas further studies sub­ of genuine Cornish origin albeit that they vidna cowz a Sowsnack!: / will not speak committee concluded that the differences are often words adopted into Cornish from English! The future for Modem Cornish is between UCR and Unified were not that English. bright if we can take these two statements great. It was decided therefore that those Therefore Nicholas Williams has put to heart. members who wished to continue using forward sensible and cautious amendments Anyone interested in the Cornish Unified could do so and those members, to Unified that arc preparing it for the next Language and needing further information probably those more advanced in Cornish, century- The way perhaps that the language can write to Teere ha Tavaz at Tregrill who w ished to use UCR could do so and movement in Cornwall should have taken Vean. Menheniot. Liskeard. Kernow. PL 14 neither group would come under pressure 10 y ears ago. 3PL. or ring 01579.343366. Please enclose from the other. a stamped and addressed envelope or reply It was further decided that in order that Ray Chubb coupon, as the group operates on a all Cornish speakers could make a proper Secretary Agan Tavas voluntary basis, having no income. assessment of UCR a hand book was Jan Gendall Thirty Years of Service to Cornish

The Cornish Language Board was set up in 1967 by joint resolution of the Gorsedd of Cornwall and the Federation of It is opportune that an meaningless unless it is Old Cornwall Societies to take over the article such as this be w ritten exercised. work of promoting the Cornish language. with the Scottish and Welsh Nonetheless. Manntn's Fifteen members of the Board are referenda as points of independence on paper has elected by the membership of Kowet has an reference. The "buzz-word" taken significant steps over Yeth Kernewek (The Cornish Language at the moment is devolution, the past thirty years, during Society) which is open to all who support and many commentators in fact, the life-span of both the revival of Cornish. The Board and make reference to Mannin as the Celtic League and an example of devolution Federation of Old Cornwall Societies Mannin's only political provide two representatives. Cornwall and perhaps what the other independence party. Mec Council and the University of Plymouth, non-independent countries Mark Kerihode Vann in. The lieutenant one each The examinations of the Board should be looking for. The governor has had most of his are validated by the Education Committee quite obvious implication is powers removed and no of Cornwall Council and by the School that we. the Celtic countries, should not he longer presides over Tynwald. Compare seeking total independence. Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The this to thirty years ago when that office Board's highest examination is that of the Immediately after the referenda results. effectively dictated government policy. I he Institute of Linguists, accepted by degree Mannin's Chief Minister. Donald Gelling change has been effected via the creation of awarding bodies as the equivalent of one MHK. stated his belief that Alba would an executive council of politicians elected year in a degree course. inevitably look towards Mannin as a by the House of Keys. This body is now the It was owing to the initiative of the late devolution role model. How ever. Mannin is policy-maker, but it clearly brings the PAS Pool that in 1978 the Board set up not an example of devolution in the true choice of policy little closer to the people. Koweihas an Yelh Kernewek. now an sense since she has always been As mentioned, these last three decades independent organisation. independently governed, liven during the have also seen the continued presence ot Over a hundred titles are on the Board's very darkest era of our subjugation by the Mec Vannin. the Manx Nationalist Party. publication list, among them Dr Ken English Crown (immediately after the How has it contributed to the changes, and G eorge's Gerfyver Sfeur "The Large Revestment Act of 1765). when the what future role does it have? Although Dictionary". The latest publication isSkenl lieutenant governor (the Crown's Mec Vannin has had elected representatives an Yetli a complete course in spoken and representative) virtually had the powers of at all levels of government (though none at written Cornish for class and private use. a viceroy, the very fact that the governor the moment), the majority of its work has The Board supports classes in Cornwall had such autocracy helped maintain an air been achieved from without government, and overseas. One of these is at Harvard of independence. The 32 member Tynwald via campaigning, lobby ing and taking part University following lectures given in the (Manx parliament) was retained throughout in consultation exercises. I lie result is that USA by Dr George. though it had no fiscal powers. much of Mec Vannin's original suggestions The Board receives a constant stream Mr. Gelling went on further to say that lor the acquisition of greater independence of requests for information and help: names we could not really become much more have been adopted by the "establishment" for children and pets (even for a cow) autonomous without "going right ov er the government but. the party would contend, houses and boats. Booklets in Cornish have edge and into total independence." That inappropriately i.c. the increasing political been provided for l ruro Cathedral and for statement does not stand up to any serious independence has not been used to further Treliske Hospital and commercial scrutiny since, despite having fought hard the security and self-determination of the undertakings w ishing to use Cornish have (diplomatically speaking) for the return of Manx people but rather to afford a been given support. fiscal independence throughout the comfortable tax-haven for United Kingdom In 1987 the Board, after consultation subsequent 200 y ears (achieving ultimate ex-patriots. The very purpose of self- decided to change to a reformed system of success in 1958). the governments of the government was questioned at the 1992 pronunciation and spelling, known as past three decades have effectively handed Illiam Dhone commemoration when the Common Cornish based on Middle all fiscal control back to the UK w ith the Mec Vannin oration closed w ith the words, Cornish, correcting the deficiencies of the sole exception of income tax. "..not a government acting to ensure the former Unified Cornish, hut the Board In terms of law-making, health services perpetuity of an independent nation, hm a continues to provide an examination and education, the Manx government society engineered to ensure the perpetuity service for those who wish to continue with inevitably follows the Westminster of an independent government." the older system and advertises and sells government. Nearly everyday, you will This misplacement of values has led to books in Unified Cornish. hear a member of the Manx government further large scale immigration, The Cornish Language Board looks stating that a change in law or practice is development and the marginalisation of the forward to the next century with confidence "to bring us into line with the UK" What Manx people. Although the government in our resurrected language. they really mean is England and the emphasis has changed from population changes in Alba and Cymru will make this increase directly to increased business even more obvious. Autonomy is activity, the result is exactly the same. The Vlanx People are now official!} a minority course of creating a pure tax-haven slate one accepts this definition of language in their own country, and this who's only reason for existence is to pay death or not. it is manifestly the case that marginalisation is set to continue. lor an Independent government. interest in. and support for. the language Inevitably, reactive campaigns have This dominant aspect of Manx political has grown markedly in the last few resulted, epitomised by the FSFO campaign economic development is undoubtedly decades I bis growth has led to increasing of the late 1980s. This culminated in the going to bring Mannin into conflict with willingness on the part of the Manx arrest and conviction of three Manx the EU. Although the Manx government Government to fund teaching of Manx in cultural activists on arson charges. These stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the fact, schools, a development which was almost campaigns have produced significant short there is an increasing political movement in unthinkable some decades ago. term results. The Manx government is the EU to regulate the tax-haven >'« Chcshaglit GlrailcAaglr (Manx exceptionally sensitive to any notion that economies. Those members of the Manx Language Society, or Manx Gaelic Society i there is dissent to its policies and direct government who claim that, since Mannin was founded in 1899. Throughout most ol action has always thrown it into turmoil. is not part of the EU or the Customs its history, it has operated as a Territory. Europe cannot interfere with our preservationist society ruther than a economy are naive in the extreme. Whilst revivalist one. And in society at large in any future moves by the European Union to Mann, the study of Manx in order to be exercise control over Mannin's finance able to read the Manx Bible was tolerated, industry may meet with short term while speaking Manx was seen us a jingoistic opposition from the government, dangerous activity. However, from the late the reality is that Europe has the power to I930's. a small group of non-native indirectly control the Manx off-shore speakers of Manx took to using the industry. Statements front the industry's language in an everyday sense. After the own bodies regarding regulatory legislation Second World War and up to his death in would appear to acknowledge this fact. 1987. this group was led by the charismatic Since the Manx government cannot even figure of Doug Fargher. nicknamed )n secure Ashing quotas for its own territorial Breagagh'. waters, the future looks grim. Given that Alba probably now has as Miant Costain, Alec I annin member, who much independence in real terms as was narrowly beaten in the 1996 Alans Mannin. hut with the additional benefit of General Election access to European funding, it would do well to look in another direction for increased independence. Meanwhile, a The small size of the community has Manx government that traditionally always made it difficult to sustain such legislates to harmonise with the UK will campaigns, however. increasingly find itself legislating to Given this situation. Mec Vannin's role harmonise with England: A sad reflection could be deemed to be more important than on a government whose leader believes we ever, yet it will have to show a considerable have gone as far ns possible on the road to increase in activity and consistency if it is autonomy without full independence. to deflect the government from its current Mark kermode

L a n g u a g e R enaissa n c e

This overview is concerned virtually suspicion that most Manx people had a The late Dong Fargher exclusively with the preservation and love-hate relationship with the language development of Manx Gaelic culture, with and that, quite often, their expressions of Doug Fargher organised language particular reference to the native language, contempt for it masked deep feelings of classes for adults and instituted the music and songs. Throughout the impotent rage and regret about its decline. influential Oieghyn Gae/gagh I Manx nineteenth century, the Manx language was Such complex attitudes arc evident today. Speaking Nights) in pubs, where Manx in decline. By the early years of the Although Manx was no longer a speakers and learners met to practice twentieth century. Manx had virtually community language by 1900 - 1910. the speaking Manx - and to publicise its disappeared as a community language, Bible and the Anglican Book of Common continuing existence. From the late I940's. apparently despised and ridiculed by Prayer were available in Manx, along with native speakers ol' Manx had been tape- almost all Manx people themselves. The a respectable body of native literature in recorded by the Irish Folklore Commission word 'apparently ' is used advisedly here, Manx. The practice of summarising new and the Manx Gaelic Society, giving because more research is needed to find out legislation in Manx was never precious archives of the Manx of the late more (where possible) about the real discontinued. And there were always those nineteenth century. Doug Fargher and his attitudes of ordinary Manx people to their who learned to speak Manx fluently as a associates saw these recordings as being of own language. The issue of language, and second language. The last recognised enormous importance in their efforts to particularly of language change, is native speaker of Manx. Ned Madrell. died promote the language. infinitely more complex than is generally in 1974. a date usually highlighted by Doug -Fargher's life's work was his acknowledged. There is more than a academics as the 'death' of Manx. Whether F.nglish-Manx Dictionary, which was took over as the Manx Language Officer, with Catreeney Craine being appointed as a peripatetic teacher of Manx in schools. Continuity of the schools programme was thus retained. In September 1997. a course leading to the General Certificate in Manx (equivalent to a British General Certificate in Secondary Education) started in secondary schools, with eleven candidates initially. It is expected that adults will be able to take this course from September 1998. Also in the government sector, use of Manx on departmental stationery has become general, along with Manx on many government vehicles. Coonceii nv Gaelge) (Gaelic Advisory Council) was set up as a quasi-government body to provide authoritative Manx translations of official titles, street names, etc. Follow ing the efforts of a very effective supporter of Manx language plmgorup. Mooinjer I eggey Manx in Tynwald. Peter Karran. the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee was set up with a view to increasing the amount of Manx published in 1979. with assistance from the 282 in the secondary schools, giving a total used on Manx Radio. There has been some Manx Government. This assistance was in of 1.423. In later years, the numbers progress in this area, but there are itself significant in view of the levelled out at roughly 700 - 800 in the difficulties at present because of the small government's previously determined primary schools and about 100 in the number of Manx speakers who can w ork in neglect of Manx. secondary schools. Critics of Manx in radio. Also, the Manx Treasury has Census returns in the Isle of Man have schools who had (mainly tacitly i expected imposed restrictive criteria on the way s the generally recorded the numbers of those the whole thing to melt away quickly were Gaelic Broadcasting Committee can use its claiming to speak Manx. This number confounded. budget. Nevertheless, there is optimism bottomed out in 1961 at 165 and rose The introduction of optional Manx in that further progress will be made. steadily after that, reaching 634 in 1991. schools has prov ed a great success, but the Hand in hand with the increasing While the numbers of really fluent speakers position of the language is not particularly interest in the language went the rev ival in would have been significantly less than the satisfactory . 1 lie Isle ol Man unfortunately Manx music, song and dance. With the census figures, these official returns act as adopted the English 'National' Curriculum issue of their books of Manx folk songs. a measure of popular support for the which has resulted in over-loaded curricula KiaitJI yn Theav. Colin and Cristl Jerry language. and a simplistic adherence to 'useful' were pivotal in this revival. A significant In 1991. influenced by political subjects. Manx (like music) is generally number of young people hav e been developments and a Gallup poll showing regarded as peripheral. attracted to Manx folk music. In this. Mann solid support for Manx in schools, the There is a tendency for people in Mann is fortunate in having an excellent system Manx Government appointed a Manx (including some of those working for the of peripatetic teaching of instrumental Language Officer (Brian Stowell) and national cause) not to appreciate the music in the schools - a feature which is seconded two Manx-speaking teachers importance of making tuition in Manx not appreciated by some teachers of other (I’hil Kelly and Peggy Carswell) to leach available in the schools. In fact, this subjects. Several groups of young Manx the language in schools on a peripatetic demonstrated the very strong demand for musicians have had a great measure of basis. The scheme was modelled on the the language by the public, thereby success, including Paitehyn tannin and Av teaching of instrumental music, where silencing vocal critics of Manx in Tynwald. Fenee. Among adult musicians. The small numbers of children come out of Moliag Band, ied by Greg Joughin. has classes to be taught to play musical pioneered new expression of Manx music instruments. and song. When parents and pupils were It cannot be overemphasised how canv assed in May 1992. the returns showed important it is that the Manx that the instrumental music teaching model was not really valid. Almost 2.000 pupils Government has begun to fund (primary and secondary) wanted to study the Manx language and culture Manx (roughly 20% of the total school population). In the primary schools, about in a regular way. 40% of all pupils aged seven and over registered to take Manx (with parental support). These numbers could not be the Manx parliament. More importantly, coped with given the resources allocated there are now many hundreds of young and tuition in Manx was delay ed for a large people who can understand and speak some number of pupils. Manx classes started in the schools in September 1992. In mid- Manx and think of the language in a November 1992. there were 1.141 pupils sympathetic way. hollowing Brian Stow ell's retirement in 1996. Phil Kelly taking Manx in the primary schools and Colin and Cristl Jen \ It cannot be overemphasised how important it is that the Manx Government Al Liamm bimonthly magazine has begun to fund Manx language and in Breton. Subscription 180F, culture in a regular way. Possibly because it has qualms over such funding, the Manx but 200F/250F surf./airmail Treasury has recently shown signs of outside State and 10OF for non­ wanting to 'rationalise' the ways the earners, to Per ar Bihan, 16r. funding takes place. The Department of Education budgets for Manx in the schools, Des Fours a Chaux, 35400 the Manx Heritage Foundation funds St.Malo. projects concerned with Manx culture, as does the Manx Arts Council to some extent. By far the lion's share of government money goes to Manx National Heritage, which has an impressive track record in the form of the Manx Museum in Douglas, castles at Castletown and Peel, a George Broderick Ar Bed Keltiek brand new heritage centre at Peel, as w-ell as other excellent centres of ‘heritage'. on line books, records, Celtic art. However, the enormous amount of money Kemper: 02.98.95.42.82. allocated to Manx National Heritage has so The academic study of Manx was relatively neglected for many years. To a Brest: 02.98.44.05.38 far been spent in a way w hich has paid http://www.arbedkeltiek.com little regard to the central role of the large degree, the balance has been language in Manx heritage. There is a redressed by the work of Robert Thomson e-bost:arfur ©eurobretagne.fr danger that, in handing millions of pounds and George Broderick, the leading [email protected] to Manx National Heritage, Treasury authorities on Manx. At present. George Broderick is engaged on a massive survey officials think Right - that's taken care of Note: A r Bed Keltiek (2 Str. a r Roue of Manx placenames. Manx heritage and culture'. Hence the call Gralon, 29000 Kemper), uses the for the nowr highly effective Manx Heritage The postgraduate Centre for Manx Studies was recently established in term e-bost in preference to e-mail, Foundation to get rid of the debased word like the Welsh. When phoning from 'heritage' and adopt a new name. (Many Douglas. This is a tripartite venture involving Liverpool University. Manx abroad, omit the 0 in the prefix. people think that the Manx Heritage Foundation is the same organisation as National Heritage and the Department of Manx National Heritage). Education. Manx is generally dismissed as having There have also been noteworthy no literature'. While this is not true, there developments outside the government is a dearth of original literature in Manx sector. A language support group called Comann an Luchd-lonnsachaidh Caarjyn ny Gaelgey (Friends of the Manx which relates to modern living. It is therefore significant that, in the 1990's, the 'for Gaelic learners and supporters' Language) was set up by Peter Karran. This Manx Branch of the Allied Irish Bank group now rents a government schoolhouse instituted a biennial prize for writing in Guth, Fiosrachadh, Leasachadh, in the centre of Mann as its base, Manx. Recipients of this prize have been organising adult Manx classes and social Compàirt tro Bob Carswell and Joan Caine. events there. This work complements that The Internet is now an important tool of the Manx Gaelic Society, which has Ballrachd Eadar- International for the dissemination of information on published essential Manx language books Membership Manx culture. In this respect, invaluable nàiseanta and has recently instituted a successful work has been carried out by Phil Kell) Ràitheachan Quarterly Manx Language Week, held each Coiteachadh Mag November. and Mark Kermode (see Website Comhairle Lobbying Potentially of great significance has httpy/homepages.enterpri se.net/kelly). The same general trends are seen in Féilltean Support been that a small number of families are Mann as in the other Celtic countries: a Buidhnean Events raising their children as bilingual in English weakening of aspects of the old. traditional and Manx (or ’Neo-Manx' as some Teip Karoake Groups scholars would prefer). For the lirst time in culture which was saved and guarded by a Inbhe Carthannais Karaoke Tape about a hundred years it can be claimed small number of dedicated people, while at Teipichean Charitable Status the same time knowledge and awareness of that there are new native speakers of Manx. lonnsachaidh Learner that culture diffuses out to a larger number Following this development has been the Tape/Booklets official opening in 1997 of a Manx of sympathetic people. Mann is fortunate in language pre-school playgroup. Mooinjer being a compact island: it is foolish to think that all is lost because the traditional Manx f’eggey ('Little Folk"), supported by for Voice, information. Caarjyn ny Gcielgey and the Manx I leritage are in a minority. The time has long gone Improvement, Participation Foundation. 1997 has also seen the when incomers could be Gaelicised. What is now emerging in Mann is not a Manx UK £10. EU £12 elsewhere £14 beginnings of some form of education society in the old sense. But neither is it student/unem ployed UK £5 through Manx for young children. For one US/Canada S. call Ruesch 800.424.2923 or half-day per week, a group of about ten truly English. We have a great creative future ahead of us. 202 4081200 children who are either fluent in Manx or includes 4 bilingual mags - send for freeback- know sufficient Manx are receiving tuition copyl! 62 High St, Invergordon, Ross-shire Orree Cretin ell through the language, under the auspices of IV18 ODH. phone/fax -44(0)1349-854848 the Department of Education. [email protected] i Membership and Subscriptions Cambria A ll those who agree with the j j constitution and aims of the Celtic j The Magazine for Wales ; League are eligible for membership. | | The membership fee (including Corn) : i and subscription rates are IR£ 1 0; i Subscribe Now! and receive four beautiful issues for just j Stg£10; 90FF or USS20.00 (US funds, j i cheques drawn on a US bank). Europe : £10. USA and Europe £15. Other foreign £20. | Sfg.£10 outside Europe Stg.£13.00 i I airmail. For information about the Celtic i | League contact secretaries: Cambria Subscriptions, j ALBA Risnidh Mag Aoidh, 7/1 Newton i PO Box 22. Caerfyrddin, SA 32 7 WIT Cymru. Street, Gorgie, Edinburgh, EH1 1 i ! 1TG. ; BREIZH Jakez Derouet, 14 route de i Kemper, 29000 Plugen/Pluguffan, j j Brittany. Carn 100 -A Milestone i CYMRU Jina Gwyrfai, 3 Croes Y Waen, Waenfawr, Caernarfon, j To publish the one hundredth issue of a and has been given a place in the education­ | Gwynedd. magazine is a significant milestone for any al system. In Brittany despite sustained i EIRE Subscriptions: c/o 33 Ceide na j organisation. In the case of CARN and the opposition from a centralist state the Breton j G rian oig e, Rath Cuil, Co. Atha j Celtic League it is even more notable con­ language has made inroads in education but i Cliafh. sidering that all our activities, including the transmission of the language from one gen­ ! KERNOW Martyn Miller 10 Trewartha j publication of our quarterly magazine, are eration to the next is gravely imperilled i Court, Pound Street, Liskeard funded solely by our membership subscrip­ while chances of any autonomy are remote ] MANNIN Cristl Jerry, 6 Glenfaba i tions and that Cam is produced by voluntary at present. In Ireland after almost thirty i Road, Peel. and unpaid efforts. It was only fitting then years of strife in the North we are edging | ENGLAND BRANCH Florence Kenna, j that the Celtic League A.G.M. decided that towards peace. The growth in Irish medium i 72 Compton Street, London, ECIV : our one hundredth CARN issue should be a schools and the commencement of TnaG I 0BN. special one to mark the occasion. While give satisfaction but the continuing decline : USA Stephen Paul de Villa, 313 East j various suggestions were made as to appro­ in the strength of Irish speaking areas is a i 201 Street, Bronx, New York 10458 priate content and format the final decision cause for grave concern. I INTERNATIONAL BRANCH Alan j was left to the editor. Patricia Bridson. She There has undoubtedly been further Heusaff, Seana Gharrain, An j decided that reviews covering political and growth and consolidation in inter-Celtic I Spideal, Co. na Gaillimhe, Eire, cultural affairs over the past twenty years or consciousness in the last tw'o decades. With i CEAP BREATAINN Frangag Nic j so in each Celtic nation should be the main the arrival of new Celtic assemblies we look | Eachainn, Box 179, Mabou, Cape i content with a special supplement of poetry forward to further progress towards the I Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada BOE : In the Celtic Languages. Poetry' has long Celtic League aim of an inter-Celtic federa­ I 2WO. been a thriving Celtic art and this supple­ tion. It is noted that an element of the disap­ i The General Secretary and P.R.O. of j ment is unique in containing poems in all pointing proposals tabled for discussion in the Celtic League is Bernard Moffatt, j six Celtic languages with translations into the talks on the North is an intergovernmen­ : 11 Hilltop View, Farmhill, Braddan, j another Celtic language; to help bridge the tal council with representation from Dublin, j Mannin. Celtic linguistic gap poems in the Goidelic London, the North, Scotland and Wales. Tel-UK (0) 1624 627128 languages are translated into a Brythonic Providing this is not a ploy to dilute execu­ : The Editor is Ms P. Bridson, 33 Ceide j language and vice versa. Unfortunately tive powers for any North - South body it | na Grianoige, Rath Cuil, Co. Atha | space did not permit inclusion of a lengthy has possibilities of development - let us Cliath, Eire. account of the C.L. Military Monitoring hope that this is the case. : Articles for Carn may be sent on disk in j Campaign - this will appear in the next Finally, a thanks to all who contributed I Apple/IBM for Microsoft Word/Works j issue. articles and to the poets who allowed us to I or Word Perfect along with hard copy, j The twenty odd years covered by the publish their poems, particularly those writ­ | faxed to 00 353 31 - 458 9795, or ; reviews show significant achievements in ten especially for the issue. Our gratitude j e-mailed to: [email protected] some countries, steady progress in others goes also to those who undertook the diffi­ and serious threats in all. | O rig in a l photographs must be A Scottish Parliament and Welsh cult task of translation. Particular thanks is j forwarded. Assembly are at last on the way after two due to our Editor who cajoled, persuaded j Our next deadline for material for decades of disappointment. Gaidhlig has and ensured that, albeit a little delayed j Carn is 1st February 1998. Articles made considerable progress but its heart­ despite her best efforts, a high quality spe­ j sent for publication in Carn must relate j land is declining. In Wales while the Welsh cial issue has been produced. i to our aims, and should be typed. All { language has made great strides the Welsh An issue like this costs more money of | materials copyright © Carn unless I speaking areas are under continued threat course and wc would ask all our members : otherwise stated The views expressed j from English immigration. Cornwall has a and supporters to make an extra effort in | in Carn are not necessarily those of the : greater confidence and while difficulties selling it and to use it to best benefit to | editor nor of the Celtic League. exist with three versions of Cornish demand recruit new members to provide us with an ; Leagan amach/Layout: Peanntronaic j has expanded for the language. Although even more solid base from which to contin­ Teo., BAC 16, Eire. Mann has yet to exploit its autonomy fully ue our work. Printers: Elo Press, Dublin 8 the Manx language now commands respect Cathal 6 Luain, Convenor, Eanair, 1998. ISSN 0257-7860