Eòrpa Eòrpa –– News from the News from the edgeedge

Douglas ChalmersDouglas ChalmersHugh O’DonnellHugh O’Donnell

Gaelic Gaelic –– some brief facts some brief facts

• Branch of the Celtic Languages that is native to Branch of the Celtic Languages that is native to ScotlandScotland

• Marginalisation can begin to be seen from the 11Marginalisation can begin to be seen from the 11thth century, by Norse incursions and the development of century, by Norse incursions and the development of English-speaking kingdoms.English-speaking kingdoms.

• The mainly lowland Protestant Reformation of 1560 The mainly lowland Protestant Reformation of 1560 exacerbated divisions, and state policy such as the exacerbated divisions, and state policy such as the Statutes of Iona (1609) aimed to prohibit “traditional Statutes of Iona (1609) aimed to prohibit “traditional hospitality” and contacts between the Gaels of hospitality” and contacts between the Gaels of Scotland and Ireland. It also took measures aimed at Scotland and Ireland. It also took measures aimed at ‘anglicising’ the Gaelic speaking hierarchies in the the ‘anglicising’ the Gaelic speaking hierarchies in the the Highlands.Highlands.

Brief facts (continued)Brief facts (continued)• EEvvents following the battle of Culloden (1746) ents following the battle of Culloden (1746)

exacerbated the lowland view of the highlander and exacerbated the lowland view of the highlander and of Gaelic as ‘dangerous’ or barbarous.of Gaelic as ‘dangerous’ or barbarous.

• The Education Act of 1872 stated that all Scottish The Education Act of 1872 stated that all Scottish children must attend school.children must attend school.

• But Gaelic was prohibited by English speaking But Gaelic was prohibited by English speaking teachers, and children were beaten for speaking their teachers, and children were beaten for speaking their native language. native language.

• ““Brightest” of children sent to English universities on Brightest” of children sent to English universities on the mainland, many of whom never returned to the the mainland, many of whom never returned to the Isles. Isles.

• TThis came on the heels of the Highland clearances, his came on the heels of the Highland clearances, which had a devastating effect on Gaelic speaking which had a devastating effect on Gaelic speaking communitiescommunities

Gaelic in Scotland TodayGaelic in Scotland Today

- However, almost half of Gaelic speakers now live outside the main ‘Gàidhealtachd’

- Particular concentration on the Western and the Inner Hebrides

Percentage of Gaelic Speakers in Scotland by Parish (2001)

0% - < 0.5%0.5% - < 2%2% - < 5%5% - < 20%20% - < 40%40% - < 60%60% - < 75%

- Today there are approximately 60,000 fluent Gaelic speakers in Scotland and possibly 100,000 in total with some ability in the language

Gaelic MediaGaelic MediaAccording to Mike Cormack, Lecturer in Gaelic and Media Studies at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye, the development of minority language media is essential to ensure the survival of minority languages, not only in Scotland but elsewhere. Four reasons suggested:

-1. The Electronic Media provides a signal that the language is able to cope with the contemporary world, rather than being simply part of an outdated heritage 2. An economic boost: including attractive career prospects for young people who want to work in the minority language3. Media is important in developing a public sphere which allows a political community to develop and indeed allows the community to develop its own news agenda4. Development of a minority language media is important in relation to how the community is represented both within itself and to outsiders(from Developing Minority Language Media Studies)

Developing a Gaelic News Developing a Gaelic News AgendaAgenda

• Eòrpa – news from the edge?Eòrpa – news from the edge?– Gaelic current affairs programGaelic current affairs program

•subtitled in English, available on BBC Alba subtitled in English, available on BBC Alba and BBC2 Scotlandand BBC2 Scotland

•Award winning Award winning –– current affairs Baftas current affairs Baftas

•1993 – 2008 – 15 series1993 – 2008 – 15 series

•Our analysis - 14 seriesOur analysis - 14 series– 330 Programmes330 Programmes– 888 topics888 topics

The British IslesThe British Isles

The British Isles - highlightsThe British Isles - highlights

Non British IslesNon British Isles

Non-British Isles HighlightsNon-British Isles Highlights

TopicsTopics

Topics - HighlightsTopics - Highlights

Eòrpa case studyEòrpa case study

Series 14Series 14

Programme 6Programme 6

TX Date: 23/11/06TX Date: 23/11/06

Programme structureProgramme structure

• Pope‘s visit to Poland (approx. 9 mins)Pope‘s visit to Poland (approx. 9 mins)– Explosion in a Polish mine (approx. 30 secs)Explosion in a Polish mine (approx. 30 secs)– A Yorkshire company takes over Harris Tweed A Yorkshire company takes over Harris Tweed

industry (approx. 30 secs)industry (approx. 30 secs)

• Threat to rural post offices (approx. 9 Threat to rural post offices (approx. 9 mins)mins)

• Football team in Budapest (approx. 9 Football team in Budapest (approx. 9 mins)mins)

BBC BBC “national” news“national” news

• BeijingBeijing

• MadridMadrid

• EdinburghEdinburgh

• LondonLondon

• BrusselsBrussels

• BaghdadBaghdad

• JerusalemJerusalem

• Manchester• Delhi• Paris• Washington DC• Berlin• Cairo

BBC BBC Scottish newsScottish news

• InvernessInverness

• AberdeenAberdeen

• DundeeDundee

• EdinburghEdinburgh

• Stirling • Dunfermline• Glasgow

EòrpaEòrpa

• MarseilleMarseille

• BilbaoBilbao

• WienWien

• KölnKöln

• TallinnTallinn

• Inbhir Nis• Budapest• Paris• Tioradh• Steòrnabhag

Tapadh leibh!Tapadh leibh!

D.Chalmers@gcal.ac.ukH.ODonnell@gcal.ac.uk