Gaelic project to grow in South Uist

A pilot project to increase the uptake of Gaelic in South Uist will begin in February next year.

‘Càirdeas Coimhearsnachd’ aims to pair fluent speakers with different age groups in social contexts to reinforce vocabulary, use and relationships through the language.

The project is based on similar language programmes run by the Office of Gaelic Affairs in Nova Scotia, Canada, such as ‘Bun is Bàrr’ and ‘Na Gaisgich Òga’.

Ceòlas Uibhist and Comunn na Gàidhlig will lead the project with support from Cothrom Limited, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Running between February and June, they are looking for three different groups: children under the age of P4, teenagers in S1-S3 and fluent speakers over the age of 18.

Fluent participants will receive an honorarium for their time.

Regular sessions will seek to build on participants’ language skills.

Parents will receive practical support towards raising their children with the Gaelic language.

Màiri Ann Chaimbeul, from Comunn na Gàidhlig, said: ‘We’re looking forward to working with other community organisations in Uist on this project. Partnership work is a very important part of operating in small communities.’

Shona MacLennan of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: ‘This is an exciting project which will support the National Gaelic Language Plan’s aim of more people speaking Gaelic more often in more situations.

‘It’s a great opportunity for young people to benefit from older people’s knowledge and ensure the richness of the language is passed on through the different generations.’

For more information, visit the Ceòlas website or phone 01878 700154.