Mobile app to get youth in tune with Gaelic words
● Competition for poetry will be launched to inspire next generation
An electronic app designed to help youth to learn simple Gaelic phrases has been launched at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon.
The app, Abair Abairtean!, has been rolled out by Gaelic educational resources organisation Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, which commissioned its development.
The launch will be followed today by another announcement from Stòrlann – this time about a poetry competition being run in partnership with Urras Shomhairle, The Sorley Maclean Trust.
The competition aims to inspire a new generation of Gaelic poets and is open to all secondary school pupils.
Stòrlann intends to use the winning entries as classroom resources.
The Gaelic learning app can be downloaded through itunes and features 50 phrases suitable for situations around the house and outside.
The phrases are organised by categories such as ‘at the table’ and ‘praise’. Examples include ‘ith do bhiadh’, which translates as ‘eat your food’, and ‘nighean mhath’ (good girl).
Abair Abairtean! is the app version of Storlann’s popular hand-held Gaelic flashcards.
Both the app and the flashcards give the phonetic pronunciation alongside the Gaelic and English translations – and the app also has audio for the Gaelic.
Shona Maclennan, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “We are delighted to see this new resource for children and parents. It is fun and easy to use and since the words and phrases are on audio, it’ll provide great support to learners of Gaelic.”
Donald W Morrison, chief executive of Storlann Naiseanta na Gaidhlig, said the Mod Showcase at the Queen’s Hall in Dunoon was the natural place for launching the app and the competition.
“The app is for general use, to support Gaelic learning, although it is very much aimed at pre-school,” he said.
The Farpais Bàrdachd Gàidhlig competition has meanwhile been launched in memory of the famous Gaelic poet. Poems of any length can be entered. Entries will be split into three age groups – first and second year, third and fourth, and fifth and sixth.
A panel will judge the entries, which have to be in by 8 February next year.