Category: UGC

Cuairt Ghàidhealach

~ Gordon Wells ~ 1 Comment

Seo eisimpleir dhen obair a chaidh a dhèanamh nuair a chaidh sgioba Uibhisteach a-null a dh’Èirinn o chionn treiseag. Bhathas airson an dòigh obrach aig Guthan nan Eilean a thaisbeanadh ann an coimhearsnachd Ghàidhealach ann an Tìr Chonaill far a bheil Gaeilge na h-Èirinn fhathast làidir. Chaidh am film goirid seo a dhèanamh le tionndaidhean ann am Beurla, Gàidhlig, agus Gaeilge. A bharrachd air sin chaidh clàraidhean a dhèanamh (an dà chuid video agus audio) le daoine a’ bruidhinn gu nàdarra, san aon stoidhle ’s a th’ againn an seo.

Cluinnear cuideachd cuid dhe na beachdan aig Nìall agus aig Eairdsidh air na dh’ionnsaich iad air a’ chuairt.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bizb_Y_mU8]

(For an English version of this post please see the Am Pàipear Voices page.)

Islanders in Ireland

~ Gordon Wells ~ 2 Comments

Many thanks to Am Pàipear for their coverage of the Island Voices project trip to Ireland last month. You can read the report here.

The team have been busy since their return too, and it should not be long now before we see some trilingual online “extras” coming out of the Island Voices stable. Watch this space!

And then there’s also the return visit from the Irish partners to look forward to…

Àiridh na h-Aon Oidhche

~ Gordon Wells ~ 2 Comments

Master raconteur Norman Maclean tells the spine-tingling Gaelic tale of Àiridh na h-Aon Oidhche, a local landmark out near Rueval in Benbecula, and reveals how it got its name.

He relates the story for Mary Morrison, an enthusiastic community participant in the Island Voices project.  Mary got some other gems during her brief visit with Norman, and she has already displayed her talent for using traditional tales as a basis for imaginative drama work with schools and in the community. We can surely look forward to seeing some interesting and entertaining follow-ups to this very valuable groundwork…

Update: A wordlinked Clilstore version is now available via this link.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNuexnaek-Y?rel=0]

Views of Àiridh na h-Aon Oidhche

The curious (or foolhardy?) can click on these pictures for expanded views of Àiridh na h-Aon Oidhche, photographed by Catherine Eunson.

Outlined against the skyline when viewed from the neighbouring chambered cairn to the south and west.
Outlined against the eastern skyline, seen from the neighbouring chambered cairn.
Is this the fateful clòsaid?
Is this the fateful clòsaid?
In profile
In profile

Iain Trumisgarry – A Conversation

~ Gordon Wells ~ 5 Comments

“Difficult Encounters with Mother Earth” – Iain talks to his old friend and neighbour, Mary Morrison, a retired English teacher and revitalised Gaelic learner. Their conversation covers three generations of family and friends from the acquisition of the croft, through the many changes since, to current practice today, via English-teaching in Spain, the North Uist Highland Games and many other highlights…

Iain speaks clearly and precisely and is always keen to encourage Gaelic learners. This is Mary’s first Gaelic interview.

Checkout Chat

~ Gordon Wells ~ 1 Comment

Followers of Island Voices already know that Volker is a man of many parts.

And Uist residents are mostly aware of his dedication to learning and using Gaelic. But who knew that his creative impulses extend also to scriptwriting?

In another first for Island Voices, Volker has produced his own humorous take on a “chat at the checkout”.

Listen here:

If you would like to read while you listen, Volker’s script is here.

Listeners can judge for themselves how good his Gaelic sounds. And if you want to try it out for real next time you meet him you can be sure that he’ll be only too happy to oblige with a friendly word or two!

Loriana agus a cù

~ Gordon Wells ~ 2 Comments

It may feel presumptuous for a Gaelic learner to assume that they can just start up a conversation in the language with any local person they meet. In a bilingual community the patterns of language use and language choice can be complex between neighbours, friends, and relations. But once it becomes known that a newcomer is eager to learn and speak Gaelic then many people may well wish to help in any way they can, for example by trying out some simple conversations with the learner.

Loriana Pauli has used Ipadio to try out some of her Gaelic, and hopes that will encourage others to speak to her in the language. It’s becoming urgent – her new dog, Roy, has no English!