Sgeul na Gàidhlig aig cridhe leasachadh an ath Phlana Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu

Published: 9 November 2022

University of Glasgow’s Gaelic story at forefront of new Gaelic Language Plan proposals

Bidh sgeul na Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu aig teis-meadhan a’ cho-chomhairleachaidh air an treasamh Plana Gàidhlig, a thèid a chur air bhog Diciadain 9mh Samhain 2022.  

Tha e na amas dhan Phlana ùr gum bithear a’ togail air na chaidh a choileanadh anns an dà phlana mu dheireadh (2013 agus 2018) agus àrdachadh a bharrachd a thoirt air cliù an Oilthighe mar shàr ionad airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig. 

’S e aon de na prìomh chuspairean a tha a’ ruith tron dreachd phlana thar trì seiseanan acadaimigeach, gun tèid Sgeul na Gàidhlig bho 1451 gu ruige an-diugh innse is a bhrosnachadh às ùr tro phròiseactan cruthachail, tachartasan is turasan.

Thuirt Iar Phrionnsabail – Leasachadh Eaconamach is Ùr-ghnàthachas, Uzma Khan: “Tha e na thlachd mhòr dhomh a bhith an sàs is a’ cumail taic ri leasachadh Plana Gàidhlig an Oilthighe.  

“Tha brosnachadh is dìon cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig cudromach do mhòran dar n-oileanaich is luchd-obrach, agus tron phlana seo, tha sinn an dùil ri sgeul na Gàidhlig a mheudachadh is a chumail a’ dol anns an  Oilthigh. Tha sinn ag aithneachadh cho cudromach is a tha ar coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig don Oilthigh, is bidh sinn ag obair gu dlùth gus drochaidean a thogail le daoine aig a bheil ceangal leis a’ Ghàidhlig, fhad is a bhios sinn a’ gabhail ceum air adhart a rèir ar rùintean leasachaidh”.

Bidh am plana cuideachd a’ gabhail ealla ris mar a thug an cànan is an cultar buaidh air an Oilthigh rè nam bliadhnaichean is mar a tha i a’ toirt buaidh air seo fhathast. Le bhith a’ rùrachadh na h-eachdraidh smaoineachail seo thig slighe is lèirsinn am follais airson rathad air adhart do leasachadh na Gàidhlig am measg ar coimhearsnachd anns an àm ri teachd.

Thuirt Ruairidh Greumach, Manaidsear ùr Leasachaidh na Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu: “Mar chuideigin le ùidh phearsanta ann a bhith a’ leantainn is a’ cur suim anns na h-iomairtean leasachaidh aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu airson iomadach bliadhna, tha e air a bhith na thlachd dhomh tighinn air bòrd gus an treasamh plana a leasachadh.

“Tha mòran ghealltanasan anns an Dreachd Phlana a tha mi creidsinn a bhios a’ neartachadh suidheachadh na Gàidhlig anns an Oilthigh thar nan trì bliadhna a tha romhainn, is le bhith ag obair còmhla ri oileanaich is luchd-obrach, is air an taobh a-muigh am measg chom-pàirtichean, le buidhnean is le coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig, bidh cothrom air leth ann gun tig toraidhean a-mach às a’ phlana a bheir buaidh air leasachadh is seasmhachd na Gàidhlig san fharsaingeachd.”

Thuirt an t-Ollamh Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Sgoil nan Daonnachdan: “Mar Ollamh na Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu, tha e air a bhith sgoinneil is smaoineachail leasachadh phrìomh iomairtean san roinn againn fhaicinn a’ tighinn gu buil ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu thar nam bliadhnaichean. Tha mi air bhioran airson an ath cheum seo fhaicinn ann an slighe Oilthigh Ghlaschu a bhios a’ toirt beò sgeul na Gàidhlig an dà chuid gu eachdraidheil agus san là an-diugh airson ar treòrachadh a dh’ionnsaigh an ath cheum. Chuirinn fàilte air beachdan tron co-chomhairleachadh bho dhuine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh ann an Gàidhlig.

Bidh an co-chomhairleachadh a’ ruith eadar Diciadain 9mh Samhainn agus Dihaoine 14mh Dùbhlachd. Tha 26 gealltanasan mar phàirt de threasamh Plana Gàidhlig Oilthigh Ghlaschu, thairis air 5 raointean leasachaidh a’ gabhail a-steach ionnsachadh & seirbhisean agus rannsachadh is tional dàta.  

Bidh Manaidsear Leasachaidh na Gàidhlig a’ cur air dòigh tachartasan le taisbeanadh den phlana is le cothrom aig buidhnean le ùidh na molaidhean aca a chur a-steach. Bidh na tachartasan seo a’ gabhail àite aghaidh ri aghaidh is cuideachd air-loidhne air àrainn an Oilthighe is air falbh bhon champus.  

’S e aon de na prìomh amasan sa phlana Gàidhlig a shuidheachadh nas fhaisge air meadhan an Oilthighe. Thèid seo a choileanadh le bhith ag obair ann am com-pàirt le barrachd sgiobaidhean air feadh an Oilthighe tro lìonraidhean ùra mar Ghaisgich na Gàidhlig – lìonraidh airson luchd-obrach – is le bhith a’ leasachadh Plana Gnìomh is Sgrùdaidh Gàidhlig le uallach airson lìbhrigeadh a’ phlana air a’ cho-roinn am measg barrachd sgiobaidhean is luchd-obrach iomchaidh.

Tha e an amas dhan dreachd phlana gum bithear a’ dol an sàs barrachd leis a’ choimhearsnachd, is bidh sinn a’ rùrachadh nan cothroman a dh’fhaodadh a bhith ann airson bus Gàidhlig na Coimhearsnachd a stèidheachadh. Tha am pròiseact seo ann an co-bhann le Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu is bithear a’ toirt sùil air an iarrtas a th’ ann airson seirbhis bus a thèid a bhucadh le muinntir na Gàidhlig gus tachartasan Gàidhlig a fhrithealadh is m.s.a.a.. Leis a’ phròiseact seo, bidh an cothrom ann ceangal a chruthachadh eadar leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus leasachadh a thoirt air cuspairean sòisealta mar aonranachd.

Tha solar a bharrachd sa phlana cuideachd a thaobh fàs sgeamaichean Gàidhlig, mar an t-amas fàis de 50% gach bliadhna a thoirt air Sgeama Taigh na Gàidhlig thar nan trì bliadhna a tha romhainn, is a bhith a’ coimhead air tachartasan is turasan ùra chruthachadh is le cothrom coimhead ri Co-labhairt mion-chànain airson oileanaich.


The Gaelic story of the University of Glasgow is at forefront in its consultation, launching today, for its third Gaelic Language Plan

The new draft Plan aims to building upon the last two Gaelic Plans (2013 and 2018) and the University’s excellent reputation as a leader of Gaelic Language development work.

A central theme running through the draft Plan, which covers three academic sessions 2023 – 2026, is to foster and encourage, through creative projects, events and tours, the story of Gaelic at the University from its foundation in 1451 till the present day.

Uzma Khan, Vice Principal – Economic Development and Innovation, said: “It’s a huge pleasure to be involved in supporting the development of the Gaelic Language Plan at the University.

“Promoting and preserving the use of Gaelic language and its culture is important for many of our students and colleagues, and through this action plan, we hope to continue and broaden the Gaelic story here at the University.  We recognise that our Gaelic community is a hugely important asset to the University, and we will work closely to bridge the links with all those who have a connection to Gaelic, as we drive forward our ambitions in this space”

The plan also looks at how the language and culture has helped shape the University and continues to do so. The exploration of this fascinating story of Gaelic and the University of Glasgow will build a case to inform the vision for further developments across our community into the future.

Ruairidh Graham, the University of Glasgow’s new Gaelic Development Manager, said: “As a great admirer of the University of Glasgow’s Gaelic language development initiatives over many years, it’s been a pleasure to come on board to develop the third iteration of the Gaelic Plan.

“There are many commitments within the Draft Plan that I believe will strengthen the position of Gaelic within the University over the next three years, and by engaging with students, staff and externally in partnership with organisations and with Gaelic communities there is great potential for this plan to have tangible impact that supports the development and sustainability of Gaelic generally”

Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh of the University’s School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan said “As Professor of Gaelic at the University of Glasgow, it has been tremendous to witness over many years the development of sector-leading initiatives to support Gaelic throughout the University. I am excited about this next step in the University’s journey that will bring to light the historical and ongoing story of Gaelic at the University, and for this to inform where we take it next. I would encourage everyone with an interest in Gaelic to consider giving us their views on our new plan through the public consultation exercise.”

The public consultation will run from now to Wednesday 14 December 2022. The third University of Glasgow Gaelic Language Plan includes 26 commitments over five development areas including learning & services and research & data collection.

The Gaelic Development Manager will be hosting events with a presentation of the Plan with the opportunity for stakeholder groups to feedback on the draft. These will be held virtually and physically at events on and off campus. 

One of the main aims of the new Plan is to position Gaelic more fully into the core of the University. This work will include engaging with more teams across the University via the creation of new networks – such as Gaisgich na Gàidhlig (lit. ‘Gaelic Heroes’) network for staff – and through the development of a Gaelic Action and Monitoring Plan with responsibilities for plan delivery shared through more teams and selected staff.

The draft Plan also seeks to engage with the local Gaelic community in Glasgow through events, and through the potential to create a Gaelic bus service. This project is in association with Glasgow City Council and looks at what demand there exists for a bookable bus service focused on the Gaelic community. In particular, on elderly Gaelic speaking residents that would like to attend Gaelic events, etc. With this project there is the potential to marry Gaelic development goals with alleviating societal development goals such as loneliness and isolation.

The Plan also has provisions to grow language schemes for students such as the Gaelic Language Residency Scheme - Taigh na Gàidhlig - by 50% year on year over the next three years and explore exciting new events, tours and the potential for a Student Minority Language Conference.

First published: 9 November 2022