Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
11 September 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 11 September 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Policy and Finance Committee today agreed to join other agencies in funding an innovative, on-line language project aimed at developing the writing skills of Gaelic speakers.
The project, part of the European Year of Languages, is a joint initiative featuring three lesser used languages: Sami (Scandinavia), Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic. The project will be a model in using ICT and distance learning techniques to overcome difficulties in providing language courses, particularly geographical access and sparsity of population.
A common feature of all three languages is that they are largely based around an oral tradiiton, with efforts to introduce literacy strategies only developing recently. Because of the relatively small number of fluent speakers, this has resulted in a severe shortage of authors, teachers, scriptwriters and journalists.
Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, Cllr. Roddy Murray, said:
"This project will provide students with the writing skills necessary for
areas where there are employment opportunities in the Gaelic economy. It will
be particularly suitable for those living in remote communities and this project
will be a model for other minority language communities within Europe."
The project, to be based at the UHI campus at Lews Castle College, will start
in October and last until early Spring. It will create two part time posts.
Other funding agencies are WIE, CNAG and CCG.
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk