The BT National Gaelic Debate

The following extract appeared in the November edition of An Gaidheal Ur (a monthly Gaelic newspaper). It was written by the award winning writer Aonghas Padraig Caimbeul (Angus Peter Campbell) about the BT National Gaelic Debate. Gairloch High was represented at the debate in Inverness at the start of November by Anna Hulme and Kirsty Alexander.

Deasbad Ghàidhlig a’ toirt àite àbhaisteachd dhan chànan

… bha iad a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig. Agus chan ann dìreach anns an deasbad fhoirmeil air an àrd-ùrlar fa chomhair an t-sluaigh fhad ‘s a bha na microfonaichean air, ach cuideachd – fhad ‘s a chunnaic agus a chuala mise — eatorra fhèin taobh a-muigh na talla.

Bha dà sgoilear òg à Geàrrloch, mar eisimpleir, a bha nan adhbhar misneachd cho mòr dhòmhsa. Dà nighean a bha gu saor thoileach a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig ri chèile nuair nach robh cluas no sùil tidseir no inbhich sam bith orra. Sin nuair a thig piseach as fhiach air a’ chànan: nuair a thaghas an òigridh fhèin, gu saor thoileach, an cànan a chleachdadh.

Gaelic Debate giving a natural setting to the language

. . . they were using Gaelic. And this was not just in the formal debate on the stage in the presence of the people while the microphones were on, but also – as I saw and heard – between themselves outside the hall.

There were two young pupils from Gairloch, for example, who were particularly encouraging to me. Two girls who were entirely happy to talk Gaelic together even when there was no teacher or adult looking over them. That is what brings increased value to the language, when the young choose for themselves, happily, to use the language.