Manx Gaelic: Chengey-ny-Mayrey Ellan Vannin -

A Language on the Edge

Phil Kelly

Rheynn Cullyn,

Skylley Maayl,

Mannin

[email protected] Email

http://homepages.enterprise.net/kelly/ URL

+44 1624 878640 Tel

Abstract

Manx Gaelic is most often described as "the extinct or former language of the Isle of Man." Whilst it is true that the language has been pushed to the edge, Manx speakers are now determined to show the world that it has not jumped or fallen, but on the contrary, it is fighting back as a modern, living and vigorous tongue that remains the language of choice for many. However, the help and expertise of other Celtic countries is required to speed up the process.

Beyond the Edge

"Manx Gaelic passed into oblivion as a native spoken language on the 24th December 1974 with the death of Edward Maddrell, the last reputed native speaker of the language. With him an Indo-European language disappeared, the first this century, one branch less on the tree." (1)

Such chilling words are commonplace reading for speakers of Manx Gaelic. They have heard the death knell for the language being continually sounded, not only in recent times, but also for many generations past. Today, the tolling of the bell persists in a variety of forms but mainly through a general misrepresentation of the state of the language in dictionaries, encyclopaedia, journals, reference works and even, as in the above example, on the Internet. All portray the same dark and dismal picture of Manx Gaelic - the stench of decline, decay and corruption is all-pervasive.

However, Manx speakers are not unduly surprised by this interpretation of the state of their language, indeed, they are inured to it, for the Manx language has had high profile detractors from early times. In a letter to John Wesley, the preacher George Holder expressed the desire to publish a Manx Hymn Book. In reply, Wesley wrote to him in November 1789:

"I exceedingly disapprove of your publishing anything in the Manx language. On the contrary, we should do everything in our power to abolish it from the earth, and to persuade every member of our Society to learn and talk English." (2)

Again in 1853 an observer was apparently content to report in a guidebook describing the Island's language in the following manner:

"The Manks is now only spoken in the north-western parishes and at a few localities along the western coast, though, with few exceptions, the natives are able to converse in the English language. The services in the parish churches are given alternately in the Manks and English languages, though the Manks is not taught in any of the parochial schools; and it is very probable that in the course of the next generation it will become utterly extinct, like many other of the early languages, before the masterly refinement and progress of the Anglo-Saxon race." (3)

It cannot, unfortunately, be asserted that all such assaults on the language were from careless or uninformed outsiders, as the homegrown sentiments of Edward Callow in 1899 clearly demonstrate, the attacks came also from within:

"Unlike the Welsh people, they (the Manx) have had the good sense to see the advantages of bringing up their children to use the English tongue, and only English is taught in the schools." (4)

Such then was, and to a lesser extent still is, the poor perception of the Manx language, that even less than a decade ago, one member of the Manx Government thought it proper, when appearing on a United Kingdom television channel, to expound his personal views regarding the proposal for teaching of the Manx language in schools in the following terms:

"There are more important priorities such as pre-school training, such as the serious development of modern languages, for example Spanish. I find this (the teaching of Manx) to be a somewhat costly indulgence." (5)

Typically, for him, as for many in the Isle of Man, the understanding of the language's worth was to be evaluated in purely monetary terms. His comments demonstrated not only a total lack of comprehension of the national and international significance of the Manx language culturally, but also served as an indictment of the paucity of his own values and perceptions whereby any language other than Manx appeared to have some intrinsic usefulness. These sentiments, although totally misdirected, are still a cause both for great sadness and annoyance to Manx speakers, in that they know such assertions to be entirely inaccurate and misleading. If the language can be portrayed so negatively at home, in what light do we expect the rest of the world to perceive it?

In many ways that same spirit of self-deprecation is not yet dead. Every ensuing generation unfailingly brings forth its harbingers of doom. They are prepared to disparage, denigrate and belittle, not only the efforts of those determined to promote a positive attitude towards learning the language, but the very language itself. Such a detrimental self perception should come as no surprise to Manx speakers, and although largely confined to a certain age group and mind set, such an attitude has been an undeniable hindrance to the favourable development of the language in general.

On the Edge

That the Manx language has been to the edge and looked over, is amply demonstrated by the census returns showing the numbers of speakers during the twentieth century.

1901 4,4191911 2,3821921 8961931 5311941 --- no census1951 3551961 1651971 2841981 --- no language question on census1991 634

By the 1960s the outlook for the language was certainly dire, but by the 1970s a sea change in attitudes had occurred which has resulted in a steady increase in interest over the following thirty years. Such has been the rate of change that a leading article in a local newspaper was able to report the following:

"A gradual but significant change in the political climate has resulted in a new initiative designed to ensure the survival, and hopefully revival, of the Manx language. For too long the political will necessary for the proper promotion of the language simply did not exist. Manx was regarded as a cultural hobby, as quaint and pointless as folk dancing, with little relevance to the modern world. Gaelic may not be much of a tourist attraction, but without it Manx heritage has no heart. It is the most complex, distinctive and unique feature of that heritage." (6)

It seems likely that the next census will show an increase to approximately one thousand speakers, even if the number of schoolchildrenwho have been learning Manx since 1992 is disregarded.

Retreat from the Edge

The main initiative taken in response to the change of public and political attitude was the creation of the Manx Language Unit as part of the Isle of Man Department of Education. This was established in 1992 with the aim of introducing the teaching of Manx within the Island's schools, and is supported by central government funds.

* To coordinate the teaching of the Manx Language throughout the Island's schools.

* To develop, manage and monitor the Manx Language programme for schools.

* To ensure the teaching of Manx in accordance with the policies and schemes of work approved by the Department of Education.

* To manage the curriculum development of the programme, and the methods and resources used.

* To undertake and organise such research as is required by the programme.

* To contribute to the training of other teachers, and to seek to increase the numbers of teachers capable of teaching the language.

* To develop the uptake of learning the language in the secondary schools.

* To develop, manage and implement systems of accreditation for learners of Manx.

* To liaise with Manx Language groups in the community.

* To promote positive attitudes to the language in the local community and further afield.

* To serve the language learning needs of existing speakers of the Manx Language to ensure enhanced standards.

* To provide a translation facility in liaison with Coonseil ny Gaelgey.

* To contribute to strategic planning for the further use of the language.

* To disseminate the information on all of the above activities as widely as possible.

Bearing in mind that these objectives were to be met initially with a team consisting only of a Manx Language Officer and two peripatetic schoolteachers, the scale of the task can be envisaged. However, vigorous efforts have been made to raise the profile of the language, particularly outside Mann. In the last year alone, members of the Manx Language Unit have had introductions to the U.K. Ministers of Education for both Scotland and Northern Ireland, and recently the Minister of Education for the Republic of Ireland. In addition members have visited, and formed useful contacts and ongoing links with Gaelic speakers in Skye, Belfast and Dublin. A liaison has also been formed with the island of Jersey, which is currently undertaking a similar language programme to Mann within its schools. In September 1999 the establishment of the Manx Language Unit was increased to a Manx Language Officer and three peripatetic teachers.

Recent Information and Communications Technology initiatives within the Island's schools have focused the need for the provision of readily accessible Manx material in electronic form. It is the Isle of Man Department of Education's stated aim "to prepare pupils for life in an information age and to enhance the process of teaching and learning." In order to achieve this the department will: -

* Continue to implement its ICT Strategy to create a National Grid for Learning.

* Ensure an adequate training programme for teachers and equip them with laptop or desktop computers for their own use.

* Enhance the ratio of modern computers to pupils to a target of 1:7 at Key Stage 1 and 2 and to 1:5 at Key Stage 3 and 4 by December 2000.

* By December 2001, training for teachers should ensure that all are confident with using ICT and know how to apply it in their subject.

It is self evident that if Manx is to increase, let alone maintain, its position and status within the school curriculum, it must be able to create and deliver modern attractive computer programs providing material of relevance and quality. It is important that Manx material should be equal to, if not better than, that which is now readily available for foreign language teaching. Technology has brought the hope that some of the expectations can be substantially fulfilled, but of course the use of technology is not without its own problems when only a small number of people are involved in its production and operation. To date the application of computer technology to Manx language teaching has been utilised in the following areas;

* The free provision of Manx language learning material on the World Wide Web.

* The provision of spellcheckers.

* Searchable and downloadable dictionaries.

* Downloadable phrase books and lessons.

* Provision of Manx language courses to assist distance learning.

* The use of some basic interactive learning for Manx.

* Provision and use of machine-readable Manx texts.

* Participation in Oracle's "Scoop" project for schools.

All the above are now a reality but remain very much in their infancy, as the production of suitable teaching material falls upon the same limited number of activists working for the maintenance of the language. Although geographically central in the Celtic speaking world, Manx unquestionably remains a language on the edge in a number of other ways.

Regrettably, Manx still remains on the periphery of many projects and initiatives from which it could undoubtedly benefit. It is often, understandably, overlooked because of the comparatively insignificant number of speakers and, hitherto, small voice. I would, therefore, appeal to all those presently working assiduously for the advancement of their own languages to consider if, in some way, their ideas and efforts could be shared and made available to their smaller relations. Much has already been achieved for Manx through the generosity of contacts in the other Gaelic speaking countries and also America, who have provided computer expertise including the processing and the hosting of data. Particular mention should be given to Caoimhín Ó Donnaíle at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and John T. McCranie at the University of California for their help and encouragement for Manx on the Internet.

The recently launched "Eurolang", a project of the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages, is a welcome new development in such partnerships; "The objectives of Eurolang are to supply national and regional media with news of general interest about Europe's linguistic diversity. It concentrates on minority and regional language matters and news from European Institutions which affect the minority communities of Europe." Unfortunately, Mann's political position, being outside of the EU, has for the present time left Manx once more on the edge and unable to participate - yet another example of a missed opportunity for us in Mann to share and cooperate.

Projects that may be considered worthy of joint production through cooperation between Gaelic speaking countries might include: -

* The compilation of a Triglot Gaelic Dictionary. This was first attempted by John Kelly in 1802 but unfortunately partially destroyed by fire at the printing press in 1808. Only three volumes A to Le survived the blaze and the further mysterious loss of two of these volumes by 1925 left only A to Bw extant. In the words of William Cubbon "The Manx language seems to be fated to suffer literary calamities: doubtless many manuscripts have perished unknown to us." A machine readable version would be far less susceptible the vagaries of wind, wave and fire to which others have succumbed and would plainly be of inestimable benefit to anyone engaged in the further study of the Gaelic languages.

* The production of a Triglot Gaelic database would naturally lead to exploring the feasibility of producing inter-Gaelic translation programs. This would overcome the present difficulties arising from such matters as the differences in spelling conventions and would substantially widen the scope of available written material which would be of particular value to Manx readers.

* The production of a large corpus of machine-readable texts in the three Gaelic languages suitable for comparative studies. Initially, consideration might be given to texts presently readily available such as in the Prayer Book and Bible.

* The setting up of a central database of people working in various fields. The database to consist of a register to list individuals who are engaged in research in some area of Gaelic Studies and who are prepared to make others aware of their work and perhaps, are willing to share their expertise in collaborative ventures. Such a register to be kept updated and extended at regular intervals.

Describing Manx as a Language on the Edge may seem to be reinforcing the very arguments of the pessimists previously quoted. However, I believe that the language is now "on the edge" in another and more constructive sense. Manx in the twenty-first century is undoubtedly on the edge of a significant breakthrough in numbers, status and utilisation and there is every reason to have great optimism for the future of the language. We may still take comfort from the words and observations of an old Manx fisherman, conversing with George Borrow on the 23rd of August 1855, but which nonetheless, still ring true down the years:

"I said that I believed there were a great many Manx people ashamed to speak Manx, and that in a little time it would be discontinued; he said, No Manxman need be ashamed of speaking the language of his country, and that Manx would be spoken as long as Man floated."

Fortunately, it is not only the Island itself that has remained buoyant over the years but also the hopes and aspirations of an ever increasing number of Manx speakers. Their enthusiasm and drive has ensured not only a retreat from the edge, but a positive move for Manx back towards the centre of the Celtic speaking world.

References

(1) http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/~stephen/manxgaelicwww.html .

(2) Proceedings 6.1.26, Mannin 9.516.

(3) Kerruish's Guide to the Isle of Man.

(4) From King Orry to Queen Victoria, Edward Callow 1899.

(5) David Corlett M.H.K. B.B.C. Television.

(6) Stadtler Waldorf, I.O.M. Examiner, June 1991.