Gaelic Broadcasting: issues, challenges

and the way forward

15 March 2016

CONFERENCE REPORT

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Introduction

Gaelic broadcasting and the media were the focus of a one-day conference organised by the

department of Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University on 15th March 2016,

where campaign group members, broadcasters, and audience community representatives

discussed current issues and potential future developments. The conference was open to any

groups or individuals with an interest in the topic.

Speakers at the conference included representatives of campaigning group Gàidhlig-TV, MG

ALBA/BBC ALBA, and experts Professor Philip Schlesinger from Glasgow University, Dr

Eithne O’Connell from Dublin City University and Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones from

Aberystwyth University.

PROCEEDINGS

The conference was chaired by Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan, Soillse Research Fellow,

Celtic & Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh, and at the outset he thanked all those

involved in planning and producing the conference and also Bòrd na Gàidhlig and MG

ALBA for financial support which had made the event possible.

Defining the conference aims and objectives, Dr MacLennan referred to some of the

questions and challenges facing Gaelic broadcasting, and he speculated on the sort of

solutions and recommendations which the event might produce:

Developments at the BBC

Official consultations and reviews

National political developments: elections etc.

Unease concerning broadcasting and the media in general

Inadequate consultation methodology?

Detailed debate towards an agreed overview and an annual event.

Dr MacLennan said that the conference would also add to Edinburgh University’s research

on broadcasting, and that Dr Allan Campbell would give a summary at the end of the

conference and then prepare a report of the event. Two appendices have been added to the

conference report at the request of delegates: some suggestions from Duncan Ferguson,

Plockton (Appendix 1, p. 13), and a paper prepared for the conference by the campaigning

group Gàidhlig-TV (Appendix 2, p. 14). The third appendix, on pages 28–9, is a list of

attendees.

The Chairman welcomed the first speaker, Michael Russell MSP.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Michael Russell MSP

Mr Russell commented on the enormous progress which had taken place in Gaelic

broadcasting over the past forty years. There had been only five hours per year of Gaelic

programming on television in 1978, he said, and although we were still not fully satisfied

with what we have, we should consider the way forward from the position we have now

rather than be looking back.

The public wishes to be engaged in new developments, he said, and one of the challenges for

broadcasters, and for Scotland, is to find a way to enable them to be so involved. He

reminded those present of the significant linkage between the inherent strength of Gaelic and

of broadcasting in the language, and he observed that technical advances are creating new

opportunities for both. As an example he referred to a short film which he himself had

prepared fairly quickly using only a mobile phone.

Margaret Mary Murray of BBC ALBA agreed and commented that anyone could access

this kind of technology now and publish material on such sites as YouTube.

Mr Russell went on to say that another element of the challenge faced by broadcasters and the

country is how to create opportunities to enable people to develop their ideas, and how to

bring these to fruition. How are we going to realise this aspiration? Broadcasting structures

must become more democratic, and policies must change he said. New activist campaigns are

required!

The Chairman thanked Michael Russell for his comments and he welcomed the second

speaker, Professor Philip Schlesinger from the University of Glasgow.

Professor Philip Schlesinger

Reminding his audience of the critical linkage which language and media have with the self-

esteem and identity of viewers and listeners, Professor Schlesinger started by taking a broad

overview of the media in the United Kingdom.

Wide-ranging changes – for political economic and technological reasons – are coming to

broadcast production, distribution and consumption. Indeed, they are already under way.

Public service broadcasting faces major challenges, not least from new entrants: Over the

Top (OTT) and Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) and the gradual loss of position

of the licence fee.

The Clementi Review1 had set the scene for reshaping BBC governance and regulation,

and also for how operating licences may work in the nations – of key pertinence to

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The BBC is partly shifting towards publisher-broadcasting in the form of BBC Studios.

1https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/504003/PDF_FINAL_20160224

_AM_Clementi_Review.pdf

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

There are questions – for different reasons – about the future of ITV, Channel 4 and STV

– that is, the present PSB configuration.

The consensus is that PSB is losing generational purchase and younger demographics are

consuming differently.

While channels will persist, brands will be increasingly important, and how content is

discovered, packaged and used is going to change radically in the short to medium term

Allan Esslemont – MG ALBA: What is the future for public service broadcasting and

existing “broadcasting brands”?

Philip Schlesinger : Changes will evolve over a long period and the position will be

challenged and influenced by viewer behaviour. As people’s media options expand

broadcasters will increasingly be challenged to find ways of retaining viewer / listener

fidelity.

Maggie Cunningham – BBC ALBA: Would there be any hope for a federal BBC in

Scotland?

Philip Schlesinger: Differing licensing systems within the United Kingdom could create

serious problems. A federal BBC in Scotland would require major changes in its structure

and governance.

The Chairman thanked Professor Schlesinger and he welcomed Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, the

Minister for Learning, Science, and Scotland’s Languages.

Dr Alasdair Allan MSP

Dr Allan said he was an enthusiastic supporter of BBC ALBA because not only did he have

Ministerial responsibility for the service, but the organisation is also based in his

parliamentary constituency. There was a strong working relationship between the Scottish

Government, MG ALBA and BBC ALBA, he said, and the Government wanted to provide

continuing support to Gaelic broadcasting.

Working closely with MG ALBA on successful projects such as FilmG and LearnGaelic.

BBC ALBA and MG ALBA adding particular value to broadcasting in general.

BBC ALBA providing significant economic benefit in peripheral areas.

Increased jobs, skills and training, and benefits for creative industries, the arts, sport,

music, and education.

Obvious benefits also for the Gaelic language, where the Government is wishing to make

developmental progress. Unquestionably Gaelic broadcasting is contributing to

educational development, and the use of the language in the home and in the community.

BBC ALBA is also assisting Gaelic arts and promoting the language across Scotland to

homes where it would otherwise never be heard.

The new BBC Royal Charter will have major implications for BBC ALBA and among

other points raised in its submission on the Charter the Scottish Government is asking the

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

BBC to provide a similar level of original programming, in Gaelic, to BBC ALBA as it

provides to S4C in Welsh. Dr Allan would welcome a move by the BBC towards parity

of provision for indigenous language programming.

Scottish Government wants to support BBC ALBA and Radio nan Gaidheal, and he

suggested to the BBC that they should use similar partnerships in other contexts.

Scottish Government believes that the BBC ALBA service is of a very high standard and

delivering excellent value in return for the public investment, and the Minister wanted to

hear differing views on how the various continuing gaps in content provision might be

filled.

Scottish Government believes that there would be positive national benefit from

distributing BBC ALBA programmes more widely across networks, enriching television

programming across the United Kingdom, and contributing to its cultural diversity.

Scottish Government wishes that the cooperation between MG ALBA and the BBC, and

the benefits this is producing, will continue.

Given that the partnership between MG ALBA and the BBC is contributing to the

Government aspiration to increase the number of people speaking, using, and learning

Gaelic, the Minister wishes the service to get the resources it requires to produce a variety

of programmes of the best possible quality.

As the Minister had to return to Parliament immediately he said he did not have time to take

questions. The Chairman thanked him for making time to attend the conference, and he

promised that any questions raised would be passed to the Minister.

Mary Ann Kennedy: Attendees at this event heard earlier today how people’s methods of

accessing media services are changing. To some extent this moves some public service

responsibility from the BBC to Government and people are being disadvantaged by

weaknesses in broadband provision in some rural areas. What is the Government doing to

deliver uniform broadband provision to everyone?

David Brew – BBC ALBA: A question for the Scottish Government. With Gaelic

broadcasting being a microcosm of the big broadcasting challenge, what ideas does the

Government have for alternative methods of funding public service broadcasting? A

subscription system for example?

Aonghas MacNeacail – Gaidhlig.tv : (responding to David Brew) Gaelic’s problems today

are a direct result of destructive policies imposed on it over many years by successive British

Governments. Government has a moral responsibility to make reparation!

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones –Aberystwyth University: Given the importance of

broadcasting to minority language development what role does Scottish Government see for

Gaelic in public service broadcasting?

The Chairman welcomed Margaret Mary Murray, BBC ALBA, and Donald Campbell, MG

ALBA, to address the conference.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Donald Campbell

MG ALBA and BBC ALBA were delighted to hear people’s views.

MG ALBA and BBC ALBA management have confidence in the opinions of viewers and

listeners and this leads them to believe that radio predominantly serves the needs of fluent

speakers but that the Gaelic television service has a particular responsibility to support

learners of the language. Over and above this duty the service has also got economic

development and job creation responsibilities.

Mindful of the new ways in which people are now using and accessing media, Donald praised

those who are producing Gaelic materials for social media outlets.

Since its launch in 2008 BBC ALBA has suffered from inadequate funding, and this is still

the case against the background of the tough debate currently taking place regarding the

future of national broadcasting services. He (Donald) and a member of his Board had met

with John Whittingdale (Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport) to make the case

for Gaelic broadcasting.

Donald said that when television first arrived in the Gaelic speaking communities it

introduced English into Gaelic homes. BBC ALBA now has a responsibility to reverse that

wrong.

Margaret Mary Murray

BBC ALBA was established on the strong broadcasting legacy delivered by BBC Radio nan

Gaidheal, and Gaelic broadcasting is unique in being the only minority language broadcasting

service managed by one organisation.

Margaret Mary went on to present detailed information on how its audience reacted to BBC

ALBA output, and with particular attention to how things had gone during 2015. The

presentation was informed by research and evaluation which is carried out by the company

Lèirsinn for BBC ALBA.

New vision for a new century.

Insight for viewers.

Ambitious and different.

What did people watch in 2015?

What did they most like in 2015?

Awareness of BBC ALBA in Scotland?

In February 2016 83% of people in Scotland aware of BBC ALBA, and consequently

aware of Gaelic.

Radio nan Gaidheal reach to users of Gaelic?

Gaelic broadcasting reach to population of Scotland?

What do people watch?

Gaelic viewer choice compared to average Scottish viewer.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Impact of the iPlayer

New digital world – social media.

BBC ALBA reach compared to other minority-language channels.

What people like about BBC ALBA?

What people dislike about BBC ALBA?

Why don’t people watch BBC ALBA – what would encourage them to view it?

What else were people watching?

Gaelic broadcasting network.

Objectives, opportunities, and perfection

Forward with confidence.

Opportunities and bold progression.

More comprehensive service for users of Gaelic.

National impact enhancing status and normalisation.

Skilled and successful Gaelic media community

Lively culture in Gaelic media particularly in relation to young people.

Economic benefit and employment.

International market for Gaelic and our culture.

Following a break for lunch the Chairman commenced the afternoon session by welcoming

Lisa Storey from the campaigning group Gaidhlig-TV.

Lisa Storey

Broadcasting is not a panacea for language revitalization, but can make a significant

contribution. Current practice with regard to BBC ALBA – the deliberate promotion of

English-language programme content – is based on a misguided ideology. It is damaging

to Gaelic, the language it claims to support.

A set of new priorities for BBC ALBA for the period 2016-2021 is proposed. These are

achievable and cost-effective. They include Gaelic voice-overs, Gaelic as an essential job

requirement, improved language support based on European experience, optional Gaelic

subtitles and a re-evaluation of criteria for ‘success’. Are there lessons for other

minoritized languages?

The MG ALBA-driven practice of burnt-in English language subtitles should cease

immediately. Ofcom and the BBC Trust have confirmed they are not necessary. Best

language practice suggests that any optional English subtitles should be ‘opt-in’, i.e. of

the closed variety.

The Scottish Government should work towards a substantial increase in investment in

BBC ALBA and Gaelic broadcasting. The current contribution of circa £13 million for

BBC ALBA is miniscule in fiscal terms. Scottish Government funding should place

greater emphasis on the use of Gaelic within programming.

As the global dominance of majority languages such as English strengthens, it will be

ever more important for minoritized languages to have places, as Dr Simon Brooks

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

suggests, ‘where they can be used and enjoyed without harassment’.2 Minoritized

language media have a key role to play.

Mindful that a panel would be responding to questions at the end of conference the Chairman

asked that questions be held until then. He thanked Lisa Storey and welcomed Dr Eithne

O’Connell from Dublin City University.

Dr Eithne O’Connell

Minority Language (ML) broadcasting depends on the goodwill of all licence fee

payers/taxpayers. It must draw its audiences from all sectors of society, i.e. ML speakers

and learners, as well as passively interested or disinterested and even hostile groups, with

little or no knowledge of the language.

Laboratory research shows that subtitles can be useful language learning tools because i)

they are read involuntarily (i.e. cannot be ignored), ii) they require more cognitive

processing than both video or audio, respectively, and iii) consequently, subtitled

content is more easily remembered. This has positive implications for vocabulary

acquisition and retention.

ML programming, which offers ML audio with English-language subtitles, does not

represent a balanced linguistic compromise because the English subtitles, which

audiences cannot help reading, override the ML audio content, changing an ostensibly

ML programme into an experience of processing primarily English-language content.

Both types of subtitles have advantages and disadvantages: ML subtitles increase the ML

language visibility and therefore its status and prestige and can also support the

maintenance and development of the ML. English-language subtitles can attract wider

audiences, stimulate interest and win outside support for the ML community.

Optional subtitles in both languages may represent a better compromise although such a

solution can also be problematic in relation to the issue of which language should

function as the default subtitle language.

The Chairman thanked Dr O’Connell and welcomed Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones from

Aberystwyth University.

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones

There is a need for new methods of assessing the strength of minority languages. For

example, can food be ordered and received through the medium of the language?

The numbers using Welsh, and the number of children receiving Welsh medium

education, are declining. Without a steady growth of numbers in Welsh medium

education, and Gaelic medium education, neither S4C nor BBC ALBA will grow

audiences for the future.

2Simon Brooks (2016), http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/136328340532/tv-subtitles-and-the-strange-death-of-the-

welsh

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

In Wales the tightening in S4C’s budgeting has resulted in almost total loss of marketing

and promotional budgets over the past few years in order to release more funds to

programme budgets. This has resulted in the channel losing contact with, for example,

children who would previously have been involved in the education projects which it

used to sponsor. Minority language promotion is critical!

S4C has a serious challenge as young people opt for new methods for accessing media

and forsake traditional programming. Young people appear to prefer information to be

delivered in shorter formats.

This all underlines how critically important it is to fully integrate all development strategy

and activity for any minority language, such as Gaelic.

S4C is a Welsh language channel and Welsh should be its principal language, as we live

in a multilingual world.

The language policy demonstrated by any “branded channel” will have a bearing on the

broadcaster’s image, and on the channel’s principal language.

It is necessary to live through a language as Gaidhlig.tv is doing, and the existence of this

campaigning group is a measure of language strength.

The Chairman thanked Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones and he asked all the speakers to

assemble as a panel in order to respond to questions. Aonghas MacNeacail would represent

Gaidhlig.tv on the panel in place of Lisa Storey.

Iain MacIlleChiar (to BBC ALBA): Why are Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4 not available

on FREESAT, and why aren’t some of their programmes to be seen on BBC ALBA?

Allan Esslemont – BBC ALBA: These services should still be available on FREESAT if

you re-tune your receiver. TG4 is a valuable potential source of material for BBC ALBA and

negotiations are taking place to enable the purchase of the maximum amount of programming

from them.

Allan MacDonald (to BBC ALBA): We heard from Eithne O’Connell that English subtitles

are of no benefit to Gaelic. Are you going to respond to this advice?

Margaret Mary Murray – BBC ALBA: We are listening – and seeking solutions to enable

viewers to have the maximum range of options. There are two sides to the issue and one

solution is not going to satisfy all. Programmes can be viewed on WatchGaelic without

subtitles and Gaelic subtitles are available on LearnGaelic, but it would appear that some

people are not aware of these. There is clearly need to do more promotion of LearnGaelic

and WatchGaelic.

Donald Campbell – MG ALBA: Only 3 in 10 of programmes made by BBC ALBA carry

subtitles. TG4 is investigating what can be done on the internet to show programmes without

subtitles. The support system for the hard of hearing may provide an opportunity – there is a

question of cost but the principal reason why we don’t wish to go in this direction is because

it would force viewers to find the subtitles if they needed them. We prefer to wait until 2017

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

when we will move from using tape to digital file based technology, at which point we will

be able to re-examine the offering of subtitling options.

Angus Peter Campbell (to BBC ALBA): Clarification required. BBC ALBA is based on the

2003 Broadcasting Act and programming was to be in Gaelic, but that is not how things are.

With English subtitles these become English programmes!

Aonghas MacNeacail (to BBC ALBA): We want to receive our Gaelic programming in

Gaelic!

Donald Campbell – MG ALBA: The standard of Gaelic is certainly important and relevant

but different policies are required for differing programmes, as some, such as for example

Jock Stein, can be appropriate for BBC Scotland. Research tells us that viewers want good

quality and authoritative programmes.

Aonghas MacNeacail (to BBC ALBA): Couldn’t Gaelic voice-overs be used in such

circumstances?

Margaret Mary Murray – BBC ALBA: It is not customary to voice-over English language

audio – it is for other languages. But voice-over English language audio is done for children’s

programmes.

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones: S4C’s general policy is to add English subtitling to

80% of its programmes. Subtitles are live and optional on such as news programmes, but the

quality of translation is less good. When any such programme is re-broadcast subtitles are

burnt-in. There are no subtitles on children’s programmes but there is a support system which

parents can access. S4C carried out an experiment by broadcasting burnt-in English subtitles

for a whole week, and this generated much debate and arguments of the kind that Eithne

O’Connell referred to earlier. S4C is now claiming that the experiment was a marketing

exercise designed to make more non Welsh speakers aware that most of the channel’s

programmes are accessible through subtitling.

At this point the Chairman took a straw poll of attendees on the question of whether they

would prefer subtitles as an option, or no subtitling at all. There was unanimous agreement to

optional subtitles and BBC ALBA representatives re-iterated that this is already planned and

agreed for 2017.

Donald Campbell – MG ALBA (to Angus Peter Campbell): The Broadcasting Act requires

MG ALBA to broadcast good-quality Gaelic programming throughout Scotland and MG

ALBA requires to train people and to research viewers’ opinions on what they wish to see. A

highly respected company carried out the research which showed that 75% of the potential

Gaelic speaking audience watches BBC ALBA programmes.

Professor Philip Schlesinger: The future is going to be considerably more challenging but

we must retain the maximum range of options moving forward. Competition for audience

continues to grow, and viewers are also seeking more options.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

David Brew – BBC ALBA: BBC ALBA is required to broadcast to all the people of

Scotland, not just the Gaelic community. Is S4C serving all viewers in Wales? If S4C were

funded by the Welsh Government would the channel have a different language focus?

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones: Ofcom does not accept that burning English subtitles

on a Welsh-language programme alters it to an English-language programme. S4C’s

philosophy is to be a “national” broadcaster for Wales with options on programming,

languages, and subtitles. They are afraid of antagonising the audience, but she (Elin) believes

a broadcaster should be free to experiment.

Allan Esslemont – BBC ALBA: Subtitling has not been an issue in relation to S4C audience

numbers. S4C has been at its most successful when broadcasting in English. Audience

numbers were considerably lower when it was broadcasting in Welsh. One of the challenges

for minority language channels is the lack of awareness by mass audiences that they can

access these minority language programmes through subtitling. These channels must build

linkages with the wider community as, for example, BBC ALBA is doing through FilmG.

Aonghas MacNeacail (to BBC ALBA): Surely viewers could be attracted to Gaelic

programmes by transmitting those with English subtitles on BBC Scotland and the Gaelic

only versions on BBC ALBA?

Alison Lang (to BBC ALBA): It is now seven and a half years since BBC ALBA was

launched but we have seen very little drama on the service. Other channels appear to be able

to produce major drama series; what is planned for BBC ALBA?

Margaret Mary Murray – BBC ALBA: It took a long time to source funds to produce a

small amount of drama, and we cannot sustain any drama series within our current budget

levels.

Professor Wilson McLeod – University of Edinburgh: Large areas of Scotland still lack a

Radio nan Gaidheal service; when will this be corrected and a seven day Gaelic news service

provided?

Margaret Mary Murray – BBC ALBA: We are fighting hard to extend Radio nan

Gaidheal’s reach across the whole of Scotland. Our radio and television news services are

combined and we are keen to expand this output as well.

Maggie Smith – Isles FM: Although this service has not been mentioned here today I am

pleased to inform you that Gaelic is also being given a place on community radio, and in

community drama, and writers are being given support and tuition to contribute to Gaelic

podcasts. Community radio does not seem to be recognised as a means of promoting and

strengthening Gaelic. If consideration were given to how community stations might share

Gaelic programming there could be a good selection of quality programmes available in all

community station areas. At present Gaelic has a very low profile in the transmission

schedules of some of these stations. That could be due to the unavailability of a person

willing to take responsibility for presenting a weekly programme. If an archive were

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

established with new programmes being added each month things could be very different for

very modest costs.

With conference time running out the Chairman closed the panel session at this stage, and Dr

Allan Campbell gave a brief resume of the day’s proceedings.

Professor Rob Dunbar of the University of Edinburgh thanked all those who had contributed

to the day’s proceedings, and to all who had attended. He said that this had been another

important step in Gaelic development and looked forward to the possibility of this becoming

an annual event.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Gaelic Broadcasting: issues, challenges and the way forward

University of Edinburgh

15 March 2016, 1000-1630

0930-000 Clàradh/Registration

1000 Fàilte agus Fosgladh:

An Dr Ùisdean MacIllinnein (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann)

Welcome and Opening:

Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan (University of Edinburgh)

1015-1040 Òraid le Mìcheal Ruiseal BPA

Presentation by Michael Russell MSP

1040-1105 Òraid leis an Ollamh Philip Schlesinger (Oilthigh Ghlaschu)

Presentation by Professor Philip Schlesinger (University of Glasgow)

1105-1130 Cofaidh/Coffee

1130-1200 Òraid le Alasdair Allan BPA (Ministear airson Ionnsachadh, Saidheans

agus Cànanan na h-ALBA

Presentation by Alasdair Allan MSP (Minister for Learning. Science

and Scotland’s Languages)

1200-1230 Òraid le BBC/MG ALBA Mairead M Moireach/Domhnall Caimbeul

Presentation by MG ALBA Margaret Mary Murray/Donald Campbell

1230-1330 Lòn/Lunch

1330-1400 Òraid le Lisa Storey, GÀIDHLIG TV

Presentation by Lisa Storey, GÀIDHLIG TV

1400-1430 Òraid leis an Dr Eithne O’Connell (Oilthigh Cathair Bhaile Àtha Cliath)

Presentation by Dr Eithne O’Connell (Dublin City University)

1430-1500 Òraid leis an Ollamh Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones (Oilthigh Aberystwyth)

Presentation by Prof Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones (Aberystwyth University)

1500-1520 Cofaidh/Coffee

1520-1600 Pannal deasbaid, le cothrom don luchd-èisteachd

Panel discussion, with audience involvement

1600-1615 Molaidhean agus Rapporteur : Dr Ailean Caimbeul

Conference report and conclusions : Dr Allan Campbell

1615 Dùnadh: An t-Ollamh Rob Dunbar (Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann)

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Closing: Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh)

Appendix 1

Note from Duncan Ferguson, Plockton

Tha mi guidhe gach soirbheachas dhan cho-labhairt agaibh mu chraoladh Ghàidhlig – ’s

duilich nach dèan mi an gnothach (ach tha mi aig coinneimh na Colaiste sa Ghearasdan air an

Dimàirt seo).

Bu toil leam na còig barailean, mu cuairt air BBCALBA gu h-àraidh, a chur sa phoit:

i) an dèidh seachd bliadhna de BhBCALBA dè mu cuairt air crathadh beag 's ainm ùr air an t-

sianal – BBCGàidhlig?

ii) program ùr do luchd-ionnsachaidh (cleachdadh stuth LearnGaelic.net) - Canseo2? Iarrtas

mòr airson seo ’s 'Speaking Our Language' coimhead anabarrach sgìth!

iii) ‘Spòrs na Seachdain’ air TBh – leth-uair gach seachdain?

iv) ‘Ceilidh air an t-sofa’ – program comhraidh (à la Graham Norton et al) stèidhichte air

MacIlleMhicheil – uair a thìde le trì aoighean?

v) barrachd co-obrachaidh ri TG4?

Ach san fharsaingeachd bu chòir dhuinn a bhith taingeil airson na th'againn 's moladh gu

bheil sianal nàiseanta Ghàidhlig ann 's a bhith faiceallach (càite bheil BBC 3?) nach eil na

Gaidheil dèanadh cus ghearain!

Slàn leibh an dràsta

Donnchadh

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

Appendix 2

GÀIDHLIG TV: LISA STOREY

SEACHD MOLAIDHEAN A DHÈANADH FEUM - BBC ALBA 2016-2021

GEARR-AITHRIS: Air feadh an t-saoghail, tha mòr-chànanan gan sparradh air mion-

chànanan anns na meadhanan. Ro thric, thathar a’ gabhail ris an seo mar rud ‘àbhaisteach’.

Tha a’ mhì-chothromachd seo a’ dol a thaobh telebhisean na Gàidhlig. Tha an iomairt

gàidhlig-tv a’ feuchainn ri dèiligeadh ris. Thathar a’ moladh gum bi cleachdadh làitheil na

Gàidhlig air BBC ALBA – an aon sianal Gàidhlig a th’ ann - ga leudachadh gu mòr.

Ghabhadh adhartasan ùra cur an-sàs eadar seo agus 2021. Feumar cur às don phoileasaidh a

tha ag adhbhrachadh fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte. Ann am prògraman inbhich, glè thric tha

aithrisean agus agallamhan Beurla gam piobrachadh a dh’aona ghnothach. Tha cothrom

againn sin atharrachadh cuideachd. Feumar sùil a thoirt air poileasaidhean – agus gnìomh -

àrd-riaghladairean craolaidh. Gabhamaid an cothrom seirbheis telebhisein choileanta a thoirt

do na Gàidheil. Feumaidh na Gàidheil fhèin a bhith deònach strì a dhèanamh. A bheil

leasain ann airson mion-chànain eile?

FACLAN DEATAMACH: Gàidheil, àbhaisteachdas, àrainneachd, misneachd, còraichean,

teicneolas, cumhachd, cothrom

TAING: Professor Robert Phillipson, Dr Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Cymdeithas yr Iaith

Gymraeg, Gwen Bowie, Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, Ailean Dòmhnullach Ghleann Ùige,

Louise Edmonds, Maureen Hammond, Pat Kane, Alison Kinnaird, Ruairidh MacÌomhair,

Robbie Anndra MacLeòid, Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail, Ishi NicIlleathain, Morag NicLeòid

Scalpaigh, Des Scholes, ar caraidean anns na meadhanan Gàidhlig – taing mhòr – agus a h-

uile duine eile a chuidich sinn.

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Report from Gaelic Broadcasting Conference, Edinburgh, 15 March 2016

BRIATHRAN RIATANACH

“The profusion of English on the channel is as bemusing and frustrating to me as the lack

of Gaelic subtitles. As more and more English works its way onto the channel, so the

influence and role of Gaelic in daily life continue to be attenuated.”

Alison Kinnaird, Gaelic learner, Edinburgh, 2015

“Tha sinn a’ gabhail ris nach eil sinn air a bhith cho faiceallach neo furachail a

thaobh inbhe na Gàidhlig.”

Magaidh Choineagain, Cathraiche MG ALBA, (BBC An Là) 2015

“MG ALBA are doing little for the Gaelic speakers that form a part of Mr Allan

Esslemont’s socio-anthropological four-compartment guide to viewers they set out to serve

— you are either a ‘Ceann’, a ‘Beul’, a ‘Cridhe’ or an ‘Anam’. I could not fit into any of

these compartments.

I must belong to another, more unseemly, part of the body according to his categorisation.”

Ailean Dòmhnullach, Gleann Ùige, 2015

“Tha rathad nas fheàrr ann.”

Lisa Storey, Inbhir Nis, 2015

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Craoladh na Gàidhlig: ceistean, dùbhlain agus slighe air adhart

Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, 15 Màrt 2016

Lisa Storey

Facal-toisich

Taing do dh’Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann airson cothrom a thoirt dhomh bruidhinn an seo an-

diugh. Bu chòir dhomh ràdh gur e gearr-aithris a th’ anns na bhios mi ag ràdh, leis gu bheil

an ùine caran teann. Ma tha sibh airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh fhaighinn, neo ma tha

dearbhadh a dhìth oirbh air puingean a thogas mi, tha nòtaichean aig bonn a’ phàipeir.

Cuideachd, tha fiosrachadh eile ri fhaighinn air an làrach-lìn againn, www.gaidhlig.tv.

Ro-ràdh: gàidhlig.tv

Air feadh an t-saoghail, tha mòr-chànanan gan sparradh air mion-chànanan anns na

meadhanan. Faodaidh droch bhuaidh a bhith aig an seo air staid a’ mhion-chànain am measg

an t-sluaigh. Bidh feadhainn a tha ga bruidhinn a’ call misneachd innte; bidh iad ag ràdha

riutha fhèin: ‘Gu dè tha cèarr air a' chànan agamsa nuair a dh’fheumas i an-còmhnaidh a

bhith ceangailte ri cànan eile, a bhios mas fhìor a' toirt taic dhi?’

Tha a’ mhì-chothromachd seo a’ dol a thaobh telebhisean na Gàidhlig, agus tha an iomairt bheag againne – gàidhlig-tv1 – a’ feuchainn ri dèiligeadh ris. Tha sinn dhen bheachd gu

bheil rathad nas fheàrr ann.

Ged a tha ar n-aire air telebhisean, bu chòir dhomh soilleireachadh gu bheil rèidio air leth

cudromach. Bidh airson bliadhnachan mòra. Tha sinn a’ cur ar làn thaic ri BBC Radio

nan Gàidheal. Chan eil BBC Radio nan Gàidheal a’ faighinn taic gu leòr.

Tha sinne aig gàidhlig-tv a’ creidsinn ann an cumhachd craolaidh ann an co-

theacsa leasachaidh cànain, dìreach mar a tha MG ALBA, aon dhe na

riaghladairean craolaidh Gàidhlig an Alba. Tha fhios againn nach e panacea a th’

ann an craoladh, ach ’s fhiach bodraigeadh mu dheidhinn: ’s fhiach feuchainn ri

dhèanamh cho èifeachdach ’s a ghabhas.

A dh’aindeoin mì-chinnt phoilitigs na dùthcha agus ceistean mun BhBC – agus chuala sinn

beagan mu dheidhinn sin an-diugh – mairidh craoladh poblach an Alba airson deagh ghreis.

‘Normalisation’ - àbhaisteachdas

Tha gàidhlig-tv a’ creidsinn ann an ‘àbhaisteachdas’ a thaobh na Gàidhlig. Ach, dè dha-

rìreabh a tha àbhaisteachdas a’ ciallachadh? Tha sinne a’ cur cuideam air àbhaisteachdas do

na Gàidheil: gum bi a’ chànan againn ga cleachdadh aig gach ìre, roinn agus suidheachadh

ann am beatha Ghàidheil fhèin.

Tha e soilleir gu bheil a bheachd againn eadar-dhealaichte bho lèirsinn MG ALBA agus

feallsanachd “priomh bhuidheann leasachaidh na Gàidhlig”, mar a th’ orra fhèin, Bòrd na

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Gàidhlig.2 ’S e th’ ann an ‘àbhaisteachdas’ dhaibh-san ach Beurla a bhith an lùib na

Gàidhlig: gu faigh muinntir na h-Alba ‘blasad’ dhen Ghàidhlig. Ma dh’fheumas sianail

telebhisean na Gàidhlig fulang air tàilleabh na Beurla, biodh e mar sin. Tough! “Some

content may have higher English content because it has been commissioned with specific

normalisation objectives in mind” (MG ALBA, 2015)3

Tha feallsanachd nan riaghladairean ag adhbhrachadh an t-uabhas Beurla – pàighte le

airgead na Gàidhlig – air an aon t-sianail telebhisean Gàidhlig a th’ againn. Ma tha sibh airson fianais fhaighinn air na th’ ann de Bheurla air BBC ALBA – an t-sunami mar a

chanas Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul4 - chan eil agaibh ach coimhead air na h-eisimpleirean a dh’fhoillsich sinn air an làrach-lìn gàidhlig.tv. Gu math tric, tha corr ’s 50% Beurla ann –

uaireannan suas gu 90% – ann am prògraman nan inbheach.5

Do na Gàidheil

Thathar a’ dìochuimhneachadh cò dha dìreach a tha an t-sianail seo. ’S ann dha na Gàidheil

a tha còir an t-sianal Gàidhlig a bhith – chan ann do mhuinntir na h-Alba gu lèir. Le

“Gàidheil” tha sinn a’ ciallachadh an dà chuid feadhainn le Gàidhlig bho thùs, agus luchd-

ionnsachaidh a tha fileanta.

Stuthan ‘Albannach’? Sianal airson ‘Alba’? ’S e sin dleastanas BBC Scotland (agus

feadhainn eile leithid STV/Grampian, le argamaid ann gu faodadh steiseanan Breatannach

leithid Channel 4 a bhith a’ dèanamh tuilleadh cuideachd). Ma thèid cur às do BhBC

Scotland anns na bliadhnachan a tha romhainn, cha bu chòir dha na h-ùghdarrasan

craolaidh sin a chleachdadh mar leisgeul greim fhaighinn air an t-sianail Gàidhlig, mar

bhunait airson seirbheis ‘Albannach’ ùr.

Feallsanachd Simon Brooks

Tha faclan an Ollamh Simon Brooks mu chraoladh gu math fìor “... ma tha Cuimris,

Gàidhlig agus Gaeilge gu maireachdainn, feumaidh àiteachan a bhith ann far an fhaod

daoine an cleachdadh gun a bhith air an claoidh ’s air an sàrachadh. Feumaidh

sianailean telebhisean nam mion-chànanan feadhainn dhe na h-àiteachan sin a thoirt

dhuinn.”6

Gabhaidh na h-àiteachan sin cruthachadh, ma thogras sinn. Faodaidh sinn sin a dhèanamh

gun a bhith a’ dìochuimhneachadh luchd-ionnsachaidh. Cuiridh sinn air dòigh cothroman

ùra do luchd-ionnsachaidh – leasachaidh sinn an deagh ghoireas learngaelic.scot, mar

eisimpleir – ach aig an dearbh àm, nìthear cinnteach gun seachain sinn mòr-chànain air an

t-sianal fhèin. Sin far a bheil na h-ùghdarrasan mar MG ALBA a’ dol ceàrr.

Còraichean

’S e th’ ann san t-sianail Gàidhlig ach ar còir, mar Ghàidheil: sluagh a tha airidh air

còraichean mar shluagh sam bith eile.7

Do-dhèanta?

Chan eil e do-dhèanta sianal Gàidhlig coileanta a thoirt gu buil. Tha e ro fhurasta do

riaghladairean leisgeulan a dhèanamh – buaidh làidir na Beurla, cion luchd-obrach

Gàidhlig, gnothaichean-airgid, calpachas eadar-nàiseanta is eile.

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Cothroman ùra

Dh’fhaodamaid co-dhiù seachd adhartasan ùra a thoirt a-staigh ceangailte ri cleachdadh

cànain ann an telebhisean na Gàidhlig. Bheir mi iomradh beag orra sin an-dràsta. Cò aige a

tha fios nach eil leasain ann airson telebhisean ann am mion-chànain eile?

1. Fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte – cur às dhaibh

A’ chiad mholadh – prìomhachas – ’s e gun atharraich luchd riaghlaidh craolaidh an

ALBA am poileasaidh cronail aca a thaobh fo-thiotalan Beurla a bhith loisgte air

prògraman airson inbhich. Chan eil adhbhar ann nach atharraichear sin an-dràsta. Ann an

2015, rinn gàidhlig-tv rannsachadh: dhearbh Ofcom agus Urras a’ BhBC dhuinn nach eil

gnothach aca ris na fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte. Chaidh dearbhadh gun e na riaghladairean

craolaidh Gàidhlig fhèin a tha a’ sparradh na Beurla air Gàidheil tron dòigh seo, nuair nach

fheum iad sin a dhèanamh.8

Ann an 2016, faodaidh fo-thiotalan Beurla airson prògraman Gàidhlig ùra a bhith

falaichte (ma dh’fheumas an ‘goireas’ Beurla sin a bhith ann idir – agus tha ceist mu

dheidhinn sin). Tha an teicneolas ann. Ann an 2014, dh’atharraich suidheachadh a’

bhann-leathainn air Freeview: ‘capacity’ an t-sianail. Dh’fhàs e na b’ fheàrr. Tha àite gu

leòr ann a-nist airson fo-thiotalan Beurla a bhith air cùlaibh nam prògraman air BBC

ALBA. Cha bhi cosgais mhòr ann seo a chur air dòigh.9

Mholamaid leasaichean eile:

Tuilleadh luchd-aithris Gàidhlig

Feumar barrachd oidhirp a dhèanamh cothrom a thoirt do luchd-aithris Gàidhlig. Gun

teagamh, tha e doirbh, uaireannan, luchd-labhairt le Gàidhlig fhaighinn airson prògraman.

Ach, tha suidheachaidhean ann air BBC ALBA far a bheil Gàidheil gan cur an dàrna taobh

– a dh’aona ghnothach – airson luchd-aithris Beurla. Ma tha spòrs leithid rugbaidh,

curling, iomain neo orienteering gan sealltainn air BBC ALBA – agus nach math sin? –

carson a dh’fheumas guthan Beurla a bhith am measg na Gàidhlig, gu h-àraid nuair a tha

Gàidheil èasgaidh ann a dh’fhaodadh an obair a dhèanamh?

’S e deagh eisimpleir a th’ anns na prògraman rugbaidh air BBC ALBA, air an riochdachadh

le aon dhe na companaidhean neo-eisimeileach as motha a th’ air buannachd fhaighinn à

airgead na Gàidhlig, mneTV. Thairis air na sia bliadhna 2009-2015, tha Media nan Eilean air

faisg air £14 millean not fhaighinn tro sporan MG ALBA.10 £14 millean not, agus cha mhòr

gu bheil aon fhacal Gàidhlig air an làrach-lìn aca: http://www.mnetv.tv/. Air na prògraman

rugbaidh ‘beò’, bidh an aithris Gàidhlig ga mhilleadh le guth “eòlaiche” Beurla a’ tighinn a-

staigh a h-uile mionaid. Tha sin a’ ciallachadh gum bi mu 50% Beurla ann am prògram

rugbaidh “Gàidhlig” mneTV (mar eisimpleir 54% Beurla ann an Glaschu v Ospreys bho

chionn ghoirid).11

Bhiodh sin maslach ann an suidheachadh craolaidh Gàidhlig sam bith, ach tha seo na chùis

uabhais nuair a smaoinicheas tu gu bheil aithris rugbaidh eile ri fhaighinn airson luchd na

Beurla cò-dhiu, tron Phutan Dearg.

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Ann an raointean eile, tha guthan Beurla a’ taomadh às. Tha Beurla a’ cur fairis ann am

prògraman aithriseil, ealain agus naidheachdan.

Gabhaidh seo atharrachadh. Bheireadh guthan Gàidhlig an t-sianail na b’ fhaisge air

coimhearsnachd nan Gàidheal. Chuidicheadh iad luchd-ionnsachaidh. Nan cluinneamaid

Gàidheil, an àite luchd na Beurla, chuireadh seo ri misneachd dhaoine. Bheireadh e

beagan dòchais dhuinn gu robh feum anns a’ chànan againn fhèin.

Thar-ghuthan Gàidhlig

Bu chòir thar-ghuthan Gàidhlig – voice-overs – a bhith ann airson prògraman inbhich,

nuair a bhios e do-dhèanta guthan nan Gàidheal a lorg. Tha Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail

air a bhith a’ moladh thar-ghuthan gu làidir. Chuireadh thar-ghuthan stad air Beurla a

bhith ga chluinntinn fad an t-siubhail.

Chruthaicheadh seo obraichean ùra do na Gàidheil.

Ach, tha fios againn gu bheil MG ALBA air a bhith an aghaidh thar-ghuthan Gàidhlig. Chan

eil thar-ghuthan cosgail an taca ri ‘dubbing’. ’S e faisg air £11 millean not sa bhliadhna an

sporan a th’ aig MG ALBA airson prògraman an-dràsta:12 ’s e ìre sa cheud (percentage)

uabhasach ìosal dhe na sin a bhiodh a dhìth oirnn airson thar-ghuthan Gàidhlig a thoirt a-

staigh. Chan e a’ chosgais a tha a’ cur dragh air MG ALBA. Mar a thuirt mi cheana, tha an

fheallsanachd againne eadar-dhealaichte.

Gàidhlig a bhith deatamach – taic MG ALBA

’S tric a chluinneas sinn luchd-rannsachaidh a’ bruidhinn air ‘eaconamaidh na Gàidhlig’

(ged a tha amharas agam gu bheilear a’ cunntais rudan aig nach eil mòran susbaint mar

rudan a tha ‘Gàidhlig’). Anns na meadhanan Gàidhlig, tha daoine gun mòran Gàidhlig a’

faighinn cothrom; tha iad os cionn chompanaidhean, aig ìre stiùiridh, neo air cùlaibh

camara, mur eil iad air a beulaibh. Chan eil iad a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig gu làitheil, ach tha

iad a’ faighinn maoineachadh tro MG ALBA.

Tha corra adhartas air tighinn – mar eisimpleir an t-sreath Bannan ann an 2015, a dh’fheuch

gnothaichean a dhèanamh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig13 – ach dh’fhaodadh luchd-riaghlaidh

poileasaidhean làidir ùra a chur an sàs gus dèanamh cinnteach gur ann dha-rìreabh do na Gàidheil a bhios obraichean.

Aithnichidh sinn companaidhean neo-eisimeileach beaga a tha ag obair tro mheadhan

na Gàidhlig, aig a bheil beachdan mac-meanmnach airson phrògraman ùra. A bheil iad

a’ call cothrom? Bu chòir dearbhadh air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an obair làitheil a

bhith deatamach mu choinneamh taic-airgid bho MG ALBA.

Fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig

Mar cheum eile, an dèidh dhuinn fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte a sguabadh air falbh, bu chòir

coimhead ri fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig, mar roghainn do luchd-amhairc. Tha cuid – leithid

Ailean Dòmhnullach Gleann Uige – ag iarraidh sin an-dràsta. Tha rannsachaidhean a’

sealltainn gu faod buannachd a bhith ann le fo-thiotalan nad chànan fhèin, mar eisimpleir

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do dhaoine nach d’fhuair an cànan sa sgoil, neo do luchd-ionnsachaidh adhartach.14 Tha

sinn air dearbhadh fhaighinn bho eòlaichean nach biodh e daor fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig a

bhith air BBC ALBA.15

Stiùireadh-cànain - pròiseact ùr

Tha e math gu leòr a bhith a’ moladh barrachd Gàidhlig ann an telebhisean, ach ma tha sinn

airson cainnt a thoirt air adhart (a thaobh blas, abairtean, briathrachas, gràmar is eile)

feumar deagh stiùireadh. Tha daoine foghlamaichte ag obair anns na meadhanan Gàidhlig

ach, uaireannan, gun a bhith a’ dèanamh dìmeas, tha cleachdadh na Gàidhlig caran mì-

chùramach. Seo dà eisimpleir a thaobh BBC ALBA a thog Morag NicLeòid a Scalpaigh (a

b’ àbhaist a bhith ag obair aig Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann), tè a tha a’

cur taic ri amasan gaidhlig.tv:

1) A’ cleachdadh an fhacail “anmoch” nuair as e “fadalach” bu chòir a bhith ann

2) “A’ faighinn” nuair as e “a’ fàs” bu chòir a bhith ann

Canaidh feadhainn nach eil annta seo ach rudan beaga, nach eil iad seo cudromach, agus

nach eil mi air an co-theacsa mionaideach a thoirt dhuibh. Ach ’s fheàirrde feuchainn a

thaobh cainnt, nuair a tha cothrom againn fhathast, nach fheàirrde?

Mar thaic a thaobh seo agus gnothaichean-cànain eile taobh a-staigh a’ ghnìomhachais,

dh’fhaodadh sinn sùil a thoirt air an Roinn Eòrpa. ‘S e deagh eisimpleir a th’ ann an

ésAdir (El portal lingüístic de la Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals), am

pròiseact-taic stèidhichte ann an Catalunya, is sgioba-coimhairleachaidh aca a thaobh

cainnt, ag obair gu làitheil, a dh’aona ghnothach airson nam meadhanan. Tha làrach-lìn

aca ma tha sibh airson tuilleadh fhaighinn a-mach: http://esadir.cat/

Nan cruthaicheadh sinn goireas mar seo a thaobh na Gàidhlig, ’s e ceum adhartach a bhiodh

ann. Nach fhaodadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba taic a chur ris a seo?

Slatan-tomhais ùra: ‘soirbheachas’

Dè th’ ann an ‘soirbheachas’? Dè th’ ann an ‘deagh phrògram’? Seo ceistean air am faod

sinn ùine mhòr a chosg. Ach a bheil riaghladairean BBC ALBA a’ cleachdadh slatan-

tomhais iomchaidh? Ma tha iad ann, ao-choltach ris na fo-thiotalan Beurla, tha iad gu math

falaichte.

A bheilear dha-rìreabh a’ cur cuideam air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig? Chan eil dearbhadh

againn gu bheil. Nam biodh siostam èifeachdach ann, dhèanadh MG ALBA cinnteach gum

biodh 90% Gàidhlig ann airson prògram inbheach sam bith. ‘S e sin a tha mise a’ moladh

an-diugh. Ro thric, ’s ann a rathad eile a tha an gnothach.16

Cha bu chòir uiread de chuideam a chur air àireamh luchd-amhairc na Beurla. Dhearbh Urras a’ BhBC dhuinn ann an 2015 nach eil targaid oifigeil ann a thaobh àireamhan: thuirt

iad ann an sgrìobhadh nach eil targaid foirmeil air a bhith ann bho chionn 2011.17

Ma tha slatan-tomhais gu bhith ann a thaobh àireamhan luchd-amhairc, bu chòir aire a-

mhàin a bhith air na Gàidheil.

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Canaidh MG ALBA gu bheil iad a’ dèanamh sin: gu bheil iad faisg air na Gàidheil agus gu

bheil sinne riaraichte. Tha MG ALBA air innse dhuinn, mar eisimpleir, gu bheil “72% de luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig a’ coimhead BBC ALBA gach seachdain, airson 5 uair an

uaireadair gu cumanta.”18

Chan ann tric, ge-tà, a tha fios a’ tighinn bho riaghladairean gu bheil an àireamh seo

stèidhichte air barail buidheann gu math beag: faisg air 300 neach. ’S e th’ annta seo ach

daoine aig a bheil ùidh anns an t-sianail co-dhiù. Dh’innseadh deagh neach-rannsachaidh

dhut nach robh sin buileach cothromach. Mar a thuirt Collier (2003) “Extrapolation can be

very dangerous when applied to aspects of real life.”19

’S e fìrinn na cùise, gu mì-fhortanach, gun aithnich sinn Gàidheil a tha air an cùl a chur ri

BBC ALBA. Tha duine neo dithis aca sa rùm seo an-diugh.

Tha an t-àm aig riaghladairean slatan-tomhais ùra a thoirt a-staigh.

Sùil romhainn

Sin agaibh seachd prìomh mholaidhean a ghabhadh cur an-sàs. Dh’fhaodadh feadhainn aca

tachairt sa bhad – mar eisimpleir, a’ chiad mholadh againn: stad a chur air fo-thiotalan

Beurla loisgte ann am prògraman ùra.

Ghabhadh a h-uile moladh a thoirt gu buil taobh a-staigh còig bliadhna.

Clàr-ama 2016-2021 (moladh*)

2016-17 – Fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte air falbh

2016-17– Tuilleadh luchd-aithris Gàidhlig, mar eisimpleir ann an spòrs 2016-17.

Slatan-tomhais ùra gan toirt a-staigh

2017-18 – Thar ghuthan Gàidhlig a’ toiseachdain 2018-

19

ésAdir na Gàidhlig a’ toiseachdain

2018-19 – Fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig air an cur air dòigh

Obraichean Gàidhlig sa ghnìomhachas: deatamach le cinnt

2020-21 – Gach rud gu h-àrd air an dearbhadh, air an neartachadh agus gan toirt gu buil.

Tuilleadh taic bho Riaghaltas na h-ALBA. Sùil ri leasaichean ann an teicneolas

ùr:

mar eisimpleir: fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig beò air na naidheachdan

*‘S e tomhas a th’ anns a’ chlàr-ama seo. Carson? Tha iad seo a’ crochadh air taic bho

riaghladairean. Ach gabhaidh na molaidhean seo an toirt gu buil taobh a-staigh còig

bliadhna, gun teagamh sam bith.

Bhiodh na leasachaidhean seo a’ ciallachadh gu faodadh na meadhanan Gàidhlig

feum a dhèanamh.

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Brìgh

Cha bhi annta ach toiseach-tòiseachaidh. Bidh feum air tuilleadh phrògraman. Stuthan ùra.

Deagh sgrìobhadairean. Feallsanachd eadar-nàiseanta, bho shealladh nan Gàidheal.

Fiolmaichean. Geamaichean-bhidio. Ceangail ri meadhanan ùra – meadhanan air nach do

smaoinich duine againn fhathast. Uile tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Ma dh’fhaoidte gum bi feum air tuilleadh ionmhais, ged nach eil prògraman matha

daonnan cosgail. Tha sinne, gàidhlig.tv, air a bhith a’ putadh airson airgead a bharrachd

airson BBC ALBA bhon fhìor thoiseach.

Feumaidh sinn coimhead air adhart, chan ann a-mhàin gu ùrachadh Cairt

Rìoghail a’ BhBC, ach gu an dèidh sin. Tha riaghladairean a’ beachdachadh air

cothroman-craolaidh ùra, ach a bheil iad a’ dèanamh sin bho shealladh na

Gàidhlig? ’S ann nas eadar-nàiseanta a bhios oimhearsnachd nan Gàidheal a’

fas (agus ’s math sin). Aig an dearbh àm, thig tùil de shianalan Beurla ùra. Am

bi an t-sianal Gàidhlig deiseil air an son? Am bi aon sianal Gàidhlig gu leòr?

Ma thig steiseanan eile an ALBA fhèin, dè seorsa buaidh a bhios aige sin?

Bidh ìomhaigh an t-sianail Ghàidhlig cudromach. Am bu chòir dhuinn

smaoineachadh air ainm ùr? Tha fios againn gu robh deasbad mu dheidhinn sin

aig toiseach-gnothaich. Agus am bi an t-sianal Gàidhlig nar làmhan fhèin?

Feumaidh smachd dha-rìreabh a bhith aig Gàidheil.

Na h-ùghdarasan

Ach air ais chun an latha an-diugh. Aig cridhe gnothaich, tha rùn nan riaghladairean.

Agus tha dol a-mach nan ùghdarasan bho chionn ghoirid a’ dearbhadh dhuinn gum feum

na Gàidheil beagan stri a dhèanamh fhathast.

1. Riaghaltas na h-Alba

Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba cudromach. Bha e math faclan Mhinistear na Gàidhlig a

chluinntinn an-diugh, ach tha cion taic Riaghaltais na h-Alba a thaobh ceistean cànain na

adhbhar dragh.

Sgrìobh sinn gu Ministear na Gàidhlig ann an 2014, is sinn a’ sireadh a bheachd fhèin air an

uiread Beurla a bh’ air BBC ALBA: dè ghabhadh dèanamh mu dheidhinn? Mar a tha fhios

againn, tha a’ mhòr-chuid de dh’airgead MG ALBA a' tighinn tro Riaghaltas na h-Alba.

Mar sin, tha fios gu bheil slatan-tomhais aig Ministear na Gàidhlig? Cha do sgrìobh am

Ministear air ais. Sgrìobh fear-catharra air ais thugainn, ann am Beurla, le freagairt

stèidhichte air beachdan MG ALBA.

Ann an 2016, mar phàirt den freagairt aca a thaobh ùrachadh Cairt Rìoghail a’ BhBC,

mhol Riaghaltas na h-ALBA gu robh còir aig a' BhBC an taic aca fhèin a dhùblachadh ceangailte ri prògraman BBC ALBA.20 Chuir feadhainn de luchd-“iomairt” na Gàidhlig

fàilte mhòr air a seo. Ach seo an rud: cha robh guth air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann am

freagairt Riaghaltais na h-Alba. Ma tha cleachdadh na Gàidhlig dha-rìreabh aig teis-meadhain feallsanachd an Riaghaltais, bha iad air a’ cheist sin a thogail. ’S e glè bheag a

tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba a’ toirt don t-sianal: mu £13 millean sa bhliadhna, a-mach à sporan bhliadhnail a tha faisg air £29 billean.21 Sin faisg air 0.05%. Na criomagan!

23

23

Mas ann a’ bruidhinn air dùblachadh a tha sinn, nach fhaod Riaghaltas na h-Alba an

taic aca fhein a chur suas dà uimhir? Saoilidh mi gum biodh sin reusanta. Tha airgead ann, nuair a thogras an Riaghaltas.22

2. Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Chan eil balbhachd Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a thaobh craolaidh a’ cuideachadh nan Gàidheal.

Airson iomadach bliadhna, tha am Bòrd air a bhith ag ràdh gu bheil craoladh na

‘phrìomhachas’ dhaibh. Ach dè dha-rìreabh an t-àite a th’ aig cleachdadh na Gàidhlig an

lùib sin? Thog sinn an cuspair seo gu modhail leis a’ Bhòrd ann an 2014. Tha sinn fhathast

a’ feitheamh freagairt choileanta.

Ann an 2016, beò air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, dhiùlt Ceannard Cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig

innse an robh Bòrd na Gàidhlig an aghaidh fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte no nach robh.23 Bha

leithid Fèisean nan Gàidheal air innse dhuinn: dhearbh an Cathraiche aca, Donnchadh

MacGuaire, gu bheil iad-san gu tur an aghaidh fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte. Tha Fèisean nan

Gàidheal airson barrachd Gàidhlig a chluinntinn air BBC ALBA, tha iad ag ràdh.24 Bòrd na

Gàidhlig? Ann am freagairt a’ Bhùird a thaobh Cairt Rìoghail a’ BhBC, cha tug iad aon

iomradh air na rudan seo.25

A rèir cuid, tha e mì-reusanta smaoineachadh gun dèanadh Bòrd na Gàidhlig tòrr strì as leth nan Gàidheal. Thathas “a’ sùileachadh cus air buidhnean oifigeil leithid a’ Bhùird.”

(MacIllinnein, 2016).26

Gu ìre, tha sin ceart: feumaidh coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig na guthan aca fhèin a

thogail. Sin as coireach, mar eisimpleir, gu bheil mi-fhìn an seo an-diugh.

Cha bu chòir cus dòchais a bhith againn gun tog am Bòrd ceistean a thaobh lagh na

dùthcha agus na meadhanan.27 Feumaidh na Gàidheil fhèin sin a dhèanamh.

Ach a bheil e do-dhèanta do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig a bhith taiceil? Tha e glè inntinneach gu

bheil am Bòrd, nuair a thogras iad, deònach a dhol an-sàs ann an cuid de dh’iomairtean bho

thaobh ceist ‘moraltachd’ (am facal aca fhèin).28 Nach do sgrìobh iad ann an 2016 gu

Comhairle Bhaile Dhùn Èideann ag ràdh gun e ceist ‘moraltachd’ a bh’ ann am foghlam

Gàidhlig? Tha e iongantach mar a tha am Bòrd sàmhach a thaobh craolaidh is rudan eile.

Dè feum foghlam Gàidhlig, mar eil àrainneachd Gàidhlig ann taobh a-muigh na sgoile?29

Dè feum a bhith ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig mar inbheach, mur eil cothrom-cleachdaidh gu bhith ann?

3. Dìth-taic MG ALBA

Bidh obair romhainn fhathast, agus ’s e cion spionnaidh luchd-riaghlaidh nam meadhanan

fhèin an rud as motha a tha a' dearbhadh sin. Mar eisimpleir, ann an 2014 sgrìobh sinn gu

Ceannard BBC Scotland, Coinneach MacGuaire, a thaobh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig air BBC

ALBA. Leis a h-uile urram do Choinneach, ’s beag feum a rinn e.

MG ALBA? Bho chionn ghoirid, chaidh an strategy ùr aca airson nam

meadhanan Gàidhlig, Lèirsinn Dà Mhile, fichead ’s a h-aon (2021),

24

24

fhoillseachadh an Dùn Èideann, le taic bho Mhinistear na Gàidhlig.

Abair briseadh dùil. Bha cothrom aig MG ALBA gnothaichean a chur ceart, gu h-àraid an

dèidh dhaibh aideachadh gu poblach ann an 2015 nach robh iad air a bhith “faiceallach” a

thaobh na Gàidhlig.30 Shaoil cuid againn, tro Lèirsinn 2021, gum biodh MG ALBA a’

gabhail a' chothruim rathad ùr a ghabhail.

Tha faclan breagha san Lèirsinn seo. Tha Gàidhlig aig ‘cridhe gach rud’.31 Cà’ bheil an

fhianais? Chan eil aon iomradh a thaobh cur às dhe na fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte, mar

eisimpleir, neo cothroman ùra a thaobh fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig agus thar-ghuthan. Chan eil

guth air dòigh gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi Gàidhlig dha-rìreabh ga cur gu feum gu h-

iomlan.

Co-dhùnadh

A bharrachd air deagh phrògraman-chloinne agus corra eisimpleir an siud is an seo, dè th’

againn, ann an 2016, ach sianail làn Beurla? Faodar leisgeulan a dhèanamh, ach tha na h-

ùghdarrasan againn, tro bhith sparradh na Beurla oirnn tron aon t-sianail Gàidhlig a th’ ann,

a’ leigeil leinn cur ri bàs ar cànain. Ann an ainm "luchd na h-Alba”, tha Beurla gar bàthadh.

Bu chòir nàire a bhith air na riaghladairean. Mar a thuirt Dòmhnall Mac na Ceàrdaich ann an

1916, ceud bliadhna air ais ‘Cha ruig sinn, ma-ta, a leas a bhith gar mealladh fhèin mun

chùis, tha ar cànan ann an cunnart, chan ann gu h-uile o’n choimheach ach o a dhaoine

fhèin’.32 A dh'aindeoin teicneolas ùr an latha-an-diugh, chan eilear a’ gabhail a’ chothruim

mar bu chòir.

Chan fheum e a bhith mar seo. Dh’fhaodadh slighe ùr a bhith ann. Dùisgeamaid.

25

NÒTAICHEAN

Mura faighear fiosrachadh slàn an seo, tha tuilleadh fiosrachaidh aig www.gaidhlig.tv

Thèid dreach deireannach dhe na nòtaichean seo a chur còmhla ris an aiste seo air

gaidhlig.tv fhathast. Ma tha mearachdan anns a’ phàipear seo, ’s e m’ choire fhèin a th’

ann. Thèid mearachd sam bith a chur ceart air an làrach-lìn againn, tro ùine.

1

Thòisich an iomairt gaidhlig.tv ann an 2014. Chan eil gaidhlig.tv ceangailte ri pàrtaidh

poilitigeach sam bith. ’S e co-obrachadh saor-thoileach, sìtheil a th’ ann, eadar daoine neo-

eisimeileach, stèidhichte sa choimhearsnachd. Tha sinn air loidhne, le fiosrachadh

mionaideach againn, aig www.gaidhlig.tv. Tha iomadh seòrsa neach – sean is òg; fileanta

ann an Gàidhlig; gun facal Gàidhlig; daoine a’ fuireach an Alba; feadhainn bho thall thairis

– a’ cur taic ris an iomairt. Tha luchd-taic ceangailte ri chèile tro ghaol air cànan agus meas

air Gàidhlig, is tuigse aca gu feum cleachdadh làitheil na Gàidhlig ann an telebhisean a

bhith tòrr nas fheàrr na tha e. Thòisich an sgrìobhadair Lisa Storey an iomairt gaidhlig.tv

ann an 2014. Tha a’ chiad agallamh a rinn i an seo:

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/99835904887/sianal-g%C3%A0idhlig-an-agallamh-

be%C3%B2- a-th%C3%B2isich

Tha Lisa Storey air a bhith a’ riochdachadh gaidhlig.tv bhon uair sin, ach bho chionn

ghoirid tha Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail air a bhith a’ bruidhinn às an leth. Tha leithid na

leanas air taic a chur ris an iomairt: Professor Robert Phillipson, Dr Tove Skutnabb-

Kangas, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, Gwen Bowie, Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, Ailean

Dòmhnullach Ghleann Ùige, Louise Edmonds, Maureen Hammond, Pat Kane, Alison

Kinnaird, Ruairidh MacÌomhair, Robbie Anndra MacLeòid, Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail,

Ishi NicIlleathain, Morag NicLeòid Scalpaigh agus Des Scholes.

Tha gu leòr eile an ALBA a’ cur taic, agus feadhainn aca ro eagallach an guth a thogail

(airson diofar adhbharan). Mar eisimpleir, thuirt companaidh-riochdachaidh telebhisean

neo- eisimileach Gàidhlig rinn anns an Dùbhlachd 2015 “Tha sinn cho taingeil gu bheil an

iomairt agaibh ann. Ach feuch na can sibh guth [ri leithid MG ALBA] gu robh sinn ag radh

sin”. Agus thuirt neach-naidheachd rèidio saor-thoileach ainmeil rinn anns an t-Samhain

2015 ““Chuir mi air BBC ALBA an oidhche roimhe, is thòisich mi a’ coimhead prògram a

bha a-mach air iomain. Sreath a bh’ ann. B’ fheudar dhomh a chur dheth às dèidh 10

mionaidean no cairteal na h-uarach – cha robh ann ach Beurla.” Cha ruig sinn leas innse

nach eil an neach cliùiteach seo airson gun ainmich sinn e.

2Mar eisimpleir Daibhidh Boag, Ceannard ‘Cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig, Bòrd na Gàidhlig: air

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal (Aithris na Maidne), 02/02/2013.

3Lèirsinn 2021 (MG ALBA, 2015), duilleag 25 – ri fhaighinn air-loidhne a-mhàin:

http://www.mgalba.com/downloads/reports/leirsinn-2021.pdf

26

4Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul – West Highland Free Press, An Dùbhlachd 2014:

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/106495810982/bbc-ALBAmg-ALBA-rannsachadh-air-fo-

thiotalan

5Faic, mar eisimpleir http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/106083676657/mg-ALBA-gaelic-

programmes – Naoi eisimpleirean de phrògraman ‘Gàidhlig’ air BBC ALBA, 2015.

6Dr Simon Brooks, 2016: “Fo-thiotalan TBh agus bàs annasach na Cuimris”

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/136872164207/seimonbrooks

7Faic, mar eisimpleir, Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail : “ceist chòirichean

sluaigh” http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/96740749377/aonghas-dubh-ceist-

ch%C3%B2irichean-sluaigh

8Ofcom – we do not impose English subtitles:

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/100340872017/suidheachadh-ofcom

9Cosgais fo-thiotalan ‘falaichte’: http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/118967753352/bonn-a-sia-

dha-na-craoladairean-fo-thiotalan

10Fiosrachadh: aithisgean bliadhnail MG ALBA 2009-10 gu 2014-2015.

11http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06z8fcv/live-rugby-20152016-pro-12-ospreys-v-

glasgow 31 January 2016 – Ospreys v Glasgow PRO 12

12Aithisg Bhliadhnail MG ALBA, 2014-15.

13http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/what-s-on/leisure-time/bbc-ALBA-flagship-drama-

has-audience-hooked-1-3655159

14Fo-thiotalan L2 – buannachd airson luchd-ionnsachaidh – rannsachadh an seo: Holger

Mitterer agus James M. McQueen (2009)

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/96920822797/lexical-interference

15Gaelic subtitles – inexpensive to introduce – 2015:

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/118967753352/bonn-a-sia-dha-na-craoladairean-fo-thiotalan

16Tha eisimpleirean ann de phrògraman air BBC ALBA a tha air a bhith cha mhòr gu tur sa

Bheurla. Tha iad rim faighinn air www.gaidhlig.tv. Faic cuideachd, mar eisimpleir, West

Highland Free Press, 15/01/2016 – “About Britain”, a black and white series dug out from

the BBC archives, was shown during primetime viewing [on BBC ALBA] on the 29th

December and was all in English.”

17Chan eil targaid oifigeil ann a thaobh aireamhan luchd-amhairc – Urras a’ BhBC:

http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/108436544092/the-cumbersome-g%C3%A0idhlig-television-

polices-of

18Fiosrachadh ann am post-dealain gu Ailean Dòmhnallach (Gleann Uige) bho Cheannard

MG ALBA – 04/03/2016.

27

19Nathan Collier, Autar Kaw, Jai Paul , Michael Keteltas, The Dangers of Extrapolation

(2003) http://www.maplesoft.com/applications/view.aspx?SID=4375&view=html

20Scottish Government response to BBC Charter renewal, 17.2.2016 – faic mar eisimpleir:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/8004/3

21Fiosrachadh: Scottish Government, SCOTLAND’S SPENDING PLANS AND DRAFT

BUDGET 2016-17 http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00491140.pdf

22Tha iomadh eisimpleir ann far a bheil Riaghaltas na h-Alba air airgead “a lorg” gu h-

obann.

23Daibhidh Boag, Ceannard Cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, air BBC Radio nan

Gàidheal (Aithris na Maidne), 02/02/2016.

24Faic http://www.gaidhlig.tv/post/138470501662/f%C3%A8isean-nan-g%C3%A0idheal-

2016 (Donnchadh MacGuaire a’ bruidhinn air BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, agus freagairt

FnG 29/01/2016).

25http://www.gaidhlig.org.uk/bord/en/bbc-trust-service-review-response-from-bord-na-

gaidhlig/

26MacLennan, Hugh Dan (12th November 2015)

http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2015/11/12/co-tha-a-riochdachadh-coimhearsnachd-na-

gaidhlig/

27Chanadh cuid againn gu bheil an uiread Beurla air BBC ALBA na dhearbhadh nach eilear

a’ cumail ri dleastanas an Communications Act (2003) gu feum prògraman BhBC ALBA a

bhith “ann an Gàidhlig”. Agus a thaobh Achd na Gàidhlig (2005), ged a bhuineas an lagh

sin ri rudan ‘devolved’, chanadh gu leòr nach eil buidhnea -craolaidh an ALBA a’ cumail ri

spiorad an Achd sin nas motha. Chan eil ‘spèis’ ga toirt don Ghàidhlig.

28Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s ‘moral’ campaigning, 2016:

http://www.gaidhlig.org.uk/bord/en/concerns-of-capping-numbers-in-edinburgh/

29Faic, mar eisimpleir, Stuart Dunmore, ‘Bilingual life after school? Language use,

ideologies and attitudes among Gaelic-medium educated adults’, tràchdas PhD neo-

fhoillsichte, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, 2014.

3022/06/2015- Cathraiche MG ALBA, Magaidh Choineagain air BBC ALBA:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/naidheachdan/33233692 7 minutes 40 seconds

31“Tha an rùn seo aig cridhe a h-uile nì a tha MG ALBA an sàs ann. Mar sin tha a’

Ghàidhlig aig teis-mheadhan na ro-innleachd seo”, Lèirsinn 2021, MG ALBA, duilleag 4.

32‘A’ Ghàidhlig agus a Muinntir’, sgrìobhte an toiseach ann an 1916 le Dòmhnall Mac na

Ceàrdaich (Barraigh, Dùn Èideann agus Manchester). Gheibhear seo san leabhar D.M.N.C.

(2015) ,foillsichte le CLÀR (duilleag 321).

Taing.

28

Appendix 3 Attendance

Name Organisation

Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan University of Edinburgh

Prof Wilson McLeod University of Edinburgh

Prof Rob Dunbar University of Edinburgh

Allan Campbell Rapporteur

Ciorstag MacLeod University of Edinburgh

Alasdair MacLeod Interpreter

Dr Stuart Dunmore University of Edinburgh

Participants

Prof Philip Schlesinger University of Glasgow

Michael Russell MSP

Alasdair Allan MSP Scottish Government

Dr Eithne O’Connell Dublin City University

Prof Elin Haf G Jones Aberystwyth University

Liza Storey Gàidhlig TV

Donald Campbell MG ALBA

Margaret Mary Murray BBC ALBA

Scottish Government

Grant Moncur Private Secretary

Douglas Ansdell Gaelic and Scots

Stuart Pescodd Gaelic and Scots

David Fleetwood

Ruaraidh MacIntyre

Jonathan Ferrier Media Dept

Delegates

Allan Turner

Maggie Cunningham BBC ALBA

David Brew BBC ALBA

Alan Esslemont BBC ALBA

Iseabail MacTaggart BBC ALBA

Jo MacDonald BBC ALBA

Donald J Brown BBC

Ariel Killick

Des Scholes

Maggie Smith

Alison Lang

Steven MacIver Bòrd na Gàidhlig

James Sneddon

Finlina MacDonald

Julia Preston East Ayrshire Council

Colin Fraser Aberdeen University

Iain MacIlleChiar

Heather Wolfe

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Stuart MacPherson HIENT

Marilyn Waters SQA

Alan Stewart OFCOM

Shona MacLennan SMO

Rosemary Davidson

Adam Dahmer

Mary Anne Kennedy

Robbie Macleod

Ruairidh MacIntyre

Kenna Chaimbeul Glaschu

Coinneach MacIver

Pete Cennell Open University

Rosemary Ward Comhairle nan Leabhraichean

Gordon MacKenzie

Catriona NicNeill UHI/SMO

Media BBC ALBA/Radio nan Gàidheal