An online dictionary which has rediscovered lost Gaelic phrases
and word meanings is one of 12 projects set to benefit from
Scottish Government funding.
Faclair na Gàidhlig (the Historical Dictionary of Scottish
Gaelic) seeks to provide a better understanding of Gaelic's
history and culture. It is the first dictionary of the language
which aims to detail the origins and meanings of every known
Gaelic word. Compilers expect that it will contain more than
100,000 entries.
As part of the initiative, researchers have investigated
historical manuscripts dating back to the 12th Century.
Rediscovered phrases and word meanings include:
- the phrase “Ciod fo na rionnagan” (“what under the stars”),
which was used in the early 1900s to emphasise a point similar to
“what on earth”
- the Gaelic word for prickly pear fruit, “peur stobach”, was
first used in a letter documenting a visit to Saint Helena in
1900
- “uircean”, which is the Gaelic word for “piglet”, also used
to mean "whale calf" in the 1800s
The investment will build on 20 years of work by helping Faclair
na Gàidhlig to reach new audiences including learners,
researchers, writers and speakers of Gaelic.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and
Gaelic announced the funding as part
of a wider £500,000 package to support the language's growth
across Scotland. The investment will also support the publication
of Gaelic language books, local mòd events throughout Scotland
and Gaelic cultural activities including a summer school and
musical events.
Ms Forbes said:
“The dictionary initiative is providing researchers, writers,
speakers and learners of Gaelic with new insight into the
language and it will be a valuable resource for future
generations.
“Gaelic is a core part of Scotland's culture, heritage and
history. To support the language's growth across Scotland, I am
announcing funding for a range of Gaelic publishing, education,
arts and community projects today.
“This will build on measures set out in the Scottish Languages
Bill to strengthen Gaelic education provision and our investment
of £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in
2025-26.”
Ola Szczesnowicz, Senior Editor of Faclair na Gàidhlig,
said:
“Faclair na Gàidhlig will be the most comprehensive dictionary of
Scottish Gaelic compiled on historical principles, similar to the
Oxford English Dictionary. This is a big undertaking, and we
welcome the Scottish Government's funding to help continue our
work. Our dictionary entries are already going online, freely
available to Gaelic speakers and everyone interested in the
language.”
Background
Audio clips to assist with the pronunciation of Gaelic words are
available from LearnGaelic's website online.
Faclair na Gàidhlig is available to read online.
The initiative is based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre
for Gaelic Language and Culture. It involves the universities of
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde. Scottish Government
funding for Faclair na Gàidhlig is delivered through the Scottish
Funding Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Organisations which will benefit from funding include:
- Comunn na Gàidhlig, which has been allocated £134,190 to
promote Scottish Gaelic language and culture
- An Comunn Gàidhealach (organisers of the Royal National Mòd)
will benefit from £74,000 to support the organisation of local
mòd events
- Fèisean nan Gàidheal (National Association of Scottish Gaelic
Arts Youth Tuition Festivals) will be provided £37,000 to support
Gaelic music
- Tobar an Dualchais is to receive £35,000 to support the
ongoing collection of online materials in Gaelic and Scots
including songs, stories and rhythms
- Ceòlas is to receive £30,000 to support Gaelic cultural
activities including its summer school and musical events
- Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (Gaelic Book Council), which will
receive £49,000, and Acair Publishing, which will be provided
£30,000, to support the publication of Gaelic books
- Ainmean Àite na h-Alba (Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland) has
been allocated £20,000 to continue its work as the national
advisory partnership for Gaelic place-names in Scotland
- Faclair na Gàidhlig will receive £17,500 to reach new
audiences in collaboration with other Gaelic organisations
- Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle (Islay Gaelic Centre) has been
allocated £17,500 to host Gaelic classes, exhibitions and early
years groups
- Theatre gu Leòr will benefit from £10,000 to deliver Gaelic
theatrical performances across Scotland
