The Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig today (Wednesday, February 4, 2009) launched a major new information and networking site, mygaelic.com, which aims to be the place to visit for everyone who wants to learn more about Gaelic – Gaelic language and culture, tourism, events relating to Gaelic and, how and where they can engage with the language. mygaelic.com is aimed at Gaelic speakers and novices alike, offering something for everyone with an interest in wishing to learn more about the language or indeed learning to speak Gaelic.
The website was launched in Glasgow by Minister for Gaelic Linda Fabiani, where representatives of various Gaelic organisations were invited to view the innovative new communication channel.
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said: “Gaelic is an essential element of Scotland’s heritage and current cultural life. It is vital for the future of Gaelic that we continue to develop the wide range of opportunities that now exist for the use and learning of the language. mygaelic.com is a great example of how Gaelic can be made more accessible to all, and of course use of this technology will appeal particularly to the younger Gaelic speakers who are key to a secure and sustainable future for the language. Launch of the portal is an important step forward and I am confident that mygaelic.com will, alongside many other initiatives, help to strengthen and secure the position of Gaelic in Scotland.”
The development work on mygaelic.com which is part social networking, part learning and a web-based source of information, has taken two years. The Gaelic version of the title moghaidhlig.com has also been registered as a brand name.
The project has been managed by Glasgow-based Creative Communications Agency, The Creative Cell, which won the tender to research, design and deliver the project. The Creative Cell commissioned the site build to Stornoway based web development Agency, Reefnet and the copywriting of mygaelic.com to Alasdair Campbell in Skye. The Creative Cell is also responsible for the advertising and promotional campaign that will support the site and has appointed Gaelic speaker Fiona Dunn to take its development to the next phase.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Acting Chief Executive Rosemary Ward said: “mygaelic.com has something for everyone with an interest in Gaelic. It is intended to be a “one-stop shop” for those who have an interest in Gaelic or learning the language. Core elements include information on a wide range of Gaelic activities and organisations, interactive tools for adding and finding friends, sending messages, and taking part in discussions.
“One of the key aims of mygaelic.com is to offer learners of the language the opportunity to take themselves through basic lessons and to be a source of information on where they can get help and support to expand their knowledge of Gaelic. Site content has been created in three different language levels to engage with non-Gaelic speakers, learners and those who are fluent in Gaelic. Users can submit content which can be rated by everyone who views the site. More fluent speakers are encouraged to participate in advanced group forums, and to become moderators willing to give a friendly hand to beginners when they seek support and encouragement.”
Simon MacQuarrie, Managing Director of The Creative Cell said: “This is just the beginning for mygaelic.com. The site will continue to develop as we attract new people to Gaelic language and culture.
“Within the site there is a section dedicated to learning Gaelic. At present, this section outlines the reasons for learning Gaelic and advises where people can go to learn Gaelic. Moving forward, the intention is that the Section will evolve to contain formal lessons with progression from beginner to intermediate to advanced. This will have phonetic text and audio and could be accompanied by videos of real people speaking Gaelic. The proposal is that this section will also contain lessons specifically targeted to children. These lessons will be colourful and fun with animations to accompany audio and text. Games will also be developed to encourage children to interact and pick-up phrases as they go along.”
Rosemary Ward added: “Organisations involved with Gaelic will be referred to in the relevant sections of the site, with links to their own websites. There are also sponsorship and promotional opportunities for organisations who wish to have a more prominent presence. In addition, all groups will have the ability to sign up to the networking side of the site, and create a group specifically for their organisation, which they will have complete control over. Here they can add information on the organisation, send emails to people who join the group and also feed information for their own and, the master events calendar.
“The events section forms an important part of the site. Both administrator and user added events are shown on a master calendar which everyone can view and filter depending on category and language capability.”
Welcoming the launch of the new site, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Interim Chair Arthur Cormack said: “The final outcome of this development work represents a major piece of research and development in Gaelic which should enable us to attract those who may have an interest in the language but do not know where to access the learning support they need, or the interaction with other Gaelic speakers which is so important. This is a significant investment for the Bòrd and it is vital that we support the non-Gaelic speakers who wish to develop their skills, thus enhancing the economic and cultural well-being of Scotland.”