Gaelg as mish: July 2018

I went to the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh and I have been grateful ever since that I got the chance to learn the language of the island I grew up on. I still use it often, such as when talking to friends from school, and it’s always fun to know that no one else has a clue what you’re talking about! I think that it is very important to keep speaking the language, otherwise it will be forgotten, and the island will have lost a part of its all important heritage. I never realised the importance of upholding it when I was younger, but now I know that losing the language would be like Germany losing beer, or England losing tea. It is one of the things that defines us as Manx, and what makes us unique.

I started learning Manx at 4, and have kept learning up until now, and will probably continue many years into the future. The Bunscoill is such an amazing school, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants their children to have an education they will never forget! The teachers are always kind, and teach in a way that will engage the students so that they take in what is being said, and it is a very safe and friendly environment. I did my work experience at Culture Vannin, where I added many pronunciations of Manx words to the online pronunciation dictionary, Forvo. None of this would have happened without learning Manx, and I would be a very different person now.

QEII also has Manx lessons for those who want to learn. A couple of subjects are taught in Manx for the first 3 years. In Year 7, I had Manx History and Geography, in Year 8, History and Music, and in Year 9, Music and Religious Studies. These were taught first by Paul Rogers, and then by Jamys O’Meara when Paul went to Spain to teach.

Music has by far been the biggest influence in my life, leading to me joining bands, playing gigs with them, and winning awards. This came from my family, which is all very musical and introduced me to the instruments I play today. The Bunscoill also contributed massively, as it  is a school that is very focused on the arts, with yearly school plays, and music of some sort most, if not, every day. I learnt songs like the Manx National Anthem in Manx, and to this day, still don’t know most of it in English! I am currently in a folk band called Scran (part of Culture Vannin’s Bree movement), and though not everyone speaks Manx fluently, it always makes an appearance, and it’s a big part of the usual rehearsal.

Jack McLean (15) Purt ny h-Inshey 

 

 

 

 

Published: Thu, 01 Jan 1970