#mgalba

ANN AN 2022, RIATANACH FHATHAST. OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE.

“Chan eil mi a’ coimhead air tbh sa Ghàidhlig airson Beurla a leughadh." Robbie Andrew MacLeòid - mar fhreagairt air MG ALBA

Chaidh bloga ùr MG Alba a sgaoileadh fad is farsaing air mo Twitter agus Facebook ann an 2015. Ged a tha gàidhlig.tv air fìor dheagh fhreagairt sgaoileadh, bu mhath leam fhèin mo ghuth a chur ris agus puing no dhà a thogail. Aig a’ cheann thall, cha deach na prìomh cheistean a tha agam fhèin agus gu leòr eile am freagairt ann am blog MG Alba. Seo agaibh mo bheachdan.

Mar fhreagairt air MG ALBA

Fo ‘Rùn BBC Alba’ tha sgrìobhte sa bhloga MG ALBA: “Tha BBC ALBA ag amas air a bhith a’ frithealadh luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig mar sheirbheis bhunaiteach agus a bhith feumail bho àm gu àm tron t-seachdain do fheadhainn aig nach eil Gàidhlig.” Ma 's e amas a tha sin, tha sin a’ fàgail nach eil daoine leis a’ Ghàidhlig na phrìomh amas aig MG Alba aig amannan tron t-seachdain. Tha na ceudan sianailean [Beurla] ag amas air a bhith feumail, an-còmhnaidh, don fheadhainn aig nach eil a’ Ghàidhlig. Tha gach sianail eile san t-saoghal ag amas air daoine aig nach eil a’ Ghàidhlig. Chan eil mi a’ coimhead air BBC Alba, air TBh sa Ghàidhlig, airson Beurla a chluinntinn agus a leughadh.

Tha bloga MG Alba a’ tòiseachadh na tha aca ri ràdh mu fho-thiotalan le: “Chan eil fo thiotalan sam bith air naidheachdan no prògraman chloinne – prògraman bunaiteach do Ghàidheil - agus chan eil iad air spòrs nas motha.” Ach, mar a tha air aideachadh ann am bloga MG ALBA fhèin nas fhaide air adhart, cha bhiodh an dùil ri fo-thiotalan a-rìamh air naidheachdan no spòrs a tha beò. Agus thathar a’ bruidhinn sa Bheurla tro phrògraman spòrs co-dhiù. Bheil iad son fo-thiotalan a chur air a’ Bheurla? Chan eil fo-thiotalan sam bith air prògraman chloinne, tha MG ALBA ag ràdh. Uill, cha chreid mi gun tèid aig luchd-amhairc Pheppa Pig air fo-thiotalan a leughadh ann an cànan sam bith! Feumaidh mi ràdh gur e na tha fo “Carson a tha iad loisgte a-steach?” a tha dhà-rìreabh gun chiall. “Tha na fo-thiotalan loisgte a-steach don dealbh gus nach bi cnapan-starra mu choinneimh an luchd-coimhid.” …ach luchd-coimhid leis a’ Ghàidhlig. An e seo e? Chan eil aig MG ALBA ach an aon argamaid seo airson fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte. Dè mu dhèidhinn fo-thiotalan àbhaisteach, mar a th’ aig iomadach seanail eile: fo-thiotalan a thèid an cur am falach? Tha MG ALBA a' cumail a-mach: “Tha fo-thiotalan [Beurla] eadar-theangachaidh loisgte a-steach san dealbh nas èifeachdaich na fo-thiotalan air falach air cùl na deilbh a tha feumach air inneal-làimh obrachadh airson an toirt am follais air an sgrion.” Feumaidh ’s gu bheil an comas aig a’ mhòr-shluagh inneal làimhe a chleachdadh son TBh a chur air, a chur dheth, agus airson seanailean a thaghadh. Mar sin, chaninn ’s gu deidheadh aca air inneal làimhe a chleachdadh airson na fo-thiotalan a thoirt am follais. A-rithist, tha MG Alba air cnag na cùise a sheachnadh: “Tha iad [fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte] nan cuideachadh gu h-àraid dhan fheadhainn nach biodh comasach am prògram a leantainn às an aonais, nan luib teaghlaichean far nach eil Gàidhlig aig a h-uile duine.” Cha chreid mi gu bheil mòran ann a tha an aghaidh comas fo-thiotalan (roghainn) a bhith ann idir. Chan ann mu sin a tha a’ mhòr-chuid feargach, ach mun ghainnead taghaidh. “Tha iad [fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte] mar fhàilte don chànan agus a’ cuideachadh ri bhith togail blàths agus deagh rùn a’ mhòr-shluaigh." ?! “Tha mi fhìn [ceannard MG ALBA] agus – cuiridh mi geall - mo cho-oibrichean an lùib an fheadhainn ris an còrdadh e gu pearsanta nam biodh ar suidheachadh cho treun ’s gum b’ urrainn dèanamh às an aonais.” Dè, suidheachadh na Gàidhlig? Nach eil an dleastanas aca taic a chumail ris a’ Ghàidhlig? “Ach tha fo-thiotalan ann am Beurla a’ fuasgladh ar prògraman gu daoine nach eil fileanta sa chànan agus dh’fhaodadh luach agus buannachd tighinn chun chànain ri linn.” Uill, tha sinn fhathast a’ feitheamh rannsachaidh a dhearbhas a leithid. Cha tug mi an aire dha na mìltean luchd-taic rugbaidh a tha a-nis ag ionnsachadh sa chànan. Ach seall: “Ach, mar a thuirt sinn san aithisg, bu chòir an roghainn a bhith aig an neach-cleachdaidh an cur am falach…” Sin e dìreach! Stadaibh an sin. … “…agus thèid obrachadh air fuasgladh teicnigeach a lorg ma tha e idir comasach.” Ò, agus tha e comasach.

Aig deireadh an latha, tha sinn an dùil gum bi BBC Alba a’ craoladh ann an dòigh a tha iomchaidh agus taiceil dhan a’ Ghàidhlig agus muinntir na Gàidhlig. Thèid fuasgladh teicnigeach a lorg. Tha e comasach a-nis. Carson nach eil e againn? Robbie Andrew MacLeòid - Chaidh an aiste seo a sgrìobhadh an toiseach le Robbie air Tumblr 14/07/2015 Tha seo ceangailte ri bloga oifigeil MG ALBA, sgrìobhte le Domhnall Caimbeul – Co-chomhairle MG ALBA 2015 agus barrachd air seirbheisean taic airson luchd-coimhid - ri fhaighinn aig mgalba.com Tha rannsachadh a' sealtain gun dean fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig feum do luchd-ionnsachaidh Agus tha rannsachadh ann a tha a' sealtainn mar a nì fo-thiotalan Beurla - mòr-chànan - cron.

Audio

Liza Storey 09/09/2014 - chan e sianal Gàidhlig a th’ ann

Pairt I: Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail 12/12/2014 - ceistean mu BhBC ALBA a' sparadh Beurla oirnn! Sgur dhe!

Mairead Mairi Mhoireach 06/01/2015 - beachd a’ BhBC

Pairt II: Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail 07/01/2015 - còirichean nan Gàidheal

Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul

“Tha daonnan leisgeulan aig na riaghladairean. Chan fheum e bhith mar sin.” 

Tha treis on a choimhead mi air BBC ALBA mu dheireadh, ach chuir mi air an telebhisean an t-seachdain-sa chaidh agus – doirbh ’s gu bheil e chreidsinn – shaoil mi gun robh cùisean na bu mhiosa na bha iad riamh a thaobh cho beag Gàidhlig ’s a bha ann an coimeas ris a’ Bheurla.

Chan eil cuimhn’am dè na prògraman a bh’air, ach ’s e glè bheag dè chainnt mo mhàthair Gàidhlig Uibhist neo cainnt m’athair Gàidhlig Eireisgeidh, neo cainnt mo sheanmhair Gàidhlig Bharraigh, neo cainnt Ulpan neo Gàidhlig sam bith à sgìre sam bith eile a chuala mi. Tuil de Bheurla mar fhuaim, a-bharrachd air na fo-thiotalan Beurla mar sheòrsa de bhreab sa mhionnach.

Chan eil neach againn a-nis aig nach eil a’ Bheurla a-bharrrachd air ar Gàidhlig, agus mar sin chan e ceist tuigse th’ann – tuigidh mi gach facal (Beurla) a chluinneas mi air an t-sianal Gàidhlig, a-bharrachd air a’ chorra fhacal Gàidhlig a chluinneas mi an-drast’ sa-rithist (cleas “breab peanais” agus “cagainn”).

Agus tuigidh sinn uile carson a tha iad a cleachdadh na Beurla – airson an aon adhbhar a chleachdas thus’ is mis’ a’ Bheurla ann an cuid a shuidheachaidhean. Feuch’s gun tuig daoine sin, agus feuch’s gun leudaich sinn a-mach an raon anns a bheil sinn ag obrachadh.

Mar sgrìobhaiche, mar eisimpleir, tha mise airson luchd-leughaidh fhaighinn a cheart cho math leis an ath dhuine. Ach chan eil sin a’ ciallachadh gun lìon sinn ar leabhraichean Gàidhlig (neo ar sgoiltean Gàidhlig, neo ar prògraman Gàidhlig) le Beurla. Mar a tha an seanfhacal ag radh: “An là bhios sinn ri òrach, biomaid ri òrach; ach an là bhios sinn ri maorach, biomaid ri maorach”. Neo, ma thogras tu – “An là bhios sinn ri Gàidhlig, biomaid ri Gàidhlig; ach an là bhios sinn ri Beurla, biomaid ri Beurla”.

Chan eil mi ag ràdh nach bu chòir coluadair a bhith ann eadar an dà chànan. Mar as motha de chàirdeas is th’ann as fhèarr. Ach chan ann mun sin a tha sinn a’ bruidhinn nuair a thig e gu dol a mach riaghladairean an aon sianal Gàidhlig air an t-saoghal mhòr, BBC Alba. Buidheann poblach a th’ann am MG Alba a tha faighinn nam milleanan mòra de dh’airgead poblach airson ar cànan (agus an dualchas a tha ceangailte ri ar cànan) a thaisbeanadh dhan t-saoghal mhòr.

Tha fhios’am gu bheil taobh eile air an dleastanasan cuideachd – agus sin an saoghal mòr farsaing a thoirt thugainne tro mheadhain ar cànan fhèin. Oir chan eil duin’ beò dha fhèin, agus tha e ceart is iomchaidh gum faigheadh sinn fiosrachadh is prògramman o air feadh an t-saoghail – ach bu chòir dhaibh uile bhith air an lìbhrigeadh ann an Gàidhlig (tro ghuthan-thairis neo tro fo-thiotalan Gàidhlig) airson ar cànan àbhaisteachadh.

Tha an t-sianal air a bhith againn airson faisg air 10 bliadhna a-nis agus chan eil e a’ tachairt. Fhathast tha còrr is 70% dhe gach prògram inbheach a thèid a-mach gach oidhche air BBC Alba ann am Beurla – rud a tha briseadh prìomh lagh nam meadhanan ceangailte ris an t-sianail – an ‘Communications Act’ 2003 – a tha ag ràdh, ann an dubh is geal gu feum na prògraman againn a bhith “ann an Gàidhlig”.

Tha daonnan leisgeulan aig na riaghladairean. Chan fheum e bhith mar sin. Oir ged nach eil Gàidhlig aig Chick Young, mar eisimpleir, neo aig Gregor Townsend, tha rud ann ris an can iad teicneòlas, a dhèanadh cìnnteach gun sìoladh sinn na guthan Gallta sin gu lèir tro chriathar na Gàidhlig. Tha fhios nach eil sinn ag iarraidh cus air Sianal Gàidhlig – gum biodh na prògraman ann an Gàidhlig?

Tha mi faicinn gu bheil muinntir na h-Eirinn air gabhail gu slàn ri fo-thiotalan roghaineil agus mar as luaithe leanas BBC ALBA an eisimpleir sin, ’s ann as fheàrr. Tha an teicneòlas againn cheana a dhèanadh sianal Gaidhlig ceart dhen mhablach a th’againn an-dràsta. ’S cha bhiodh e cho daor sin a chuir an gnìomh a-bharrachd, agus tha bann-leathann neo “bandwidth” gu leòr ann: dhearbh Urras a’ BhBC sin ann an sgrìobhadh do luchd gàidhlig.tv ann an 2015.

Thuirt Donalda NicFhionghuin aig toiseach na bliadhna [2017], nuair a chaidh i na Ceannard ùr air BBC Scotland, gu robh deagh argumaid aig an fheadhainn a bha a’ stri an aghaidh tsunami na Beurla. Ge-ta, chan eil mi a’ faicinn gun do rinn na h-ùghdarasan sian mu dheidhinn. Tha mi tuigsinn gur e soitheach mor, seach An Claymore aig MacBraynes, a th’anns a BhBC, ach tha an t-àm aice gluasad mus steig i buileach glan air na sgeirean.

O, agus tha mi faicinn nach eil na filmichean beaga sgoinneil a bhios FilmG a’ dèanamh air am meas airidh air a bhith air an craoladh air BBC ALBA. A-rèir iomradh tha na h-urrachan mòra ag ràdh nach eil iad “math gu leòr” neo “aig ìre àrd gu leòr” airson an craoladh air an t-sianal. Ann an coimeas ri cuid dhen sgudal Ghallda a chi sinn gach oidhche, bhiodh prògram leis an nighean as òige agam a’ leughadh tro leabhar na fòn na b’airidh air craoladh.

Siuthadaibh, MG Alba agus am BBC, ged nach biodh ann ach mar dhìleab agus mar thaing do Sheonaidh-Ailig còir nach maireann, atharraicheabh ur dòighean. Nach àraid gur e seo a’ sgrìobh e fhèin mun chùis anns an leabhar iongantach aige “Steall à Iomadh Lòn” air duilleag 223:

“Anns na 1960an, nuair a bha mi fhèin a’ riochdachadh phrògraman agus a’craoladh farapaisean a’ Mhòid, cha robh e ceadaichte dhuinn an aithris a dhèanamh ann an Gàidhlig. Agus ’s e peacadh uabhasach a bhiodh ann nam biodh Gàidheal ag aithris nam prògraman telebhisean. Tha e math gu bheil cùisean eadar-dhealaichte an-diugh. Ach feumaidh mi ràdh gun tàinig na làithean dorcha seo air ais thugam nuair a chunnaic mi BBC Alba a’ nochdadh phrògraman Beurla air an t-seirbheis ris an robh sinn a’ feitheamh cho fada. Thog e ceist a chuir iomagain orm: an e seasmhachd no siùrsachd a th’ann a bhith brìodal ri luchd na Beurla son àireamh luchd-èisteachd a mheudachadh?”

Steallaibh oirbh leis an atharrachadh!

Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul

Na còraichean @ Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul.  Sgrìobhte an toiseach an 2017. 2020? RIATANACH FHATHAST.

Taing do @WHFP airson cead seo fhoillseachadh.

70% ENGLISH Prògraman BBC Alba  - stiùireadh agus taic bho MG ALBA

Fo-thiotalan Beurla orra cuideachd

Chan eil anns na 30 seo ach eisimpleirean - tha tòrr a bharrachd ann cuideachd. 

1. 80% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd, Bainnsean (Weddings) Series 3 Episode 1 20% Gaelic PurpleTV air a chraoladh ann an 2016 agus àmannan eile

2. 78% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Bainnsean (Weddings) Series 3 Episode 4 22% Gaelic PurpleTV air a chraoladh 2014-2016

3. 70% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Famous Five: Hibs Documentary 30% Gaelic PurpleTV air a chraoladh ann an 2016

4. 96% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd airson 4% Gaelic About Britain: Isle Skye 4% Gaelic BBC? air a chraoladh grunn thursan mar eisimpleir 29/12/2015

5. 70% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Big John: Sgeulachd John Hartson 30% Gaelic Avanti Media/MG ALBA air a chraoladh tòrr triopan 2014-2015

6. 54% English sa riochd “Gàidhlig”  Ospreys v Glasgow Rugby PRO12 series 46% Gaelic mneTV 31 am Faoilleach 2016 - agus Red Button English option cuideachd: John Beattie agus Scott Hastings. Mar sin, chan eil rugbaidh sa Ghàidhlig ri fhaighinn ann.

7. 96% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris: Real Live Roadrunning 4% Gaelic Bees Nees Media/MG ALBA Tòrr triopan, mar eisimpleir ann an 2014

8. 51% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Am Balach MacCuidhein - McQueen of Scots 49% Gaelic Solus Productions/MG ALBA Tòrr triopan eadar 2014 agus 2016

9. 80% English, fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Lorgan Linda (Linda’s Story) Lorgan Linda - 20% Gaelic MacTV/MG ALBA Tòrr triopan, nam measg Samhain 2014.

10. 91% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Ricky Ross 9% Gaelic Bees Nees Media/ MG ALBA Tòrr triopan 2014-2015

11. 66% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Honeyballers 34% Gaelic PurpleTV Tòrr triopan eadar 2014 agus an Dùbhlachd 2015

12. 72% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Opry an Iúir Series 2, Episode 6 28% Gaelic Big Mountain Productions/BBC TG4 Tòrr triopan, an Dùbhlachd 2014 nam measg. Sreath ùr a’ tighinn ann an 2016.

12a: Note - numerous episodes of 'Opry an Iúir' contain vast amounts of English-language content, taking up a significant amount of broadcast time on BBC Alba. The above episode is but one example. None of these programmes can be described as being "in Gaelic" - the Communications Act 2003 is being contravened.

13. 75% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Disco Kids: Ireland's tiny dancers 25% Gaelic Tòrr triopan, am Faoilleach 2016 nam measg.

14. 77% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Oighreachdan na h-Alba/Great Estates 2: Inverary Castle 23% Gaelic macTV Air a chraoladh am Faoilleach 2016

14a NOTE: Several other episodes of 'Oighreachdan na h-Alba/Great Estates' contain significantly high (greater than 50%) English language content.

15. 99% English + English captions Belladrum: Unseen Highlights Ade Edmonson and the Bad Shepherds 1% Gaelic BBC? Air a chraoladh san Ogmhios 2015

15a NOTE: more content not "in Gaelic" from Belladrum series of programmes broadcast regularly on BBC Alba. Ade Edmonson just one example of English language content.

16. 66% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  A-nis: Billy Joel documentary 34% Gaelic Tòrr triopan, Ogmhios 2015 nam measg.

17. 55% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Am Bealach Basmhor - Highway to Hell Episode 45% Gaelic Originally Great Pacific Television -BBC home: First shown on 19 June 2015

17a NOTE: the majority of episodes of 'Am Bealach Basmhor' have significant English language audio content, combined with English language burnt-in subtites. This constitutes a significant number of hours on BBC Alba - of English-dominated programming.

18. 85% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd  Rockettes 15% Gaelic purpleTV Tòrr triopan, am Faoilleach 2016 nam measg

19. 82% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Breab na Broige/Jigs and Wigs - episode 1 18% Gaelic MACTV Tòrr triopan, am Faoilleach 2015 nam measg

19a NOTE - other episdes of Breab na Broige contain significantly high English content. The above is but one example

20. 69% English,  fo-thiotalan Beurla cuideachd Tartan Pride/Prois Tartain 31% Gaelic mneTV Tòrr triopan eadar 2015 agus 2016

21. PORT (2015-2016) PORT, sreath le taic-airgid bho MG ALBA, air a riochdachadh le Bees Nees Media, “charting the musical landscapes of Ireland and Scotland”.  Luchd na Beurla air tric. An ceòladair Phil Cunningham, for instance, spoke at length in English in the episode about “Gaelic” music in Edinburgh, shown on Friday 22th January 2016 (programme 3 Series 2). The common language often heard – for interviews and conversation between featured artists - is English. No attempt is made at Gaelic dubbing or Gaelic voice--overs, despite this being readily available and (for voice-overs) inexpensive.

22. CEÒL BHO PERTHSHIRE AMBER SERIES (2015 + 2016) Music series Ceòl bho Perthshire Amber, shown as recently as 1st April 2016, contains episodes of programmes with over 90% English language content.

23. CUIRM @ CELTIC (2015-2016) + CEÒL COUNTRY (2015-2016) The series Cuirm @Celtic and Ceòl Country contain deliberate and repeated English language content. These series contribute a substantial number of broadcast hours on BBC ALBA –a majority of which is not “in Gaelic”.

24. HISTORY SHORTS/ Earrann Eachdraidh (throughout 2016) SERIES Excessive English language content is not confined to music programming. Broadcast as recently as 15 April 2016, first shown in 2014 and repeated regularly, the History Shorts series contains substantial English language content – audio and captioning. There are approximately 50 episodes in the series shown on BBC Alba. Nine episodes are currently available on BBC Alba iPlayer (last accessed 30/04/2016). This clearly contravenes the 2003 Act.

25. JOCK STEIN (December 2015) Factual programming such as Jock Stein, a documentary produced by purpleTV and funded by MG ALBA, shown on multiple occasions, as recently as 6 December 2015, contains majority English audio with numerous English language interviews along with burnt-in English subtitles. Jock Stein may contain some Gaelic, but is dominated by English.

26. EASTER RISING – AR-A-MACH NA CÀISGE (2016) Last shown on 17 April 2016, Easter Rising: Ar-A-Mach na Càisge, produced by MACTV with a credit to Alan Esslemont, Head of Content at MG ALBA, contains significant English language audio content. For example, the episode broadcast on 25th March 2016 includes several interviews with English language author Michael Foy. All episodes contain burnt-in English subtitles. Irish language content on the Easter Rising programmes is not subtitled (or dubbed) in Scottish Gaelic, or left the way it is. MG ALBA deliberately subtitle Irish language content into English. As well as breaching the 2003 Act, the imposition of English on Irish is ironic, given the subject matter.

27. OF-DIABOLICAL-PURPOSE-SGEULACHD-MONSIEUR-CHANTRELLE (2016) Crime documentaries such as OF-DIABOLICAL-PURPOSE-SGEULACHD-MONSIEUR-CHANTRELLE, broadcast as recently as March 2016 (and first shown 22 May 2014), funded by MG ALBA and produced by stv productions, with (again) a credit to the Head of Content at MG ALBA, contain significant English language audio (interviews and comment), as well as burnt-in English subtitles. Baby Killer? Sgeulachd Jessie King, shown in March 2016 (first shown 22 January 2015) and All that lies behind me – Sgeulachd Donald Merrett shown in 2016 (first shown 15 May 2014) is a documentary in a similar vein to ‘Of-Diabolical-Purpose-Sgeulachd-Monsieur-Chantrelle’, funded by MG ALBA and produced by stv productions, containing significant English language audio and burnt-in English language subtitles.

28. VETS: GACH CREUTAIR BEO (2016) - SERIES 3 EPISODE 9 First shown on 22 March 2016, this episode of a new flagship 2016 documentary series contains major English language content (audio interview, dialogue and burnt-in English language subtitles). There are other examples with high English language content in the Vets series. This series is funded by MG ALBA, produced by midas productions and broadcast on BBC Alba.

29. SPORTS BROADCASTS ON BBC ALBA (2016) – CURLING, RUGBY, FOOTBALL, SHINTY, ORIENTEERING In 2016, sports programmes continue to constitute a significant number of broadcast hours on BBC Alba. Broadcasts this year have included live curling, rugby and football, with shinty and orienteering appearing in 2015. All have contained deliberate and significant promotion of English language content, featuring English language summarisers/pundits despite Gaelic summarisers/pundits being available. We have already highlighted the deliberate, regular English language content which is so prominent in “Gaelic” rugby coverage on BBC Alba - a very strange practice indeed considering that English language live commentary is also available to viewers. The series of curling programmes, first broadcast in January 2016 – the Mercure Perth City Masters - are another example of programmes with deliberate English audio summaries dominating a Gaelic commentary. Shinty, supposedly the ‘sport of Gaels’, is also broadcast on BBC Alba, yet features deliberate English language content. There are Gaelic speaking shinty experts and afficianados available to MG ALBA, yet Gaelic speaking contributors are often kept to an absolute minimum.

30. Sreath CUIDE RI CATHY, with 40 episodes structured in three series, produced by mneTV and funded by MG ALBA, features programmes dominated by an English speaking presenter , with content centred on English ‘chat’ with an English speaking interviewee. Not surprisingly, these programmes regularly contain 80%-90% English. Gaelic content, if any, is tokenistic. Episodes repeated regularly on BBC Alba have featured the late American music ‘personality’ David Guest 2 , the soap actress Michelle Collins, the gossip mogul Ross King and the football pundit Chick Young (a respected broadcaster: we are unaware of his prowess in Gaelic). Given that the regular 80-90% English audio is combined with default English subtitles, it is stretching the imagination to claim that these programmes are “in Gaelic”.

***

A bheil cothrom ann seo atharrachadh? Tha, tha iomadh dòigh ann. 

Gun a bhith a’ dol ann an doimhneachd an-dràsta, seo dà dhòigh:

Thar-ghuthan - beachd Aonghais MhicNeacail

Fo-thiotalan falaichte - cothrom

2022 - dè nì sinn? Tha cothrom ann fhathast: seachd molaidhean air an dòigh air aghaidh a thaobh BBC Alba - co-labhairt craolaidh Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann

LITIR

Inbhir Nis

Magaidh Choineagain Cathraiche MG ALBA 54 Seaforth Road Steòrnabhadh HS1 2SD

24/03/2016

GHETTO - MG ALBA

(Dealbh: BBC @ 15/01/2016)

A Mhagaidh choir,

Bidh thu mothachail gun duirt fear de àrd oifigearan MG ALBA  (Ailean Esslemont) faclan suarach, a ghoirtich iomadh neach uasal a tha air mòran a dhèanamh airson ar cànan, o chionn beagan mhiosan. Bidh cuimh’ agad gun duirt e gun robh daoine mar Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail agus Morag NicLeòid à Scalpaigh agus Ailean Dòmhnullach à Gleann Ùige agus Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul - agus feadhainn òga mar Robbie Anndra MacLeòid agus Ruairidh MacIomhair - agus iomadh neach eile ag iarraidh Gàidhlig a chumail anns a’ ghetto. B’ e faclan gu tur ceàrr agus mì-iomchaidh a chleachd Mgr Esslemont, gu h-àraid do oifigear aig àrd ìre a bha (agus a tha) a riochdachadh MG ALBA gu poblach.

Bha dòchas againn gun gabhadh MG ALBA an cothrom aig a’ cho-labhairt a chaidh a chumail an Dùn Èideann an t-seachdain sa chaidh (15/03/2016) na briathran mì-chneasta sin a tharraing air ais. Gu mì-fhortanach, cha do ghabh.

Tha sinn a-nis mar iomairt a’ sgrìobhadh gu h-oifigeil agus gu foirmeil ag iarraidh an neach a thubhairt na faclan grod sin gu poblach (air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal) ar leisgeil iarraidh gu poblach, ann an sgrìobhadh, agus dèanamh soilleir gun robh e gu tur ceàrr na faclan sin a chleachdadh agus gu bheil e gan tarraing air ais.

Feumaidh mi a ràdh gun do chuir e mòr-iongnadh oirnn nach deach Ailean Esslemont (fhad’s as aithne dhuinn) a pheanasach le MG ALBA airson mì-chliù thoirt air a bhuidheann le a bhriathran uabhasach.

Direach airson fios dhut, bidh sinn cuideachd a’ foillseachadh na litreach seo air an làrach-lìn againn fhèin, agus bidh sinn an dùil an leisgeul oifigeil aig MG ALBA (Mr Esslemont) fhoillseachadh gu poblach cuideachd nuair a thairgneas e air ais na thuirt e.

Le meas,

Lisa Storey as leth gaidhlig.tv

FIOSRACHADH EILE

Tha Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail, a tha a’ cur taic ris an litir seo, is e a’ putadh gu làidir airson thar-ghuthan Gàidhlig air BBC Alba, air innse dhuinn gu bheil e fhèin air a bhith ann an iomadh duthaich air feadh an t-saoghail, agus gun e sealladh eadar-nàiseanta a dh'fheumas a bhith aig BBC Alba. Gabhaidh sin dèanamh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, tha Aonghas, agus sinne, ag radh. Tha feallsanachd Gàidhlig-Beurla - Beurla airson Alba - Cheannard Phrògraman MG ALBA cho cumhang ’s a th’ ann, taice ri feallsanachd Aonghais. Chan eil e ceart gu bheil ‘public servant’ MG ALBA a’ labhairt mu dheidhinn 'ghetto’ air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. Mar as luaithe a gheibh na Gàidheil atharraichidhean, ’s ann nas fheàrr.

Ar beannachd air Fèisean nan Gàidheal, a’ moladh BBC Alba, agus aig an dearbh àm a’ togail cheistean riatanach.  Seo, gu h-ìseal, gearr-aithris (‘exec summary’) freagairt bhuapa ceangailte ri co-chonaltradh a’ BhBC air BBC Alba agus BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, dà sheirbheis-craolaidh air leth cudromach.

Chithear, a rèir Fèisean nan Gàidheal -  a bharrachd air tuilleadh taic on BhBC fhèin -  gu bheil feum air:

“a reduction of the excessive use of English language in sub-titles and oral contributions”.   Cuideachd, tha iad ag radh:

“While we agree that BBC Alba should reflect, strengthen and promote Gaelic cultural heritage, we feel there are currently issues to do with the low level of Gaelic usage apparent in some programmes which require to addressed.”... “Subtitles in Gaelic are not given sufficient priority.”

Ar beannachd, a-rithist, air Fèisean nan Gàidheal a thaobh seo.   

Tha cothrom air leth againn, ann an 2016, atharraichean mòra a dhèanamh. Tha rathad nas fheàrr ann.  

29/01/2016 - BBC ALBA - Tomorrow’s BBC

BBC Alba 2016 - Beurla a-rithist! Cothrom-èisteachd an seo.  2 mhionaid (agus an còrr) de Bheurla gu h-àrd - a h-uile ceithir-coig mionaidean sa phrògram seo, tha iad a’ tionndadh gu Beurla. Seo agaibh BBC Alba ann an 2016. 

The promotion of the English language on BBC Alba - deliberately, by channel controllers MG ALBA - throughout new programmes in 2016. For example, two solid minutes and more of English commentary, on a regular basis, in this new ‘Gaelic’ sports series.   What is the point of the Gaelic channel, BBC Alba, if they cannot provide a comprehensive Gaelic commentary? 

These bursts of English are a feature throughout.  Èist ris a’ Bheurla gu h-àrd. 

Chan ann a’ dèanamh di-meas air Derek MacAoidh a tha sinn - tha esan math dha-rìreabh mar chraoladair.  Not his fault.  Channel controllers MG ALBA need to re-examine their policies. This is the only Gaelic channel in the world.  BBC Alba sports commentary should - and could - be in Gaelic.  There are more than a few educated Gaelic speaking curling fans who could converse with Derek MacAoidh.  

Cuin a gheibh sinn luchd-comhairleachaidh/luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig?

Audio

Liza Storey 09/09/2014 - chan e sianal Gàidhlig a th’ ann

Pairt I: Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail 12/12/2014 - ceistean mu BhBC ALBA a' sparadh Beurla oirnn! Sgur dhe!

Mairead Mairi Mhoireach 06/01/2014 - beachd a’ BhBC

Pairt II: Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail 07/01/2015 - còirichean nan Gàidheal

17/10/2015 Sgrìobh mi gu Ministear na Gàidhlig, Alasdair Allan BPA, anmoch ann an 2014, is mi a' toirt fianais dha mun uabhas de Bheurla a tha a' nochdadh air an aon sianal Gàidhlig a th' againn, BBC Alba.  Rinn mi an litir ann an Gàidhlig.  Shoilleirich mi don Mhinistear gu robh mi air sgrìobhadh mar-thà gu riaghladairean an t-sianail, BBC Scotland (an Stiùiriche, Coinneach MacGuaire) agus MG ALBA (an Cathraiche, Magaidh Choineagan), feuch am b' urrainn dhaibh-san cuideachadh.  Mhìnich mi cuideachd gu robh Ofcom agus am BBC Trust air innse dhomh ann an sgrìobhadh gur ann an urra ri riaghladairean an t-sianail a bha ceistean leithid cò cànan a bhios air fo-thiotalan.

Le còrr is 70% Beurla air cuid a phrògraman – a h-aona ghnothach -  tha e soilleir gu bheil feum air atharrachadh.  Tha riaghladairean a' sparradh Beurla air na Gàidheil.   Mar cho-dhùnadh sa litir, thuirt mi ri Mgr Allan:  "tha mi a' sgrìobhadh thugad mar Mhinistear na Gàidhlig feuch an urrainn dhut ar cuideachadh ach am bi sianal Gàidhlig ann do na Gàidheil". (01/11/2014).  

Fhuair mi freagairt oifigeil air 13 an Dàmhair 2015.  Bha am freagairt ann am Beurla.  Chan ann bho Mgr Allan a thàinig i, ach bho shearbhanta catharra bho Roinn an ‘Learning Directorate’ (”Gaelic and Scots Officer” a bh’ air an duine) .  Thuirt an neach seo sa litir aige: "Thank you for your letter to Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, highlighting your principal concerns relating to MG ALBA and Gaelic broadcasting. Your letter has been passed to the Learning Directorate and I will respond on his behalf."  Lean e air: "As you are aware, although supportive, the Scottish Government is not a broadcaster, and in order to respond to your points we have requested information from MG ALBA." An uair sin,  chuir e crioch sgiobalta air an litir aige, a’ mineachadh gu robh e air beachd fhaighinn dhuinn bhon dearbh bhuidheann sin (’s dòcha gun cuala sibh mun deidhinn?), MG ALBA.   Dè Ghàidhlig air 'back to square one'?

Tha an searbhanta catharra seo ceart: chan e craoladair a th' ann an Riaghaltas na h-Alba.  Chan e luchd-teagaisg a th' annta nas motha, agus tha e annasach gu bheil e comasach do Mhinistear na Gàidhlig beachdan gu leòr a bhith aige air foghlam Gàidhlig.

An e nach eil beachd aig Ministear na Gàidhlig air na ceistean bunaiteach ceangailte ri craoladh?   Fo-thiotalan Beurla loisgte, mar eisimpleir - rud nach fheum a bhith ann, air sgàth gu bheil an teicneolas agus an coimeas air Freeview (agus a h-uile ‘platform’) cur às dhaibh agus an dèanamh mar roghainn do dhaoine.  An e nach eil beachd aig Mgr Allan mu dheidhinn sin? 

'S e briseadh dùil a th' ann nach cuala sinn guth bho Mhinistear na Gàidhlig fhèin.

Bhon taobh againne dheth (chan e a-mhàin mise ach a h-uile duine a tha ag iarraidh barrachd Gàidhlig fhaicinn air BBC Alba) cumaidh sinn oirnn a' srì.  Tha rathad nas fheàrr ann - beachd bho Mhinistear na Gàidhlig ann neo às.

Lisa Storey

17 An Dàmhair 2015

Notaichean

1. Sgrìobh mi an litir Ghàidhlig gu Ministear na Gàidhlig air 01/11/2014.  Cha robh freagairt a’ tighinn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba ach mu dheireadh thall fhuair mi brath bhon Riaghaltas anns an Lùnastal 2015 ‘gu bheil e a’ coimhead coltach gun deach an litir air chall’. Mar sin, chuir mi thuca an litir Ghàidhlig a-rithist.   Fhuair mi brath air 16/09/2015 is am ‘Ministerial Correspondence Unit’ a’ dearbhadh gun d’ fhuair iad an leth-bhreac den litir (reference 2015/0031656).

2. A h-uile brath a fhuair mi bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba, ‘s ann ann am Beurla a bha iad. 

3. Chuir mi fiosrachadh a bharrachd thuca mu chothroman ùra ceangailte ri fo-thiotalan nuair a bha an conaltradh a’ dol sa Lùnastal 2015 - nach fheum fo-thiotalan a bhith loisgte idir agus gu bheil cothrom aig MG ALBA/BBC Scotland am poileasaidh aca atharrachadh.  Mar sin, tha fios aig Ministear na Gàidhlig mu na cothroman ùra ceangailte ri fo-thiotalan falaichte.  Tha fios aige gu bheil leithid Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail air a bhith a’ moladh guthan Gàidhlig  (dubbing neo voice-overs, a-rèir cò suidheachadh) nuair a dh’fheumas guthan Beurla a bhith air an riochdachadh. Gu bheil teicneòlas agus cothroman ùra ag eirigh.

4. Tha MG ALBA, anns an ‘fhiosrachadh’ a dh’ullaich iad ceangailte ri  freagairt an Riaghaltais, ag radh (a-measg rudan eile) seach gu bheil fo-thiotalan loisgte air prògraman TG4 an Eireann, gu bheil sin ga dheanamh ceart gum bi an dearbh rud a’ tachairt an Alba.  ’S e beachd rudeigin annasach a tha seo: ma tha cleachdadh mì-iomchaidh a’ dol ann an duthaich eile gu bheil sin a’ toirt ‘cead’ dhuinn an dearbh rud a dhèanamh san dùthaich againn fhèin. 

Chan eil susbaint san argumaid aca.  Mar a thuirt an t-ùghdar Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, tha an ‘experiment’ a rinn MG ALBA le Beurla cearr.  Tha dòchas ann, ge-tà: “Bu chòir dhuinn a bhith moiteil às daoine òga leithid Ruairidh MacÌomhair à Leòdhas, Ishi Nicilleathain à Barraigh agus Robbie Anndra MacLeòid à Dùn Èideann, gun ghuth air Morag NicLeòid à Scalpaigh, Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail à Carlops agus feadhainn eile, a tha a’ seasamh còmhla gu làidir an aghaidh an tùil Bheurla seo.“

5. ‘S e airgead poblach a tha MG ALBA a’ faighinn - airgead a h-aona ghnothach airson Gàidhlig - agus tha dleastanas air Riaghaltas na h-Alba ceangailte ris a seo, seach gun e Riaghaltas na h-Alba as motha a tha a’ toirt airgead do MG ALBA.  Tha e iomchaidh  gum bi daoine a’ suileachadh beachd bho Mhinistear na Gàidhlig air na ceistean a tha ag èirigh,  Mar a thuirt am fear eile, ‘s e ceist ‘public accountability’ a th’ ann.

6. Tha eòlaichean leithid an Dr Eithne O’Connell, Tove Skutnabb-Kangas agus an t-Àrd Ollamh Robert Phillipson a’ toirt taic don iomairt againn airson barrachd Gàidhlig fhaighinn air BBC Alba.  Tha feadhainn mar Pat Kane (THOUGHTLAND) air innse dhuinn gu bheil iad a’ cur an làn-thaic ri sianal Gàidhlig:  “I would completely support an all-Gaelic BBC Alba channel, under any circumstances. Not just to support the language and its speakers, as of cultural right, but to actually promote and develop the Gaelic world-view.”  Tha Gàidheil - de gach seòrsa - thall ’s a-bhos a’ toirt taic dhuinn.  Tha sinn an dòchas gu faigh sinn taic bho na riaghladairean leithid MG ALBA -  agus beachd bho Mhinistear na Gàidhlig - nuair a thuigeas iad cho cudromach ‘s a tha e.

To: Mark Lowe

Assistant Private Secretary to Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Gaelic Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages

16/09/2015

Dear Mark,

GÀIDHLIG AIR BBC ALBA Tha mi'n dòchas gu bheil thu gu math.  As requested, I write to confirm I have posted a copy of the original Gaelic letter sent to the Minister for Gaelic, Dr Allan, which was dated 1st November 2014.  This should arrive with you tomorrow or Friday:  I have sent it to St Andrew's House for your attention.  In the meantime, I enclose an electronic copy of the letter.  Along with this is I attach further information received from the BBC Trust and BBC Digital. I appreciate that there may be a lot of information for the Minister to digest, but I would urge him to do so. To assist, the current situation can be summarised as follows: 1. Research over the past year shows there is an unacceptable high level of English - 80% in many cases (average 70%) - on BBC Alba programmes for adults, the only Gaelic channel in the world. As you know, through the benefits of technology, there are now hundreds of English language channels available to viewers in Scotland.  It is only right that Gaels should expect a TV service within their own language. This is clearly not happening.

2.  BBC Trust and BBC Digital have confirmed in July 2015 that there are no longer technological barriers to having optional - as opposed to burnt-in - English subtitles.  I have the written evidence (included in the 'BBC Trust' attachment). The practice of burnt-in English subtitling is discriminatory and must cease. 

3.  The technology to provide optional subtitling is cheap.  Our research - from industry experts -  shows it would only cost £20,000 - £25,000 to install optional subtitling equipment for programmes.   

4. The high level of English language audio on BBC Alba - interviews, soundbites, reports, extracts and songs - is completely unacceptable. This is a deliberate policy, foisted upon Gaels, by channel controllers.   Voice-overs (cheaper than dubbing) are an attractive option used in other countries.  There are many solutions to the unnecessarily high English content on BBC Alba.

5. BBC Scotland seems to be getting off 'Scot free' (pardon the pun).  By this I mean BBC Alba seems to be used as an English language medium for many programmes which BBC Scotland should, or could, show, given that these programmes have high English content.

6. I urge the Minister for Gaelic to assist in a positive fashion to alleviate this dreadful situation.  Ofcom and the BBC Trust have both confirmed that the responsibility for content lies with MG ALBA and BBC Scotland, controllers of BBC Alba.   I am copying this letter to a select number of other individuals who are equally concerned about the situation on Scotland's only 'Gaelic' television channel. Finally, I would also like to draw your attention to the deeply insulting comments from the Head of Content at MG ALBA, Alan Esslemont, who two weeks ago on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal's flagship (and excellent) news service, suggested that those of us who aspire to a Gaelic television service wish to create a 'ghetto'.  Such public statements from a senior executive for MG ALBA - a Scottish Government funded organisation - are completely unacceptable. One is reminded of the Right Wing Republican Newt Gringich, on video in 2012 (the footage is on YouTube) suggesting that Spanish was "the language of the ghetto" and that Hispanic US citizens should all be made to learn English.  One expects such gross insults to be associated with the Right Wing of America: but in an enlightened Scotland we should have a right not to expect this from a Scottish Government funded body.   For our own part, we will endeavor to be civil in our dealings. Leis gach deagh dhùrachd, Lisa Storey

(Fiosrachadh: sgrìobh sinn ann an Gàidhlig gu Alasdair Allan ann an 2014.  Thuirt an oifis aige gun deach an litir againn “air chall”.  Mar sin, seo agaibh fiosrachadh mun oidhirp gus an litir a chur thuige a-rithist.  Ma tha daoine airson an litir Ghàidhlig againn gu Alasdair Allan fhaicinn, faodaidh iad fios a chur thugainn gaidhlig DOT tv AIG gmail DOT com.  Sgrìobh an neach seo, Mark Lowe, thugainn ann am Beurla agus seo am freagairt a fhuair e).

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