Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo!

More than 25,000 people have already signed up to learn Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo

Madainn mhath! (Welcome!) We have great news: The popular language-learning APP has launched a Scottish Gaelic course created with the help and advise of volunteers across Scotland and more than 25,000 people have already signed up to learn Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo.

This course will probably open up Scottish Gaelic to millions of people in the UK and across the world. So we are over the moon. Tocat del Bolet (Nuts) is committed to the protection of minority —and minoritised— languages and, needless to say, we love Scotland.

Scots Gaelic language, also called Scottish Gaelic, Scots Gaelic or Gàidhlig, is a member of the Goidelic group of Celtic languages. It is currently spoken along the northwest coast of Scotland and in the Hebrides islands. Australia, the United States, and Nova Scotia in Canada are also home to Scots Gaelic communities.

A language involves a way of understanding the world, of relating to one another, of loving and feeling. That’s why Scottish Gaelic, like any other minority language, must be protected and regarded as a cultural treasure.

There is concern about the state of Scots Gaelic. In the 2011 census of Scotland, 57,375 people (only 1.1% of the Scottish population) were reported as able to speak Gaelic, 1,275 fewer than in 2001. It was classed as an indigenous language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which the British government has ratified, and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 established a language-development body, namely, BĂČrd na GĂ idhlig.

Now Duolingo is contributing to the revival efforts and we would like to thank the popular APP for doing its bit.

So, Scots of the world, unite! Don’t let Scottish Gaelic disappear. We also encourage non-Scottish people to learn this interesting language. As Charlemagne put it, to have another language is to possess a second soul.

Tapadh leibh! (thank you!)

Recommended links

BĂČrd na GĂ idhlig

Duolingo

Scottish proverbs

Scottish Gaelic ⇆ Catalan Simple Greetings

Most important Catalan Sayings and Proverbs translated to English

Catalan flags explained

Scottish proverbs

Scottish proverbs translated to English and Catalan

Previously on Nuts ~ Tocat del Bolet we posted the most important Catalan Sayings and Proverbs translated to English. A saying is a short, pithy, commonly known expression which generally offers advice or wisdom, and contains truth or value. As everybody knows, Scotland is a beautiful country full of history and folk wisdom. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some delightful Scottish proverbs:

Glasgow from Queen’s Park.

Like father, like son

Scottish Gaelic: Am mac mar an t-athair.
Catalan: De tal pare, tal fill.

Nobody can serve two masters

Scottish Gaelic: Chan urrainn do dhuine ‘sambith seirbhis a dhĂ©anamh do dhĂ  mhaighstir.
Catalan: NingĂș pot servir a dos senyors. (literally, Nobody can serve two lords).

A leopard can’t change its spots

Scottish Gaelic: an car a bha san t-seana mhaide ‘s duilich a thoirt às (literally, the twist which is in the old stick is difficult to take out).
Catalan: Cabra avesada a saltar, fa de mal desvesar (literally, A goat used to jump is difficult to unveil).

Every cloud has a silver lining

Scottish Gaelic: tha a’ ghrian air cĂčlaibh gach sgothan (literally, The sun is behind each boat).
Catalan: Es tanca una porta i s’obre una finestra (literally, a door closes and a window opens) or No hi ha mal que per bĂ© no vingui (literally, there is no evil that does not come for a good purpose).

He who loses his language loses his world

Scottish Gaelic: Am fear a chailleas a chanain caillidh e a shaoghal.
Translation into Catalan: Qui perd el seu idioma, perd el seu mĂłn.

It is the milk of the goat foaming and warm, that gave the strength to the past generations of people

Scottish Gaelic: Bainne nan gobhar fo chobhar ’s e blàth, ’s e chuireadh an spionnadh sna daoine a bha
Catalan: És la llet escumosa i calenta de la cabra, la que va donar força a les anteriors generacions.

Do you know any other Scottish proverbs? Tell us! We look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Big fish eat little fish

Scottish Gaelic: A’ bhiast as mutha ag ithe na beiste as lugha.

Catalan: el peix gran es menja el petit.

Although…

What’s meant to happen will happen

Scottish: Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye! 

Catalan: El que hagi de passar, passarĂ .

Many a little makes a mickle

Scottish: Mony a mickle maks a muckle! (Saving a small amount soon builds up to a large amount)

Catalan: De mica en mica s’omple la pica.

Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Don’t try to teach someone something they already know

Scottish: Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs! 

Catalan: No vulguis ensenyar res a algĂș que ja en sap.

Thank you for your visit. Nuts ~ Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.

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