I am a member of a Gaelic forum. I have tried and given up many times to learn the language of my ancestors - Scottish Gaelic. However, while on this site, recently I got drawn into an argument about British English. I feel that British English is an acceptable term while it is also an OFFICIAL term. Yet a pretentious Scotsman insists he speaks Standard Scottish English - which sounds like a Scotsman's attempts to differentiate himself from England and justify why he does not speak Gaelic - the TRUE native language of Scotland.
When he suggested I speak English English (a term I think in itself is ridiculous), I said that I did not like to be considered English... my exact words were, "I haven't a problem with the English, but I am NOT English".
He replied: Has Wales finally regained its independence then? I didn't think there had been such a country since Edward the Confessor conquered it in the late thirteenth century....
I was so deeply offended, I began to feel sick. I would like to know what you think I should do? Do I email the moderators of this forum? Can we protest at all, as I'm sure you are horrified by this comment as well?
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Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i´m gwlad Tra môr yn fur I'r bur hoff bau O bydded i´r heniaith barhau
I absolutely agree with you Siarls, but I think what you have to remember though that unlike Wales 99% of the population of Scotland have little or no knowledge of Gaidhlig. Which creates a kind of inferiority complex amongst many Scots. Are we Scottish or simply North Britons who speak English with a Scottish accent? All i can say is that not all Scots think like this guy. I see myself more Celtic than Scottish, part of a bigger picture so to speak. I hope your views on Scotland & the Scots won't be affected by this guy. Sounds like he has an inferiorty complex to me, which in Scotland is actual quite common.
I've heard the same expression about Welsh actually, not sure where!
Yeah, at first, I was really offended and began to lash out in my mind about Scotland, but I am slowly getting over it. I emailed a moderator of that particular forum and may just stick to Celtic Radio as there have been arguments in there before (not me, but others).
I've always felt it helped that the word Welsh describes both nationality and language because it makes them one and the same. If you are proud to be Welsh, you're proud of Welsh. I've known many Scots who are not proud of Gaidhlig, but of Scots (which seems to be a lapse in self-awareness).
Besides, Edward who invaded Wales in the 13th century wasn't 'the Confessor.' It was Edward I. Edward the Confessor was the king over 100 years before the latter.
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Weithiau, mae'r ateb i'n problemau o dan ein trwynau, dim ond bod angen i ni gymryd cam yn ôl ac edrych eto. - Stuart Kerner
As far as Scots is concerned, I think a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing if you know what i mean. I'm a Lowlander & was brought up speaking Scots Not Gaidhlig. Then i was drawn to learning Gaidhlig. I don't know why, but i was and i'm so glad that i started learning the ancient tongue of Scotland. For many Scottish people though Gaidhlig just doesn't figure in the equation. So the next best thing is Scots - the reasoning being i think...'I'm definitely not English, but hey i don't speak Gaidhlig either - Ah but i do speak Scots...so therefore i'm different from the English'. I'm one of those few Scots who advocate both highland & lowland cultures. Although I have to say the more Gaidhlig i learn the less important Scots becomes to me. But not every Scot can travel the same path as myself. For the moment we have a parliament of sorts. Perhaps someday in the near future we can break away from England entirely & all our insecurities at the same time. Cò aig a tha fios? - Who knows?
And then there is me again , lololol. What should I say about this, Siarls?
As most of you know I am not born in the British Isles and rather reluctant to admit my true nationality, which is on paper only anyway as far as I am concerned.
I loved Britain since I first heard the language (English at the time) spoken when I was eleven and the Scotland - Gaelic fever gripped me about 8 years ago when I first stumbled over Runrig.
I have a celtic heritage of which I am proud and which is historically cemented - southern Germany was an area of Celtic population and that was touched and re-animated by these lads. I since have accepted the language and the culture as my own - as some of you know I sing with the gaelic district choir of Port Righ and have studied at Sabhal Mor Ostaig for ten months which got me my Certificate of Higher Education in Gaelic and I truly would love to finish the BA Language and Culture if my finances would allow that.
So for me the point is that an official paper states facts carved in stone ..., mostly exact the opposite, sad enough.
Shame for that guy who said that remark, Siarls, but I truly can confirm you that only a very small minority are like that. Cu Dubh however is not far off the mark ..., which is no small wonder in my eyes. People should get their facts right before they start arguing about it ....
Thanks for that, Gwen!
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Scottish in Heart :-))
In the darkest heart the pride of man will walk allone
's ged tha mi fada bhuat cha dhealaich sinn a chaoidh
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Siarls, You should feel free to contact a moderator any time you feel someone is getting out of line, whether it's the moderator of the forum or any other moderator you feel comfortable with. I am one of those whose own ancestry includes deep Celtic roots (DNA studies suggest my paternal line was in 3d Century Ulster) and many Confederate soldiers who are the source of Celtic roots my mother's side of the family. IMHO, the Celts have been the subject of attempted cultural genocide at least since Roman times, and my Confederate heritage is also under attack. I would be gravely concerned both personally and as a moderator if the thread at issue were yet another facet of the English attempt to suppress Britain's Celtic roots, which as many are well aware has been rather brutal in past centuries. One of my own Scot lineages--the Livingstons--is a lowland family, likely of Saxon descent. As I understand it, and my understanding is far from perfect, Scots language and modern English both derived from Old English. A brief history, which includes the English effort to extinguish both Scots and Gaelic, can be found at: A Brief History of the Scots Language. In my view, attempts to denigrate Gaelic as being less worthy or less Scottish than Scots are totally unwarranted.
Realm: Sweden, but me heart's in Scotland - An t-Suain, ach tha mo chridhe às ann Alba
Ah must say that this Scottish person must be a very stupid person... And by the way, There's not even a real English English as far as I know. No one really speak English. I have heard so many Eglish dialects all laiming that they are true English, but none of them sounds exactly the same, and btw, I think it is stupid to use the term English English...
Keep on fighting for yer language(s) and ignore those who try to make them self a better refletion in the mirror than they earn...
If you think you can hold me down I beg to differ If you think you can twist my words I'll sing forever
Tha gach uile dhuine air a bhreth saor agus co-ionnan ann an urram 's ann an còirichean. Tha iad air am breth le reusan is le cogais agus mar sin bu chòir dhaibh a bhith beò nam measg fhein ann an spiorad bràthaireil
If you think you can hold me down I beg to differ If you think you can twist my words I'll sing forever
I find it is quite common to be snide toward Wales. When I was in London, a lot of English people seemed to express resent. One boy told me, "The Welsh only speak that language to rubbish the English".
I replied, "First of all, Welsh is a language far older than English - we didn't invent it just to rubbish you. Secondly, get over yourself - you aren't that important. We have so much to talk about, we do have lives. Thirdly, if I were to rubbish you - I'd do it in English to your face, so you'd understand me".
Siarls, I am so sorry that you had an issue with someone here! I am also sorry that he felt the need to blatantly point out his stupidity and ignorance in public, lol! I am glad that you have decided to stick around, as you are a big part of this community and someone I consider a friend! It's like we say here at work (in reference to this guy): Consider the source, and pay it no mind.
Let me know if you need anything.
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"Alas for those who never sing and die with all their music left in them" - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Diolch yn fawr. But don't worry, I love Celtic languages too much to let someone deter me. I got some book vouchers for my birthday, so later I am off to look at resources for Scots Gaelic, maybe Irish and Breton. Perhaps Catalan as well, although it's not Celtic - I love the look of Catalan and Barcelona is just SOOOOOO amazing. Top 5 list!
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QUOTE (susieq76 @ 18-May-2005, 10:14 AM)
Siarls, I am so sorry that you had an issue with someone here! I am also sorry that he felt the need to blatantly point out his stupidity and ignorance in public, lol! I am glad that you have decided to stick around, as you are a big part of this community and someone I consider a friend! It's like we say here at work (in reference to this guy): Consider the source, and pay it no mind.
Let me know if you need anything.
Susieq76 I don't think Siarls' problem was here on CR. If I read the initial post correctly it is another forum that Siarls belongs to where the problem was encountered If the trouble was here then shame on us.
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I support the separation of church and hate!
IMAGINATION - the freest and largest nation in the world!
One can not profess to be of "GOD" and show intolerence and prejudice towards the beliefs of others.
Am fear nach gleidh na h–airm san t–sith, cha bhi iad aige ’n am a’ chogaidh. He that keeps not his arms in time of peace will have none in time of war.
"We're all in this together , in the parking lot between faith and fear" ... O.C.M.S.
“Beasts feed; man eats; only the man of intellect knows how to eat well.”
"Without food we are nothing, without history we are lost." - SHADOWS
Is iomadh duine laghach a mhill an Creideamh. Religion has spoiled many a good man.
One boy told me, "The Welsh only speak that language to rubbish the English".
Yes I know I've gone here, but here I go anyway.
Pardon my lack of knowledge of this particular colloquialism (what can I say, I'm just a dumb Yank ). Could someone please define the use of the word "rubbish" in this instance (I think I know how the word is being used, but I want to be sure).
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MacE AKA Steve Ewing
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25
"Non sibi sed patriae!"
Reviresco (I grow strong again) Clan MacEwen motto
Audaciter (Audacity) My Ewing Family Motto (descendants of Baron William Ewing of Glasgow, born about 1630)
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