An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 35, October 1939--September 1940

14
AN GAIDHEAL.
An Damhar, 1939.
all, something more than they thought in the
ancient tongue of their forebears.
What is badly needed is a survey of the extent
and disposition of An Comunn’s teaching capacity
throughout the country, in the form of a “ National
Register” on a regional district basis, the ultimate
aim being the provision in every district of facilities
for:—
(a) Instruction in Gaelic for non-Gaelic
speakers.
(b) Instruction in reading and writing for Gaelic
speakers.
(c) Training of local teachers by short intensive
courses of instruction on* the teaching of
Gaelic by simple direct methods.
If a number of competent district organisers were
appointed to instruct local teachers and generally
ensure the working out of the scheme, the branches
could do valuable service as agencies for the
formation of classes. Properly graded courses of
instruction worked out by headquarters and the
issue of a simple text-book—not a grammar—would
do much to assist in smooth working on an almost
self-supporting basis.
Ceilidhs, sing-songs, and the rehearsal of
retrospective trivialities engaged in by many of the
branches are no doubt a pleasant pastime hut they
can hardly be regarded as an adequate contribution
to the important work of An Oomunn. Here is
something by which they can make that contribu¬
tion—by teaching the language to Gaels and non-
Gaels alike. Let us hope, even in this dark hour of
world dispeace, that the Executive Council will
give the proper lead to such work.—Is mise, etc.,
Seoras Hay.
Edinburgh, 9. 8/9/39.
The Celtic Art Class was attended by seventeen
students of varying ages,, some enrolling for the first
time, others continuing from the previous session.
All were very enthusiastic, and enjoyed the lesson
hours spent so happily and busily together. Some
drew and painted Celtic designs, others embroidered
them, whilst, in the Poster Section, some real
works of art were produced by Mr Stewart Cunning¬
ham and Miss Smith, both prize-winners of last
year’s school.
o
CUMHA MAIRI NIC AN T-SAOIR.
Tha grian an t-samhraidh a’ nochdadh gnuis
Ag eirigh cul nan ard-bheann;
Gach lus is feur fo dhealt an druchd’
A’ fosgladh suil ’san trath-mhoch;
Tha nadur fhein le ribheid chiMl
’Cur dhith na smuid mar b’ abhaist.
Cha tiormaieh sud na deoir o m’ shuil
O’n chaochail thus’ a Mhairi.
Nach iomadh oidhche fhliuch is fhuar
A fhuair mi uatsa cairdeas;
Cha b’ eol dhuit fein de bh’ ann an gruaim
Bha iochd is truas ’nad bhlath-shuil.
Chan e mi-fhein a mhain a h-aon
A dh’ fhaodadh sin a’ radhtainn,
Bho ghob na Roinn’ gu ruig an Caol,
A’ seinn do chliu a Mhairi.
Bha daonnan fialaidheachd m’ad bhord
Do neach le stor no anrach;
Is tu nach faiceadh neach gun Ion
’S gu leoir am Beul-an-Ath dheth.
Bidh cuimhn’ ort ann an He an Fheoir
Aig sean is 6g ’s gach aite;
’S am measg iad sin na ceudan sloigh
Bha eolach ort a Mhairi.
Bha daonnan coibhneas ami ad ghnuis;
Bha aoibh, bha run, bha gradh ann;
’S mo mhile beannachd ann ad uir—
Cha b’ebl dhomh h-aon a b’fhearr learn.
Nach iomadh uair a sheinn sinn duain
’Cur seachad uair an cairdeas;
A nochd cha duisg mo cheol do chluain.
Tha thu ’nad shuain a Mhairi.
Tha Beul-an-Ath a nis gun aoibh;
Cha mho tha fonn ’san fhardaich.
Do neach air bith a bhios air chuairt
Nach fuar e seach mar b’ abhaist.
Tha mise fhein an so ag caoidh
Do choibhneis is do chairdeis.
’S carson nach cuirinn ort carn-cuimhn’
Is sar chlach-chinn a Mhairi.
Donnchadh Mac Ghille-naoimh.
MOD LITERARY COMPETITIONS.
WRITTEN COMPETITIONS.
(Junior Section).
Adjudicators—John MacKenzie, Greenock; Angus
MacMillan, Glasgow; Donald Macnair, B.A.,
Motherwell; Murdo MacRae, Glasgow; Alex.
Thomson, M.C., Paisley.
Group A—Pupils in First Year Post-Qualifying
Courses—(a) Translation of an easy passage of
Gaelic prose into English, and (b) Translation of
simple sentences from English to Gaelic. Ten Book
prizes will be awarded; awards will be based on' the
total marks gained in (a) and (b). Time li hours.
1, Malcolm MacDonald, Portree Secondary School;
2, Mary Campbell, Portree Secondary School; 3,
Neil MacKinnon, Broadford Public School; 4,
Margaret I. MacKenzie, Nicolson Institute, Storno¬
way; 5, Katie A. MacLeod, Sir E. Scott School,
Harris; 6, Willie MacLeod, Sir E. Scott, School,
Harris ; 7, Angus John MacNeill, Castlebay Public
School; 8, Norman MacLeod, Sir E. Scott School,
Harris; 9, Magnus MacDonald,, Portree Secondary
School; 10, John A. Sinclair, Oastlebay Public
School.
Group B.—Pupils in Second Year Post-Qualifying
Courses—(a) Reproduction in Gaelic of a short
English story read twice by the teacher; (b) Trans¬
lation of English sentences into Gaelic. Prizes as in
Group A. Time 1^ hours (after reading).—1, Donald
P. MacKinnon, Castlebay Public School; 2 and 3
(equal), Murdo MacSween, Sir E. Scott School,
Harris, and Donald A. MacKinnon, Castlebay Public
School ; 4, S, and 6 (equal), Flora Morrison, Sir E.
Scott School, Harris, Archie MacDonald, Sir E.
Scott School, Harris, and Sarah A. MacDonald, Sir
E. Scott School, Harris; 7, Duncan MacKinnon, Sir
E. Scott School, Harris; 8, 9, and 10 (equal),
Morag Morrison, Fort William Secondary School,
Donald MacLeod. Portree Secondary School, and
Dolina MacOorquodale, Portree Secondary School.