Young children explore their rights in Gaelic with new book/Clann òga ag Ionnsachadh mu an cuid chòraichean sa Ghàidhlig le leabhar ùr
By Lucy Ashton
Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean shared a new illustrated Gaelic book on human rights for very young children today.
The Commissioner celebrated A’ Coimhead air ar Còraichean (Let’s Explore Our Rights) – aimed at children aged up to five – with nursery children at Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce in Edinburgh.
The book, beautifully illustrated by Corinna Campbell, from Inverness, takes young children on a journey to discover rights like having a safe home, the right to be healthy, to learn, and to play, and features iconic Scots landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, Glasgow’s Clydeside and Tarbat Ness Lighthouse near Tain, Inverness-shire.
An audio and video version has been recorded by Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce P6 pupil Mira belle. The 10-year-old said: “It was fun to have the opportunity to read the book for people. It’s good to have it in Gaelic and in English so that we can learn in both. I like that ‘Rights Rabbit’ works in Gaelic too – ‘Coineanach nan Chòraichean!’”
Commissioner Nicola Killean said: “Let’s Explore Our Rights explains to very young children in a way they can understand what rights are and why they are important.
“The book was published earlier this year and we are delighted to have a Gaelic edition. All children should be able to access information in their own language and this book will help practitioners to have those first conversations – in Gaelic – about human rights with young children.
“Children are never too young to start learning about their rights and, longer term, that knowledge will empower them to be able to challenge adults when their rights aren’t being respected.”
Jennifer McHarrie, Director of Education at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “It’s great that a resource like this will now be available in Gaelic. It’s important that children and young people can learn about their rights in their preferred language. It’s also vital for the growth and development of the language that resources are available in Gaelic relating to all areas of people’s lives.”
The Commissioner’s office is providing the Gaelic edition of the book to all Gaelic-medium schools in Scotland and will have a stock on request. The book has been created in English, BSL, Braille, and there are audio versions available online. It has provided a copy of the English version of the book to every local authority nursery in Scotland, and has a supply for childminders and other nurseries.
Translation
Dh’fhoillsich Coimiseanair Cloinne is Dhaoine Òga Nicola Killean leabhar ùr Gàidhlig le dealbhan mu chòraichean daonna do chlann glè òg an-diugh.
Chomharraich an Coimiseanair foillseachadh an leabhair A’ Coimhead air ar Còraichean – a tha ag amas air clann suas ri còig bliadhna a dh’aois – le clann san sgoil-àraich aig Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce ann an Dùn Èideann.
Tha an leabhar, le dealbhan àlainn le Corinna Chaimbeul, à Inbhir Nis, a’ toirt clann òga air turas gus faighinn a-mach mu chòraichean leithid dachaigh shàbhailte, còir a bhith fallain, a bhith ag ionnsachadh, agus a bhith a’ cluich, agus tha comharran-tìre Albannach suaicheanta ann leithid Caisteal Dhùn Èideann, seallaidhean ri taobh abhainn Chluaidh ann an Glaschu is Taigh-solais an Tairbeirt faisg air Baile Dhubhthaich, Siorrachd Inbhir Nis.
Tha dreach claisneachd is bhidio ann a chaidh a chlàradh le Mirabelle, sgoilear BS6 ann am Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. Thuirt Mirabelle, a tha 10 bliadhna a dh’aois: “Bha e spòrsail cothrom fhaighinn an leabhar a leughadh do dhaoine. Tha e math gu bheil e againn sa Ghàidhlig agus sa Bheurla gus an ionnsaich sinn anns an dà chuid. Is toil leam mar a tha ‘Rights Rabbit’ ag obair sa Ghàidhlig cuideachd – ‘Coineanach nan Còraichean!’”
Thuirt an Coimiseanair Nicola Killean: “Tha A’ Coimhead air ar Còraichean a’ mìneachadh dè th’ ann an còraichean agus carson a tha iad cho cudromach.
“Chaidh an leabhar fhoillseachadh na bu thràithe am-bliadhna agus tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil deasachadh Gàidhlig againn a-nis. Bu chòir gum biodh a h-uile pàiste comasach air fiosrachadh fhaighinn sa chànan aca fhèin agus cuidichidh an leabhar seo cleachdaichean gus na ciad chòmhraidhean sin a bhith aca – sa Ghàidhlig – mu chòraichean daonna le clann òga.
“Chan eil duine sam bith ro òg airson tòiseachadh air ionnsachadh mu na còraichean aca agus, san fhad-ùine, bheir an t-eòlas sin cumhachd dhaibh a bhith comasach air dùbhlan a thoirt do dh’inbhich nuair nach eilear a’ toirt spèis do na còraichean aca.”
Thuirt Jennifer McHarrie, Stiùiriche Foghlaim Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha e fìor mhath gu bheil goireas den leithid seo a-nis gu bhith ri fhaighinn ann an Gàidhlig. Tha e cudromach gum bi clann agus daoine òga comasach air ionnsachadh mu na còraichean aca anns a’ chànan as freagarraiche dhaibh. Tha e cuideachd deatamach airson fàs is leasachadh a’ chànain gu bheil goireasan rim faighinn sa Ghàidhlig a tha a’ bualadh air gach raon de bheatha dhaoine.”
Tha oifis a’ Choimiseanair a’ cur lethbhreac den tionndadh Gàidhlig den leabhar do gach sgoil Ghàidhlig ann an Alba agus tha barrachd aca ma thèid lethbhreacan eile iarraidh. Chaidh an leabhar a chruthachadh ann am Beurla, BSL, Braille, agus tha dreachan claisneachd rim faighinn air-loidhne. Tha i air lethbhreac den dreach Beurla den leabhar a thoirt do gach sgoil-àraich aig ùghdarrasan ionadail ann an Alba, agus tha solar ann cuideachd airson luchd-cùraim chloinne agus sgoiltean-àraich eile.
An deireadh.
Top picture: Former councillor Caroline McAllister showing a pupil in Old Kilpatrick a Gaelic book.