6. Overheard on the Web

New Irish Television Channel: Teilifís Na Gaeilge

The below is not exactly news, since it reproduces a Galway Advertiser article from 17 Oct 1996. This is in turn was taken from the Teilifís Na Gaeilge pamphlet published in March 1995

New Channel, New opportunities
In November 1996, one of the most exciting developements in Irish broadcasting will take place. A third television channel will come on air.

This new channel will be different in many ways. Applying a new concept in Irish broadcasting, the new channel will not be a direct programme producer, but a publisher/broadcaster. It will benefit from new broadcasting developments, in both technology and programme content. Substantial investment in technology is being undertaken to ensure access and distribution. The new channel will be available to 90% of viewers from the begining and to all of the country within a short time.

Teilifís Na Gaeilge
Teilifís Na Gaeilge will provide a national television service in Irish. While delivering an essential service to the Irish-speaking community nationwide, it will cater also for viewers with little or no Irish.

Teilifís Na Gaeilge will appeal to a contempory audience. There will be a particular emphasis on programmes for young people and on material with a regional focus.

In its role as publisher/broadcaster, Teilifís Na Gaeilge will avail of material produced by the independent sector, by RTE and by other broadcastinig sources. Output will be for about two hours a day initally.

Underlining the central role of the Irish language, the headquarters of Teilifís Na Gaeilge will be in the Connemara Gaeltacht, while it will use the latest technology to ensure country-wide participation in programme content.

Work in progress
To provide a minimum of two hours broadcasting per day. Teilifís Na Gaeilge will require 730 hours of programming per annum. The majority of these will come from the independent production sector in Ireland and over 300 hours will be provided by RTE. The new programme commissioning process is already underway.

Negotiations are taking place also with prospective suppliers of programmes that are suitable for re-voicing.

Contact Points
The headquarters of Teilifís Na Gaeilge will be in Baile na hAbhann in the Connemara Gaeltacht. Faclities are being put in place throughout the country using the latest technology to ensure country-wide participation in programme making.

TEILIFÍS NA GAEILGE
Baile na hAbhann
Conamara
Co. na Gaillimhe
Teil +353 (91) 593636 Faics +353 (91) 593619

TEILIFÍS NA GAEILGE
4 Cearnóg Oirear Gael
Domhnach Broc
Baile Átha Cliath 4
Teil +353 (1) 6670944 Faics +353 (1) 6670946

Some Hopeful Cases in North America

Ronald.Cosper(at)STMARYS.CA (Ronald Cosper)wrote to endangered-languages-l on 28 October:

In answer to Catherine Bodin's message of October 26, several North American languages are growing in speakers.

In Canada, Cree has been increasing, as has Micmac in Nova Scotia. The percentage of ethnic Micmacs speaking the language has diminished, but number of speakers has increased with the growth in population. On a more local level, the language is being well-maintained in the reserves of the Eastern part of province (Cape Breton), but has languished in the mainland area.

In the U.S.A., I believe Navaho has also increased in number of speakers, but again the percentage of ethnic Navahos speaking the language has declined, I believe. I suspect Inuktitut has increased in number of speakers, as well.

Certain Mexican languages have many speakers, such as Nahuatl (the language of the Aztec empire), Zapotec and Maya, but I do not know whether numbers of speakers are increasing or decreasing.

On the other hand, it is fair to say probably that most native languages of North America are endangered to varying degrees.

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