You have no idea how excited I have been for this AMA--Fàilte gu AskHistorians agus mòran taing for being here today! (Welcome to AskHistorians and thank you for being here today). I also have a small list of questions.

1. Can you speak to the different influences local dialects of English had on Scottish and Nova Scotian Gaelic, and did the small francophone population of Cape Breton interact or influence at all?

2. There were multiple other small Gaelic-speaking areas throughout Canada. I have a personal interest in the one that was in Southwestern Ontario, near to Alviston, until at least the early 20th century. Are there any surviving sources from or about this community that you are aware of?

3. I've read that Gaelic was the third-most commonly spoken language in Canada at the time of Confederation after English and French. If this is true, what lead to its steep decline and near extinction?

4. If you know of ANY sources on runrig farming around the 18th century, I'd be very grateful. I'm self-taught and all I can seem to dig up is stuff from the 1960s.

5. What can you tell me about traditional Gaelic gender roles? Did they change in noticeable ways once in Canada?

6. What are the current hot topics related to Gaelic, either in terms of linguistics, history, or anthropology? Is the field experiencing any revision as new information comes to light?

7. How well-preserved are Canadian Gaelic sources? I know Library and Archives has a few items listed, but they are mostly religious materials or school books. Do we have first-person journals or the equivalent as well?

8. Were there any Gaelic-language newspapers published in Canada and when did they go out of print?

9. What advice would you give someone interested in persuing a MA in history related to Gaelic?

...I could go on, but I'll stop and give others a chance. :)

What are the political valences of Gaelic revivalism in Canada? In Britain it's associated with the anti-neoliberal and anti-Thatcher politics of the SNP, and it seems like in Canada there is at least one linguistic nationalism that is broadly associated with the political left (Quebecois nationalism is the obvious one). Also, in the US the approach to regional European identities has usually (broad generalization) been somewhat assimilationist in contrast to Canada. What do you think accounts for the difference, if any?

Also, it would be interesting if you could talk about what happened with Scots in Novia Scotia, since that's usually downgraded to a 'dialect.'

My area of interest is in Irish Food History. One of the things I've observed about Irish (which I speak, for certain values of 'speak') as a modern language is that, with a few notable exceptions, it has stopped creating new words, and instead simply takes words from English and 'Hibernicises' them. This is particularly notable around words for food - which tend to be fertile grounds for loan words in any language.

So, how does Scottish Gaelic handle new food words? I'm particularly interested in the circumstances where it comes in contact with Canadian French, assuming that actually happens.

Hi Emily, I'm a big fan of your work in this area, and so pleased to have you on for an AMA. Here are a whole boatload of questions. Feel free to answer to whatever extent you feel like.

1. What are some of the historic roots of anti-Gaelic sentiment?

2. Your dissertation covered 1980-2000, what about the effects of neo-liberalism since then? Would you care to make some comments on the more recent impact of neo-liberalism on revitalisation efforts?

3. Comparisons are often made with revitalisation efforts for Welsh and Irish, what are salient points of similarity/difference with those efforts?

4. One of the difficulties Gaelic has faced has been older speakers own attitudes to their language. I wonder if you could speak to the socio-cultural situation of Gaelic among young speakers (both L1 and L2 speakers).

5. If you had to be a little biased, what are 5 initiatives or the like that you think are promising/exciting for revitalisation efforts.

6. Gaelic appears to have carved out more of a 'survival niche' for itself in the creative arts domain, how does that positively and negatively contribute to the ongoing survival of the language?

A few questions:

1)Did any Scotish Gaelic speaking peoples produce coins with Gaelic on them?

2)Do we know how Scotish Gaelic speakers viewed Pictish?

3)Historicaly how literate has the Scottish Gaelic population been?

How intelligible is Scottish Gaelic to Ulster Irish? (Or if that's too specific just Irish in general)

Ceud mìle fàilte a Ehimilidh! Tha mi duilich, tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig.

I'll be short and sweet as not to take away from some of the other great questions here.

• How do you think the revitalization movement should go about connecting with the Youth? I am ashamed to admit, but as a child I had absolutely no interest in the language or the culture.

• Somewhat related to the first question: What do you think about the focus on the past with the language? I think there's value to the history of the culture, of course. I only worry that by focusing on traditions (Ceilidhs, Fullings) with the youngsters, we are making the language appear out-of-date or retro.

• Do you have a 'must read' book, resource, video, anything of the sort that would help a newcomer to the language?

• Do you think there is anything from other language revitalization programs that would be helpful in the efforts in Nova Scotia?

• My teacher is a native speaker from Scotland, are there any major differences I should know about the Nova Scotia dialect that she might not be aware of?

For context I am a 24-year-old learner, from Pictou County Nova Scotia, currently living in Vancouver.

A Dhr. McEwan-Fujita, ceud taing airson ceistean a fhreagairt an-diugh. Tha ceist no dhà agam dhuibh.

1. Cò iad na daonn-eòlaiche a tha air buaidh as motha a thoirt oirbh?
2. Dè na dùbhlain as motha th' ann an Alba Nuadh a thaobh na Gàidhlig?
3. Dè as urrainn dhuinn dèanamh airson barrachd chonaltraidh a chruthachadh eadar Alba Nuadh agus Alba?
4. A bheil beachd agaibh mun strì a tha dol an Alba an-dràsta gus barrachd Ghàidhlig fhaighinn air BBC Alba? Tha mòran a' gearann nach eil roghainn aca mu fho-thiotalan na Beurla, agus gu bheil fada cus Beurla ri chluintinn air an t-sianal. Mìle taing!

Could I please ask that people use other venues for asking for useful Gaelic phrases? As much as there's nothing wrong with being enthusiastic and curious about Gaelic, there are specific subreddits already in existence which are aimed at such things, such as /r/gaidhlig.

Likewise, our usual rule on avoiding political soapboxing applies here- avoid using this thread as somewhere to argue about Scotland's electoral politics please, or indeed Canada's.

Ciamar a tha thu, Emily!

As a born and bred Cape Bretoner, with grandparents from first-language Gaelic families, it's great to see people working on revitalizing the language. My bràthair has recently become fluent in "the Gaelic," but I, unfortunately, have essentially none.

My question is: with governments in Nova Scotia having been recently more skeptical regarding the importance of maintaining the language through funding and sponsored programs, what can the average person in the province do to ensure its continued viability?

Additionally, are there any changes to the education system that might allow for the type of growth we've seen in places like Scotland? How can these be out into place?

Thanks!

Taing dhuibh a-rithist airson seo a dhèanamh!

'S e Ontarionach a th' annam, 19 bliadhna dh'aois, a dh'ionnsaich a chuid Gàidhlig, agus a bhios a-nist ga bruidhinn gu siùbhlach. Tha mi toilichte gu leòr gun deach agam air an ìre seo a ruigsinn, ach a dh'innse na fìrinne, mar as fhaide thèid mi air n-aghaidh, 's ann as motha tha mi ag aithneachadh nach ionnsaich mi gu leòr riamh. A thaobh abairtean, shean-fhaclan, ghnàthasan-cainnte, dòighean cultarach agus a leithid, tha mi buileach cinnteach nach fhàs mi riamh a bhith idir co-ionnan ri daoine aig an robh i bhon ghlùin. A dh'aindeoin mo uile-dhìchill agus ged a dh'abras iad rium gu bheil mi a' bruidhinn mar "dhuine fileanta", tha mi daonnan a' faireachdainn mar gura h-e fear-fuadain a th' annam am-measg nan Gàidheal. Air rèir an rannsachaidh agaibhse, agus an rannsachaidh aig an fheadhainn eile rinn sibh an ainmeachadh roimhe, dè am pàirt as fheàrr a bhiodh agam, mar neach-ionnsachaidh fileanta, san ath-bheòthachadh tha seo? Gun a bhith a' goid cultair agus dualchas nach buineadh dhomh, ach gus a bhith a' leasachadh cor na Gàidhlig.

tl;dr in English: I'm a fluent, self-taught Gaelic learner who wants to know the most effective things I can do for the state of Gaelic today, without pretending to be something I'm not or appropriating things that aren't mine.

What degree of bilingualism did Gaelic-speaking immigrants to Nova Scotia have at the time the community was formed?

Dr. McEwen-Fujita, thanks so much for dropping by today. I'm one of those biological anthropologist who, despite claims to a four field approach, am ashamed at my lack of linguistics knowledge! I hope these questions don't seem too basic or strange!

I'm interested in the link between identity and language, but I'm having trouble formulating the question. I guess my best attempt is, how much of the revitalization of Gaelic language has been influenced by notions of identity in Nova Scotia and Scotland? Is the movement part of a larger cultural revitalization, and what role does language play in shaping this transformation?

Also, an easy question, why Gaelic revitalization? What prompted your interest in this area?

Thanks again!

Whats the current status of Scottish-Gaelic how are the number of speakers fluctuating (Also what is the average age of a Scottish Gaelic speaker)? And do you ever see Scottish-Gaelic being spoken by a large number of speakers in Scotland ever again?

During the latter part of the Seven Year's War a number of Highland Gaels from Montgomery's Highlander's were stationed in Nova Scotia. Some held important administrative positions, such as Captain Roderick MacKenzie, commandant of Fort Cumberland (c.1761-1762). Do any accounts from these Gaels survive, either in English or Gaelic sources, orderly books, later oral tradition, etc?

Some of these soldiers later chose to move to Nova Scotia, and would form a core component of the revolutionary war-era Royal Highland Emigrants. Gaspereau Press recently released Hector Maclean: The Writings of a Loyalist-Era Military Settler in Nova Scotia and other books such as Bill Crowell's The Raccoon Sporran: The story of Col. Ranald MacKinnon of Argyle, 1736-1805 have covered certain aspects of this, but neither of them really touch on the more significant aspects of Gaelic identity. Are you aware of any scholarly work which has been done regarding this?

The last decade or so has seen a stabilisation of the Gaelic speaking population in Scotland, and an increase in young people who have knowledge of the language for the first time in many years. What more should be done to secure and grow the language within Scotland?

Hi! This is exactly the kind of post I have been looking for, especially since I am planning on taking my first trip to Nova Scotia this summer. Coming from a rich Irish history, I have been trying to teach myself bits of Irish Gaelic.

Although it may seem stupid, my question is: How similar are Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic? For the most part, would a native speaker in Nova Scotia be able to understand me if I said something in Irish: "Táim ag dul go dtí an trá." (I'm going to the beach".)

Also, are there any phrases in Scottish Gaelic you would recommend I know, just to speak to natives with? Being a Catholic, I intend to attend a Mass service so anything in particular about that?

Thank you so much! I hope Gaelic does indeed become revived.

Hi Emily. Do you know of any communities in Nova Scotia that have prominent amount of Gaelic speakers? I've seen signs that are in Gaelic but I'm more wondering about the people. Maybe residents in a nursing home, perhaps. I'd assume they'd be older people.

How realistic would it be for a Gaelic language class, much like the French classes that are taught to students from 4-12. Would it be possible? What about a high school course, if that?

How have Gaelic linguistic constructions influenced the way English is spoken in Nova Scotia?

Dr McEwan-Fujita,

Greetings from a Haligonian doing Scottish Studies in Ontario! Is Gaelic revitalisation facing any challenges from those who have a sense of ownership over the language and culture? A few years ago I struck up a conversation about learning Gaelic with an individual who informed me that although they appreciated the interest in learning, they were opposed to people without a clear Gaelic heritage learning the language or using it as they consider it part of a closed culture and see the use of the language by "outsiders" as a form of continued colonialism.

Would you say this attitude is at all prevalent among Gaelic speakers? Do you think it poses any challenges to revitalisation efforts?

What are the hallmarks of Scottish Gaelic values and cultural beliefs. What are the values and character traits you would associate with both Gaels from Scotland and Cape Breton, in common and in difference to each other.

I think through the revitalization process not only do we try and re-establish the language and artistic culture but what it means to be a Gael.

I've posited that many of the traits people associate with being a Cape Bretoner are in fact influenced by gaeldom and it's influence on the island. "Who's yer father?", a common CB phrase, being just a common expression of sloinneadh (paternal lineage naming).

Hey there from Toronto! I'll preface my two questions by saying that in school we really don't learn much about the cultures outside of the Acadians/Metis/French/English in the Great Lakes region.

What kind of impact has the Gaelic culture had on Nova Scotia?

Has this culture seeped into Canadian culture at all that we may not realize?

(It's been asked below as well, but any recommendations for learning Gaelic history/the language?)

Thanks!

What is the methodological rubric for reversing language decline? What are the benchmark texts on the subject? How do you measure success? Assuming that primary strategies focus on language instruction and practice, what secondary strategies are necessary for reversing language decline? ie: economic tools, community tools, habitation, culture etc?

Often language decline is the result of morally abhorrent policy --- some form of systemic coersion; as this particular "tool" is not available to reverse such declines, what makes for an equitable substitute?

Thank you for giving this lecture --- I wrote the Wikipedia Article on Canadian Gaelic in 2007, and it seems to have unwittingly become the most referenced source of information on Canadian Gaelic. Are you aware of any (much-needed) official efforts to improve/expand that article?

Hi Emily - thank you for the AMA!

Sorry if I'm late here - I was wondering if you could confirm something I had heard about Gaelic in Nova Scotia being a distinct dialect that has since been lost in Scotland. What I was told is that there were three main "accents" or dialects of Gaelic, but one kind of died out in Scotland but still survives in Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia. Something about how the H was pronounced or something like that.

Did Scottish Gaelic have much penetration into the northern isles of Scotland? I'm thinking of Shetland in particular as it has a history of getting passed around a bit.

I live in Connecticut, which is mildly close to Nova Scotia. I've been there three times, once to Halifax. Beautiful city you live in.

Anyway, my first question is how Scottish culture even found its way to Nova Scotia. I've done some mild Wikipedia-ing but nothing really explains it, instead just saying that it was ceded to British control words words words Canada.

Secondly, is that Scottish heritage still alive today? For example, are there still a visible number of speakers of Scottish Gaelic? How much does this effect things like local government?

Fàilte chrìdheil oirbh!

As someone viewing the Gaelic language from an 'outsiders' perspective initially, what was the most striking or surprising thing you discovered about the language and its' community when you first began researching it?

Hello, how much Scottish influence has been transplanted into Maine and NB?