ELL: Re: language rights are human rights - reaction from Scotland

[Inge Genee]

Hi David and others,
I am sorry if I sounded indignant - that was not my intention. It was also not
my intention to accuse anyone of anything, just to clear things up, because I
was confused. I apologize if I sounded aggressive - I am new to this list and
was just disappointed in what appeared to be a waste of time (English is not my
native language so it took me quite a while to compose the email). I have
studied Irish myself and so am familiar with the issues involved. Thank you for
clearing things up, and I hope our actions will have the indended results.
All the best,
-Inge Genee

David Wilson wrote:

> Dear Igne Genee and other List members,
>
>     Thank you all for taking the time and trouble to write to Highland
> Council.
>
>     Igne - you haven't made a fool of yourself. Neither have you been fed
> eroneous information. As many of us familiar with campaigning know, the
> council is simply playing games. Let me state again; NO Gaelic speaker has
> been found for the position and a photograph of the new Child Care Team was
> published recently in the Highland Press recently, in which there was NO
> Gaelic speaker. That is a fact.
>
>     What will be held in mid-August is a review. AND IT IS PRECISELY THIS
> REVIEW THAT WE HOPE TO INFLUENCE. Their recent change of tactic and
> softening of position, as revealed in their letter to you, shows that this
> is beginning to happen. Your email, and others like it, will help to
> persuade Highland Council that it needs a Gaelic speaker in its Child Care
> Team. Our aim isn't to "scold" the council to relieve our own frustrations,
> but to persuade them to change their stance, so that the children, parents
> and staff will have the appropriate education officer to meet their
> linguistic needs. Hopefully, the outcome will be a favourable one
>
>     I am very sorry that you feel so indignant and hurt and have seen fit to
> post this to the list. But you seem to have learnt the wrong lesson here.
>
>     Thanks again to all those who have helped in this campaign. It's much
> appreciated.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> David Wilson
>
> > Enclosed is my email about the Gaelic Language issue in Scotland, which
> > I sent to the people most directly connected to the issue. Also enclosed
> > is their reaction. I appreciate the fact that someone took the time to
> > answer me.
> > But now I have a problem: Have I sent out my communication based on
> > erroneous information, as the reaction claims? If this is the case, I
> > would like to ask people who ask listmembers to spend time and energy
> > advocating the cause of endangered languages by sending out letters or
> > emails to involved parties to make very sure that they are putting out
> > reliable information. I do not like making a fool of myself getting
> > involved in such cases based on the wrong information and I do not like
> > wasting my time.
> > I have no idea what is behind all this or who is telling the "truth",
> > but I guess I have learned my lesson and will be more careful in future.
> >
> > Inge Genee, PhD
> > Department of Modern Languages
> > University of Lethbridge
> > Alberta, Canada
> >
>
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