Scottish Black Isle dialect silenced forever as last native speaker dies aged 92

[Maya Tracy Borhani]

I think it's urgent that we all speak out against this kind of language about language loss: We don't know that Cromarty will be silenced "forever." THANK THE GODDESS and gods that there exist audio recordings (and hopefully video of dear old Bobby and Gordon), so that descendants - like those here in our American tribes - can reconstruct and relearn this rich language again.

I strongly believe it's part of our work as language activists to try and stop that melodramatic trend in reporting on language loss, because then that DEATH becomes the focus of lots of hand-wringing, vs. focusing on revitalizing the language with whatever resources we have.

With all wishes of best luck and hard work to the people of the Scottish Black Isle.

Blessings,

Maya


On Oct 8, 2012, at 11:00 AM, Jordan Lachler wrote:

> Final word from Cromarty: Scottish Black Isle dialect silenced forever as last native speaker dies aged 92
> 
> Bobby Hogg was the last person still fluent in the fisherfolk dialect
> His younger brother Gordon had been the second speaker of the Cromarty language until he passed away last year aged 86
> By Jane Borland
> 
> PUBLISHED: 20:17 GMT, 3 October 2012 | UPDATED: 20:17 GMT, 3 October 2012
> 
> It was a traditional dialect used for centuries by fisherfolk.
> But yesterday it emerged that the language of Cromarty had finally died with the passing of its last speaker.
> 
> Bobby Hogg was the only person still fluent in the age-old tongue of the Black Isle and his death at the age of 92 means it will now exist only in audio recordings.
> 
> 
> Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2212466/Final-word-Scottish-Cromarty-dialect-silenced-forever-native-speaker-dies-aged-92.html 
> 
> 

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