Press Release
for immediate use

An Litir Bheag: Great News for Gaelic Learners

Gaelic Learners will soon have another resource to support them in their learning as broadcaster Roddy MacLean begins a new programme on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal. Roddy, better known by to many by his Gaelic name, Ruaraidh MacIlleathain, has been writing and broadcasting the acclaimed weekly Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh (Letter to Gaelic Learners) for six years. The programme has gained popularity across Scotland and in many other countries as learners access the material on the internet, listening to Roddy’s voice while following the text of his letter (which also appears in three Scottish newspapers). Each Litir is accompanied by notes on grammar and idiom, as well as a vocabulary and the series is funded by the Gaelic Media Service.

However many people who are at an earlier stage in their learning, have been requesting a similar, but simpler, programme. In response to this An Litir Bheag (“the little Letter”) will be broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal each week, beginning on Monday 2 May at 1900.

“There will be two Letters every week,” Roddy explained, “for people at different stages of learning. An Litir Bheag will deal with the same subject as the regular Litir but in a simpler form, and I hope this will also encourage people to progress from one to the other over time.

In a further development Deputy Director of the Gaelic Media Service, which funds both programmes, John Alex MacPherson, said “ arrangements are also now in hand to publish a selection from previous series of Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh in book form with accompanying DVD. This, along with the continuing Litir and the new Litir Bheag, will be a valuable composite resource for Gaelic learners at different stages.”

In addition to being broadcast by Radio nan Gàidheal (103.5-105 FM), An Litir Bheag can be read, and listened to, at any time, on the BBC’s Gaelic website (www.bbc.co.uk/alba). The text will be there, along with guidance on words and phrases used in the Litir.

Information for Editors :
More information on An Litir Bheag : Roddy MacLean 01463 220954
Website information : Janet MacIver 0141 339 8844
Roddy is available for interview for radio, television or the print media in Gaelic or English.
The text of Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh is published each week in the West Highland Free Press, The Stirling Observer and the Perthshire Advertiser.


Sanas-naidheachd
Cleachdaibh sa bhad

An Litir Bheag: Tuilleadh taic do Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig

Tha goireas ùr air leth feumail gu bhith ann do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig, agus BBC Radio nan Gaidheal a’ giùlain Litir ùr le Ruairidh MacIlleathain bho thòiseach a’ Chèitein a-mach. Tha Ruairidh air a bhith a’ sgrìobhadh is a’ craoladh Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh gu seachdaineil airson sia bliadhna – prògram a th’ air cliù mhòr a choisinn am measg luchd-ionnsachaidh air feadh an t-saoghail, anns am faigh daoine cothrom èisteachd ri guth Ruairidh fhad ’s a tha iad a’ leughadh a bhriathran. Tha fiosrachadh mu ghràmar is gnàthsan-cainnt, a bharrachd air briathrachas, an cois gach Litir a th’air a dhèanamh le taic Seirbheis nam Meadhannan Gaidhlig.

Ach bha a-riamh iarrtas bho chuid, nach robh adhartach gu leòr airson an Litir a thuigsinn, tè nas sìmplidhe a bhith ann dhaibh. Thèid an iarrtas a shàsachadh air Diluain 2 Cèitean aig 1900 nuair a nochdas An Litir Bheag air clàr BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. “Bidh dà Litir ann gach seachdain,” tha Ruairidh ag ràdh, “leis An Litir Bheag a’ dol a-mach Diluain. Bidh sin ann an cainnt shìmplidh. An uair sin, dhaibhsan a nì adhartas gu leòr, no a tha adhartach gu leòr mu thràth, bidh an Litir ‘àbhaisteach’ air a craoladh Dihaoine. Bidh an dà Litir a-mach air an aon chuspair.”

Bidh am prògram seo cuideachd air a mhaoineachadh le Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig. A’ rèir iar-stiùiriche na buidhne Seonaidh Ailig Mac Phearsain tha tuilleadh leasachaidhean air faire. “Tha oidhirp ga dhèanamh” thuirt e “cuid de na Litrichean a tha Ruaraidh air a sgrìobhadh chun a seo do luchd-ionnsachaidh a chlò-bhualadh mar leabhar le DVD na chois. Eadar sin, a Litir fhèin agus An Litir Bheag bi goireas air leth ga chruthachadh airson luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig aig difir ìrean.”

A bharrachd air a bhith air a craoladh le Radio nan Gàidheal (103.5-105 FM), bidh cothrom aig daoine An Litir Bheag a leughadh, agus èisteachd rithe, uair sam bith, air làrach-lìn Ghàidhlig a’ BhBC (www.bbc.co.uk/alba). Bidh an teacsa air an làraich, le stiùireadh air faclan is abairtean na chois.

Fios gu luchd-deasachaidh:
Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh : Ruaraidh MacIlleathain – 01463 220954
Gheibhear fiosrachadh air gnothaichean teicnigeach co-cheangailte ris an làraich-lìn bho Janet NicÌomhair – 0141 339 8844
Tha Ruairidh deònach agallamh a dhèanamh airson rèidio, telebhisean no na meadhanan-clò ann an Gàidhlig no Beurla.
Tha teacsa Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh air fhoillseachadh gach seachdain anns a Stirling Observer, Am Paipear Beag agus am Perthshire Advertiser.