CULTURE Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is encouraging people to take up the Líofa challenge in the New Year.
Tá Carál Ní Chuilín, Aire Cultúir, ag iarraidh daoine a spreagadh le tabhairt faoi dhúshlán Líofa sa Bhliain Úr. Líofa (the word meaning ‘fluent’ in Irish) is an initiative introduced by the Minister in September 2011 to help people become fluent and improve their fluency and usage of Irish by 2015. Nearly 3,500 have joined Líofa. Is tionscnamh é Líofa a thug an tAire isteach i Meán Fómhair 2011 le cuidiú le daoine éirí líofa nó cur lena líofacht agus lena n-úsáid Ghaeilge faoi 2015. Tá beagnach 3500 duine cláraithe le Líofa.
The Minister said: “2013 will be such a special year for Irish across the entire island of Ireland as it has been designated Bliain na Gaeilge (‘Irish Language Year’). Throughout the year there will be opportunities for people to use whatever level of Irish they have or to learn it for the first time.”
Arsa an tAire: “Bliain speisialta a bheidh i 2013 don Ghaeilge ar fud oileán na hÉireann óir tá sí sainithe mar Bhliain na Gaeilge. Ó thús, deireadh na bliana, beidh deiseanna do dhaoine cibé leibhéal Gaeilge atá acu a úsáid nó í a fhoghlaim don chéad uair.”
“The Líofa campaign will complement Bliain na Gaeilge so watch out for what is happening across the north including Irish language events as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge festivities in March and Derry City of Culture.
“Cuirfidh feachtas Liófa le Bliain na Gaeilge agus is fiú bheith ag faire amach ar a bhfuil ar siúl ar fud an tuaiscirt, lena n-áirítear imeachtaí Gaeilge mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge i Mí an Mhárta agus Doire, Cathair an Chultúir.
“However, now is the time to make the commitment to learn Irish in 2013 as part of your New Year’s Resolution. Although Líofa is a personal commitment and goal, we will help steer your learning experience and assist you in sourcing Irish Language classes and learning support if you sign up to take the Líofa challenge.
“Anois, áfach, an t-am le cur faoi do choinne féin Gaeilge a fhoghlaim i 2013 mar chuid de do rún athbhliana. Cé gur tiomantas agus sprioc pearsanta é Líofa, cuideoimid leat d’eispéireas foghlama a stiúradh agus ranganna Gaeilge agus tacaíocht foghlama a aimsiú má chláraíonn tú le dúshlán Líofa.
“2013 will be an exciting year for Líofa too. There will be a new website which will act as a platform for Irish Language activity and direct learners in their endeavour to improve and reach fluency in the Irish Language. Embedded in the Líofa website will be a Líofa learning package which will enhance spoken Irish and reinforce the work of classes and other resources Líofa participants are using to achieve their fluency goal.
“Bliain iontach a bheidh i 2013 do Líofa fosta. Beidh suíomh nua idirlín againn a fheidhmeoidh mar ardán do ghníomhíocht Ghaeilge agus a stiúrfaidh foghlaimeoirí agus iad ag iarraidh cur lena líofacht Ghaeilge. Beidh pacáiste foghlama Líofa mar dhlúthchuid de shuíomh idirlín Líofa, rud a dhaingneoidh obair na ranganna agus na n-acmhainní eile a úsáideann rannpháirtithe Líofa lena spriocanna líofachta a bhaint amach.
“I look forward to the results of the Líofa survey recently carried out which will inform us of the support required by those in the Líofa community who seek to improve their Irish Language spoken skills.” “Tá mé ag dréim le torthaí an tsuirbhé ar Líofa a rinneadh ar na mallaibh a inseoidh dúinn faoin tacaíocht atá de dhíth orthu siúd atá i bpobal Líofa atá ag iarraidh a scileanna labhartha Gaeilge a fheabhsú.”
Speaking about her own Líofa journey, MInister Carál Ní Chuilín said: “I have personally enjoyed my year of learning although getting to grips with the irregular verbs has not been easy. I have also been to the Gaeltacht twice this year, which has really helped improved my conversational Irish and understanding of the challenges of learning a new language. Make 2013, Bliain na Gaeilge, your year to start learning and improving your Irish Language skills and join Líofa as part of your New Year’s Resolution – Lean Leat go Líofacht! ”
Labhair Carál Ní Chuilín faoina turas Liofa féin, ar sise: “Bhain mé féin sult as mo bhliain foghlama cé nach furasta dul i ngleic leis na briathra mírialta. Bhí mé sa Ghaeltacht faoi dhó i mbliana fosta, rud a chuidigh go mór liom comhrá Gaeilge a dhéanamh agus tuiscint a bheith agam ar na dúshláin a bhaineann le teanga nua a fhoghlaim. Déan Bliain na Gaeilge de 2013, an bhliain a dtosóidh tú ag foghlaim agus ag feabhsú do chuid scileanna Gaeilge agus cláraigh le Líofa mar chuid de do rún athbhliana – Lean Leat go Líofacht!”
