This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-26120451
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Singer Ruth Keggin 'breathes life' into ancient language | Singer Ruth Keggin 'breathes life' into ancient language |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An Isle of Man singer is set to "breathe new life" into the ancient Manx language, once classified as "extinct" by cultural body Unesco. | |
| Ruth Keggin's debut solo album features new arrangements of traditional and contemporary folk songs, most of which are sung in the Gaelic language. | Ruth Keggin's debut solo album features new arrangements of traditional and contemporary folk songs, most of which are sung in the Gaelic language. |
| The 25-year-old said: "Manx never died out - the language revival started decades ago." | The 25-year-old said: "Manx never died out - the language revival started decades ago." |
| There are currently around 1,700 Manx speakers on the Isle of Man. | There are currently around 1,700 Manx speakers on the Isle of Man. |
| In 2009, United Nations cultural body Unesco was forced to change its classification of the language from "extinct" following protests from islanders. | In 2009, United Nations cultural body Unesco was forced to change its classification of the language from "extinct" following protests from islanders. |
| Several letters were sent from children at the island's Bunscoill (Manx language school) in St Johns, which has taught all lessons in the Isle of Man's native tongue since 2001. | Several letters were sent from children at the island's Bunscoill (Manx language school) in St Johns, which has taught all lessons in the Isle of Man's native tongue since 2001. |
| The children wrote: "If our language is extinct then what language are we writing in?" | The children wrote: "If our language is extinct then what language are we writing in?" |
| 'Vibrant and alive' | 'Vibrant and alive' |
| Bunscoill head teacher Julie Matthews said: "The Isle of Man language is having something of a renaissance." Currently 71 children attend the school. | Bunscoill head teacher Julie Matthews said: "The Isle of Man language is having something of a renaissance." Currently 71 children attend the school. |
| The language itself has similarities with the Gaelic tongues spoken in the island's neighbours, Ireland and Scotland. | The language itself has similarities with the Gaelic tongues spoken in the island's neighbours, Ireland and Scotland. |
| Mrs Matthews said: "It is going from strength to strength and having young and exciting musicians like Ruth can only help to inspire future generations. | Mrs Matthews said: "It is going from strength to strength and having young and exciting musicians like Ruth can only help to inspire future generations. |
| "We want to make Manx relevant in the future, not something we are simply preserving from the past. | "We want to make Manx relevant in the future, not something we are simply preserving from the past. |
| "A great deal has been done over the past 30 years to resurrect the language and Ruth's music is certainly going to help keep it vibrant and alive." | "A great deal has been done over the past 30 years to resurrect the language and Ruth's music is certainly going to help keep it vibrant and alive." |
| 'Manx never died' | 'Manx never died' |
| The singer began work on the album, funded by Culture Vannin, in November 2012. | The singer began work on the album, funded by Culture Vannin, in November 2012. |
| She said: "There is such an international interest in the language these days - I'm happy to be a small part of that and share these songs with people around the world." | She said: "There is such an international interest in the language these days - I'm happy to be a small part of that and share these songs with people around the world." |
| "I'm hoping the music goes down well and people like the songs. Generally, I think there is a very positive attitude towards Manx music," she added. | "I'm hoping the music goes down well and people like the songs. Generally, I think there is a very positive attitude towards Manx music," she added. |
| Culture Vannin's Manx language officer Adrian Caine said: "This is a modern interpretation by an extremely talented singer which can do nothing but good for the language. | Culture Vannin's Manx language officer Adrian Caine said: "This is a modern interpretation by an extremely talented singer which can do nothing but good for the language. |
| "She is breathing new life into the language with her music," he said. | "She is breathing new life into the language with her music," he said. |
| The Port Erin singer will launch her album by singing tracks at the Centenary Centre in Peel on Saturday. | The Port Erin singer will launch her album by singing tracks at the Centenary Centre in Peel on Saturday. |
| BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy recently described her as "the pure and passionate Gaelic voice of the Manx music renaissance". | BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy recently described her as "the pure and passionate Gaelic voice of the Manx music renaissance". |
| The Scottish musician said: "Ruth is a real talent and her music will unquestionably help what is a fragile language. It is very special. | The Scottish musician said: "Ruth is a real talent and her music will unquestionably help what is a fragile language. It is very special. |
| "I have been following the Manx music scene for a number of years and there is a new generation taking it forwards. | "I have been following the Manx music scene for a number of years and there is a new generation taking it forwards. |
| "The music is being played but until now the language was not necessarily attached. This could be a real breakthrough." | "The music is being played but until now the language was not necessarily attached. This could be a real breakthrough." |
| Following her island concert she will perform at three gigs in Dublin, Belfast and Donegal. | Following her island concert she will perform at three gigs in Dublin, Belfast and Donegal. |