'Address on the Manx Language'

Date(s): 11 August 1949

Creator(s): Gell, Jack

Scope & Content: Typescript of a lecture given at the Celtic Congress, Bangor, North Wales. Gell discusses the 'Story of Manx Gaelic' encompassing 'its history and the reasons for its decline, along with the present position of the language, the efforts made to revive it, and the difficulties that confront those trying to keep it alive today'. Gell describes how English became the official language with the use of Manx reserved for conversational purposes rather than literature, as few could read or write Manx, 'Manx became the language of the peasantry, the crofter-fishermen, miners and artisans, and in latter days was despised as the mark of illiterate, which caused Manx speakers, always of a shy and reserved nature, to keep the Gaelic to themselves, many would not even admit to a stranger that they had any knowledge of it.' Gell believes that the future prosperity of Manx Gaelic lies with the youth, that alongside access to Manx language teachers, children need 'a pride of race and love of their native Isle, for if this can be achieved, the rest will be easier'.

Language: English

Extent: 7 pages

Item name: text of lecture

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 05213

Retrieval number: MS 05213 C

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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