Year-long celebration of Manx to start in January

A year-long celebration of the Isle of Man's native language will be a chance for it to be "heard, seen and shared more than ever before", the head of the network behind it has said.

Starting in January, Blein ny Gaelgey – Manx Gaelic for the Year of the Manx Language – aims to encourage more people to learn it.

Organised by the Manx Language Network, Jeebin, the year will highlight existing annual events, act as the catalyst for new ventures, and encourage more use of Manx words and phrases.

Jeebin chair Chrissy Callaghan said: "Our aim is to ensure that everyone - wherever they're from, whatever their knowledge of Manx is - knows that this language belongs to us all."

Jeebin brings together representatives from several organisations involved in promoting and supporting the language.

"Blein ny Gaelgey will celebrate and shine a light on what's already happening, bring Manx to new audiences and create a lasting legacy," Ms Callaghan said.

"Our focus is on the Manx language for all. That's at the heart of everything we're doing."

The most recent Isle of Man census, held in 2021, recorded 2,223 Manx speakers, a number that a strategy published three years ago aims to double by 2032.

The official launch of Blein ny Gaelgey was held as this year's Manx language festival, the Cooish, got under way to encourage individuals and businesses to consider how they could get involved.

As part of the 12-month celebration, a calendar of community events will be delivered across the island by Culture Vannin with support from the government's Domestic Event Fund.

Language development officer for Culture Vannin, Ruth Keggin-Gell, said: "It doesn't matter if they've only got a few words, are absolute beginners, or are confident fluent speakers."

Ms Keggin-Gell, whose promotion of the language includes using social media platforms to target new and younger audiences, added: "We want to get people involved however possible."

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