Manx language enthusiasts are hoping to make this year the best year yet to pick up an learn the island’s native tongue, with a planned month-long series of events and activities.

The Manx language network Jeebin, a body comprising members from Culture Vannin, The Department of Education and other language groups are to launch its ’Gaelg 21’, a programme of events set to take place later this year to help making learning the Manx language more accessible and attainable to as many people as possible.

Gaelg 21 is set to begin on Wednesday, June 9, and continue throughout July, which will allow the organisers to include Tynwald Day, Laa Columb Killey, amongst others in the events surrounding ’Gaelg 21’.

While a full programme is still to be finalised, Gaelg 21 will feature a wide range of community events and activities, talks, workshops and music concerts, with opportunities for the creative arts community to get involved too.

Jeebin is a body comprising members from Culture Vannin, The Department of Education and other language groups.

Ruth Keggin-Gell, the Manx language officer, also known as ’Yn Greinneyder’, who has put Gaelg 21 together with Jo Callister, from the Department of Education, and Phil Gawne, said that the events of Gaelg 21 will be aimed at people on the Isle of Man and also language speakers off-island, reflecting the growth of the international interest in Manx Gaelic.

’There will be lots of different events going on that will be not just be targeted at the Manx language speaking community, but for people who want to get involved and find out more,’ said Ruth.

’We want to involve everybody and any one who has an interest is welcome.

’Gaelg 21 is about making the Manx language open and available to all and actively going towards people rather than having people come to us.

’It is all about making an open door to the language.

’It’s not just for people who are already Manx speakers. It is also particularly aimed at people of all walks of life who may want to find out more about learning Manx both on and off-island too.

’Our ethos in Jeebin is that we want to involve everybody and any one who has an interest is so welcome here.

’Gaelg 21 is about making the Manx language open and available to all and actively going towards people rather than having people come to us.

There is a particular drive to make many of the events accessible for those who do not live on the island, reflecting the growing popularity of the language in places as far away as America and Australia.

’Accessibility and inclusivity is super-important to us,’ said Ruth.

’There a lot of people off-island who would either want to be here to take part or just find out more.’

The Galeg 21’ initiative has been tied in ’Colmcille 1500’, a year-long project to encourage a wider celebration of Irish, Scottish and Manx Gaelic, named to mark the 1,500th anniversary of St Columba, who is widely revered for his influence in Gaelic language art and culture.

’It is great that we were able to be part of Colmcille 1500, as there are very strong connections between the Isle of Man and Scotland and Ireland, and Manx Gaelic is very much a "cousin language" of the others.

’It’s a big celebration of Gaelic languages and it will help, not only to re-affirm, but also strengthen these links.

’Ireland are doing lots of things to celebrate the cultural and historical links between Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

’They will be doing all sorts of events and we are able to tie the Gaelg 21 things into that.

It should be a very exciting year for the languages.’

For more details on how to take part and get involved with Gaelg 21, go to: learnmanx.com/gaelg21

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers