Listening for Your Immigrants in Gaelic

The end of term and the holidays are fast approaching which leaves all of us with a little less time to search for immigrants. However, if the immigrants you are researching, like those of Scotch Settlement, were Gaelic speaking, you can listen to Gaelic via podcasts and streamed radio. If they weren't Gaelic speaking - and my actual Scottish ancestors were from Ayrshire, so probably hadn't spoken Gaelic for centuries before they came to America - it is still worth a listen.

Here is a program from the BBC World Service, broadcast on the eve of the Referendum, which investigates the state of Gaelic in present-day Scotland.

You can live stream BBC Radio nan Gaidheal here when they are on air. Underneath the main section of the page in blue you will see the word "English." Click on it and most of the page, like the directions and program descriptions, will translate into English. If you just want to hear the language, click on any of the program episodes to stream them. If you are a Gaelic-learner or want to be try Beag air Bheag (Little by Little).

The BBC produces three podcasts in Gaelic: The Little Letter for Gaelic Learners, Letter To Gaelic Learners, and Spòrs Na Seachdain (Sports). Visit the home page of each podcast to learn more.

I hope that listening to these Gaelic resources will help you feel as if you have been doing something akin to research during this holiday season.

Happy Listening!