Facal and Comunn Eachdraidh Nis are Joint Winners of 2013 Gaelic Business of the Year Award

1st November 2013

For the first time since its inception, the Gaelic Business of the Year Award has been jointly won, by two companies. The successful companies are Facal, a specialist transcription and translation service company based in Sutherland and Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, a historical society based in Ness, Lewis.

The competition, which is run by Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) and funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise recognises good practice in the use of Gaelic in the business sector. As well as giving recognition to businesses where Gaelic is central to all that they do, it is hoped that the competition also encourages other businesses to increase their commitment to the language in practical ways.

The judging panel was pleased with the two companies’ use of Gaelic amongst staff, in dealing with customers and the visibility of the language within the companies through signage, websites and the use of Gaelic in image/marketing of their services. But, what really impressed the panel was the wide range of Gaelic-related activities carried out by both companies, over and above their “normal work”. Facal was highly involved in the delivery of Gaelic classes, music and singing classes and working with other organisations on a range of projects designed to develop the Gaelic language in Sutherland. Comunn Eachdraidh Nis has established a number of groups which meet regularly, opened a cafe which is open all year round and has created a community hub, providing the community with a wide range of opportunities to meet regularly. And all these activities are done in Gaelic.

The awards were presented to Facal and Comunn Eachdraidh Nis by Alasdair Allan, MSP, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages. Dr Allan said, “I would like to congratulate both Facal and Comunn Eachdraidh Nis on their winning this award. Both have shown that they go the extra mile to incorporate Gaelic into their work. Our commitment to halting the decline of Gaelic speakers needs companies like these to give people the chance to use their Gaelic skills in day to day life. I would also like to thank the judging panel and Comunn na Gaidhlig for their commitment to this award as it rewards those playing a part in encouraging the sustainability of the language across the country.”

Anne Macaulay, Head of Business and Key Sectors at HIE in the Outer Hebrides, said HIE was pleased to continue supporting the awards, “Awards like this are an important recognition of the effort and commitment in using Gaelic as an asset within business, and we are especially pleased that it is Comunn Eachdraidh Nis and Facal which have taken joint first place because Gaelic is so clearly at the heart of what they do.

“HIE is strongly of the opinion that Gaelic offers employment and business opportunities, and there’s no better proof than our worthy winners. HIE has also provided direct support to the historical society and the wider Gaelic speaking community of Ness which is already strong and can be even more resilient when organisations like Comunn Eachdraidh Nis translate their heritage into impressive facilities that serve people of all ages. It is great to recognise the excellent work they are doing in terms of developing their activities through Gaelic.

“Facal really does also recognise the value of Gaelic and the business uses it on a daily basis. With a high profile of the language on its website and with Gaelic being a core part of what the business does, they too fully deserve this award. HIE wishes Facal and Comunn Eachdraidh Nis every success in the years ahead.”

Annie Macsween, Chair of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis said, “It is a great honour for Comunn Eachdraidh Nis – and indeed for the wider community – to win this award. When Comunn Eachdraidh Nis was formed in 1977, who would have thought that historical societies would be formed across the islands, from the Butt to Barra, and beyond, to other islands and to parts of the mainland. I think Comunn Eachdraidh Nis is a good example of the viewpoint raised at the opening of the Royal National Mòd last week, “to create and build a strong Gaelic community in the Western Isles so that there is a homeland there for our new generation of speakers to go to in order to develop their learning and understanding of the language. We have an excellent model here, but we cannot sustain it without core funding. I hope funding agencies will take note! We are grateful to CnaG and HIE for this award.”

Alasdair MacLeòid, co-founder of Facal, said, "We are delighted to receive this award, and we hope it will encourage others to build on the value of Gaelic to businesses operating in the private sector."

Donald MacNèill, Chief Executive of CnaG said he was delighted that the award had been jointly won by companies based in the Western Isles and Sutherland. “He said, “This is evidence of the good work going on across the HIE network area to ensure the future of the Gaelic language. Under contract with HIE, over the past 4 years, we have been working closely with businesses and community organisations across the area and I have no doubt that there are increasing opportunities for the language to be used for the benefit of both the language and the economy. I am grateful to HIE for enabling us to run the Gaelic Business of the Year competition.”

Facal agus Comunn Eachdraidh Nis a’ co-roinn duais Gnìomhachas Gàidhlig na Bliadhna 2013

29 October 2013
Airson a’ chiad uair on thoisich am farpais, “Gnìomhachas Gàidhlig na Bliadhna” chaidh a’ chiad duais a bhuileachadh, co-ionnan, air dà chompanaidh. B’ iad na companaidhean, Facal, companaidh, stèidhte an Dùthaich MhicAoidh, a tha a’ tabhann seirbheisean cànain agus Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, taigh tasgaidh stèidhte an Nis Leòdhas, a ghlèidh duais Gnìomhachas Gàidhlig na Bliadhna 2013 le chèile.

Tha an fharpais, a th’ air a stiùireadh le Comunn Na Gàidhlig (CnaG) le taic o Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd’s nan Eilean (HIE) a’ toirt aithne don obair ionmholta a tha mòran chompanaidhean a’ dèanamh nan raon fhèin agus aig an aon àm iad ga dhèanamh tron Ghàidhlig. A thuilleadh air a bhith a’ toirt aithne do na companaidhean a tha a’ cumail a’ Ghàidhlig aig cridhe an cuid obrach an ceartuair, thathas an dòchas gum brosnaich an fharpais companaidhean eile gus a bhith a’ strì gus iad fhèin a’ bharrachd a dhèanamh tron Ghàidhlig.

Bha na britheamhan glan air an dòigh mar a bha an dà chompanaidh a’ cleachdadh na Gaidhlig gach cuid am measg an luchd-obrach agus le luchd-frithealaidh agus le follaiseachd a’ chànain a thaobh soidhnichean, làraich-lìn is dòighean margaidheachd eile. Ach se a ghlac aire nam britheamhan an obair eile, taobh a-muigh an “obair àbhaisteach” san robh an dà chompanaidh an sàs. Bha Facal gu mòr an sàs an clasaichean Gàidhlig, ceòl is seinn, obair òigridh agus co-obrachadh le buidhnean eile san sgìre air pròiseactan a thaobh na Gaidhlig a thoirt air adhart san sgìre. Bha Comunn Eachdraidh Nis air diofar bhuidhnean a stèidheachadh a bhiodh a’ coinneachadh gu seachdainneil, air cafaidh a thòiseachadh agus air nàdar taigh-cèilidh a chruthachadh, a’ toirt cothrom do mhuinntir na sgìre a bhith a’ coinneachadh gu cunbhalach. Agus, bha gach rud a bha seo air a dhèanamh tron Ghàidhlig.

Chaidh na duaisean am buileachadh air Facal agus Comunn Eachdraidh Nis le Alasdair Allan BPA, Ministeir an Riaghaltais airson Ionnsachadh, Saidheans agus Gàidhlig is Albais.

Thuirt an t-Oll. Allan, “Bu mhath leam meal a naidheachd a chuir air gach cuid Facal agus Comunn Eachdraidh Nis airson an duais a tha seo a ghleidheadh. Tha an dà chompanaidh air dearbhadh gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig gu tur aig cridhe an obair làitheil. Tha ar n-oidhirpean gus stad a chuir air crìonadh àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig gu mòr a’ crochadh air companaidhean mar seo a tha a’ toirt a’ chothrom do dhaoine a’ Ghàidhlig a cleachdadh nam beatha làitheil. Bu mhath leam cuideachd taing a thoirt don phanail measaidh, agus Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd’s nan Eilean agus Comunn na gàidhlig airson an obair ann a bhith a’ cumail an fharpais sa, oir tha i a’ toirt aithne dhaibhsan a tha a’ brosnachadh sa misneachadh seasmhachd a’ chànain feadh na dùthcha.”

Thuirt Anna NicAmhlaigh, Ceannard Gnìomhachas is Prìomh Roinnean aig HIE Innse Gall, gu robh HIE toilichte a bhith a’ cumail taic ris na duaisean sa, “Tha duaisean mar seo cudromach ann a bhith a’ dèanamh aithne air an oidhirp agus an dìcheall ann a bhith a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig mar so-mhaoin ann an gnìomhachas, agus tha sinn air leth toilichte gur iad Comunn Eachdraidh Nis agus Facal a cho-roinn an duais, leis gu bheil e cho soilleir gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig aig cridhe na tha iad a’ dèanamh.

“Tha HIE gu làidir dhan bheachd gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig a’ tabhann cothroman cosnaidh is cothroman gnìomhachas a leudachadh, agus chan eil dearbhadh nas fheàrr na bhith a’ coimhead ris an dà chompanaidh a ghlèidh an duais sa. Tha HIE cuideachd air taic dìreach a thoirt don Chomunn Eachdraidh is do choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig Nis, a tha mu thràth làidir agus a dh’ fhaodadh a bhith nas treasa air a tha buidhnean mar Comunn eachdraidh Nis a’ cleachdadh an dualchas gus goireasan a chuir air dòigh do mhuinntir na coimhearsnachd de gach aois. Tha e na adhbhar tlachd a’ toirt aithne dhan sàr obair a tha ris ann a bhith a’ leasachadh an cuid obrach tron Ghàidhlig.

“Tha Facal da-rìribh ag aithneachadh luach na Gàidhlig agus ga cleachdadh gu làitheil. Le follaiseachd a’ chànain air an làrach-lìn aca agus le Gàidhlig an teas mheadhan an obair làitheil, tha iadsan cuideachd làn airigh air an duais a tha seo. Tha HIE a’ guidhe gach soirbheachadh do Facal agus Comunn Eachdraidh Nis sna bliadhnachan air thoiseach oirnn.”

Thuirt Anna NicSuain, Cathraiche Chomunn Eachdraidh Nis, “Tha e na urram mòr dha Comunn Eachdraidh Nis – agus dhan sgìre air fad – an duais seo fhaighinn. An uair a chaidh CEN a stèidheachadh ann an 1977, cò a chanadh gun sgapadh a’ bheachd cruinneachadh eachdraidheil a bhith anns gach coimhearsnachd bhon Buta Leòdhasach gu ceann Bharraigh agus gu àiteachan eile air Tìr Mòr agus na h-Eileanan a-staigh. Saoilidh mi gu bheil Comunn Eachdraidh Nis gu ìre mhòr na dheagh eisimpleir air a’ bheachd a nochd aig fosgladh oifigeil a’ Mhòid an t-seachdain a chaidh, “gus coimhearsnachdan làidir Gàidhlig a chruthachadh agus a thogail anns na h-Eileanan an Iar gus am bi dachaigh ann an sin don ghinealach ùr de luchd-labhairt gus an ionnsachadh agus an tuigse air a’ chànain a thoirt air adhart.” Tha fior dheagh mhodail againn ann an seo, ach cha chùm sinn a’ dol gun airgead a’ tighinn gu cunbhalach. Tha mi an dòchas gu bheil na buidhnean maoineachaidh ag èisteachd gu furachail! Tha sinn fada an comann ChnaG agus HIE airson an duais a tha seo an diugh.”

Thuirt Alasdair MacLeòid, co-stèidheadair Facal, "Tha sinn air ar dòigh a bhith a' faighinn na duaise seo, agus tha sinn an dòchas gun tòir seo brosnachadh dha companaidhean eile a thogail air luach na Gàidhlig sa roinn phrìobhaidich."

Thuirt Dòmhnall MacNèill, Ceannard ChnaG gu robh e glan air a dhòigh gu robh an duais air a cho-roinn le companaidhean stèidhte sna h-Eileanan an Iar agus Cataibh. Thuirt e, “Tha seo na dhearbhadh gu bheil oidhirpean a’ dol air adhart taobh a-staigh gnìomhachasan tarsaing a’ Ghàidhealtachd’s nan eilein gus a’ Ghàidhlig a neartachadh. Thairis na 4 ceithir bliadhna a chaidh seachad, bho chùmhnant le HIE, tha sinne air a bhith ag obair gu dlùth le diofar ghnìomhachasan is buidhnean coimhearsnachd air feadh na dùthcha agus tha mise cinnteach gu bheil cothroman mòr ann airson an tuilleadh a dhèanamh leis a’ Ghàidhlig gus gach cuid maitheas a’ cànain agus an eaconamaidh. Tha mi taingeil do HIE airson an taic ann a bhith a’ ruith am farpais, Gnìomhachas Gàidhlig na Bliadhna.”