Hebridean publisher and retailer responds to Islanders’ demand for Gaelic greeting cards
Everyone knows if you move countries then learning the language is a major step to being included as part of the community, and that also works right here in the UK, with greeting cards playing their role too.
English might be the official language but it’s definitely not the only one spoken across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – and it’s not even the mother tongue of many who consider themselves complete natives of these islands.
With plenty of publishers now offering Welsh language cards, as well as the more niche Cornish captions and dialects such as Scouse, Geordie, Brummie, and Mackem, Janet Ross-Jordan has expanded her Cards And Gift Wrap retail business to include her own Gaelic designs.
Based in the Outer Hebrides, Janet’s often been asked for Gaelic language cards but said she “struggled to find affordable and attractive” designs from publishers – the ancient Celtic language of Gaelic was always dominant in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, while the Lowlands spoke Scots which is much closer in style to English.
She explained: “Historically, it’s the native language of the islands but Gaelic speakers have faced persecution over the years from several angles. There’s now a desperate drive throughout Scotland, but especially in the islands and on the west coast, to boost the numbers who speak Gaelic so it doesn’t die out, and becomes a widely-spoken native language again.
“Old-fashioned designs weren’t going to help the image of Gaelic being the current and still relevant language that it is.”
The demand has meant Janet now offers her cards wholesale as well as retailing through her online store and wee shoppie at her Isle Of Lewis home – she also offers her own paper sticky tape that’s been championed by TV’s Dragons’ Den and Ryman stationery chain entrepreneur Theo Paphitis – and she’s been amazed at the diversity of requests.
Janet added: “A local hotel has requested my card designs for their customers, in particular tourist groups who inevitably includes someone who has a birthday and so want to buy a card – the opportunity to give a card in the local language of their holiday destination has extra appeal and helps promote the beauty of the Gaelic language.
“The challenge has been getting the phrasing right. I’m not a native Gaelic speaker but my children all are. Like all languages, Gaelic is fluid and still evolving so there are generational differences in how someone might say Happy Birthday. Even in English we have different birthday phrases on a card, such as Happy Birthday or Birthday Wishes, and it’s the same in Gaelic.
“There’s often more than one right way to say something. When I ask for feedback on social media about a design wording I get many different responses, but I find language fascinating so I’m enjoying the challenge. My latest balloons design is causing controversy between the older and younger generations just now, so I may change the wording!”
The May issue of Progressive Greetings has a full diversity and inclusion cards feature, click here to read it.
Top: Gaelic is the native language on the Isle Of Lewis
