The Gaelic Courier
An Teachdaire Gàidhealach
The Highlanders emigrated not only to Canada.
They also went in great numbers to America, Australia, New Zealand and other places as well.
In 1857 there were approximately 20,000 Gaelic speakers in Tasmania and a Gaelic journal was started in Hobart called An Teachdaire Gàidhealach (The Gaelic Messenger or Courier).
This was based on a magazine of the same name that was first published in Glasgow in the year 1820 by Dr Rev. Norman MacLeod.
The Australian Highland Messenger (Courier) is available here:
Take a look at this journal.
The Gaelic is a little old-fashioned and perhaps a little difficult to read, but are there pieces that you can understand?
See if you can read a story from the journal and make a note to yourself of the things that are different from modern Gaelic.
The Australian Gaelic Society still publishes The Gaelic Messenger, as an online journal for learners:
Read this excerpt from The (Australian) Highland Messenger.
You should be able to read it, although the spelling is outdated.
Ciamar a chaidh dhut?
How did you get on?
| Bha Coinneamh aig cuid de Ghaeil Geelong, 's a' bhaile sin fo cheann beagan uine 'chum doighean a ghabhail air steidh Comuinn Ghaelach a shuidheachadh d' am bi mar ainm “Comunn Na Feinne.” | Bha coinneamh aig cuid de Ghàidheil 'Geelong', sa bhaile sin o chionn beagan ùine gus dòighean a ghabhail air stèidh Comainn Ghàidhealach a shuidheachadh dham bi mar ainm “Comann Na Fèinne.” | Some Geelong Highlanders had a meeting in that town some time ago to take measures to set up a Highland Association to be called "COMANN NA FÈINE." |
| Tha na gnothuichean a bhios aig a' Chomunn seo 's an amharc mar a leanas:— | Tha na gnothaichean a bhios aig a' Chomann seo san amharc mar a leanas: | The proposed business of this Society is as follows: |
| 1. A bhi leasachadh agus a gleidheadh, air Mhaireann, na Gaelig, agus a chumail suas duthchasachd nan Gaidheil. 2. Beusachd, Daonnachd. 3. Arsaireachd. | 1. A bhith a' leasachadh agus a' glèidheadh, air mhaireann, na Gàidhlig, agus a' cumail suas dùthchasachd nan Gàidheal. 2. Beusachd, Daonnachd. 3. Àrsaireachd. | 1. To develop and preserve and keep alive the Gaelic language, and maintain the heredity [heritage] of the Gàidheil. 2. Decency [good behaviour], Benevolence [Humanity, Charity]. 3. Antiquarianism. |
| 1. Bithidh an Ceann seo a' gabhail a stigh na Gaelig agus a Meoir, no na Canainean a tha ann an daimh rithe, agus gach ni a bhios toiltneach air ar meas 's air ar speis ma thiomchioll spioraid graidh-duthcha, ar sinnsre, an deas-ghnathan, agus an cleachdaidhean. | 1. Bithidh an ceann seo a' gabhail a-staigh na Gàidhlig agus a meòir, no na cànain a tha ann an dàimh rithe, agus gach nì a bhios taitneach air ar meas 's air ar spèis mu thimcheall spioraid gràidh-dhùthcha, ar sinnsre, an deas-ghnàthan, agus an cleachdaidhean. | 1. This subject will include Gaelic and its branches, or the languages that are related to it, and everything that is pleasing to [worthy of] our appreciation and respect around the spirit of love of country, our ancestors, their ceremonies and their customs. |