Same Language Subtitles?
Nìall Beag on Fòram na Gàidhlig has commented as follows on the Hebridean Surfing preview:
“Math fhéin.
Anyway, have you considered this time including optional same-language-subtitles (SLS) on the DVD as well as the transcripts? I find them quite useful in filling gaps in my aural understanding.”
The full post is here.
The current phase of the project will see all video materials placed online. A DVD package would be extra, but if there is evidence of demand it should be possible to include an SLS option. Examples can be found on YouTube via this link.
Opinions from learners and teachers are welcomed! Just leave a comment below.
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Island Voices Videos
Island Voices - Guthan nan Eilean 
As a self-learner whose only opportunity in hearing Gaelic is via the Net, if the proposal’s meant as on this page
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=NiallBeag#p/u/0/VzDkNFFK1KY
I would find them VERY useful.
Bhiodh fo-tiotalan as Gaidhlig air progrman Gaidhlig ana fheumail, chan ann a mhain do luchd ionnsachaidh ach ri bodaich/cailleaich a thathas a’ fas bodhar.
Air barrachd an sin, b’urrainn do BBC Alba a chuir feum air programan as Gaidhlig na h-Eireann, gun ach cuir fo-tiotalan don caighdeanna Albannach orra- chuireadh seo luach air barrachd air craobh sgaoileadh BBC Alba: Tha e measaichte gu bheil 3,000 Gael Eireannaich a’ comhnaidh ann an Alba.
‘s a h-aon doigh b’urrainn don prionnsabal dol an rathad eile agus TG4 cuir feum air programan Albannaich,le fo-tiotalan don chaighdeann Eireannach.
A bit late in the day, but I’d like to add my support to the subtitles idea. As someone learning Gaelic the ‘traditional’ academic way via SMO’s Cùrsa Adhartais, I’m more familiar with written than spoken Gaelic (sadly – it’s one of my criticisms of SMO’s output that it’s more verbal than oral, though their hands are a bit tied by UHI academic requirements). I often have difficulty understanding natural-speed spoken Gaelic because words meld into each other, and I sometimes miss important keywords, so it’s good to have the option to see a transcript (as in Rory Maclean’s Letters) or subtitles.
Duilich airson a’ sgrìobhadh anns a’ mhailaichte Bheurla, ach tha mi ag obair ‘s cabhag orm 😦
Dheanainnsa gairdeachas mor ri fo-thiotalan (mar option a-mhain – ach mar a thuirt Niall nach ann mar sin a tha cuisean air DVD co-dhiu). Se inneal fior fheumail a bhiodh ann, nam bheachd, do luchd-teagaisg agus luchd-ionnsachaidh.
Even the lack of DVD shouldn’t be a problem — there’s plenty of ways to deal with subtitles, either as an external file that the user (such as the classroom teacher) has to load up separately. More modern formats such as MP4 support “soft” (ie optional, as opposed to “hard” or burnt-in) subtitles in the main file.
The Island Voices project and the wider Pools has always supplied transcripts, and most courses with video and audio do. As it’s such a widely accepted practice to hand out the transcripts to read alongside a repeat viewing, it makes sense to move the transcript to the screen. A small amount of effort upfront to convert the transcript to subtitles saves a lot of photocopying later for a lot of teachers.
I also think subtitles are far superior to transcripts in that you can’t get out of sync, and the learner’s eye won’t wander.
PS. I’d be happy to help, but I wonder if there’s potential to tie this in to the SMO’s media courses and give the students the opportunity to do something “real”…?
That’s a great offer Nèill. Thanks very much. Given the comments here and on Fòram na Gàidhlig the current is clearly running strongly in favour of the idea at the moment. The next thing is indeed to look at the practicalities, and the idea of involving others in real project work is something we should be keen to develop. There have been some initial thoughts on that already. Watch this space, and we may well get back to you!