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Please help! Moving soon..single mum..cultural appropriation?

11 replies

blair659 · 05/06/2018 16:27

Hello mumsies! I'm moving to Glasgow with my 5 yr old and would love some advice! (Especially since I already researched Edinburgh to death, even going there to find an apartment, and am now running low on time to look into Glasgow :-O).
My son is bilingual already and I love the idea of him learning a beautiful, ancient language like Gaelic. I am not one for pouring over league tables; I just want a school with a good culture. Question: would we be doing a disservice to native Gaelic speakers trying to get their children into the school if we weasel our way into the catchment area (especially since we would not be there from nursery age)?Alternatively, are there are any interesting, urban pockets (wanting mainly to rely on feet for transportation) but near a happy school, ideally with a strong music program, that I should look into? I will be living as a single mum (work-travelling husband will keep his base in US), so I am not looking for leafy suburbs--I want a small flat and a park nearby! (Dare I say vege cafe?) Visiting soon and would love some guidance on which neighborhoods to explore. *Whitehill Secondary is where my favorite Glaswegian author went to school if anyone has an opinion on this area:-P. Budget is trim, but initially I am only going to rent a small 2 BR, so it should leave most areas open. Thank you all so much!

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Dollydingwall · 07/06/2018 01:23

Not all primary or secondary schools offer Gaelic but there are 3 specialist schools in the city fir those interested in its revival. Catchment areas don’t apply Just their admissions process. Gaelic isn’t spoken here ,, only far north west of Scotland. The West End near University is most appropriate neighbourhood fir you with veggie cafes, safe walks, parks, museums galleries, shops etc . The property rental agents based on Byres road are all online for checking flats costs. This area is ob more expensive than near Whitehill school, which is in east end opposite side of city.

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LapsedHumanist · 07/06/2018 01:43

Don’t live in Maryhill.

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Peiper · 08/06/2018 09:07

Consider Uddingston bothwell area good properties to rent good train bus service to Glasgow
Also accessible to motorway bet work
Good luck in your search adventure

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blair659 · 08/06/2018 17:16

Thank you for your comments! Very much appreciated. Yeah, if there are not people in the area speaking Gaelic, I guess it doesn't make as much sense (other than it being good for the brain, history/literature and belonging to a tight community). My Italian husband's mother tongue (Arbëreshë, or old Albanian) only has 60,000 speakers, and he does not think it is worth teaching my son. Going off topic here, but is Scots spoken much in Glasgow? Or is it more prevalent in the north? Or, like Sicilian is used in my husband's village, spoken more for emphasis? Thanks!

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LapsedHumanist · 08/06/2018 17:51

Glaswegian is spoken in Glasgow.

It’s pretty different from Scots. Doric is spoken in the North-East by the way.

Parliamo Glasgow

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LapsedHumanist · 08/06/2018 17:52

See if you can find Tutti Fruti on YouTube or dvd somewhere.

They subtitled it when they showed it in the states.

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LapsedHumanist · 08/06/2018 17:56

The John Byrne one.

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blair659 · 09/06/2018 01:50

Thx LapsedHumanist; the u-tube video does not play, but I saw the Slab Boys trailer which looks good too;-) I am familiar with the accent because I used to have a mngr at a touristy Texan restaurant in London who was a Glaswegian, ex-sailor to boot. It was *hilarious when he was the one to greet bewildered, monolingual American guests--they were deer in headlights, so yes, I understand the subtitles. I'm going to Paisley, where Bryne he is from, for an Opera fest but I think I will enjoy listening to people talk around me as much as the singers:-P
A dopo!

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beworklifehappy · 03/07/2018 20:00

Gaelic isn't really spoken in Glasgow but like everywhere we've got a whole lotta languages. You'll find Gaelic spoken mainly on the islands and up north but even then it's mainly English.

I wouldn't worry about cultural appropriation. Learning languages is good for our kids brains and at the end of the day, if your son learns it he could share the love of it elsewhere which can only be a good thing for me.

It def sounds like the west end of Glasgow is your kind of place BUT it does come at a price tag when you're near Byres Road with the gorgeous Botanic Gardens.
Knightswood secondary is well known for music & drama and that's slightly out from the west end.

The South Side of Glasgow is getting more cosmopolitan with some great parks and veggie cafes. One of THE BEST veggie indian restaurants is over that side on Pollokshaws Road.

Whitehill is in the east end and that's another 'up & coming' area that's getting lots of investment.

Sorry can't given any specific recommendations - pick a few areas you fancy and then read up on the HMIE reports and then stalk the schools twitter and facebook pages to get a feel for them.

Good luck xxx

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blair659 · 04/07/2018 02:21

Thanks you beworklifehappy! A great summary response to all of my questions/concerns:-) Also, I am staying at an airbnb near that restaurant so I will have to check it out for sure:-P' The more I get ready for my trip, the more I realize what an interesting, vibrant tapestry Glasgow is; I can't wait!

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beworklifehappy · 04/07/2018 18:30

It’s Ranjits Kitchen, super simple, brilliant staff and delicious food!

Yes Glasgow has a LOT to offer...it’s a smorgasbord if delights so I’m sure you’ll find somewhere that works for you. Happy exploring ❤️

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