Posties face Gaelic poser

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 12 Sep 2008, 18:55

http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/news/ful ... poser.html

POSTIES in Fort William are going around in half-circles – or crescents – to deliver letters addressed in Gaelic.

And it is the town’s bilingual street policy which is partly to blame for the confusion.

Pensioners and grandparents Joe and Betty Willetts were intrigued by the recent arrival outside their home in Angus Crescent of new Gaelic-English signs.

The tops of these proclaim in Gaelic “Corran Aonghas” with “Angus Crescent” relegated to bottom spot.

The couple, who retired to Fort William from Dover five years ago, are actually keen enough on the language to watch and listen to Gaelic programmes on TV and radio.

“So we decided to test the mailing system,” said Joe (67), a retired merchant seaman.

“Early in August we sent a letter, in English, to my brother Ian in Leicestershire, along with which was an envelope addressed to us in Gaelic.”

That envelope read: “Mr & Mrs J Willetts, 11 Corran Aonghais, An Gearasdan, Alba, the Gaelic equivalent of 11 Angus Crescent, Fort William, Scotland.” No postcode was appended and, up until this week, it had not been delivered.

However, a second one to the Gaelic address, with the postcode, mailed first class, arrived next day.

But added to the addressed envelope was a Royal Mail sticker, which read: “This item does not show your correct postal address.

“To help us ensure your mail is delivered as quickly as possible in the future, would you please notify the sender of your correct postal address.”

This prompted Joe Willetts to ask: “So why are all the street names, notices and signs throughout town being changed by the council, with the accent on Gaelic?

Joe and Betty Willetts of Angus Crescent in Fort William, whose Gaelic address was rejected by Royal Mail. Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

“Betty and I are all for Gaelic and we are interested in the language.

“We like the sound of it and are picking up a few words and phrases, including our Gaelicised address!

“That’s why I sent the letters, to gauge the response.”

However, even fluent local Gaelic speakers are at odds about the correct translation of Angus Crescent.

Some consider that 'Leth-chearcall an Aonghas’, literally translated as “Half circle of Angus” is preferable to “Corran Aonghais”, the Gaelic for “Angus’s point of land like a sickle or hook” in alluding to the layout of a place.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said this week: “Provided that the correct address and postcode are used, we will endeavour to deliver to our normal service standards, letters and parcels which bear addresses in Gaelic. Customers should bear in mind, however, that all mail is processed by automatic sorting machines which greatly enhance the speed and efficiency of the mail processing system.

“At present these machines do not read any other language other than English.

“We would also wish to advise customers that items of mail bearing a form of address in any other language, even with the inclusion of the correct postcode, may run the risk of delay.

“Actually, Royal Mail supports main Gaelic events such as the Mod and, in predominantly Gaelic-speaking areas, our vans use dual signage.”

Last word to Betty Willetts: “One thing is sure, if mail continues to arrive addressed to “Corran Aonghas” our regular postman won’t have a problem,” she said. “His first name is Angus – or is it Aonghas?”

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DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 12 Sep 2008, 19:30

With the removal of regular postmen from routes/offices anything without the correct English address will just to endorsed as unknown.

NWpostie · Post by **NWpostie** » 13 Sep 2008, 12:35

I used to live in Wales and speak Welsh ok and a smattering of Irish/Scots Gaelic, its ok to learn and speak and a nice sing song language at that, it, but for everyday use out of welsh/Gaeltact speaking areas, its as much use as tits on a bull, English is the only language for jobs and business everywhere.

Diolch chymdeithion !

NWPostie

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 13 Sep 2008, 18:01

Well, if the Willetts are so interested in gaelic why did they speak to the newspaper in English ?
Presumably because they can't even be bothered to learn gaelic, the four words of their address probably being all they know of it.
They should have stayed in Leicestershire.

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 13 Sep 2008, 18:27

Lounge Lizard wrote:Well, if the Willetts are so interested in gaelic why did they speak to the newspaper in English ?
Presumably because they can't even be bothered to learn gaelic, the four words of their address probably being all they know of it.
They should have stayed in Leicestershire.

Dover (CT16) is in Kent not Leicestershire, hope you dont do outward sorting

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 13 Sep 2008, 21:54

k66yla wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:Well, if the Willetts are so interested in gaelic why did they speak to the newspaper in English ?
Presumably because they can't even be bothered to learn gaelic, the four words of their address probably being all they know of it.
They should have stayed in Leicestershire.
Dover (CT16) is in Kent not Leicestershire, hope you dont do outward sorting

No, I don't do outward sorting, but I passed O and A level Geography and I'm sure you realised that in making the point of what a prat he is I mistook where he is from and where his brother resides.