: ASHLEY DAVIS :
: ELLAN VANIN - ISLE OF MAN :
: MAY 2006 :










One does not inhabit a country; one inhabits a language. That is our country, our fatherland --and no other.
--E.M Cioran

Introduction

(Written on the plane en route to the Isle of Man.)

There are numerous quotes on the loss of language, culture, and customs of a people. I have brought a few of them with me, but this one resonates with me above the others for some reason. I believe it is because I sincerely believe in this concept. Unfortunately, when a society loses its language, it loses far more than words. Often, many of the customs, dancing, and music get pulled under with the language and it takes a great effort to pull it out and revive it once again from the deep waters of extinction.

The last native Manx speaker (Ned Madrell) died in 1974. People immediately say “but there are those who still speak Manx, right?” Correct. However, it is their second language after English.

I well remember reading a New York Times article that specifically cited the IOM (and Ned) saying that “the astounding number of Linguists now estimate that half of the more than 6,000 languages currently spoken in the world will become extinct by the end of this century.” (Jack Hitt, February 28, 2004). Wales, Ireland, and Scotland have fought through extinction; and some have even thrived in the face of imminent death. So why, would their close sister, struggle and fail? Why, within the Celtic music community is Manx music barely touched or even heard of?

Institutions, such as my host, The Manx Heritage Foundation, have been set up and funded by the government to help ignite and move along the process of revival which began shortly after Ned’s death in the early 70s. Their work is imperative to the re-building and preservation of Manx culture. However, in order for a language and culture to survive, it needs the full backing of its society to bloom and grow to its fullest potential.

My goals, within this brief residence on the IOM, are twofold. First, it is my hope to collect as many songs, friendships, bits of language and stories as my heart, mind and luggage can carry back to New York. Second, to repay the kindness of Manx people by sharing my stories and songs with them while on the IOM, and then passing on their stories and songs, once I have left the island.

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