It's International Mother Language Day

Today is International Mother Language Day, a celebration of global linguistic diversity. And what better occasion to reveal the cover of Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic, our forthcoming collection of stories translated between Taiwanese (Tâi-gí 台語) and Gaelic languages? Look at this beauty. The Taiwan blue magpie is the national bird of Taiwan, while the raven represents Scotland.

Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic brings together four stellar writers — Lisa MacDonald, Kiú-kiong, Naomi Sím and Elissa Hunter-Dorans — to weave new stories and new connections.

An elderly prophet, and an attack on the Taipei subway. A sheep tangled up in brambles by the roadside. A goddess of saliva who disappears without a trace. A sinister figure stalks through the darkness of the night in heavy boots, while somewhere, a fiddle plays… These stories bring together past and present, myth, dream, legend and the everyday, as they explore Scotland and Taiwan’s parallel experiences of language diversity.

You can pre-order the paperback now, and we’ll send you a copy in June 2025. If you pre-order by May 1st, 2025, we will list your name in the final edition in appreciation of your support.

Each of the four stories in this book will be translated into four languages — Taiwanese, Mandarin, English and Gaelic — and the book will be published in a handsome paperback edition in June.

Tâigael is supported by a grant from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Connections Fund. You can find out more on the project website.

In Other News

In other news, our Wind&Bones Bookshop is now up and running. Have a look here: https://books.windandbones.com. In the bookshop, you can also get hold of Remaking the World, our short course on writing and social change. This is the first in our Wind&Bones Shorts series. All our Wind&Bones Shorts are available either on a donation basis, or as a free download.

We have more books coming later in 2025, so keep your eyes peeled!

Free Writing Café in Tainan

Here in Tainan, Taiwan, we have just started a free bi-weekly Creative Café for Writers, in collaboration with the Wansha Performing Arts Centre. This is a chance to connect with fellow writers, to drink tea, to chat and to write, all in a relaxed, easy-going environment. Find out more (English / Mandarin) on the Wansha Performing Arts Centre website. If you are in town, come along!

We wish you all a very happy International Mother Language Day. As always, get in touch if you want to say hello,

With warmest wishes,

Hannah & Will