Learn Manx This Autumn!
A community initiative launching this month is set to celebrate the Manx language, support local businesses and encourage people to explore our Biosphere Island.
Developed by Biosphere Partner Culture Vannin as part of Blein ny Gaelgey - Year of the Manx Language, the Mannin Aboo! Passport invites retailers, hospitality venues and cultural destinations to take part in a fun and accessible way of bringing Manx into everyday use.
Mannin Aboo means 'hurray for the Isle of Man', and an initial ten thousand passports will be distributed across primary schools, visitor locations and participating venues, with further copies planned to depend on demand.
The scheme encourages individuals and families to visit a range of destinations across the Island and use simple Manx words or phrases such as greetings and thanks in real-life settings.
Participating businesses, known as ‘destinations’, will provide a sticker stamp each time a visitor uses Manx on their premises. Once eighteen stamps have been collected, completed passports can be returned via Freepost to Culture Vannin to be entered into a prize draw at the end of October.
Open to a wide range of organisations that interact face-to-face with customers, the scheme includes three categories of destination:
- Shapp (retail)
- Cultoor (culture)
- Bee as Jough (food and drink).
Businesses that sign up will be featured on a dedicated webpage and receive materials to support their involvement, including window stickers and stamps.
Supported by the Domestic Event Fund and Isle of Man Post Office, the Mannin Aboo! Passport offers a simple but meaningful way to connect culture, community and commerce in our Biosphere nation.
Find out more and how to get involved as a business/destination or passport holder here.
