The leading Manx speaker and scholar James Frederick "Freddie" Cowle died recently, aged 58. An unassuming but greatly respected figure in Ramsey, in the north of the Isle of Man, Freddie had been ill for some time. His loss will be deeply felt.
Ta'n Ghailck ayns Mannin foddey ny s'boghtey nish ta Jamys maroo. Gyn dooyt, v'eh yn loayrtagh share jeh'n cheeloghe ain. (The Manx is far poorer now that Freddie's dead. Without doubt, he was the best speaker of our generation.)
Jamys (Freddie) Y Cowle was widely considered to be the outstanding Manx speaker of his generation. The Manx language expert, Adrian Pilgrim, a long standing friend and official translator for the Isle of Man government, said: "He was able to speak Manx with complete fluency and yet almost faultlessly, with a rich vocabulary and a true Northern Manx accent. For many years now, to my knowledge, no one has ever come anywhere near his level of achievement in this. He was the best. We are much the poorer for losing him."
Manx speaker Walter Clarke, who assisted the Irish Folklore Commission in recording some of the last native Manx speakers in 1948, said: "Freddie was exceptional. The Manx just came naturally to him. Va eshyn joogh son y Ghailck [ He was hungry for the Manx]."
Born in the fishing and commercial port of Ramsey in 1947, into a family steeped in Manx history, Freddie developed a fascination with the Manx language and culture inspired by his childhood experiences of the characters, tales and traditions of old Ramsey.
He was especially inspired by the tales of his great-grandfather, Thomas Christian, who was born in 1850. Christian spoke Manx and English, and was often called upon to translate on behalf of those without English (Yn Vaarle). Christian was held in high regard by the renowned Norwegian linguist Prof Carl Marstrander, who learnt Manx from him during his studies of the Celtic languages in the 1920s.
Freddie dedicated his youth to learning Manx from those with direct links to the native tongue. He went on to teach and promote Manx at a time when there was little popular encouragement or incentive to do so; his love of the language was reward enough. Va'n Ghailck 'sy chree echey as, myr shen, cha row eh son lhiggey e hraa orroosyn ta dellal ree myr cooish cheau traa. (The Manx was in his heart so he wasn't for wasting his time on those who treat it as some sort of hobby.)
He successfully campaigned and raised funds for the introduction of bilingual public signage. In 1973, he was elected to the committee of Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Society), including a period as caairliagh (Chairman). He went on to co-found Banglane Twoaie ny Sheshaght Ghailckagh (The Northern Branch of the Manx Language Society).
Freddie helped to produce several of the "Foillan Films" series, the first ever in the Manx language. More recently, he organised memorials to some of those who strove to save the language before it was lost altogether.
In the past months, he was working on a book of reminiscences, which will be published posthumously.
Professionally, Freddie was a joiner until, in the early 1990s, he established an undertaking business. His natural kindness and empathy resulted in a much-valued service. He was also the only Fer ny Merriu (undertaker) who could put Manx into the funeral service for the many families who asked him to do so.
Freddie gave generously of his expertise to those with genuine interest and the internationally recognised operetta and Manx singer Emma Christian was coached by him in the singing of Manx songs. Emma said of him: "When he spoke, the language sang. He has been taken from us far too soon. D'eearree eh tooilley obbyr Ghailckagh y yannoo agh, atreih, haink chingys er as cha row caa echey shen y yannoo dy kiart. [ He wanted to do more work for the Manx but, alas, illness came upon him and he had no chance to do that properly]."
Freddie leaves a beloved wife, Julia, and their daughter Margaid, the light of his life.
M.K.