As a Gaelic speaker of many years and the Scottish Government’s Minister with responsibility for the language, I was deeply heartened by today’s research findings which are deeply encouraging. They demonstrate the public’s awareness of the importance of Gaelic to our heritage, culture, tourism and economy. 

I’ve long believed that Gaelic has an important place in a modern Scotland and seeing the majority of Scots in agreement with this is just reward for the efforts of those who are working hard to ensure that remains the case.

Gaelic version of the blog

However, you shouldn’t simply take my word for it, to coincide with the publication of the research, I dropped in on a class of adult learners in Glasgow and here’s what two of the gentlemen I met had to say…

Bruce Whyte:

“I am a Gaelic learner of nearly 20 years.  I got into Gaelic through Runrig songs and wanting to know the names of the hills I was climbing – and how to say the names properly. 

I also began to feel a wee bit ashamed that I had very little knowledge or understanding of a language that my family would have spoken just a couple of generations back. Fast forward twenty years from my first Gaelic classes and my children are Gaelic speakers, attending Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and my partner, from deepest south London, is singing Puirt a Beul with Kenna Campbell! 

For me and my family, having Gaelic and being involved in the Gaelic community in Glasgow has been an enriching and enjoyable experience, particularly through music and song. 

While the majority of Glaswegians have no Gaelic, or only ‘slàinte mhath’ in their vocabulary, they do seem in general to look favourably on the language and often with interest, but it is not a big part of their lives and most appear unaware that there is a Gaelic School in Glasgow!  

No doubt this will change as Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu grows in pupil numbers and reputation but there is a wider point.  We need to make Gaelic relevant in people’s lives, particularly among young Gaelic speakers.  Gaelic films, drama, the Mod, the Fèisean, First Shinty, BBC Alba, Ceòl ‘s Craic, bilingual signage… all play a part, but much more still needs to be done to preserve and grow Gaelic as living language within Glaschu – Baile Mòr nan Gaidheal (or Glasgow, mar chanas iad sa chanan eile).”

David Sutherland:

“The Gaelic Ulpan course provided for council employees by Glasgow City Council has been a fun and yet very effective way to learn what is perceived to be a very difficult language.

The majority of colleagues had no previous knowledge of Gaelic and it has been amazing to see how quickly the Ulpan course has got them both speaking and understanding what others are saying in such a short space of time. 

On a personal level this course has been of incredible value helping cement what I had been taught in grammar classes as well as learning pronunciation, new vocabulary and giving confidence in speaking.

The course also seems to have generated an enthusiasm for other Gaelic events and one colleague on the course was telling me how her daughter is now looking at Gaelic medium education for her pre-school child!

To sum up I would describe the Ulpan course as great educational fun leading to positive results both for the participants and for taking Gaelic beyond the ‘classroom’.”

Dr Alasdair Allan
Minister for Learning and Skills

 

Further information 
Attitudes Towards the Gaelic Language – Research Findings

Attitudes Towards the Gaelic Language – Report