Scots speak up for Gaelic learning

Published on Friday 3 October 2003 01:00

THE vast majority of Scots cannot speak a word of Gaelic, but most consider the language to be an important part of Scottish life, a survey has revealed.

The research also shows that the majority support children being allowed to learn Gaelic in school if they want, that Gaelic-medium and bilingual education should be extended, and that more Scots should try to learn the language with more opportunities for them to do so.

The survey, conducted by the research group MRUK, interviewed 1,020 people during August. It was jointly funded by the BBC and Brd na Gidhlig, the Gaelic development agency.

In all, 87 per cent of those interviewed had no knowledge of the Gaelic language, but 66 per cent agreed it is an important part of Scottish life and needs to be promoted.

Other key findings include an overwhelming majority - 87 per cent - in favour of schoolchildren being allowed to learn Gaelic if they wish and 64 per cent thinking that education should be extended through the medium of Gaelic.

Brd na Gidhlig says that with fewer than 60,000 Gaelic speakers in Scotland, the survey provides evidence that the language has strong support from non-Gaels.

Duncan Ferguson, the chairman of Brd na Gidhlig, said: "This is extremely encouraging for Brd na Gidhlig as we start preparing the first National Plan for Gaelic development in Scotland. The fact that almost two-thirds of the Scottish population believe that Gaelic- medium education provision should be promoted and extended is hugely significant, particularly at a time when the Scottish Executive is preparing to bring forward a Gaelic Language Bill for consultation.

"There has been anecdotal evidence in the past suggesting that there was a substantial level of support for Gaelic across Scotland. This research now confirms this, and it also demonstrates the unique standing of Gaelic in the cultural identity of Scotland. This is good news for Gaelic and for Scotland as a whole, in that it demonstrates the recognition and value attached to Scottish cultural heritage."

Allan Campbell, the board’s chief executive, said: "There are less than 60,000 Gaelic speakers in the Scottish population of over five million, so it is no surprise that we found a similar high percentage of non-Gaelic speakers among our sample of 1,020 people.

"What makes the results encouraging is the fact that it is not Gaelic speakers who are saying they want Gaelic promoted and feel it is part of their cultural heritage, but those who, at present, cannot speak the language."

Last month, Brd na Gidhlig launched a strategy aimed at creating a new generation of Gaelic speakers and boosting the image of the language in everyday life.

A’ cur Gidhlig air bilean an t-sluaigh (Maximising the Use of Gaelic) aims to develop national policies to promote the language in the public and private sectors, develop Gaelic education, culture and arts and promote new economic and social opportunities for communities. The Brd’s aims are to increase the numbers of speakers and users of Gaelic, strengthen it as a family and community language, extend the use of the language in all aspects of life and help people access Gaelic and its culture.

A spokesman for BBC Scotland said. "This is the first major Scotland-wide quantitative research on attitudes to the Gaelic language in recent years, and BBC Scotland will be using its findings to inform the development of an exciting new project aimed at creating a new language-learning resource for Gaelic.

"It will encompass programming for television, radio, services for online and printed materials which will appeal to a broad audience."

Research has predicted that if no action is taken, Gaelic could die out within 40 years. Earlier this year, a conference heard that not enough young people are speaking Gaelic.

It is felt that for a language to have a platform for survival, 33 per cent of its speakers have to be aged under 25. Scotland has been below this figure since the 19th century, and under-25s now make up only about 20 per cent of the total number of Gaelic speakers.

By contrast, the number of under-25s speaking Welsh reached the 33 per cent mark in 1991 and has since risen to 43 per cent.

The recent census results showed the number of Gaelic speakers has fallen to its lowest level - 58,969 - down by 7,426, or 11 per cent, on 1991.

However, supporters remain positive, saying the rate of decline has slowed, with the decrease nearly half that of 1981-91 when 13,329 speakers were lost. They have also been buoyed by figures showing that 65,674 claim to be able to speak, read or write Gaelic and that a further 26,724 can understand the language.

Speaking about yesterday’s survey, Peter Peacock, the education minister who has responsibility for Gaelic, said: "This demonstrates that, across Scotland, there is a mature understanding of the importance of Gaelic to Scottish heritage and contemporary life.

"I believe this is extremely encouraging as it shows an awareness of the importance of Gaelic throughout Scotland and not just among the Gaelic-speaking community.

"The Executive is committed to helping the Gaelic language survive and thrive and the draft Gaelic Language Bill, which will go out to consultation shortly, further demonstrates the strength of our commitment."