Mind our tongue

It was very pleasing to read Jim Gilchrist's report (Arts, 9 June) on the successful international conference on Gaelic and Lowland Scots song. The process of mutual support must be encouraged in every way.

Towards the end of the report, he mentions the Scots language's "lack of the subsidy-attracting official status accorded to Gaelic". A substantial political step has been taken in the process of recognition recently, which was obscured by the stour of the UK general election. The Scottish Parliament agreed to putting a question in the next Census, to the effect: "Do you speak, read or write Scots?" This will be of great assistance to our knowledge of the state of Scots.

IAIN WD FORDE

Main Street

Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire