The Scottish Government has set out its plans to increase opportunities for Gaelic speakers to use the language when interacting with the organisation.
Minister for Gaelic Fiona Hyslop announced publication of the Government's own Gaelic Language Plan during a visit to Benbecula and South Uist, where she met organisers of Ceòlas, the Gaelic music summer school.
The five-year Plan was prepared following a request from Bòrd na Gàidhlig - the national Gaelic development body - under the terms of the Gaelic (Scotland) Act 2005. All activity in the Scottish Government's Plan is being delivered within existing departmental resources.
Fiona Hyslop said:
"This is a critical time for the future of Gaelic, and a new generation of Gaelic speakers will be key to securing the future of the language. Gaelic Language Plans are about increasing the visibility of the language in everyday life and motivating people to learn and use it.
"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of creating opportunities for the practical use of Gaelic. For example, anyone who writes to us in Gaelic now receives a reply in Gaelic, and we welcome the completion of forms in Gaelic. We will increase the number of summary documents produced in Gaelic. Staff who already have some Gaelic will get the opportunity to develop their skills and opportunities to learn the language will be offered to others.
"Last week Creative Scotland - or Alba Chruthachail - became the first public body whose name has equal status in Gaelic and English.
"All of these small steps increase the use of Gaelic in everyday life and are vital to the language's survival."
Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche (Chair) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig has welcomed the publication of the Plan.
"Bòrd na Gàidhlig sees the publication of the Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan as a welcome and positive indication of its continuing commitment to the language. The Scottish Government has signalled that there is real benefit in sustaining and developing Gaelic and this is a practical Plan that not only applies to its own operations, but which offers a lead to other organisations including Government agencies with a clear message that the Scottish Government wants to see a sustainable future for Gaelic. I am confident that other bodies will follow the Scottish Government's lead in making commitments to the Gaelic language, and in implementing their own Gaelic Language Plans.
"Even although times are challenging economically, I believe we are in a time of unprecedented opportunity for the Gaelic language, and it will be important to build on the momentum that has built up over the past few years in increasing the status and use of Gaelic. As recently outlined in the Bòrd's new action plan, Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig, we are now focussing on the task of increasing the numbers of Gaelic speakers and the Scottish Government's support in this will be both welcome, and vital."
Background
Following publication of a draft plan, and subsequent consultation, the Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan is published at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/06161418/0
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body responsible for promoting and developing Gaelic: http://www.gaidhlig.org.uk/. Under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the Bòrd has powers to request public bodies to prepare Gaelic language plans.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig has a Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund (GLAIF) of £1.4m to help bodies deliver on commitments of their Plans. The Scottish Government will not be bidding in to the Fund.
On April 13, 2010, at the request of Ministers, Bòrd na Gàidhlig published an Action Plan on creating a new generation of Gaelic speakers: http://www.gaidhlig.org.uk/Downloads/Ginealach per cent20Ur per cent20na per cent20Gaidhlig per cent20- per cent20B.pdf. The associated Scottish Government news release is here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/04/13100001
The Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan will support the Bòrd's Action Plan.
On her visit to Benbecula and South Uist, Fiona Hyslop met the organisers of Ceòlas and attended one of the summer schools concerts. Ms Hyslop also attended the opening of the Moving Stories' exhibition hosted by the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer at Museum nan Eilean.
In Stornoway tomorrow (July 8) the Minister will meet with John Angus Mackay, new Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, visit An Lanntair to learn more about their work to promote Gaelic arts in the islands and meet with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).
Contact
Julie MacBeath : 0131 244 3177 / 07810 507016
