Gaelic in the Community
Bòrd na Gàidhlig aims to strengthen Gaelic as a family and community language and to make the Gaelic world more vibrant by supporting community developments with regard to culture, the arts, the economy and social issues.
The Bòrd wants Gaelic to be a part of every aspect of the community and there are a number of organisations working towards, or contributing to, this goal. It can be said that every group that receives support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig is helping to strengthen Gaelic communities, or is helping to create a Gaelic environment for those communities.
Some examples of Gaelic in the community
The work of Fèisean nan Gàidheal in many communities throughout Scotland gives young Gaelic speakers the chance to learn music and other skills through the medium of their own language. Gaelic Medium Education in all its forms gives Gaelic speakers an education in their own language. The work of Pròiseact nan Ealan, the Gaelic Arts Agency, promotes the Gaelic arts in a range of communities and the Gaelic pre-school group CNSA work to immerse children in Gaelic before they attend primary school. The Gaelic organisations themselves create Gaelic workplaces and Gaelic is much of the time the language of the office. These are some examples, many more could given.
Much else happens naturally (and with support) in communities. Examples include: Gaelic drama, ceilidhs and other events where Gaelic is spoken and heard; Historical Societies (Comainn Eachdraidh) where Gaelic is an important element in the groups’ activities; clubs and Gaelic groups in the cities and so on. It is the small organisations, who are often dependent on the work of volunteers, and individuals who often do magnificent work at community level for Gaelic.
Although the work of the main Gaelic organisations strengthens Gaelic as a community language, Bòrd na Gàidhlig knows that more effort is required in this area, and it is the communities themselves who are often best placed to carry out this work.
