Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig published – plan for new generation of Gaelic speakers

Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic, today published Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig – a plan to create a new generation of Gaelic speakers. The focus of the plan is on early years, Gaelic-medium education and adult learning.

This has been immediately welcomed by Government Ministers, keen to see the reinforcement of the Gaelic culture that will come from an increase in the number of people who use the language.

The plan contains proposals for effective use of existing resources and structures to increase the number of people speaking and using the language in everyday life.

Despite progress in securing official recognition and in putting structures in place over recent years, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of Gaelic speakers.

Ministers took the initiative in this situation, asking Bòrd na Gàidhlig to prepare this action plan to make Gaelic more accessible to adults and to children wishing to learn it and use it in their everyday lives.

Minister for Gaelic Fiona Hyslop says: ‘Gaelic is so much more than a language – it is a rich and vital element of Scottish culture, both past and present.  Our aim is straightforward – we want a sustainable future for the language and to ensure its survival.

‘I have asked Arthur Cormack and his team to focus on three priority areas set out in the plan.  We consider that early years, adult learning and Gaelic medium education have the greatest potential to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.

‘To create a new generation of speakers requires a clear focus on opportunities for young children and their parents to acquire the language, including availability of Gaelic medium education to meet the increasing demand we are seeing’.

Michael Russell, well known in Argyll and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, says:

‘Education is the key to ensuring there are accessible opportunities to learn Gaelic and ensure the language’s survival.  That is why Fiona Hyslop and I announced this initiative jointly and why we will continue to work together on this issue.

‘Gaelic can survive and will survive if everyone involved works toward the same goal of increasing the number of people using the language in everyday situations’.