Re: Extra cash in bid to boost Gaelic

HardySpicer wrote:
On Dec 27, 1:26 am, Bob Jones <b...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7146654.stm

Waste of funds better spent on Schools and Higher Ed.


Hardy

Not when you put it in context - to quote from the Lonely Planet's Scottish Gaelic section in their "European Phasebook":

"...Needless to say, the Clearances delivered a severe blow to the Gaelic language in Scotland. However, the 1872 Education Act (Scotland), which imposed a national system of education, largely destroyed the Gaelic school system set up in the 19th century. Under the new regime, the use of Gaelic was actively discouraged in schools..."

Now is the time to "encourage" it: to save the precious legacy of Gaelic song, poetry, literature and mythology which is admired internationally from extinction. Gordon Brown and Her Majesty have recognised Gaelic as an important part of British heritage. Many Europeans I've encountered learning Gaelic recognise Gaelic as part of their heritage too especially the Polish, Dutch, German and English students of Gaelic I spoke to.

To quote again from the Lonely Planet's "European Phrasebook":

"...All of these developments have served to raise the profile of Gaelic, and more importantly to increase the confidence of speakers in their language and culture. The tide has turned."

I can attest to this in hearing Gaelic as the dominant language spoken by young people amongst themselves going on their summer vacations on the ferry from Lewis to Ullapool. No more cultural cringe - this is the start.
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