Census 2022: Gaelic

[Daftmum47]

I think the Gaelic figures are being spun quite positively, but if you look under the bonnet at the actual data, numbers are perilously low now. Especially if you factor all the Duolingo dabblers.

I find it a bit depressing: my children are in GME; I’ve invested a lot of time in learning the language to a decent level myself; and slowly become quite invested in this beautiful ancient language’s survival.

There seems to be a pronounced shortage of GME teachers, and anyway I get the impression the kids are basically gaining Gaelic in only one linguistic register (perhaps better in WI.)

Someone cheer me up on this? Perhaps Kate Forbes will help save the situation… But joking aside, some really clever and resourceful policy moves are needed now.

Why ?
I couldn’t care less about Gaelic,heard the figures today and it appears that the vast majority of people feel the same

The data is certainly quite interesting.

Fellow GME parent here and Gaelic learner too.

My memory of the Census question was that it was pretty broad, and didn't ask about proficiency.

It worries me that the figures are concealing falls in fluency.

Yes the numbers in primary GME are good, but the drop off as they enter secondary school is dire. And GME secondary provision is also poor unless you live in particular areas. So a lot of children, particularly those in non Gaelic-speaking households, will stop learning the language at age 11/12. That's not a good way to ensure language survival.

There is clearly a concern about fluency. I was imvigilating at the exams and sqa guidelines are that any child sitting exams in Gaelic should also be given the English paper.

I don’t much care about Gaelic either, it’s irrelevant to me.

Yes, I think the issue of falls in fluency across the age ranges is the key one.

A language will not survive to any meaningful degree, with all its richness, nuance and different registers, if it’s being carried forward by people who underwent GME until 11/12 and spoke no Gaelic outside of school. Indeed I’ve witnessed classes where the teacher speaks in Gaelic and the children reply in English.

This article puts a positive spin on it, but what does it actually mean to say children speak 4 or 5 languages? In a school where the headteacher herself is not fluent in the language! I’m worried about Gaelic dilution.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722dewd93vo

I don’t want to hand ammunition to the anti-Gaelic camp, but I think we have to see the overall picture and outlook as it is, not what we would like it to be.

@Daftmum47 thanks for this thread. I moved to Glasgow from Merseyside in 1969.
I did a one year Gaelic night school course at Glasgow Universty a few years ago. You have made me think that I should go and do a lot more and really learn the language.

I learnt some Gaelic at school a long time ago. But it wasn't until our DC started in GME that I returned to it. And then homeschooling in lockdown made us realise how important it was that we learn and all speak it together.
I have really enjoyed learning the language, perhaps made easier by the fact my DH is quite good.
If you want to learn more, the Gaelic college on Skye (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) does online courses which are brilliant.

That sounds lovely! So many great resources now - SpeakGaelic, LearnGaelic, BBC Alba, Radio nan Gàidheal, LoveGaelic, CnaG, etc.

It’s surprising how satisfying & absorbing it is once you get into it, I have found.

(Though we’re still left with a language on life support.)

It's been in decline since the 11th century and was never widely spoken in large chunks of Scotland. Pretty pointless way for the SNP to waste more money whilst general educational attainment in Scotland continues to fall.

I'm sorry but it was widely spoken across most of Scotland in the early to high Middle Ages (some of most famous Scots - Robert Bruce and Wallace were almost certainly multilingual, including Gaelic). There are Gaelic place-names across north-east, eastern and central Scotland (as well as the west) which attest to the language having been spoken widely. The only area where your statement applies is the eastern Scottish Borders.

"It was never spoken here" ignorance still alive and well then, I see.

When Gaelic speakers and Gaelic communities are exempted from taxation, then there will be some sort of argument for denying them representation.

I bet you're the type who gets angry about Gaelic words on Police cars and so forth.