The Scottish Government

Quotes on National Plan for Gaelic

Thuirt Ùisdean MacIllinnein, Ceannard Conaltraidh agus Cùram Luchd-cleachdaidh Aiseagan Caledonian Mac a' Bhruthainn Earranta:

"Tha CalMac a' gealltainn taic a thoirt dhan Ghàidhlig agus pàirt follaiseach a ghabhail ann an cur ri Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.

"Tha sinn den bheachd gum feum an cànan sealladh ro-innleachdail nàiseanta, le aire iomchaidh air na prìomh-amasan pragmatach, so-ruigsinn agus seasmhach.

"Tha sinn cuideachd airson gum bi pàirt againn ann an cruthachadh barrachd chothroman air cleachdadh agus adhartachadh na Gàidhlig ann an diofar shuidhichidhean le ar coimhearsnachdan agus luchd-cleachdaidh. Tha àite cudromach aig a' Ghàidhlig, a thaobh ro-innleachd agus dòigh-obrach, nar dealbhadh conaltraidh agus margaideachd."

Hugh Dan Maclennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care for Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries Limited said:

"CalMac is committed to supporting Gaelic and to playing a positive and perceptible role in contributing to the National Plan for Gaelic.

"We believe it is crucial that there is a national strategic vision for the language, with due regard to prioritised objectives that are pragmatic, achievable and sustainable.

"We are also eager to play a proactive role in creating increased opportunities to use and promote Gaelic in various situations involving our communities and customers. Gaelic is a key component, both strategically and tactically, of our communications and marketing planning."

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Thuirt Alison Magee, Cathraiche Highland 2007:

"Tha Highland 2007 a' cur làn thaic ri oidhirpean Bòrd na Gàidhlig ann an adhartachadh cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig.

"Tha a' Ghàidhlig na prìomh chuspair ann an Highland 2007, agus tha cànan am measg nan iallan cultair a bhios air an comharrachadh tron bhliadhna seo. Dh'iarr Highland 2007 air a h-uile duine a tha a' cur tachartasan air dòigh am-bliadhna Gàidhlig a ghabhail a-steach annta ma ghabhas e dèanamh agus thug sinn taic dhìreach dha iomadh pròiseact agus tachartas Gàidhlig."

Alison Magee, Chair of Highland 2007, said:

"Highland 2007 fully supports Bòrd na Gàidhlig's efforts to promote the Gaelic language and culture.

"Gaelic is a core theme of Highland 2007, with language one of the six strands of culture highlighted during this year of celebrations. Highland 2007 has encouraged all event organisers involved in the year to include Gaelic within their events whenever possible and has supported many Gaelic projects and events directly."

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Thuirt Ian Jones, stiùiriche reic Homebase:

"Tha sinn air leth toilichte gur e Homebase a' chiad bhuidheann san roinn phrìobhaideach a chuir soidhnichean dà-chànanach anns na bùthan againn an Alba (an t-Òban agus Grianaig) anns an t-Sultain an-uiridh.

"Le còrr air 30 bùthan an Alba, tha sinn a' gealltainn taic a thoirt dhan Ghàidhlig agus beachdan luchd-cleachdaidh a ghabhail a-steach, agus mar sin tha sinn an dùil soidhnichean ann am Beurla agus Gàidhlig a chur dhan h-uile bùth ùr agus dhan fheadhainn a thathar ag ùr-sgeadachadh.

"Tha sinn air obrachadh gu dlùth le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus tha sinn den bheachd gun cuidich Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig sinn fhìn agus companaidhean eile san roinn phrìobhaideach a' faighinn tuigse air Gàidhlig agus coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig agus a' toirt taic dhaibh anns na bliadhnachan ri teachd."

Ian Jones, Homebase retail director, said:

"We're very proud of the fact that Homebase was the first private sector organisation to use an extensive package of dual language signage in its Scottish stores (Oban and Greenock) in September last year.

"With over 30 stores in Scotland, we are committed to supporting Gaelic and acting on customers' feedback, so we intend to implement permanent signs in both English and Scottish Gaelic in all new stores and those going through refurbishment.

"We have worked closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig in doing this and believe the National Plan for Gaelic will help both ourselves and other private sector companies understand and support Gaelic and Gaelic speaking communities in the future."

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Thuirt an Comhairliche Hamish Friseal, Cathraiche Comataidh Thaghte na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd:

"Tha foillseachadh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig na thoileachas mòr dhomh - 's e latha cudromach a th' ann dhan choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig air fad oir 's e seo a' chiad Phlana Nàiseanta a-riamh dhan chànan ann an eachdraidh na Gàidhlig.

"Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air leth toilichte a bhith na phàirt den chùrsa co-chomhairleachaidh, agus cumaidh sinn suas ar dìcheall a thaobh leasachadh foghlam Gàidhlig nar Sgoiltean, le stèidheachadh Sgoil Ghàidhlig ùr an Inbhir Nis, Prìomh-bhaile na Gàidhealtachd, agus adhartachadh agus misneachadh foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig anns gach ceàrn.

"Tha mi cuideachd den bheachd gun toir am Plana eileamaid ro-innleachdail, dìreach agus iomlan dha leasachadh Gàidhlig. Tha Gàidhlig a' dol thairis air gach gnè a thuilleadh air foghlam, mar eisimpleir; gach roinn ann an ùghdarras ionadail, turasachd, leasachadh gnìomhachais, Seirbheis na Slàinte, ceòl, na meadhanan agus spòrs agus tha iad uile air an comharrachadh anns a' Phlana. Tha àite aig a' chànan a-nis mar roghainn dreuchd dhan òigridh againn agus bu chòir dha muinntir na Gàidhealtachd a bhith moiteil às.

"Tha an sgrìobhainn cudromach seo air slighe a chruthachadh airson stiùireadh a thoirt dha buidhnean coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig, ùghdarrasan ionadail agus buidhnean nàiseanta gus Gàidhlig a ghabhail a-steach san obair làitheil aca, agus gu h-àraidh taobh a-staigh Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd nàiseanta."

Còmhla ri sin, thuirt Mgr Friseal, gun dèan am Plana Nàiseanta cinnteach gum bi leasachadh Gàidhlig na phàirt riatanach de bheatha làitheil na h-Alba:

"Cha chuir Plana na aonar dìon air cànan, coimhearsnachdan, ùghdarrasan ionadail, buidhnean poblach agus prìobhaideach agus roinn a' ghnìomhachais. Feumaidh luchd-poileataics am Plana a chleachdadh airson buileachadh agus obair a stiùireadh aig an àm seo agus san àm ri teachd. Tha dè thachras dhan Ghàidhlig an urra ruinn fhìn a-nis agus feumaidh sinn cumail a' toirt taic dhan Bhòrd gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi ar cànan air a chumail beò agus air a chleachdadh."

Cllr. Hamish Fraser, Chairman of Highland Council's Gaelic Select Committee said:

"I am extremely excited about the launch of the National Plan for Gaelic- it is an important day for the whole Gaelic community as this is the first time in the history of Gaelic that there has been a National Plan for the language.

"The Highland Council is proud to have been part of the consultation process, and will continue to work hard to develop Gaelic education in its Schools, with the setting up of a new Gaelic School in Inverness the Capital City of the Highlands and promoting and encouraging Gaelic medium education in all corners of the region.

"I also believe the Plan will give a strategic, focussed and holistic dimension to the development of Gaelic. Gaelic crosses all genres beyond education, for example; all departments within a local authority, the tourist industry, business development, the Heath Service, music, media and sport all of which are highlighted in the Plan. The language is now recognised as a genuine career option for our young people and we in the Highlands should be proud of that recognition.

"This important document has created a pathway to guide Gaelic community groups, local authorities and national agencies to include Gaelic within their day to day operations, and especially within the national Community Planning agenda.

In addition to this, councillor Fraser said, the National Plan will ensure that Gaelic development is an integral part of contemporary Scottish life:

"A Plan alone will not safeguard a language, communities, local authorities, public and private agencies and the business sector. Politicians must use the Plan as a guide for implementation and action for now and the future. The future of Gaelic is now in our hands and we must continue to support Am Bòrd in ensuring the survival and use of our language."

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Thuirt Alasdair MacLeòid, manaidsear poileasaidh na Gàidhlig aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean:

"Tha HIE a' cur fàilte air foillseachadh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig an-diugh. Tha a' Ghàidhlig fìor luachmhor dha Alba agus tha i a' cuideachadh a' toirt cumadh air a' chultair shònraichte a tha againn anns a' Gàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan.

"Bidh sinn toilichte obrachadh còmhla ri luchd-obrach a' Bhùird agus ar co-oibrichean aig HIE agus tro na companaidhean iomairt ionadail a' cuideachadh le plana cànain làidir agus tionnsgalach a bhuileachadh a nì fìor chuideachadh dhan Ghàidhlig san àm ri teachd agus a bhios ga leudachadh mar chànan coimhearsnachd agus mar spionnadh airson tuilleadh leasachaidh anns an sgìre againn."

Alasdair MacLeòid, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Gaelic policy manager, said:

"HIE welcomes today's launch of the National Plan for Gaelic. Gaelic is a tremendously valuable asset to Scotland and helps shape the distinctive culture we enjoy in the Highlands and Islands.

"We look forward to working alongside staff at the Bòrd and with colleagues at HIE and throughout the local enterprise companies in helping implement a bold and innovative language plan that will make a genuine contribution to the future of Gaelic and ensure that it continues to flourish and grow as a spoken community language and as a driver for the further development of our region."

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Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul, Ceannard Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig:

"'S e adhbhar gairdeachais a th'ann gu bheil lèirsinn ùr ann airson na Gàidhlig aig ìre nàiseanta, agus tha sinn a' cur ar làn thaic ris na h-iomairtean a tha riatanach airson piseach a thoirt do chleachdadh ar cànain."

Domhnall Caimbeul, Chief Executive of Gaelic Media Services, said:

"We rejoice that a new vision exists for Gaelic nationally, and we give our full support to the initiatives that are essential to developing usage of our language."

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"Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a' cur fàilte air foillseachadh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig mar chlach-mhìle shamhlachail ann an ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig an Alba. Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba gu mòr ri mholadh airson Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

"Tha prìomh mhiannan na coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig air an coileanadh agus tha e a-nis an urra ri daoine, agus ri buidheann nàiseanta agus eile a tha airson gum bi a' Ghàidhlig beò san 21mh linn agus nas fhaide air adhart obrachadh còmhla ri Bòrd na Gàidhlig gus an sealladh ro-innleachdail seo atharrachadh gu toraidhean follaiseach agus seasmhach. Thàinig Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig gu bith às dèidh mòran deasbaid agus co-chomhairle agus tha e a' toirt dealbh fìor air feuman agus iarrtasan nan daoine a tha a' toirt taic dhan chànan agus ga adhartachadh, ga chumail suas agus ga bhruidhinn.

"Bho chaidh Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a stèidheachadh ann an 1976 tha i air taic a thoirt dha iomadh taobh de dh'adhartachadh agus leasachadh na Gàidhlig. Cumaidh Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a' dol a' toirt taic dha Bòrd na Gàidhlig tro na h-amannan dùbhlanach agus inntinneach ri teachd gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan as aosta san dùthaich na phàirt bunaiteach de bheatha na h-Alba."

Alex MacDonald, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:

"Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes the launch of the National Plan for Gaelic as a symbolic milestone in the revitalisation of Gaelic in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is to be congratulated on delivering the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and establishing Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

"The key aspirations of the Gaelic community have been delivered and it is now up to individuals, organisations and national bodies who wish to see Gaelic thrive in the 21st century and beyond to work with Bòrd na Gàidhlig to translate this strategic vision for Gaelic into tangible, sustainable outcomes. The National Plan for Gaelic emerged after much discussion and consultation and is a document that truly reflects the needs and wishes of those who support, promote, sustain and speak the language.

"Since Comhairle nan Eilean Siar was established in 1976 it has championed the promotion and development of Gaelic on many fronts. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will continue to support Bòrd na Gàidhlig on the challenging and exciting times ahead to ensure that the nation's oldest living language continues to play a fundamental part in Scottish life."

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"Tha pàirt cudromach aig a' Ghàidhlig nam bheatha agus nam obair agus b' fheàrr leam gum faicinn barrachd dhaoine an Alba ag ionnsachadh a' chànain agus a' toirt taic dha shàr chultar bheothail. Tha mi an dòchas gum brosnaich am Plana taic fad is farsaing dhan chànan, aig a h-uile ìre, agus gum brosnaich e luchd-ciùil agus luchd-ealain gu soirbheachadh tro Ghàidhlig -cànan a tha a' leudachadh agus a' fàs ann an Alba, mar bu chòir."

Scottish singer Julie Fowlis said:

"Gaelic is an essential part of my life and work and I would love to see more people in Scotland learning the language and embracing its rich and vibrant culture.

"I hope that the Plan will encourage wide-spread support for the language, at every level, and that it will inspire musicians and artists to succeed through Gaelic - a language that continues to thrive and grow in Scotland, and deservedly so."