This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Landmark day for Gaelic
13/02/2006
Gàidhlig
A flourishing future for the Gaelic language is now a step closer, as the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act comes into force today.
The legislation is designed to promote the use of Gaelic, secure the status of the language and ensure it has a long-term future.
Education Minister Peter Peacock, who has ministerial responsibility for Gaelic, said:
"Gaelic is a precious part of Scotland's heritage and culture. That's why I'm committed to ensuring it has a vibrant and living future.
"I believe that we have reasons to be optimistic about Gaelic's future, particularly because of the growing number of youngsters being educated in Gaelic medium classes.
"These children are tomorrow's Gaelic speakers and today's Act will ensure that they have the opportunities to use their language with confidence and pride."
Central to the provisions of the Act is the creation of a statutory body, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to promote and develop the Gaelic language in Scotland. The Bòrd will build on the work which is already undertaken by a wide variety of groups across the Gaelic education, arts and development sectors.
The new chair, Matthew MacIver, and his team, who were appointed last month, will take up their responsibilities today. Mr MacIver said:
"This is an important day not just for the Gaelic world but for Scotland. I am honoured and very pleased to take up my appointment today and, with other Bord members, I will look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead. The Gaelic Language (Scotland) 2005 is a great step forward and our hope is that this will raise the profile of Gaelic in Scotland and strengthen the confidence of Gaelic communities."
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament in April 2005 and received Royal Assent on June 1. The Act:
- recognises Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, commanding equal respect with English
- establishes Bòrd na Gàidhlig as part of the framework of government in Scotland with a key role in promoting Gaelic in Scotland, advising Ministers on Gaelic issues, driving forward Gaelic planning and preparing guidance on Gaelic education
- requires the creation of a national plan for Gaelic to provide strategic direction for the development of the Gaelic language and provides a framework for the creation of Gaelic language plans by Scottish public bodies.
LATHA SÒNRAICHTE DON GHÀIDHLIG
Tha soirbheachadh na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd ceum nas fhaisge a-nis, thuirt Ministear an Fhoghlaim Peadar Peacock an-diugh.
Bha Mgr Peacock, am Ministear le uallach airson Gàidhlig, a' toirt a bheachd air cur an gnìomh Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba).
Tha an reachdas dealbhte gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh, inbhe a' chànain a dhèanamh tèarainte agus dèanamh cinnteach gum mair e san fhad-ùine.
Thuirt Mgr Peacock:
"Tha a' Ghàidhlig na pàirt phrìseil de dhualchas agus cultar na h-Alba. 'S e sin is coireach gu bheil mise airson dèanamh cinnteach gum bi i beò agus beothail san àm ri teachd.
"Tha mi den bheachd gu bheil adhbharan misneachd againn mun Ghàidhlig san àm ri teachd, gu sònraichte le barrachd is barrachd chloinne air an teagasg ann an clasaichean tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.
"'S e a' chlann sin luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig nan làithean ri teachd agus nì an Achd seo an-diugh cinnteach gum faigh iad cothroman air a' chànan aca a chleachdadh le misneachd agus toileachas."
Aig cridhe ullachadh na h-Achd tha cruthachadh buidheann reachdail, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, gus a' Ghàidhlig a bhrosnachadh agus a leasachadh an Alba. Togaidh am Bòrd air an obair a rinneadh roimhe le iomadh buidheann ann an roinnean foghlaim, ealain agus leasachaidh na Gàidhlig. Bidh dleastanasan a' chathraiche ùr, Mata MacÌomhair, agus a sgioba, a chaidh an cur an dreuchd air a' mhìos a chaidh seachad, a' tòiseachadh an-diugh.
Thuirt Mr MacÌomhair:
"Tha an latha seo cudromach chan ann a-mhàin do shaoghal na Gàidhlig ach do dh'Alba. 'S e urram a th' ann dhòmhsa an dreuchd a ghabhail os làimh an-diugh agus, còmhla ri buill eile a' Bhùird, tha mi deònach aghaidh a chur air an iomadh dùbhlan a bhios romhainn. 'S e ceum mòr air adhart a th' ann an Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 agus tha sinn an dòchas gum bi seo a' togail ìomhaigh na Gàidhlig an Alba agus a' neartachadh misneachd nan coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig."
Chaidh Bile na Gàidhlig (Alba) tro Phàrlamaid na h-Alba sa Ghiblean 2005 agus fhuair e Aonta Rìoghail air 1 Ògmhios. Tha an Achd:
- a' toirt àite don Ghàidhlig mar chànan oifigeil an Alba, a tha a' dleasadh spèis cho-ionann ris a' Bheurla
- a' stèidheachadh Bòrd na Gàidhlig mar phàirt de fhrèam-obrach an riaghaltais an Alba le prìomh dhleastanas airson adhartachadh na Gàidhlig an Alba, comhairleachadh Mhinistearan air nithean co-cheangailte ris a' Ghàidhlig, gluasad air adhart dealbhadh Gàidhlig agus ullachadh stiùireadh mu fhoghlam Gàidhlig
- ag iarraidh plana nàiseanta don Ghàidhlig a chruthachadh a bheir treòrachadh ro-innleachdail mu leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus ag ullachadh frèam-obrach mu chruthachadh planaichean Gàidhlig le buidhnean poblach an Alba.