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Gaelic: Revitalising Gaelic a National Asset

APPENDIX 3

Gaelic Speakers in Scotland

The 1991 Census of population recorded 69,510 people aged 3 or over as being able to speak, read, or write Gaelic. This is 1.4% of the Scottish population.

The largest concentrations of Gaelic speakers were found in Na h-Eileanan an Iar (the Western Isles), the Highlands, and Argyll. The remaining speakers were spread across the rest of Scotland; the largest single concentration was in Glasgow.

Minister for Gaelic

Gaelic is a devolved subject. The Minister responsible is Mr Alasdair Morrison MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise in the Highlands & Islands and Gaelic. In Gaelic he is: Alasdair Moireasdan BPA, Ministear na Gàidhlig & Iar Mhinistear Gnìomhachias sa Ghaidhlealtachd’s nan Eilean. His address is The Scottish Executive, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 6AT (in Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Albann, Ceàrn Meridian, 5 Sràid Cadogan, Glaschu G2 6AT).

Gaelic and the Scottish Parliament

The All-Party Consultative Steering Group (CSG), chaired by Mr Henry McLeish, which was set up to consider how the Scottish Parliament might operate, recognised the strong historical and cultural arguments for facilitating the use of Gaelic and the Scots language in the Parliament. CSG recommended that Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) wishing to make a speech in Gaelic should give prior notice to the Presiding Officer so that arrangements could be made for interpreting facilities. CSG recommended that speeches made in Gaelic should be published in the Official Report in Gaelic, that there should be signage in the Parliament building in Gaelic, and that the Parliament’s public information centre should produce regular information bulletins in Gaelic specifically targeted at a Gaelic-speaking population.

The Standing Orders for the Parliament state that: "The Parliament shall normally conduct its business in English but members may speak in Scots Gaelic or in any other language with the agreement of the Presiding Officer".

On 2 March 2000 Mr Alasdair Morrison, Minister for Gaelic, opened the Scottish Parliament debate on Gaelic by making a statement in Gaelic. Several other MSPs also spoke in Gaelic in the debate.

The Parliament building has Gaelic signage and interpretation and translation facilities. The Parliament Corporate Body have recruited a Gaelic-speaking Information Officer, who is to take up the post in September.

Comunn na Gaidhlig with matching funds from the Executive have developed a Gaelic terminology project with a view to producing a Gaelic dictionary of business terms for use by the Parliament by February 2001.

The Scottish Executive (formerly The Scottish Office)

The Scottish Executive Partnership for Scotland agreement pledges the Executive to support the Gaelic language and culture. The agreement states that the Executive will work towards achieving secure status for Gaelic and will invest in Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on Skye.

Secure Status

In December 1997, Comunn na Gaidhlig (CNAG), the Gaelic development body, submitted a report to The Scottish Office recommending measures to secure the status of Gaelic. CNAG’s proposals Inbhe Thearainte Dhan Ghaidhlig contain a range of measures which CNAG propose should be incorporated in legislation on Gaelic. Scottish Executive officials have been in discussion with Comunn na Gaidhlig and other interested parties on how the future of Gaelic can be secured.

Council of Europe Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

The Council of Europe drew up the Charter in 1992 for the purpose of encouraging the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages throughout Europe. On 4 June 1998 the UK Government announced its decision to sign the Charter with the intention of specifying the Gaelic language under Part III of the Charter: a provision needed to be made for the use of Gaelic in the courts. Subsequently the UK Government signed the Charter on 2 March 2000.

Ratification commits Member States to applying a minimum of 35 paragraphs or sub-paragraphs chosen from a list of 65 set out in Part III of the Charter. Of the 35 paragraphs at least one must be chosen from Article 9 which concerns judicial authorities. A provision has been made for the use of Gaelic in defined circumstances in civil proceedings in areas of Scotland where Gaelic-speakers form a substantial proportion of the population.

Administrative Authorities and Gaelic

The Scottish Executive has access to Gaelic translation services and will reply in Gaelic to letters received in Gaelic. Press releases which have a particular relevance to Gaelic will be issued bilingually (Internet website www.scotland.gov.uk). A Gaelic version of this factsheet is available and is on the Internet.

The Scottish Office for several years produced Gaelic versions of important national documents: the 5-14 curriculum guidelines, schools reports, the 1994 Inspectorate Report on Gaelic education, the 1997 curriculum guidance for pre-school education - Bun-Structair Clar-Teagaisg do Chloinn nam Bliadhna Ro-Sgoile, and the summary of the 1997 White Paper on the Scottish Parliament - Parlamaid na h-Alba.

In the main traditional Gaelic-speaking area the local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, operates a bilingual policy in its contacts with the public, and conducts some business sessions in Gaelic. In September 1998 The Highland Council launched a Gaelic Development Strategy to support and promote the language. Argyll and Bute Council has a policy of accommodating enquiries from Gaelic speakers wherever possible.

Existing Legislation on Gaelic

Under the British Nationality Act 1981, a knowledge of Scottish Gaelic, English, or Welsh satisfies one of the conditions for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education authorities have a duty to secure adequate and efficient provision of school education and further education and both of these include the teaching of Gaelic in Gaelic-speaking areas.

Under the Grants for Gaelic Language Education (Scotland) Regulations 1986, made under Section 73 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, The Scottish Office and local authorities have operated a scheme of specific grants for Gaelic education since 1986.

The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 requires education authorities to report on their plans for Gaelic provision in their annual Improvement Objectives Report. The Scottish Executive has consulted widely on how Gaelic-medium education might be incorporated in the National Priorities framework.

The Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 place a duty on the Secretary of State to make payments to a Gaelic Broadcasting Fund. These payments are now made by the Scottish Executive.

The Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911 requires that one member of the Scottish Land Court must be a Gaelic-speaker and the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 makes a similar requirement for the Crofters Commission. The 1911 Act implies that Gaelic may be used before the SLC although there have never been any written proceedings in Gaelic.

The Local Government (Gaelic Names)(Scotland) Act 1997 allows a local authority to adopt a Gaelic name. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (formerly the Western Isles Council) changed its name under the Act with effect from 1 January 1998.

Under Section 12(4) of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981 Statutory Instrument, made under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, the Scottish Ministers can authorise bilingual road signs.

Government Ministers may, by order, prescribe Gaelic versions of official forms, although at present this is not general practice. Local authorities may also provide forms in Gaelic if they wish.

Legal Proceedings

Legal proceedings in Scotland are conducted in the English language. In criminal proceedings a translation service would be made available for defendants not able to speak or understand English. A provision has been made for the use of Gaelic in defined circumstances in civil proceedings in areas of Scotland where Gaelic-speakers form a substantial proportion of the population.

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE SUPPORT FOR GAELIC

Direct Government support for Gaelic commenced in 1979-80 with a grant from The Scottish Office (now The Scottish Executive) to An Comunn Gaidhealach, the organisers of the Royal National Mod. Comunn na Gaidhlig, the Gaelic development body, was set up in 1984 with support from The Scottish Office. A scheme of specific grants for Gaelic education was started in 1986. Funding for Gaelic broadcasting commenced in 1992. In addition to direct support through the Scottish Executive, the language receives assistance through the Scottish Arts Council and the Enterprise Network.

Direct Scottish Executive support for Gaelic centres on 3 main areas: education, cultural organisations, and broadcasting.

Scottish Office support for Gaelic increased from £11.4 million in 1996-97 to £12.4 million in 1998-99. A capital grant of £0.9 million was given to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye, towards the building of new student residences in 1997-98, and the further education grant to the college was increased to £0.554 million in 1998-99.

In 2000-2001 total support through The Scottish Executive will increase to £13.2 million including the SFEFC grant of £693,600 to Sabhal Mor Ostaig. (See Annexes A and B for figures of financial support to Gaelic since 1979-80).

GAELIC EDUCATION

£5.0 million more will be spent on Gaelic education in the 5 years to 2001-02.

A scheme of specific grants for Gaelic education was introduced in 1986. Since then annual funding increased from £250,000 to £2.134 million in 1997-98 and £2.634 million in 2000-2001. Following the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, spending on Gaelic specific grant will increase by £200,000 per year from the current level, reaching £2.834 million in 2001-02. From 1998-99 to 2001-02 an additional £300,000 has been ringfenced in a new scheme of grants for Gaelic pre-school education. From 1999-00 to 2001-02, £200,000 has been set aside for courses to increase the supply of Gaelic-speaking secondary teachers, £100,000 for the staffing costs of Storlann, (a new National Resource Centre for Gaelic teaching materials), and £25,000 for the development of Gaelic secondary courses. In February 1999, Scottish Office Ministers awarded Glasgow City Council £250,000 including revenue costs towards Scotland’s first ever dedicated Gaelic school.

Gaelic now features at all levels of education: pre-school, primary, secondary, further and higher education, and as part of teacher training. Education through the medium of Gaelic is well established at pre-school, primary, and further education levels and there is growing provision at secondary level. The provision of Gaelic-medium education, like all education provision in Scotland, is determined by demand for the service balanced by the educational and economic viability of each educational unit. Gaelic language and Gaelic-medium education are not confined to the traditional Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland but are also established in the main urban areas.

Johnstone Report

In his report on the Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic-medium Primary Education in Scotland, Richard Johnstone, Stirling University, concluded "that pupils receiving Gaelic-medium primary education, whether or not Gaelic was the language of their home, were not being disadvantaged in comparison with children educated through English. In many though not all instances they out-performed English-medium pupils and in addition gained the advantage of having become proficient in two languages".

The report was published on 8 October 1999 by Scottish Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research for the Scottish Executive Education Department. Copies of the report may be obtained from Scottish CILT, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA.

The table below shows numbers of Gaelic-medium education centres and pupils over recent years:

Gaelic pre-school groups affiliated to Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich have risen from 40 in 1987 to around 140 with around 2000 children at present.

14 secondary schools present candidates in Gaidhlig (for proficient speakers) at Standard Grade, Higher Grade and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS). 28 secondary schools present candidates for Gaelic (learners) at Standard Grade and Higher Grade. Gaelic will play a full part in the Higher Still programme. The figures for Gaidhlig and Gaelic (learners) exams for the last three years are:

There are some 130-140 students on Gaelic immersion courses at a number of FE colleges throughout Scotland, as well as students in Gaelic Departments in Universities and on teacher training courses at Teacher Education Institutes.

Gaelic Teacher Supply

As far as initial teacher education is concerned, the teacher education institutions take positive action in considering applications from Gaelic speakers. All students for initial teacher training must meet certain minimum academic requirements. Under the new student support arrangements, there will be free tuition for suitable students undertaking a Gaelic-medium primary postgraduate certificate in education course or a secondary postgraduate certificate in education course in Gaelic, regardless of whether they have previously had support at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Also, in its work to publicise teaching as a career, The Scottish Executive provides financial assistance for publicity materials specifically aimed at Gaelic speakers.

In 1998 the General Teaching Council for Scotland, GTC, held a meeting on Gaelic-medium education and Scottish Executive officials took part in a working group to consider the arrangements for initial teacher education for Gaelic teaching.

A GTC report, Teaching in Gaelic-medium Education: Recommendations for Change, was published on 7 December 1999. There were two sets of recommendations: one set related to the design of courses, the selection of students and the qualifications for Gaelic-medium teaching, and one related to the future organisation of provision. The intention is to identify suitable students and to provide them with a certified qualification at the end of a course delivered more efficiently and effectively.

CD-ROM for Gaelic learners

On 13 March 1998 the first ever CD-ROM for Gaelic learners was launched. The CD-ROM was a funding collaboration between The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department, Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, European Commission DGXXII, Canan Ltd, and the Scottish Council for Education and Technology. It is based on the first series of the Speaking our Language TV series which was also funded by CCG. The CD-ROM was distributed free to every secondary school in Scotland, and is available for sale through Canan Ltd which is based at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.

Sabhal Mor Ostaig

Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye, has a key role in the development and support of the language and culture and is now linked to the UHI project. In 1997-98 the College received funding under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 of £400,000 and £100,000 through Gaelic specific grant. In addition the College was awarded a capital grant of £0.9 million in 1997-98 towards the building of student residences. From 1998-99 all funding to the College was routed through the Scottish Office’s Further Education Division until the setting up of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council: funding was £554,000 in 1998-99 and was £677,000 in 1999-00 plus a one-off grant of £150,000. In 2000-01 the funding is £693,600. Sabhal Mor Ostaig was awarded Investors in People status in March 1998.

GAELIC CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

Under Section 23 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, The Scottish Executive gives financial support to a number of Gaelic organisations involved in promoting the language and culture. This recurrent funding totalled £389,434 in 1997-98 and increased to £548,795 in 1998-99. Funding for Cultural Organisations in 2000-2001 will be increased to £608,100.

Comunn na Gaidhlig, the Gaelic development body, was set up in 1984 to promote and develop the Gaelic language and culture. It is the main advisory and executive body on Gaelic. Funding was increased from £224,404 in 1997-98 by £30,000 to £253,765 in 1998-99 to fund a Gaelic parental officer. Funding has increased by a further £46,000 to £300,000 in 2000-2001. CNAG was awarded Investors in People status in 1997.

An Comunn Gaidhealach, which organises the annual Royal National Mod, is over 100 years old and has world-wide membership. Assistance increased from £60,000 in 1997-98 to £105,000 in 1998-99. Funding is £100,000 in 2000-2001. ACG was awarded Investors in People status in 1997.

Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich, the Gaelic playgroups association, received an increase in grant from £66,200 in 1997-98 to £116,200 in 1998-99 and CNSA also received £15,000 in 1998-99 for an initiative in areas where the Gaelic language is fragile. Total assistance to CNSA is £143,000 in 2000-2001.

Proiseact nan Ealan, the Gaelic Arts Agency, received an increase in grant from £18,730 in 1997-98 by £20,000 to £38,730 in 1998-99. Funding increased by £4,270 to £43,000 in 2000-2001.

Comann An Luchd-Ionnsachaidh, the Gaelic learners body, received support in 1997-9 and 1998-99 of £20,100. Funding increased by £2,000 to £22,100 in 2000-2001.

In 1998-99 £5,000 was given to Comhairle nan Leabhraichean for a trade fair at the Mod and in 1999-2000 a further £5,000 for development of their web-site.

£7,000 will be given annually for 3 years from 1999-00 to 2001-02 as support to a new school of Celtic Languages and Cultures based in Bonn.

Columba Initiative

On 9 June 1997 Brian Wilson MP, the Minister for Culture, launched the Columba Initiative to foster closer cultural and linguistic ties between the Gaelic-speaking communities of Scotland and the island of Ireland. A programme of contacts and exchanges is intended to lay the foundation for a continuing programme which will consolidate existing links and increase mutual understanding and co-operation. The Initiative aims to encourage stronger connections between organisations responsible for teaching Gaelic in view of the crucial role that education has in ensuring the future of the language.

The Northern Ireland Office and the Irish Government have both strongly endorsed the Initiative. Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have all appointed steering committees. These advisory committees are developing the detail of the Initiative and shaping the areas in which the Initiative should operate.

The Scottish Co-ordinator for the Initiative, Mr Donald MacLennan, is based at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on Skye (Tel: 01471 888 590). Scottish Office funding to the Initiative was £103,000 in 1998-99. Funding has increased to £128,000 in 2000-01, with the appointment of an additional development officer based in the Western Isles, Mary Smith, with a specific remit to develop the arts dimension of the Initiative. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland each have a Project Officer.

GAELIC BROADCASTING

The Broadcasting Act 1990 established the Gaelic Television Fund administered by a committee of the Independent Television Commission to grant-aid Gaelic television production. The Broadcasting Act 1996 extended the scope of the Gaelic Television Fund to cover radio and these new provisions came into effect on 1 April 1997 at which point the Committee changed its name to Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig (The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee). The budget for Gaelic broadcasting was reduced from £9.05 million in 1997-98 to £8.5 million in 1998-99 in order to finance priorities in Gaelic education.

All television companies have access to the fund: BBC Scotland, Scottish Television, Grampian Television, Channel 4, and independent producers. The Fund grant-aids around 150 hours of programmes annually. This is in addition to around 100 hours of Gaelic programmes provided by BBC Scotland, Scottish Television, and Grampian Television at their own expense.

On 31 December 1997 the Government commissioned a short study by Mr Neil Fraser into the opportunities for Gaelic broadcasting with the advent of digital technology, with particular reference to the possibility of a co-ordinated Gaelic television service on a single dedicated channel. On 18 June 1998 a public consultation exercise on how best to move towards a dedicated Gaelic television channel was announced. Replies to the consultation were sought by the end of September 1998.

Mr Alasdair Milne, former Director-General of the BBC, is heading a Task Force to examine the feasibility of a dedicated Gaelic television channel. The Task Force is due to report its recommendations by autumn 2000.

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE SPENDING ON GAELIC 1998-99 TO 2000-01 ANNEX A

Includes Sabhal Mor Ostaig capital grant 1997-98 but otherwise excludes FE funding.
* planned expenditure

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE SPENDING ON GAELIC 1998-99 TO 2000-01 ANNEX B

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