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Gaelic: Revitalising Gaelic a National Asset
APPENDIX 4 Language Comparisons
1. Welsh
The 1991 Census recorded that 508,000 of the people of Wales aged three and
over spoke Welsh. This indicated that the language had stabilised and that the
decline since the beginning of the century had been arrested. The most encouraging
trend was seen in the youngest age groups. Between 1981 and 1991 the number
of children between 5 and 9 who could speak Welsh increased by 6.9% and the
number in the 10-14 age group had an increase of 8.4%. These increases can be
directly attributed to the development of Welsh-medium and bilingual education.
At present there are 525 primary and secondary schools providing Welsh-medium
education to more than 82,000 children.
The Welsh Language Board was established under the Welsh Language Act 1993.
Its main function is to "promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh
language". Its other functions and main powers are specified in the
Act. The Board is empowered to give grants to promote the language in both the
public and private sectors. A strategic statement outlines their policy on grant
application. Definite targets must be specified so that the merits of the work
can be assessed and funding is provided on the basis of projects only.
The Board’s primary strategic aim is: "To enable the Welsh language
to be self-sustaining and secure as a medium of communication in Wales."
2. Irish
The 1996 returns show 1.43 million persons in the Republic of Ireland as having
varying degrees of fluency in Irish. This figure represents 43.5% of the population.
In the 1991 census the percentage of Irish speakers was 32.5. The dramatic increase
between 1991 and 1996 is partially explained by a change in the Census question,
which is now more directly formulated and also seeks information on aspects
of use. Other contributing factors may include significant changes in education
and more tolerant societal attitudes. While the number who can speak the language
is relatively high only a quarter of them use it on a daily basis. The majority
of those who use it regularly are in the Gaeltacht regions or in urban
clusters.
Two semi-state bodies exist by Acts of the Oireachtas for the promotion
of the language: Udaras na Gaeltachta (1981), specifically for the Gaeltacht
regions, and Bord na Gaeilge (1978). Comhdhail Naisiunta na Gaeilge,
the Assembly of Voluntary Organisations, is also state-funded and most of the
Irish language organisations are affiliated with it.
In the 1991 Census 142,000 people in Northern Ireland indicated an ability
to read, speak or write in the Irish language. It has been the Government’s
policy to respect the special importance of Irish, encourage interest in it
and appreciation of it, and highlight its contribution to the cultural heritage
of the whole community. This policy has been reactive or concessionary, but
the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 shows a dramatic change in emphasis, with
the Government’s resolve to "take resolute action to promote the
language".
3. Catalan
Catalan is a minority language spoken in four European states. However, most
of its 7 million speakers are located in Spain, in the regions of Catalonia,
Valencia and the Balearic Islands. Once stigmatised as a second-rate vernacular,
Catalan is actually a full-fledged Romance language.
Until recent times, Catalan faced extraordinary difficulties. During the Franco
dictatorship (1939-75) its public use was prohibited. It was banned from schools,
administration and the media. However, a movement of popular resistance against
linguistic assimilation developed within Catalan society.
After Franco’s regime was over, rapid change took place. The Spanish Constitution
of 1978 accorded co-official status to languages other than Spanish in their
respective regions. The Catalan Statute of Autonomy of 1979 established that
both languages were official in Catalonia but that only Catalan was native to
the region. The Linguistic Normalisation Act (1983) provided for the use of
Catalan in all official contexts and called for its gradual introduction in
commercial activities.
More recently the Catalan Language Act (1997) stipulated, inter alia, that
all radio and TV stations in Catalonia will have at least half their programmes
broadcast in Catalan. Meanwhile the educational system has undergone radical
change, including the use of Catalan as a teaching medium at all levels and
immersion programmes in which non-Catalan-speaking children are exposed to Catalan
at an early age.
The Catalan government funds support for the language under comprehensive,
strategic and specific planning as opposed to abstract theory.
APPENDIX 5
ALASDAIR MORRISON APPOINTS TASK FORCE FOR GAELIC
A Task Force to examine the arrangements and structures for the public support
of Gaelic organisations in Scotland was announced by Deputy Minister for the
Highlands and Islands and Gaelic, Alasdair Morrison today.
Speaking after launching the Task Force in Edinburgh, Mr Morrison said:
"This is the second phase in the review of the scope and effectiveness
of Government support for Gaelic that I announced at the Royal National Mod
in October.
"Since then I have had helpful preliminary discussions with representatives
of Gaelic organisations. It is now time to move forward from this initial dialogue
to an analytical process that will ultimately lead to a coherent strategy and
structure for Government involvement in the future development of Gaelic.
"The Task Force brings to this process an impressive matrix of skills
and experience in business, education, communication, social and economic development,
and public policy. I am confident that the outcome of their deliberations will
be a significant landmark in setting a positive agenda in Gaelic development
at the beginning of the new millennium.
"The remit of the Task Force is to: Examine the arrangements and structures
for the public support of the Gaelic organisations in Scotland, to advise Scottish
Ministers on future arrangements, taking account of the Scottish Executive’s
policy of support for Gaelic as set out in the Programme for Government, and
to report by 30 April.
"The chairman of the 5-member group is John Alick Macpherson, Depute Director
of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee and a former teacher, broadcaster, and
public and Government affairs executive. The other members are Maggie Cunningham
of BBC Scotland; Annie MacSween, Senior Lecturer in Gaelic Development at Lews
Castle College; Donald John MacInnes, Chief Executive of Scotland Europa; and
Donald Mackay, Financial Consultant and former international oil industry executive."
Speaking on behalf of the Task Force, John Alick Macpherson said:
"We have been given a task that is both challenging and exciting. We will
address it objectively and pragmatically. We hope that a consultative approach
will generate helpful ideas that will guide us towards a clear and realistic
focus on Gaelic development."
The Task Force will plan its programme over the next 2 weeks. Early in the
New Year it will begin to meet with Gaelic organisations, community representatives
and other stakeholders. It will submit its findings, conclusions and recommendations
to the Minister before the end of April 2000."
News Release: SE1699/1999
16 Dec 1999
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