Parents are ‘key to securing future of Gaelic in Scotland’

The future of Gaelic in Scotland could be down to parents – even if they do not speak the language themselves, according to researchers.

A study found a marked change in attitudes to the language over the last three decades, with as much value being placed on it by speakers as by non-speakers.

Surveys were carried out of 236 parents and children on the Isle of Lewis and on Sardinia, including speakers and non-speakers of Gaelic and Sardinian.

Three-quarters of respondents felt speaking a minority language was equally important to speaking their national tongue.

Dr Fraser Lauchlan, of Strathclyde University’s School of Psychological Sciences & Health, said: “Previous research from more than two decades ago found that there was almost a level of embarrassment about speaking such languages and they were discouraged for many years.

“It is only in recent times that there has been a re-emergence of the importance placed on these languages – possibly because of a better understanding of the benefits that being bilingual can bring, but also because of their promotion at national or regional level by governments, including the specific introduction of legislation.”

He suggested parents could encourage their children to read and to watch TV programmes in a minority language, which may even lead to them learning it themselves.

It comes as the study found positive views did not always translate into opportunities for children to speak minority languages outside school lessons.

Researchers at Strathclyde University suggested future studies should explore the places in which speakers used a minority language, such as home, school or social settings, as well as the frequency of their use.

Nearly 90% of those who took part believed Gaelic or Sardinian should be taught in schools.

Scottish parents, in particular, were positively predisposed to the minority language when compared with the Sardinian respondents.