A disappointing Gaelic diatribe

Sir, – I was most disappointed to read the recent misinformed diatribe concerning the Gaelic language and its community published in The Courier’s letters column.

It is strange to consider that bilingual, or even trilingual signs, would be seen as so offensive to the public in a country which has a long history of native Gaelic, Scots and English tri-lingualism, but, as ever, it seems that the limited linguistic skills of those who speak only English will out.

The vast majority (perhaps even 90%) of place-names on Scottish road-signs only contain “English” variants, because of a process of Anglicisation of native Gaelic and Scots names and that these are only in currency because of public inability to engage with the originals.

A cursory glance at the 2011 census returns, made available freely online, demonstrates that Gaelic is indeed spoken the length and breadth of Scotland, even outwith the confines of areas often referred to as the “Gaelic Heartland”.

It is difficult to understand how funding for Gaelic, which is no grandiose sum, would have any positive affect should it suddenly cease to benefit Gaelic language development and be subsequently redirected toward other services.

Let us not forget, Gaelic speakers pay tax too.

One of the key aims of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act is to ensure the equal respect of Gaelic in its native country.

Attaching a fiscal sum or moral worth to any community is a particularly ugly thing to do. Marcas Mac an Tuairneir. 17/2 Cnoc Eòin, Dùn Èideann.