CMAL launches Gaelic language plan

CALEDONIAN Maritime Assets (CMAL) has outlined plans to increase the use of the Gaelic language across its ports, harbours and online platforms.

CMAL’s Gaelic language plan includes a greater display of Gaelic across the company’s ports and harbours, increased Gaelic multimedia content on its website and even encouraging staff to learn the language.

Gaelic is widely spoken in the Western Isles communities that CMAL’s services covers.

This is CMAL’s second iteration of the five-year plan, which will run until 2021.

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive at CMAL, said: ‘ We believe that where possible we should endeavour to communicate in the language of choice for our communities and see Gaelic as an integral part of this goal. We are striving as a company to better support and promote the Gaelic language and culture.’

Declan MacDonald, a native Gaelic speaker who was recently employed by CMAL as a graduate naval architect, said: ‘If Gaelic is to be revitalised, it is important that CMAL makes an effort to enhance its status and to encourage its increased usage.’

Bòrd na Gàidhlig ceannard (chief executive) Shona MacLennan added: ‘Each year, the Scottish economy is boosted by the investment made by tourists travelling to Scotland who show great interest in the Gaelic language and culture, and recognise it as an important element of Scottish identity.’

The Scottish Parliament passed The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 with a view to securing Gaelic as an official language of Scotland. Public bodies in Scotland are now required to command equal respect to English and Gaelic language plans.

The plan can be found on CMAL’s website http:// www. cmassets.co.uk/about- us/ publications.