Lochaber MSP makes history with Gaelic speech
LOCHABER and Skye MSP Kate Forbes made history last Thursday when she became the first female MSP to give a plenary speech entirely in Gaelic in the Scottish Parliament chamber.
Ms Forbes said she decided to give her speech in Gaelic during a debate on Scotland’s support for the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage to show that the language was alive.
Fellow MSPs in the chamber were able to follow her contribution as it was simultaneously translated through headsets.
Winnie Ewing gave a full speech in Gaelic back in 2000 while the parliament met in the Church of Scotland General Assembly hall on the Mound in Edinburgh.
Fiona Hyslop and Linda Fabiani have previously given part of their ministerial responses in Gaelic in the present parliament chamber, while several male MSPs, including Alasdair Allan and Dave Thompson, have given entire plenary speeches in the language.
In her address, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said that, while there was no single magic answer to safeguarding and growing Gaelic, securing UNESCO status for the language would be an important step forward.
Ms Forbes, who also chairs Holyrood’s cross-party group on Gaelic, commented: ‘It was really important not only to talk about Gaelic, but to actually use the language in the Holyrood chamber to demonstrate that it is one of Scotland’s most significant cultural assets.
‘There is a lot of political support for the language, despite the inaccurate negativity about money spent on Gaelic and occasional politicising.
‘Gaelic is the key to elements of our history, culture and music. That is why I believe it should be granted UNESCO status as an intangible cultural heritage.
‘It is a sad day for any society that forgets the rich cultural heritage of its past, and we need to protect Gaelic.’
Ms Forbes also said she was honoured to make history with her speech. She said: ‘Gaelic isn’t just a language of the past. There is a whole new generation of Gaelic speakers who have benefited from growth in Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic media like BBC Alba.
‘Yet, there is still an embarrassment among young people about speaking Gaelic in every area of society. That is why I wanted to use Gaelic in the Holyrood chamber, to prove that Gaelic isn’t just the language of school.
‘When it comes to Gaelic as a cultural asset, it’s not just about numbers in terms of Gaelic speakers or about an irrelevant past. Gaelic may not be spoken in as many homes as it was 100 years ago, but it is producing fantastic programming, writing new music and regenerating fragile rural areas.I am delighted there is political support across the chamber for Gaelic.’
The first time Gaelic was spoken in a meeting of parliament was June 16, 1999, by John Farquhar Munro on September 16.