Way ahead on bilingual signs

SIR, – There is no doubt in my mind that the deeply flawed trunk road Gaelic bilingual programme was masterminded by what some call the “Gaelic Mafia”, a group whose principle aim is apparently to punish most of the population of Scotland and its visitors for countless years of perceived persecution.

A Freedom of Information Act enquiry unsurprisingly failed to reveal exactly who was responsible for the appalling decision to place the dominant English language beneath the little known Gaelic place names, which was described as “affording equal respect".

Moray Council is ideally placed to deliver all its bilingual signs in a manner which will deliver appropriate respect to its constituents. With just 0.35% of its population claiming Gaelic literacy, it should be a requirement to always place English uppermost.

Research concluded that dominant language uppermost on bilingual signs added just 15% to reading time, while dominant language beneath added a massive 40%.

In Wales, language priority on road signs varies from one area to the other with no apparent safety concerns. Welsh language literacy is declared to be 15% as against Scotland as a whole – 0.6%. Please Moray Council, show initiative and lead the way in delivering fit-for-purpose bilingual signs. Other councils are sure to follow.

As an active supporter of Gaelic, I introduced bilingual price labels to my store about three years ago. I suspect mine may be the only petrol station in the country to display this sort of support for the language but would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Lewis Morrison, Benderloch,

Oban