Spending on ‘dead language’

SIR, – I have just read the letter (Press & Journal, March 28) by Shona Maclennan, the CEO of Bord na Gaidhlig, as she says, to clarify some misconceptions with regard to their function.

Perhaps the words “Gaelic Gestapo" were a bit over the top. What I would like to know is why so much money is being spent on what is now a dead language. They are now trying to force local councils to spend more of our precious money, which would be better spent on repairing the roads. There were no bilingual road signs in most parts of Scotland until the SNP came on the scene – another waste of taxpayers’ money – causing confusion to tourists and locals alike.

I would suggest to the SNP that if they wish our youngsters to be bilingual, they should teach Spanish, German or Chinese; languages which they will require in future to trade with the rest of the world – not a dead language like Gaelic, which is only spoken by 2% of the population and not understood anywhere else in the world.

Finally, it would save a fortune by disbanding Bord na Gaidhlig.

Alastair Mitchell, School

Road, Stonehaven

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.