Why don’t our Gaelic speakers speak Gaelic?

A PUBLICLY funded research project is to investigate why Gaelic speakers don’t actually speak the language.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the body responsible for promoting Gaelic, is concerned that even native speakers are not using it for everyday conversation.

Just over 1 per cent of the population speaks Gaelic, mostly in the Western Isles, but they frequently find themselves at a loss for words, the agency claims.

So it is commissioning an eightmonth study, titled Boosting Gaelic Conversation.

It is seeking to appoint an academic to look at the ‘practical and psychological challenges which can impede fluent speakers from speaking Gaelic to each other, even in the districts and towns in which the language is strong and/or receiving significant support’.

In the 2011 census, 57,375 people – 1.1 per cent of the population aged over three – reported as being able to speak Gaelic, 1,275 fewer than in 2001. But only about half the speakers were fully literate in the language.

Daibhidh Boag, director of language planning and community developments at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: ‘As well as bringing more of the thousands of people learning Gaelic across Scotland to fluency, we are keen to ensure the thousands of people raised with Gaelic as their first language also have the opportunity to use Gaelic more often.

‘Our understanding is that some first language Gaelic speakers feel inhibited in using Gaelic in certain situations, possibly as a result of limited opportunities to do so or decisions relating to selfconfidence in the language.

‘The issues involved in being part of a minoritised culture can be varied and complex. Our aim is to work with first-language Gaelic speakers to identify potential challenges to usage and to develop solutions to overcome any barriers highlighted.’

But Highland Labour councillor Deidre Mackay said: ‘I am afraid it has me lost for words. I have never heard the like in my life. They are being paid to converse at a time when public services are being cut back to the bone. That is taking things to extremes. Who on earth dreamed that up?

‘In my area we are losing so many facilities. Last week I had a petition from primary 6 and 7 schoolchildren about a play park. If we can’t afford to support basic requirements like playparks, why in the name of goodness are we spending money like this? It is just ridiculous.’

TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign manager James Price said: ‘Languages are a very important part of how we think of ourselves and how we see the world, but this has to be balanced with harsh economic realities. The Scottish Government is addicted to overspending and still has the highest deficit in Europe, so it’s not right to force Scottish taxpayers to support even more spending.

‘Holyrood should look to rein in spending in other areas if it thinks this a sufficiently important project or, better yet, cut taxes and let individual Scots decide how to support their culture and heritage.’

‘I have never heard the like in my life’