Taxpayers’ £25k to translate sex terms into Gaelic

FOR many, it is a romantic language which conjures up images of misty isles, peaty whisky and humble crofts.

But Gaelic is having to adopt some raunchy new words and phrases – including for sex toys – to translate new educational materials from English.

The translators may be scratching their heads over how – or whether – to translate colloquial terms for various sexual practices.

Last night, campaigners criticised the £25,410 cost to the taxpayer, funded by Gaelic quango Bòrd na Gàidhlig and carried out by the NHS.

Danielle Boxall, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers will be lost for words to hear the bill for this.

‘Scots expect the Government to be spending every penny on improving public services or cutting sky-high tax rates. Ministers must cut back on waste like this.’

The Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) online resource is intended for use in schools and is backed by the Scottish Government, the NHS, Education Scotland and local authorities.

It has already sparked controversy thanks to lessons on the difference between ‘porn sex’ and real sex, and by telling pupils not to worry about breaking the law if they have sex at 13.

The material is aimed at children aged from three to 18 and covers subjects including the correct names for parts of the body to first-time sex, pornography and prostitution.

Am Faclair Beag, the extensive online Gaelic dictionary, offers no translation for some of the words and phrases used in the teaching material.

Its creator, Gaelic lexicographer Michael Bauer, said: ‘It almost goes without saying that there will be coinages involved. For example, there is no word for sex toy, so I would probably call it a bod fuadain.

‘Fuadain is used extensively in Gaelic for anything that is made up.’

NHS Greater Glasgow and

Clyde, which speaks on behalf of those behind the RSHP resource, said: ‘Translation is ongoing and we will be updating this throughout the academic year.

‘By using factually accurate terms in an age-appropriate way to educate children and young people about their bodies, we aim to keep children safe.

‘Using this valuable resource, children will use the correct terminology and have the confidence to speak to a parent or trusted adult if they need to raise a concern.’

A spokesman for Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: ‘Scottish Gaelic and English stand equal in Scotland.

‘Children and parents with Gaelic have the right to access this information in Gaelic.’

‘Ministers must cut waste like this’