Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies
In the framework of a number of European project initiatives it has been possible to investigate the development of Scottish Gaelic in local detail for the past 125 years. The studies deal with local communities which were predominantly Gaelic-speaking at the end of the 19th century. Based mainly (but not exclusively) on local population census information the reports strive to examine the state of the language through the ages from 1881 until today. The most relevant information is gathered comprehensively for the smallest geographical unit possible and provided area by area – a very useful reference for people with interest in their own community. Furthermore the impact of recent developments in education (namely teaching in Gaelic medium and Gaelic as a second language) is analysed for primary school catchments. (Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies)
Two volumes in this series are particularly relevant for this region:
Vol. 22: Cataibh an Ear & Gallaibh (East Sutherland & Caithness)
Gaelic once was the dominant means of conversation in East Sutherland and the western districts of Caithness. Since the end of the 19th century the language was on a relentless decline caused both by official ignorance and the low self-confidence of its speakers. A century later Gaelic is only spoken by a very tiny minority of inhabitants, most of them born well before the Second World War. Signs for the future still look not promising. Gaelic is still being sidelined officially in the whole area. Local councillors even object to bilingual road-signs. Educational provision is either derisory or non-existent. Only constant parental pressure has achieved the introduction of Gaelic medium provision in Thurso and Bonar Bridge. The language would already be dead in northern Scotland without such grassroots support for the once dominant tongue.
This study is concerned with the eastern districts of the old county of Ross & Cromarty. At the turn of the 19th century almost half of the population still spoke Gaelic in Easter Ross and the western parts of the Black Isle. After World War II the language was effectively dead as a community language by any standards. Nowadays Easter Ross is on the brink to achieving language viability (on a comparatively low level). Gaelic on the Black Isle, however, does not show any sign of recovery. But the potential for a major breakthrough both in Gaelic medium education and in second language teaching is still there. It is only a matter of policy (and an increased pool of suitable teachers). The support of parents and whole communities has achieved remarkable results in the past – Easter Ross in particular could be a prime example of successful language recovery.