The Scottish Lib Dems have backed calls from two grassroots activists groups for Scots and Gaelic for Humza Yousaf to appoint a Minister for Scottish Languages.
The groups, Oor Vyce and Misneachd, have said that a specific minister is needed to address the "pressing concerns" around preserving and developing Scotland's unique linguistic heritage. They have launched a petition to back up the campaign.
A spokesperson for the groups said: "As a new Government team is now in place, we see no clear accountability for Scots or Gaelic, and this lack of clarity does not provide our communities with confidence that concerns around preserving and developing our unique linguistic heritage in Scotland will be sufficiently addressed.
"While we heard some warm words around Scots and Gaelic and a lot about protecting minority rights during the SNP leadership campaign, we now need those words backed up with action and the rights of Scotland’s linguistic minorities advanced. Both languages require immediate action to prevent further decline."
The Lib Dems said that "without someone leading this work with energy it will be forgotten once again."
The campaign is being run by Phil Reid, of Oor Vyce, and Màrtainn Mac A'Bhàillidh, of Misneachd.
The Scottish Government is due to publish a consultation report on future support for Gaelic and Scots and on a promised Scottish Languages Bill is due in the coming months.
The groups have said it is "vital" that the report brings together groups from across the two communities to provide Scots and Gaelic a louder voice within Government.
The spokesperson said: "We need a Minister for Scottish Languages who can provide accountability and work with wider Scottish society to help advance the rights of Scotland’s minority language communities.
"Oor Vyce and Misneachd are committed to promoting and protecting the use of Scots and Gaelic in Scotland, and we believe that the appointment of a Minister for Scottish Languages is a crucial step in ensuring that our linguistic heritage is preserved for future generations.
"Let's join all our voices together to urge Humza Yousaf and the Scottish Government to take immediate action to appoint a Minister for Scottish Languages to address the urgent issues facing Scotland's linguistic heritage."
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have backed the calls for a Scottish Languages minister.
Education spokesperson Willie Rennie said: “We need a minister for Scottish languages to lead the wide-ranging policy measures required to turn the tide on the decline of their use in the home.
"It needs a cross government effort on issues like housing and education. Without someone leading this work with energy it will be forgotten once again."
Several Scottish politicians speak Gaelic or Scots, with SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes conducting an interview in Gaelic during the campaign.
Many took their parliamentary oath in 2021 in some form of Scots, with new economy secretary Neil Gray taking his in Orcadian as he is from Orkney.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government pointed out that Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has responsibility for Gaelic and Scots, so said it is "not correct to say there is no clear accountability."
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