OVER the next two weeks, The National will be publishing seven exclusive articles focusing on Scots and Gaelic to coincide with the ongoing public consultation on the Scottish Language Bill taking place until November 17.
Our series will explore myths and stereotypes of Gaelic and Scots speakers as well as the possibilities and benefits of increasing the protection of the two threatened languages.
Activists, representatives, broadcasters, teachers and others have added their voice to the series to encourage the public to respond to the consultation, as well as share why they are passionate about the native languages.
To access all the articles on our website too, you can take out a subscription with our pay-what-you-can-afford offer, which will run until tomorrow.
There are three native languages spoken in Scotland today: English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic.
Broadcaster and writer Alistair Heather encouraged readers to celebrate all three languages.
He said: “Scotland’s cultural rejuvenation is gathering great pace. The ‘Scottish cringe’ is withering away and a new, gallus, confident young nation is emerging. We speak Scots, we speak Gaelic, we speak English. Our multilingual heritage gives us many ways to understand the world.
“Let’s invest in them, celebrate them, and most of all, speak proudly in them.”
Scots is the collective name for Scottish dialects known also as Doric, Lallans and Scotch, or by more local names such as Buchan, Dundonian, Glesca or Shetland.
Scottish Gaelic is described by Unesco as showing “gradual erosion of first-language speaker communities” and as “definitely endangered”.
Deputy editor of The National Stewart Ward said the series offers a range a voices and will act as “an antidote to the bile” speakers of the languages receive online.
He said: “The National is always looking to put a spotlight on Scotland’s languages – and this series will do exactly that, with a great range of voices.
“Support for the Scots and Gaelic languages is crucial and warrants the kind of informed contributions that we hope to bring readers.
“We’re proud to be able to provide a space for these contributions, and hope to hear the thoughts of our readers.”
Both languages are going through a renaissance in the digital age and the Bill aims to take additional steps in support of Gaelic and Scots.
The Scottish Government has said “no decisions have as yet been taken on how to make progress for Gaelic and Scots” and the consultation seeks to hear how further immediate and long-term progress should be shaped.
You can find it online here.
