Gaelic is vital to Scotland 22/8/11
The vast majority of Scots feel Gaelic culture is important to the nation according to a new study.
The report, Public Attitudes Towards the Gaelic Language, found that people in Scotland want more done to promote Gaelic and there should be a wider range of opportunities to learn the language.
Some 90 per cent thinking pupils should be taught Scottish studies. Over half the population would like to see more Gaelic in Scottish life though the same number of people say they wouldn’t learn or use the language more.
Scoltand’s Gaelic identity is vital but more work is required to make the language’s revevelent concluded the research.
Minister for Gaelic Alasdair Allan said: " Such a strong swell of support for Gaelic
from across the country, not just in the Gaelic-
"The questions specific to education also have interesting results with high levels
of support for teaching Gaelic as a subject, and even greater support for the introduction
of Scottish studies as a subject.”
Arthur Cormack, chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said
his organisation aimed to make Gaelic “accessible to anyone who wishes to learn the
language in or out of school, appreciate Gaelic through the arts and media or use
Gaelic in the home and community.
“Local authorities and public bodies in Scotland have a key role to play, with the
assistance of Bòrd na Gàidhlig where necessary, in ensuring that Gaelic thrives anywhere
in Scotland where there is a desire to learn or use the language."