Gaelic langaue planning for and by communities

Executive Summary
This research has revealed a far higher level of interest in Gaelic revitalisation in the north west than was anticipated. It has also revealed that there is a latent ability for Gaelic amongst ‘lapsed native speakers’ and those who grew up hearing a great deal of Gaelic but have never used it to any great extent. Demand for access to Gaelic learning opportunities has been expressed by parents for their children but equally by the older generation keen to speak to each other or their grandchildren. Interest in using Gaelic for singing and exploring local poetry such as the work of Rob Donn was also mentioned frequently.

The questionnaire results showed that:
 22 people in households and businesses were described as people
who can ‘speak, read or write Gaelic’
 12 ‘native speakers’ were reported
 34 individuals were reported as wanting to learn
 9 were reported as being basic learners already
 4 were reported as learners at a moderate level and 1 at an advanced level

The main fear was for inappropriate pressure on scare financial resources and concerns that since school rolls are falling considerably, working towards establishment of a Gaelic Medium Unit for the three western parishes might endanger existing school provision and teacher numbers. On balance the research locally shows that even amongst those who do value
Gaelic and bilingualism there is little sense of possibility and a generally low awareness of the wider benefits of any sort of level of bilingualism. As the quote below illustrates most people therefore have mixed feelings and little sense of potential:
“Gaelic language is finished - that’s a fact. You cannot retrieve the language. I believe that for those going through GMU, that bilingualism is a positive element in their lives. Makes you cry when you think what we have lost.”1

In spite of this the research does illustrate:
 An appropriate critical mass of people who would like to do more and learn more
 A hope, even amongst those who fear it is hopeless - that the profile, use and status of Gaelic locally can be improved – and should be improved
 A constant statement that Gaelic needs to be taught from pre-school stage through till the end of secondary school – for some people that is specified as Gaelic Medium education while others describe this as Gaelic being available as a subject in its own right.
specified as Gaelic Medium education while others describe this as
Gaelic being available as a subject in its own right