The Scots Gaelic Comeback - Children are Returning to the Tongue

Citing the 2013 census figures which show that Scots Gaelic has stabilised in the language heartlands, and that fluency is on the rise with speakers younger than 20 years of age, the New Statesman carries a heartening article on the resurgence of Scots Gaelic. Written by Cal Flyn, the article is based on anecdotes from his family who can be best described has "fallen away Gaelic Speakers".  His mother was the daughter of Gaelic speakers, she had some knowledge of the tongue, her children have no Gaelic but her grandchildren are being sent to Gaelic medium primary school which has re-introduced the family to their Gaelic sensibilities.  The notion is charming, but more that a romantic notion, this is exactly what needs to happen to restore the language to health. 

In the article which is entitled "Language as Activism: The Big Gaelic Comeback - The Native Tongue of the Highlands and Islands Seemed to be Dying Out - Until The Latest Figures Were Released", Flyn cites the growth in the number of children who are being taught in the Gaelic medium:  " There is a Gaelic revival under way. Increasing numbers of parents – even those who don’t speak the language – are opting to send their children to Gaelic-medium schools, where all subjects are taught in the language. In 1985 there were only 24 primary school children being taught in Gaelic; last year the figure was 2,953.  Sixty-one schools across Scotland now offer Gaelic-medium education. The expectation is that, as time passes, these young Gaels will revitalise a language that is intricately tied up with their country’s identity. "  Cal Fyn in The New Statesman

Flyn mentions that the language skills of his two year old nephew are what has triggered the family to begin to reacquaint themselves with the tongue.  The wee one attends the Fas Mor Gaelic medium pre-school on the Isle of Skye.  The school is a Gaelic speaking environment which immerses the children in a monolingual Gaelic environment. The mission statement from the Fas Mor web page reads in part as follows: "Our mission is to promote the welfare..and further the education of children twelve and under...through the medium of Gaelic."

The Fas Mor Gaelic medium pre-school sits symbolically next to the Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Scotland's Gaelic College founded in 1973 which has become internationally recognised as a Centre for Gaelic language and culture. The Sabhal Mor Ostaig is an academic partner within the University of the Highlands and Islands and provides university under graduate and post graduate education in the medium of Scottish Gaelic. Both the Fas Mor and Sabhal Mor Ostaig are registered charities and welcome donations.  The Sabhal Mor Ostaig offers a 501C3 conduit for contributors from the United States to ensure the most beneficial tax treatment for donations.

http://www.fasmor.co.uk/#!home/mainPage

http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/02/springtime-gaelic

http://www.transceltic.com/scottish/sabhal-mor-ostaig-scotlands-gaelic-c...

http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/