Pan Celtic Movement Fights Damage to Language Heartlands From Property Developers

From The Celtic Language News:

The rural housing crisis is threatening our future, claim activists from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man and Cornwall who have united in a cross-border plea over the survival of Celtic languages. They’ve drawn up a Celtic Charter that asserts a “right to a home” for speakers of these languages in their geographical heartlands. However, they say high costs and the proliferation of holiday lets in rural areas means the tongues themselves may soon be driven from those areas.

In an appeal aimed at authorities in each of those countries and territories, culture groups say housing market pressures and public policy is putting their languages at stake. These include Scots Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, Manx and Cornish.

The charter – or Cairt taigheadais Cheilteach in Gaelic and Siarter Tai Celtaidd in Welsh – is a collaboration between groups including Scotland’s Misneachd, its Irish equivalent Misneach and Cymdeithas of Wales. It includes contributions in Cornish from Mebyon Kernow.

“This issue has never been more important to the survival of Gaelic communities,” Skye architect Martainn Mac A’Bhaillidh of Misneachd (Scotland) told the Sunday National.“I know loads of families working at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and in the Western Isles who are raising Gaelic-speaking kids with little to no hope that they will be able to live in the community they grew up in. It’s a completely unsustainable situation.”

Bethan Roberts of Cymdeithas (Wales) says it’s already making a difference where she is. “Our ideas from the housing charter have resonated with people in Wales,” she said. “Some progressive parties have already stated that they will be implementing some of the policies into their manifestos for next year’s Welsh Senedd election. “We were very inspired working across different language communities. In an increasingly connected society, it’s easier than ever to create these links and learn from each other and work together. We face similar challenges and believe that our voices can be strengthened by coming together.”

See the Full Article from Celtic Language News Here: https://celticlanguagesnews.blogspot.com/2020/11/celtic-charter-housing-...