P&J 30/09/10
Approach to Gaelic language
SIR, – I write with reference to yet another letter (the Press and Journal, September 28) promoting the fantasy of Gaelic being “forced" on people at the cost of “vast amounts of public and other funds".
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was introduced with cross-party support.
There is clear public demand for measures to secure the status of Gaelic.
It is only right that there is some official attempt to reverse the destructive effects of the English-only policies of previous times.
Read the names of the war dead on the memorials in any Highland village. Whole families fought against evil, totalitarian, racist regimes abroad while their own language was excluded from education and from public life at home. Gaelic speakers pay taxes. Therefore, they have a right to services.
Gaelic didn't become an endangered language by accident. People in power decided that it should not survive. Despite the small number of its remaining speakers, there is public demand for Gaelic. People should get used to it.
Folk want to know how their languages were stolen from them before they were born. Could it be the same abusive power that belted bairns in school for saying “aye" instead of “yes", with the same deluded belief that we should all speak only one language?
John Campbell,
Oak Cottage,
Lynwilg,
Aviemore.