Hostility to Gaelic
SIR, – From recent letters in the Press and Journal, one forms the impression that Scotland must be unique in having so many of its inhabitants so hostile to the original and founding language of their country.
This may be due partly to the fact that they are unaware that Gaelic was at one time spoken throughout most of the country, including even among Norse settlers in the west.
It has given Scotland a distinct identity in terms of its place names, many of them still in the original Gaelic.
To say it is a dead language is an insult to the thousands of people whose first language it was. The efforts being made now to keep a very important part of Scotland's heritage alive should be commended.
Regarding bilingual road signs, the so-called Gaelic signs are mostly the original ones written in the correct spelling. The name Fort Augustus, for instance, commemorates the “Butcher Cumberland", should people not be able to see the original Gaelic name as they enter this town.
There are bilingual road signs throughout Wales and we don't hear of many problems. They, of course, are much prouder of their linguistic heritage.
Calum Laing,
Alness.
Bilingual road signs
SIR, – Those of your readers who cannot “handle” bilingual road signs should refrain from visiting Wales.
They would obviously cause chaos in a country in which local people manage to drive safely despite every sign being bilingual.
Brian Wilkinson
Buckie.
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