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View Full Version : How's the Scottish Gaeltacht doing these days?

Idris2002
19-09-2005, 07:46
I ask because I was reading last night about the various problems of decline the Irish Gaeltacht has gone through, both before and after Irish independence.

The viability of the Irish gaeltacht has always been in question, but the communities continue to hang on with grim determination.

So what's the situation in Scotland like? Are Scots Gaeltacht areas doing better, worse or the same as the equivalent communities in Ireland?
pogofish
19-09-2005, 09:03
From my experiences of both, I would say that for a long time Ireland was far ahead of Scotland in many ways, in terms of viable communinities, real investment & in asserting its identity. Since Hollyrood began to level the playingfield between the communities & the interests that traditionally work against them, I also see more confidence & independance amongst the Scots & recently, the number of people coming back into the communities on a full-participation basis is also hartening.
Belushi
19-09-2005, 09:25
How many Irish and Scottish Gaelic speakers are there?
cathal marcs
19-09-2005, 11:28
A good book that discusses the issue is Gaelic nations, Politics of the Gaelic Language in Scotland and Northern Ireland in the 20th century by Vincent McKee.

Its hard to compare Scotland to Ireland due to the differences Norh and South and how the language was supported or supressed by the state over the years. The North suffered much suppression and little help from the state in nurturing the language. Although due to this grassroots movements started up and now with the GFA and cultural grants they are now flourishing.

Im generally agree with what pogo says though.

Gaidheal Albannaich agus Gael Eireann.
guinnessdrinker
19-09-2005, 15:14
The viability of the Irish gaeltacht has always been in question, but the communities continue to hang on with grim determination.

when I was living in West Cork near a "Gaeltacht", I found they only spoke Irish when the kids from Dublin bringing the dosh were around during the holidays...

Connemara is different. they'll speak it in the pub in London.