What is the status of Scots and Gaelic in Scotland today?

[gille_a_ghearmailt]

To anaon:

Yes, I think (and hope) that Gàidhlig will revive itself. I was pleased to find links like
"Gàidhlig for parents" - for if the children are learning Scottish Gaelic in school, and the parents have no Gàidhlig. I'd love to see that children are brought up again with their own, native tongue.

As I am a great Runrig fan, there are some lines from their songs, which I think are just
fitting:

Failte gu mo chainnt
Is i dh'ionnsaich mi 'nam phaisde
Canan uasal mor nan Gaidheal
Mar bhratach dhomh gach la
--
Welcome to my language
The one I learned as a child
The huge dignified language of the Gael
That stands like a banner
For me daily

(From "Tir a' Mhurain" - "Land of Maram Grass")

...and finally:

Fichead bliadhna'airson firinn
B'fheudar dhomh feitheamh
'S b'fheudar dhomh lorg
Fichead bliadhn' de bhreugan
Thug iad eachdraidh air falbh bhuainn
--
Twenty years for the truth
I had to wait
I had to search
Twenty years of deceit
They denied me knowledge of myself

(From "Fichead bliadhna" - "Twenty years")

...this not only deals with the language, but also with the cultural heritage, the history.
About learning everything about the history of foreign countries, while the history of the very
own is simply skipped. And of course, the all-covering question: "Why?"

When I think about the percentage of fluent or even native Gaelic speakers,
it leaves my heart full o' woe...
But I hope this percentage will increase.

It is interesting that in Ireland Gaeilge was taught in schools, but usually regarded as 'useless knowledge', only important if you wanted to claim a civil federal business job. It was taught with no love, either. Just as a dead 'latin-kind' of language. Therefore there was no real interest in learning Gaeilge. This is what a friend of mine from Ireland told me.
I hope that there is more interest throughout Scotland.

--
Rüdiger Reinhardt -- webmaster@sallygardens.de

[Bairbreaine]

I'm interested in keeping heritage alive in my family, and in doing so, I am learning Scottish Gaelic.
My children think that I am an odd one.
I find them also, from time to time asking "what does it mean Mum, how do you say this Mum"....
The passion I have for this language and history hopefully show through.
I'm a single parent of two, my influences will hopefully be seeds for future interest in my childrens lives, to continue the study and use of Scottish Gaelic.
The language is not dead, it may be difficult at times, but it is far from dead!!

Bairbre Aine

[gille_a_ghearmailt]

Hullo, a Bhairbre Aine!

I am pleased to hear that.
Though I'm German, I am very interested in Gàidhlig.
I'm learning it, too.
And I think it's people like you that are helping
to revive this beautiful language.

Bliadhna mhàth ùr, by the way. Happy new year!

Mar sin leìbh,
Rüdiger