Good news for us this week from Scotland, as a survey has found that the number of speakers of Scottish Gaelic has doubled over the past decade.
The results of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey are a source of hope that will give Irish language activists in Ireland hope and anticipation for next year when the results of this year’s census are released.
Organizations such as Conradh na Gaeilge expect a certain increase in the number of people who claim to speak Irish and in the number of daily speakers in the Gaeltacht. Both categories fell slightly in the 2016 census figures.
According to the Scottish survey, the increase is due to young people, from 15% in 2012 to 30% in 2022.
According to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scotland’s largest language promotion organisation, the results of the study on social attitudes are a major step forward. The survey found not only an increase in the number of speakers, no doubt a dramatic increase, but also an overall increase in Scots’ desire for their native language.
Over 55% of respondents to this survey said they would like to see a further increase in the number of speakers and there is also an increase in goodwill towards Scottish Gaelic and public awareness of the language.
In addition, there was a significant increase in the number of people supporting the view that Scottish Gaelic should be taught to schoolchildren, from 38% in 2012 to 55% in 2022.
These results are good news, said council chairman Mairi Nic Aonghais. “The growth in the use of Gaelic is essential to the preservation and growth of the language for years to come and we will continue to work tirelessly to support that growth so that it can continue.
“We are delighted that the number of people with knowledge of the language is growing – it is a remarkable achievement to double that number within 10 years.
“Support for Gaelic education in schools is growing and this will help to sustain the language in the community.”
Scottish Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville said the results of the survey are proof that the government’s efforts to develop and promote the language are having a positive effect.
“We want to ensure that those who want to learn and use Gaelic have the opportunity and we will continue to work with our partners to achieve that goal,” she said.
According to former Scottish Gaelic minister Alasdair Morrison, the number of children attending Gaelic schools in the cities is growing. “There are already four in Glasgow and a fifth is near Rangers football club in Ibrox. During the pandemic, half a million people have signed up to learn Gaelic on Duolingo,” he said.