Gaelic Language Plan

SUMMARY

Overview

The Scottish Government recognises that Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland's heritage, national identity and current cultural life. The Scottish Government has taken action and has put in place the necessary structures and initiatives and to ensure that Gaelic has a sustainable future in Scotland.

The position of Gaelic is, however, extremely fragile. If Gaelic is to have a sustainable future, there needs to be a concerted effort on the part of Government, the public sector, the private sector, community bodies and individual speakers to:

• enhance the status of Gaelic
• promote the acquisition and learning of Gaelic
• encourage the increased use of Gaelic.

This document is the Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan, prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. It sets out how we will use Gaelic in carrying out our business, how we will enable the use of Gaelic when people interact with the government, and how we will promote the development of Gaelic.

The development of Gaelic Language Plans by public bodies is a key component of the 2005 Act. Gaelic Language Plans help to formalise and communicate to an organisation's staff what its policy is in relation to Gaelic matters and makes clear to users and learners of Gaelic what services they can expect to access through Gaelic.

The Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared in accordance with statutory criteria set out in the 2005 Act, and having regard to Bòrd na Gàidhlig's National Plan for Gaelic and Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language Plans.

Structure of the Gaelic Language Plan

The key components of our Gaelic Language Plan are:

Chapter I - Introduction

This chapter provides background information to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and its main features. An overview is provided of the key statutory provisions relating to the preparation of Gaelic Language Plans under the 2005 Act. A brief overview of the structure of the Scottish Government and its main areas of operation is also provided.

Chapter II - Core Service Delivery Commitments

This chapter sets out how the Scottish Government will use and enable the use of Gaelic in relation to its main business functions. It covers key areas of operation such as our corporate identity, our signs, how our mail and email will be handled and the use of Gaelic on our website. The chapter sets out the basic minimum level of Gaelic language provision which we are committed to providing in the 5-year lifetime of the Plan.

Chapter III - Policy/Implementation of the National Plan for Gaelic

This chapter sets out how the Scottish Government will help implement Bòrd na Gàidhlig's National Plan for Gaelic. It also addresses key policy areas, such as education, for which we are responsible, and how we propose to further develop our support for Gaelic in these areas.

Chapter IV - Implementation and Monitoring

This chapter sets out how the implementation of our Gaelic Language Plan will be taken forward, and how implementation will be monitored.