The number of Scots who can speak some Gaelic has doubled in the past decade, the latest Scottish Social Attitudes survey has found.
The proportion of people who say they can speak at least the odd word of Gaelic has doubled from 15% in 2012 to 30% today.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development, has hailed the survey as a major success for the language, with findings showing significant support and awareness throughout the country.
The Scottish Social Attitudes (SSA) survey is conducted by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) and has been tracking changes in people's social, political and moral attitudes in Scotland since 1999.
The 2021 survey found that more than half of those surveyed would like to see the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland rise in the future, with 56% giving their backing.
Young people, those with a greater knowledge of Gaelic, and those who have experienced greater exposure to the language are credited as the key factors associated with its growth. The survey shows that those who come in to contact with Gaelic are more likely to hold positive views.
The SSA also highlights a major shift of attitude towards education. More than half of those surveyed, 55%, believe that all children in Scotland between five and 15-years-old, should be taught Gaelic as a school subject for between one and two hours a week. This is a marked rise from just 38% support in 2012.
It is clear that Gaelic also contributes to wellbeing with 70% of adults stating that learning Gaelic gives someone a sense of achievement.
Mairi MacInnes, Chair at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes this latest report from the Scottish Social Attitudes survey. These results are excellent news and show the widespread support for Gaelic, which bodes well for its future. The rise in the usage of Gaelic is vital to preserving and growing the language for years to come, and we will continue to work tirelessly to provide support and solutions to help continue this growth.
“We are delighted by the rise in those with some knowledge of the language – to double that figure in a decade is a remarkable achievement. Support for the growth of Gaelic education in our schools will only support the rise in popularity for future generations and we believe it will be a vital part of our strategy to build on this success.”
Cabinet Secretary for Education Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The rise in people speaking some Gaelic and support for its continued increase shows this Government’s commitment to promote and develop the language is having a meaningful impact.
“We want to ensure that those who wish to use, or learn Gaelic are afforded the opportunity to do so and we will continue to work with partners in this aim.”
Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ cur fàilte air Suirbhidh Beachdan Sòisealta na h-Alba agus taic dhan Ghàidhlig air a dhol am meud gu mòr thairis air an deach bliadhna mu dheireadh
Tha an àireamh de dh’Albannaich a tha comasach air beagan Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn air dùblachadh san deich bliadhna mu dheireadh a rèir an tionndaidh as ùire de Shuirbhidh Beachdan Sòisealta na h-Alba.
Tha an uiread de dhaoine a tha ag ràdh gu bheil iad comasach air co-dhiù corra fhacal Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn air dùblachadh bho 15% ann an 2012 gu 30% an-diugh.
Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann an Alba le dleastanas gus Gàidhlig adhartachadh air fàilte a chur air an t-suirbhidh mar fìor shoirbheas dhan chànan, leis na toraidhean a’ sealltainn gu bheil ìre shusbainteach de thaic agus de mhothachadh ann air feadh na dùthcha.
Tha Suirbhidh Beachdan na h-Alba (Scottish Social Attitudes Survey - SSA) air a dhèanamh le Ionad na h-Alba airson Rannsachadh Sòisealta (ScotCen) agus tha e air a bhith a’ cumail sùil air atharrachaidhean ann am beachdan sòisealta, poilitigeach agus moralta na h-Alba bho 1999.
Fhuair an suirbhidh a-mach gun robh còrr is an dàrna leth de dhaoine a rinn an suirbhidh airson ’s gum biodh fàs ann an àireamhan luchd-labhairt na h-Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd, le 56% den bheachd seo.
A rèir an t-suirbhidh, tha daoine òga, daoine le eòlas nas motha air a’ Ghàidhlig, agus an fheadhainn a tha air barrachd fhaicinn is cluinntinn den chànan am measg nam prìomh fhactaran ann am fàs a’ chànain. Tha an suirbhidh a’ sealltainn gu bheil beachdan fàbharach nas dualtaiche a bhith aig daoine a tha air Gàidhlig fhaicinn no a chluinntinn.
Tha an SSA cuideachd a’ sealltainn gun robh atharrachadh mòr ann am beachdan a thaobh foghlaim. Tha còrr is an dàrna leth den fheadhainn a ghabh pàirt san t-suirbhidh, 55% den bheachd gum bu chòir Gàidhlig a bhith air a teagasg do gach sgoilear aois eadar còig agus 15 eadar uair is dà uair a thìde gach seachdain. Seo àrdachadh mòr bho dìreach 38% ann an 2012.
Tha e soilleir cuideachd gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig a’ cur ri sunnd le 70% de dh’inbhich ag ràdh gun robh faireachdainn de choileanadh aca bho bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig.
Thuirt Màiri NicAonghais, Cathraiche Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ cur fàilte air an aithisg as ùire bho Shuirbhidh Beachdan Sòisealta na h-Alba. Is e fìor dheagh naidheachd a th’ anns na toraidhean seo agus tha iad a’ sealltainn gu bheil taic fharsaing ann dhan Ghàidhlig, rud a tha dòchasach dhi san àm ri teachd. Tha am fàs ann an cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ro chudromach airson a bhith a’ glèidheadh agus a’ toirt fàs air a’ Ghàidhlig sna bliadhnaichean ri teachd agus cumaidh sinn oirnn ag obair gun sgur gus taic agus fuasglaidhean a thoirt seachad gus an lean am fàs seo.
"Tha sinn fìor thoilichte leis an àrdachadh san àireimh de dhaoine aig a bheil eòlas air choreigin air a’ chànan - ’s e adhartas air leth a th' ann gun do dhùblaich am figear seo ann an deich bliadhna Tha fios gun cuir taic a thaobh fàs ann am foghlam Gàidhlig sna sgoiltean againn ri tarraingeachd na Gàidhlig do na ginealaichean ri tighinn agus tha sinn an dùil gum bi seo na phàirt chudromach den ro-innleachd againn gus togail air an t-soirbheas seo.
Thuirt Shirley-Ann Somerville, Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Cànanan na h-Alba: “Tha an t-àrdachadh anns an àireimh de dhaoine aig a bheil comas Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn gu ìre air choreigin agus an taic dhan àrdachadh leantainneach a’ sealltainn gu bheil dealas an Riaghaltais seo gus an cànan a bhrosnachadh agus a leasachadh a’ toirt buaidh bhrìoghmhor.
“Tha sinn airson dèanamh cinnteach gum faigh an fheadhainn a tha airson Gàidhlig a chleachdadh no ionnsachadh, an cothrom sin a dhèanamh agus leanaidh sinn oirnn ag obair còmhla ri com-pàirtichean a dh’ionnsaigh an amais seo.