About us
About Gaelic
Gaelic is one of the national languages of Scotland and is a Celtic language which has been spoken in Scotland for a long time, dating back to at least the 6th Century AD.
The Gaelic place names throughout Scotland show how far Gaelic speakers and their language spread across Scotland.
Although Gaelic is still in decline, there is cause for hope with increasing numbers of pupils being educated through the medium of Gaelic, and with the advent of the Gaelic Act itself which gives legislative vigour to the campaign to sustain and preserve Gaelic and its culture. Gaelic is a precious inheritance which the people of Scotland should be proud of, and it is a living language which is relevant in every way in today’s world.
Facts & Figures
- A total of 58,652 people in Scotland can speak Gaelic (according to the 2001 Census)
- A total of 92,396 people have some Gaelic language ability (2001 Census)
- There are over 46 million minority language speakers in Europe
- There are 3,086 pupils in Gaelic Medium Education
- A total of 3,641 pupils take Gaelic as a subject in secondary education
- A total of 486,987 people visited BBC Scotland’s Colin and Cumberland webpage in its first week
- More people with Gaelic language ability live in Na h-Eileanan Siar (18,420), Highland (18,360) and Argyll and Bute (6,520) than in any other local authority areas (Census 2001)
From Bord na Gaidhlig
About Tional
Background
Last year saw the introduction of the Gaelic Language Bill. The legislation is designed to promote the use of Gaelic, secure the status of the language and ensure it has a long-term future.
This should lead to a new and confident generation of Gaelic speakers, to new opportunities to learn and to use Gaelic, and to a greater understanding and respect for the Gaelic language and culture.
The traditional and Gaelic music scene in Scotland is strong and growing. Events such as Blas and Fèis Rois have helped to introduce people to the music. Listening to and singing Gaelic songs is becoming much more common, but this success has not been replicated with the spoken language itself.
Purpose of the event
Tional will be a gathering, an unique showcase event in the Highlands for Gaelic learners.
It will include a programme of activities which will reflect a positive profile of Highland Culture and Language.
This is a chance for a wide range of people, from learners of Gaelic to fluent speakers, to be immersed in a Gaelic environment and develop their skills and knowledge in the language.
Overview of the event
Tional will have Gaelic oozing out of every part of the event. All the activities will predominately be in Gaelic with translation facilities (electronic, spoken or written) available. The main emphasis will be for the principal participants, who are learners of the language, to sign up for Gaelic workshops. In addition, a number of other activities will be open for friends/families or people who want to try different taster sessions.
The Gaelic Question Time will give all participants a chance to ask a high profile panel what their thoughts are on moving the Gaelic language forward, Where they should invest the money and what their organisation is doing to help.
In addition their will be a Cèilidh in the evening to celebrate the commitment from Ulpan participants and tutors in Inverness. Everyone is welcome to come along and dance the night away and practice their new Gaelic language skills.
About Cli
Cli Aims
- To promote the learning and national status of Gaelic
- To disseminate information on Gaelic and Gaelic affairs
- To act as the voice of Gaelic learners and non-native speakers
...learning, information and voice - these are the aims of Clì Gaelic, the Scots Gaelic access and promotion organisation.Gaelic speaker or not; Gaelic learner or Gaelic supporter; native of Scotland or no connection - whatever it is you are welcome in Clì Gàidhlig!
Cli's magazine Cothrom and the Clì Website www.cli.org.uk are enjoyable ways in which to promote learning, information and campaigning – Clì Gàidhlig's three fundamental aims..
Financial support
Please see the links at the foot of this page to those organisations that have kindly supported Tional.
