Five per cent of people in Scotland can speak fluent or conversational Gaelic, according to new figures, and a further 7% say they can speak a few words, bringing the percentage who can speak some Gaelic up to 12%, a far higher figure than had been anticipated.
These new figures emerged from Scotland-wide research commissioned by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service) towards the end of 2007. Progressive Research were contracted to gather the views of people in Scotland on Gaelic and on the new Gaelic Digital Channel, which is to launch this year.
In an omnibus survey of 1001 people, 46% said they were interested in Gaelic culture and 19% said they would like to learn more about Gaelic.
In addition to the omnibus survey, 201 Gaelic speakers were also canvassed. Eighty four per cent (84%) of the Gaelic sample and almost 50% of the omnibus respondents said that they would tune in to the Gaelic Digital Service when it is on the air (44% likely to tune in, 45% unlikely to tune in, 11% did not express an opinion either way).
Welcoming the research findings, Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, said: “These figures show that we are pursuing the right strategy by targeting a Scotland-wide audience for the Gaelic Digital Service. It is extremely encouraging to see that so many people have a connection with Gaelic.”
Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, commented: "This is good news and I am encouraged by these figures. I believe it is important that we continue to strengthen the status of Gaelic and to promote Gaelic learning at all levels. Our aim is to create a secure future for Gaelic in Scotland and the Gaelic Digital Service will certainly advance this."
Kenneth Murray, Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “These new figures are hugely encouraging and show some new potential to increase the number of Gaelic speakers. We now need to build upon this fresh information and look with renewed optimism to work with our partners and with communities to strengthen opportunities to develop and grow our language. The figures will also be tremendously helpful in formulating the questions that need to be asked at the 2011 Census and we will be working with the GRO to improve this following their current trials in the Western Isles and Edinburgh.”
Ends 21 January 2008
For more information and for graphs illustrating the figures, contact Iagan MacNeill on 0131 556 6649 / 07770 886 928.
Notes to Editors:
Research Methodology
The research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, questions were asked in telephone interviews of 1001 people forming a representative sample of the Scottish population, using Scottish Opinion, Progressive Research’s weekly omnibus survey. In the second stage, Progressive conducted a further 201 telephone interviews with Gaelic speakers.
Putting together the two samples, there were 328 Gaelic speakers. To avoid over-representing the views of Gaelic speakers within the total Scottish population, the results of each group have been reported separately. The Scottish population data has a margin of error of +/– 1.4% to 3.1%, and the data for the Gaelic speaking sample has a margin of error of +/– 2.4% to 5.4%. Both are calculated at the 95% level of confidence.
Gaelic Media Service (GMS)
Gaelic Media Service (GMS) is a Scottish Government funded body established by statute and regulated by Ofcom. GMS’s remit is to fund, commission or produce Gaelic language programmes for television, radio, on-line or new media and to engage in, or fund the provision of training, development and audience research.
GMS’s key aim is to create a sustainable Gaelic Digital Service, comprising a television channel and other media, and it has secured a broadcast licence from Ofcom for this purpose. GMS has reached agreement with the BBC that both parties will work in partnership to create a new service that is vibrant, comprehensive, cost-effective and contemporary.