14th January 2009

Gaelic development agency Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) has today (January 14th) detailed plans for a number of Iomairtean Cànain (Community Language Initiatives) throughout Scotland, offering a number of career development opportunities.

Iomairtean Cànain are funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the lead development agency responsible for delivering the National Plan for Gaelic and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  The Iomairtean are a direct outcome of discussions and recommendations produced at the national conference “Growing Gaelic in the community”, organised by the Bòrd and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which was held in Breasclete, Lewis, at the end of last year.

The Iomairtean Cànain’s main aim is to contribute to the growth in numbers of Gaelic speakers and the creation of a wide range of opportunities where Gaelic can be spoken in home and family situations, at work and in the community. CnaG has now launched a recruitment drive in Lochaber, the north of Skye and in Edinburgh to assist in the delivery of the initiatives. The team which will be working on the project will be tasked with working with youth groups, families, community agencies and groups and the private sector in the three targeted areas.

The Iomairtean Cànain are based on a very successful Welsh model called Menter Iaith which has operated in Wales for over two decades.  Menter Iaith has not only helped increase the number of Welsh speakers, but also been of great assistance in terms of boosting the economy at a community level.

Archie Maclean, Chief Executive of Comunn na Gàidhlig said: “CnaG has clearly identified Iomairtean Cànain as the most important of our targeted areas of work aimed at developing the number of people speaking Gaelic.  We have seen how the language initiatives have been successful in Wales and we are confident that their approach and methods could be very successful throughout Scotland.  We are going to launch a programme of the projects in Lochaber, the north of Skye and Edinburgh initially.  Then we are planning to do the same in the Western Isles and that will hopefully happen within the next few weeks.”

Speaking at the conference in Breasclete, Linda Fabiani MSP, Minster with responsibility for Gaelic and Culture, said that the Government valued Gaelic enormously as one of Scotland’s great assets and resources.  Its value extended throughout Scotland and into communities well beyond those traditionally thought of as the Gaelic “heartlands”.  The Minister also emphasised the contribution Gaelic could make to stimulating and sustaining local economies through employment opportunities, especially in areas where the economy was experiencing a downturn.

Arthur Cormack, Interim Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “The Breasclete conference showed us all very clearly how important employment creation and retention is for the future of Gaelic and if the number of speakers is to grow, and if Gaelic is to develop as a language fit for purpose in the 21st century, then we have to do everything we can to offer communities the chance to create employment to strengthen the communities. Community-based projects and initiatives can very often be the crucial difference between Gaelic being used or set aside in any given area.  Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to support this project which will hopefully energise and strengthen the communities involved and inspire others to come on board with their own local initiatives which will help contribute to a sustainable future for the areas concerned and for Gaelic.”

The Iomairtean Cànain are supported financially by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and managed by Comunn na Gàidhlig.

For further information about the contents of this News Release and the projects involved, please contact Archie Maclean, Comunn na Gàidhlig on 01463 234138