Bòrd na Gàidhlig open the door on new consultation

Gaelic organisations are asking young people across the country to stand up and be heard as Bòrd na Gàidhlig are launching new opportunities for their voices to be heard, and importantly, listened to.
By John A. MacInnes
Published 12th Nov 2020, 08:03 BST
BnG want to hear from young people.BnG want to hear from young people.
BnG want to hear from young people.

BnG will be running online surveys for young people based on their opinions and ideas for Gaelic usage and how to increase this within their own local communities.

The two surveys, which will be distributed to schools and community groups, are for Primaries 5-7, Secondary pupils S1-S6 and for school leavers. The surveys will run until November 15 as the Gaelic development body collates opinions which is critical to the future of the language and how young people can help contribute to this across Scotland.

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As part of its #cleachdi initiative, these surveys will also contribute to three online focus groups run by Bòrd na Gàidhlig in partnership with groups such as Comunn na Gàidhlig, Fèisean nan Gàidheal and YoungScot.

Those who complete the surveys will have the opportunity to become involved in the focus groups. It is hoped that this will also encourage schools, community groups and local authorities to run their own Gaelic usage groups and initiatives.

Lucy Hannah, the Young Ambassador for Gaelic 2019-20 , said: “The future prosperity of Gaelic rests on young Gaels taking ownership of choosing the way forward for themselves.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig have presented a brilliant opportunity for young people to share their ideas and strengthen our language. It is therefore exceptionally important for young people to participate in this initiative.”

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Shona MacLennan, Ceannard of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “The aim of the National Gaelic Plan is that Gaelic is used more often, by more people and in a wider range of situations and young people have a vital part to play to ensure that this happens now and in the future.”

“I’d like to encourage as many young people from across Scotland to take part in our online surveys. Young people can be very innovative and we see this as excellent opportunity to make a defining difference to Gaelic and potentially guide support for the language in a new direction. The information from the surveys and focus groups will ensure that we and our partners respond to the needs and wishes of young Gaelic speakers.

“This is a crucial juncture for Gaelic as a whole and it is very important that as we prepare the next National Gaelic Language Plan, we take the right steps to ensure that the use of Gaelic continues for generations to come.”

The links to the surveys can be found here:

Ages 9-11 (Primary 5-7): https://bit.ly/beachdan-oigridh-9-11

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Ages 12-19 (Secondary 1-6 and school leavers): https://bit.ly/beachdan-oigridh-12-19

Surveys close at 5pm on Sunday, November 15.

More info: https://www.gaidhlig.scot/the-cleachdi-initiative/cleachdi-focus-groups/