Appendix 1
Education Services
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL
DRAFT GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN
2016-2021
This plan has been prepared under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
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FOREWORD
This is Dumfries and Galloway Council’s first Gaelic Language Plan, and sets out our
ambitions for Gaelic over the next five years, to 2021. Our aim is to comply with the
Scottish Government’s vision of safeguarding the future sustainability of the Gaelic
language by enhancing the profile of the language and providing more opportunities
for our communities to communicate in Gaelic. This will be done in a cost neutral and
incremental basis. The plan will also support implementation of the Scottish
Government’s National Outcome We take pride in a strong, fair and inclusive
national identity.
Historically, the Gaelic language is part of the diverse linguistic heritage of Dumfries
and Galloway, alongside Brittonic, Norse and Scots. Gaelic speakers resident in our
council area form a small but important and culturally active part of our community. It
is our ambition to not only sustain but to increase these numbers through the aims
and actions contained within our Gaelic Language Plan.
We see this first iteration of our Gaelic Language Plan as a starting point for
developing and improving current Gaelic provision. Our commitments within the Plan
set out what we will do to raise the status of Gaelic in a proportionate way within the
context of our diverse council area. .
The Council is supportive of the objectives of the National Gaelic Language Plan
2012 – 2017 and the aims of the Gaelic Act (Scotland) 2005 in ensuring that Gaelic
remains a living language, and an integral part of Scotland’s cultural heritage, and
we are confident that our plan works towards that.
Ronnie Nicholson
Leader of the Council
Colin Grant
Director of Children, Young People and Lifelong
Learning
Contents
Summary
Structure of the Gaelic Language Plan
Chapter 1
Introduction
 Description of the public authority
 Gaelic in the authority’s area of operation
 Approval of our Gaelic Language Plan
Chapter 2
Core Commitments
 Identity
 Communications
 Publications
 Staffing
Chapter 3
Policy Implications for Gaelic: implementing the
National Plan for Gaelic
 Language Acquisition
 Language Usage
 Language Status
 Language Corpus
Chapter 4
Implementation and Monitoring
Contact Details
APPENDIX I:
Dumfries and Galloway Staff Gaelic Language Survey
Summary
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that Gaelic is an integral part of
Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life. Dumfries and Galloway
Council is committed to the objectives set out in the National Plan for Gaelic. We will
work toward putting in place the necessary structures and initiatives to ensure that
Gaelic has a sustainable future in Scotland.
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that the position of Gaelic is extremely
fragile and if Gaelic is to be revitalised as a living language in Scotland, a concerted
effort on the part of government, the public and private sectors, community
organisations and individual speakers is required to:

Enhance the status of Gaelic

Promote the acquisition and learning of Gaelic

Encourage the increased use of Gaelic
This document is Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Language Plan
prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. It sets
out how we will, in an incremental way, enable the use of Gaelic when
communicating with the public and key partners, and how we will promote and
develop Gaelic.
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared in
accordance with statutory criteria set out in the 2005 Act, and having regard to the
National Plan for Gaelic and the Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language
Plans.
Structure of the Gaelic Language Plan
The key components of our Gaelic Language Plan are:
Chapter 1 – Introduction
This chapter provides the background and context relating to the preparation of
Gaelic Language Plans under the 2005 Act and the structure of Dumfries and
Galloway Council. It also provides a summary of the history and demography of the
Gaelic language in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area.
Chapter 2 – Core Commitments
This chapter sets out how the Council will use, and facilitate the use of, Gaelic in
relation to our main business functions. It covers key areas of operation such as
corporate identity, signage, communication with the public and the use of Gaelic on
our website. This chapter sets out the basic minimum level of Gaelic language
provision which we are committed to providing in the lifetime of the Plan.
Chapter 3 – Policy Implications for Gaelic: implementing the National Gaelic
Language Plan
This chapter sets out how Dumfries and Galloway Council will help implement the
National Gaelic Language Plan. It also shows how we intend to promote the use of
Gaelic in the planning and delivery of our services, as appropriate.
Chapter 4 – Implementation and Monitoring
This chapter sets out how the implementation of our Gaelic Language Plan will be
taken forward, and how implementation and outcomes will be monitored.
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Setting the Context for Developing Gaelic Language Plans
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and the issuing of a notice:
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament
with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of
Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language.
One of the key features of the 2005 Act is the provision enabling Bòrd na Gàidhlig to
require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. This provision was
designed to ensure that the public sector in Scotland plays its part in creating a
sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile and creating practical
opportunities for its use.
Consultation on a draft Gaelic Plan:
The 2005 Act requires public bodies to bring the preparation of its Gaelic Language
Plan to the attention of all interested parties. Dumfries and Galloway Council has
consulted on the draft of its Gaelic Language Plan in 2016 and has taken into
account representations made to it during the consultation process.
Approval of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Language Plan:
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Plan will be submitted to Bòrd na
Gàidhlig for approval on 28th of February 2016.
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is an area of outstanding natural beauty, situated in the
South West of Scotland between the Southern Uplands and coastline of the Solway
Firth and the Irish Sea.
Known around the world as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, Dumfries and
Galloway enjoys the benefits of modern living, as well as tangible links with a
colourful and historically significant past.
An area of 642,620 hectares and although predominantly rural, Dumfries and
Galloway has a population of 149,940 (National Records of Scotland) largely
concentrated in and around Dumfries.
The population of Dumfries and Galloway accounts for 2.8% of the total population of
Scotland and in line with Scotland’s total population, it rose during the period 19882014.
In Dumfries and Galloway 14.6% of the population are aged 16 to 29 years, which is
lower than the Scotland average in which 18.7% are in that group. People aged 60
and over make up 31.1% of Dumfries and Galloway’s population, which is higher
than the national average of 23.2%.
On average from 2012 to 2015 there was a net inflow of 53 people migrating into
Dumfries and Galloway each year.
Gaelic in Dumfries and Galloway
The history of Gaelic in Dumfries and Galloway dates from circa the 9 th century.
Dumfries and Galloway lay in territory where people spoke a Celtic language thought
to be similar to that which has survived in Wales today.
Celtic languages are described as belonging to one of two groups known as “P” or
“Q”. The “P” group includes Pictish, Welsh, Cornish and Breton, and the “Q” group
Gaelic, Irish and Manx. The languages in each group are related but were sufficiently
different even in the 6th century for an interpreter to be required when St Columba
met the Pictish King Bruide.
Evidence of the Gaelic in the region comprises places names evidence from
everywhere west of the River Annan and a disputed song said to have been written
in this area and which mentions Dalry, Carsephairn and Lochinvar. The name
Galloway refers to the area’s mixed population of Gaelic-speaking and Norse
peoples.
Gaelic may have survived as a spoken language in Dumfries and Galloway into the
17th century but was gradually superseded by Scots, particularly in the east of the
region. We can see from the survival of many more Gaelic place-names that most of
these were coined in more recent centuries. Indeed, there are a great many Gaelic
topographical elements in the West of the council area especially baile (Balmaghie,
Balmclellan) and achadh (Auchencairn, Auchenmalg).
Gaelic suffered a progressive decline in Dumfries and Galloway, in common with
most of the lowland counties of Scotland. However, if we look ahead to the future,
research for across Scotland (O’Hanlon/Paterson, 2014) clearly shows that there is
wide scale support for having stable or increasing numbers of Gaelic speakers in the
years to come:
Preference for number of Gaelic speakers in 50 years time
10%
9%
42%
39%
More than now
About the same
Fewer than now
No preference
Figure 1: Attitudes to Gaelic in Scotland, O’Hanlon, F and Paterson, L, Soillse Research Digest 4, 2014
The following links provide evidence of Gaelic topographical elements in the places
names of Dumfries and Galloway:
http://www.gaelicplacenames.org/index.php
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/gd/visitandlearn/40900.aspx
In more recent times, the 2011 Census identified that in the Dumfries and Galloway
Council area there were:
% of Gaelic speakers in 2001
% of Gaelic speakers in 2011
0.9% (740 people)
0.7% (968 people)
The following graphs show the geographic distribution of Gaelic speakers across the
council area by electoral ward and by gender/age in the Council area as a whole:
Council Wards
120
100
80
60
40
Council
Wards
20
0
Figure 2: Gaelic speakers in Dumfries and Galloway by Council Ward (Source: NRS)
80 and over
70 to 79
60 to 69
50 to 59
40 to 49
Female
30 to 39
Male
20 to 29
16 to 19
10 to 15
3 to 9
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Figure 3: Gaelic speakers in Dumfries and Galloway (2011) by age/gender (Source: NRS)
There is a thriving and vibrant range of Gaelic cultural and linguistic activities across
the region. A large number of Gaelic classes are delivered by voluntary groups
across the council area, larger than in other rural lowland areas of Scotland. Since
2011, learners in Dumfries and Galloway have progressed to fluency and one has
even gone to the Gaelic College on Skye, while another now writes poetry in the
language. Gaelic tutors from Glasgow University also visit the area.

Fèis Ros: They held their first annual children’s Fèis on 24th October 2015 in
Dumfries. 34 people took part.



Wigtown Book Festival: An annual Gaelic poetry prize is award as part of the
festival, which also includes a range of Gaelic activities, linking up with the
great Gaelic storytelling tradition.
Bìodain: This Gaelic playgroup meets every Friday morning during term time
in the Free Church Hall, Dumfries. This group has been recognised both
nationally and locally.
Gaelic Dumgal: This volunteer group run Gaelic classes for adults and Gaelic
Days across our Council area. Gaelic Dumgal has been very active and has
done a great deal to for Gaelic over the last few years.
The above stakeholder groups have been consulted during the consultation process.
The Council
Dumfries and Galloway Council is one of 32 unitary local authorities in Scotland
which came into being on 1 April 1996 following reorganisation of local government.
It is responsible for a range of services including education, social work,
environmental health, leisure & culture, planning and building control, housing, waste
management, maintenance of public roads (other than trunk roads), and emergency
planning. The council employs just under 8,000 staff and its total budget for 2015/16
is £352,161,000.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is run by 47 councillors who are elected every five
years by the residents they represent. The council area is made up of 13 wards with
either three or four Councillors in each ward. The following link gives a picture of the
current political set up in the Council area:
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1230
Priorities
Our Council's priorities are:




Build the local economy
Provide the best start in life for all our children
Protect our most vulnerable people
Be an inclusive council
Commitments
Build the local economy
The number one Priority of our Council is to build the local economy. We are
committed to ensuring that Dumfries and Galloway emerges from the economic
downturn in a stronger position by focusing on tackling the underlying weaknesses in
our local economy- low pay, underemployment, above average levels of youth
unemployment and the low level of qualifications. We want to create a 'can do'
approach within our Council that ensures our services are focused on growing our
economy and building the capacity of individuals and communities to support the
economy. Through the refreshed Economic Strategy and new Employability and
Skills policy we will:




Improve the level of skills within our communities and workforce
Support our small and medium sized businesses to be established and grow
Invest in our key infrastructure
Provide an attractive location to do business
Develop a diverse economy that creates sustainable, high wage job
opportunities
Provide the best start in life for all our children
We're committed to giving all local children and young people an equal chance to
fulfil their potential. We'll provide strong early years support, affordable childcare and
the best schools to ensure every child- especially those who need a helping handhas the opportunity to succeed and achieve their potential. We will keep our children
and young people safe, and listen to them and their families to make sure they get
the right help at the right time.




Ensure early intervention, in particular to keep our region's most vulnerable
children safe
Invest in creating schools fit for the 21st century which are at the heart of our
communities
Raise ambition and attainment, in particular to address inequalities
Support children to be healthy and active
Protect our most vulnerable people
We want our most vulnerable residents - many who live in poverty or suffer poor
health - to have the support and resources they need to live healthy and independent
lives.




Tackle the causes and effects of inequality and poverty
Help older or vulnerable people live healthy and independent lives
Ensure our older or vulnerable people receive the care and support they need
Keep our communities safe
Be an inclusive council
We are passionate about the importance of working with local people, our
communities, our businesses, our staff and other organisations in our region. There
is no monopoly of good ideas and we all have a shared interest in making the most
of the talents, vision and commitment of the people who live and work in Dumfries
and Galloway.

Ensure that local people and communities are at the heart of our decision
making


Empower our communities to make the most of their assets
Increase equality of opportunity
CHAPTER 2 - CORE COMMITMENTS
In its statutory Guidance on the Development of Gaelic Language Plans, Bòrd na
Gàidhlig notes that creating the right environment for the use of Gaelic in public life is
one of the key components of language regeneration. The Bòrd has identified four
core areas of service delivery that it wishes public bodies to address when preparing
Gaelic Language Plans:-
Identity:
Corporate identity
Signage
Communications:
Reception
Mail and e-mail
Forms
Public meetings
Complaints procedures
Publications:
Public relations and media
Printed material
Websites
Exhibitions
Staffing:
Training
Recruitment
Advertising
Our contribution to the Scottish Government National Outcomes and Priorities
The Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) Guidance details six National Priorities:
• Economic recovery and growth
• Employment
• Early years
• Safer and stronger communities and reducing offending
• Health inequalities and physical activity
• Outcomes for older people
The six Dumfries and Galloway SOA Priorities incorporate all of these and embrace
the specific aspects of each one throughout our SOA document. Our environment
and sustainability have been identified as key local issues and therefore also have a
high profile in our SOA.
Scottish Government National Performance Framework
The Actions contained within the six Dumfries and Galloway SOA Priorities
contribute to the Scottish Government’s 16 National Outcomes.
http://dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=216&p=0 table1 shows how our SOA
Priorities contribute to the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes.
Section 1 - Identity
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises the importance of extending the visibility of Gaelic and increasing its status.
Rationale:
The presence of Gaelic in the corporate identity and signs of a public authority greatly enhances the visibility of the language,
increases its status and makes an important statement about how Gaelic is valued and how it is given recognition. Developing the
use of Gaelic through signage can also enrich the vocabulary of Gaelic users, raise public awareness of the language and
contribute to its development.

Increase knowledge about Gaelic among staff and the general public.

Increase the profile of Gaelic.

Increase equal respect for Gaelic.
Development
Function
Corporate
Identity
Actions
Performance Indicators
Lead
Timescale
We will include a bilingual
strapline on the council’s
website.
Strapline added
Communications Unit
2017
Signage
(Internal and
external)
We will develop a bilingual
glossary for terms related to
our work.
Glossary available on intranet.
CYPLL: Children, Young Ongoing
People and Lifelong
Learning
.
When street name plates are
being renewed or replaced
consideration may be given to
using bilingual signs where
there is an appropriate Gaelic
derivation of the name and
where there is clear demand
from the local community.
Signs erected
DG First
ongoing
Section 2 – Communications
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises the importance of creating opportunities for the practical use of Gaelic in a
wide range of everyday situations and is committed to increasing its level of provision in this area.
Rationale:
The use of Gaelic at the initial point of contact that members of the public have with a public authority increases the visible and
audible presence of the language, and contributes to the sense that the use of Gaelic is possible and welcome. In addition to
raising the profile of the language, it also creates opportunities for its practical use and encourages members of the public to use
Gaelic in subsequent dealings with the public authority. The use of Gaelic in interactions with the authority by mail, e-mail is
important in creating practical opportunities for the use of the language, and in contributing to the sense that its use is possible and
welcome.
The presence of Gaelic in a wide range of bilingual forms and Gaelic only forms can also greatly enhance the visibility and prestige
of the language. The preparation of Gaelic versions of forms, applications and similar documents, can also assist in expanding the
range of Gaelic terminology and the awareness of the Gaelic-speaking public of such terminology, thus helping the development of
the language itself.

Increase knowledge about Gaelic among staff and the general public.

Increase the profile of Gaelic.

Increase equal respect for Gaelic.
Development
Function
Reception
Actions
Performance Indicators
Lead
Timescale
Reception staff will be offered
some Gaelic language training
delivered by staff or partner
groups.
Number of reception staff who
attend reception training course
Corporate
Development Unit
2020
Mail and
e-mail
We will add an opening sentence
in Gaelic to correspondence
received in Gaelic.
Communications Unit
2021
Forms are accepted.
All Directorates
2019
Interpretation available where
Gaelic is the main subject of the
meeting
All Directorates
2018
All Gaelic correspondence has
Gaelic opening sentence.
All Directorates
2018
Standard opening provided
CYPLL
Sentences are added
.
Forms
Public
Meetings
Complaints
Procedures
We will accept forms completed in
Gaelic, unless there are reasons
why this not possible, and clearly
stipulate why this will be e.g. legal
reasons.
Where Gaelic is the main subject
of a meeting Gaelic interpretation
will be made available where
reasonable.
We will use a Gaelic greeting
where Gaelic is the main subject of
a public meeting.
We will respond with an opening to
a complaint in Gaelic if it is
received in Gaelic.
Section 3 – Publications
Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to increasing the use of Gaelic in these areas where the subject matter is of
most interest to the general public or relates specifically to Gaelic issues.
Rationale:
The use of Gaelic in a range of printed material can assist Gaelic development in a variety of ways. It helps increase the visibility of
the language, it enhances Gaelic’s status by being used in high profile publications, and it can help develop new and enhance
existing terminology. The use of Gaelic in the media helps demonstrate a public authority’s commitment to making important
information available through the medium of Gaelic, as well as enhancing the visibility and status of the language. As more people
access information about public authorities through their websites, making provision for the use of Gaelic can significantly enhance
the status and visibility of the language.

Increase knowledge about Gaelic among staff and the general public.

Increase the profile of Gaelic.

Increase equal respect for Gaelic.
Development
Actions
Function
Public Relations We will publicise council news
and Media
and other information relating
to Gaelic, particularly in
relation to education and
culture.
Printed Material We will review the position
regarding the demand for
Gaelic translations towards the
end of this plan.
Websites
We will develop Gaelic content
on our websites.
Exhibitions
We will include a clear link to
Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s website.
We will provide information in
Gaelic where it is relevant to
the exhibition.
We will include a Gaelic
element in marketing and
promotional materials featuring
Gaelic tradition, history or
culture, where it is relevant to
the exhibition.
.
Section 4 – Staffing
Performance Indicators
Lead
Timescale
Number of press releases
events/language provision
CYPLL /Communities
2016
Review undertaken
Communications Unit
2120
Develop a web page and links
Communications Unit
/CYPLL
2016
Communications Unit /
CYPLL
2016
Annual article in Broadcast
Number of hits on the page
Develop projects as appropriate
. Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises the importance of enabling staff to develop their Gaelic skills if they wish to
do so.
Rationale:
In order to introduce an element of Gaelic within our services, it is necessary to develop the requisite job skills and language skills
of staff. The provision of language learning for staff helps promote adult Gaelic learning. .

Increase knowledge about Gaelic among staff and the general public.

Increase the profile of Gaelic.

Increase equal respect for Gaelic.
Development
Function
Actions
Performance Indicators
Lead
Timescale
Training
We will use a range of methods to
communicate our Gaelic Language
Plan to employees.
Increase the awareness of our
Gaelic Language Plan on the
web.
CYPLL
2016
Completed as appropriate
HR
2018
Completed as appropriate
HR
2017
We will conduct an initial on line
Survey issued and analysed
employee survey to identify
employees who speak, read and/or Results feed into action plan
write Gaelic.
Recruitment
Advertising
We will signpost Gaelic language
skills training to staff based on the
findings of the staff Gaelic
language skills audit, via
community groups.
Interim survey midway in plan
We will introduce a page on the
staff intranet with the most
commonly used phrases and
words in Gaelic.
We will develop guidance for
recruitment to any positions where
Gaelic would be a requirement.
We will advertise bilingually for
positions where Gaelic would be a
requirement.
Increased % numbers of
employees speaking Gaelic year
on year.
CHAPTER 3 – POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR GAELIC: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
NATIONAL PLAN FOR GAELIC
Policy implications for Gaelic
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that the various priority areas identified
in the National Plan for Gaelic will be primarily implemented through our Gaelic
Language Plan but that opportunities will arise to promote and develop the language
through existing policy measures. Dumfries and Galloway Council will examine
current policy commitments to identify areas where Gaelic can be incorporated and
the priorities of the National Plan for Gaelic initiated through additional methods.
In the formation, renewal and monitoring of policies, Dumfries and Galloway
Council will ensure that the impacts on Gaelic will be in line with the National Plan
for Gaelic.
Overview of the National Plan for Gaelic
The National Plan for Gaelic identifies four interlinking aspects of language
development which need to be addressed, and within them sets out a number of
priority action areas:
1.
Language Acquisition
Increasing the number of Gaelic speakers by ensuring the language is transferred
within families and by securing effective opportunities for learning Gaelic, through:



2.
increasing the use and transmission of Gaelic in the home
increasing the number of children acquiring Gaelic in the school
increasing the number of adult Gaelic learners progressing to fluency
Language Usage
Encouraging greater use of Gaelic, providing opportunities to use the language, and
promoting access to Gaelic forms of expression, through:





3.
increasing the use of Gaelic in communities
increasing the use of Gaelic in tertiary education and places of work
increasing the presence of Gaelic in the media
increasing the promotion of Gaelic in the arts
increasing the profile of Gaelic in the tourism, heritage and recreation sectors
Language Status
Increasing the visibility and audibility of Gaelic, enhancing its recognition and
creating a positive image for Gaelic in Scottish public life, through:


increasing the number of bodies preparing Gaelic Language Plans
increasing the profile and prestige of Gaelic
22

4.
increasing the visibility and recognition of Gaelic
Language Corpus
Strengthening the relevance and consistency of Gaelic and promoting research into
the language, through:



increasing the relevance and consistency of the Gaelic language
increasing the quality and accessibility of Gaelic translations
increasing the availability of accurate research information
Commitment to the Objectives of the National Plan for Gaelic
Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to ensuring that the National Plan is
implemented, and in this section we set out how we will achieve that aim.
1. Language Acquisition
Rationale:
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that a sustainable future for Gaelic
requires more people to learn the language and that attention requires to be focused
on the home, education and adult learning as the key means of achieving this.
Research identifies inter-generational transmission as fundamental to the survival
and growth of a language. The National Plans and the 2010 Action Plan recognise
this and identify inter-generational transmission as an important element in
increasing the number of fluent speakers. Research by Edinburgh Council indicates
that inter-generational transmission is particularly low in families where only one
parent has fluency in Gaelic. More recent research from Glasgow reports that 80% of
their Gaelic School pupils do not have Gaelic as the home language of their family
and that Gaelic speakers mostly speak English at home. These findings could have
important policy implications for targeting information, support and resources.
We will take the following steps to help create a supportive environment for growing
the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland:



Gaelic in the Home – We will signpost to Comann nam Pàrant and other
national organisations. We will also help to support Bòrd na Gàidhlig in
delivering its activities to increase the use of Gaelic in the home.
Gaelic in Education – As far as is reasonably practical, we will facilitate and
encourage existing Gaelic learning projects in our schools, being run by
current staff in both primary and secondary schools. This is in line with section
13 (2) of the Education (Scotland) Bill 2015. We will make cognisance of the
aforementioned Bill, as well as the statutory guidance currently been
developed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig with regard to it. We will also consider the role
of Gaelic in the 1 + 2 Approach.
Gaelic in Adult Learning – We will raise awareness of learning opportunities
for Gaelic learners beyond school. We will also support groups currently
delivering Gaelic learning for adults across our Council area. We will promote
23
the availability of Gaelic language training available through our innovative
Interdisciplinary Learning Packages, as part of the 1 + 2 Language Initiative.
These will be available on FLO. We will advertise any Gaelic learning
opportunities on the council’s intranet and in the Engage newsletter for
Schools. This will be carried out by CYPLL / Corporate Training Unit. We will
facilitate cover for a current member of staff to complete the STREAP
programme in session 2015-2016.
2. Language Usage
Rationale:
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that creating a sustainable future for
Gaelic requires not only increasing the number of people able to speak the
language, but increasing actual usage. We recognise the importance of enabling
more people to use Gaelic as their preferred and normal mode of communication in
an increasingly wide range of daily activities.



Gaelic in Communities: Gaelic in communities is of crucial importance to
promote the increased use of and confidence in Gaelic. The community is
vital for the implementation of the Gaelic Act’s key principle of equal respect
for Gaelic and English. - We will try to provide further opportunities for Gaelic
speakers to use the language across the Council area.
Gaelic in the Workplace: Gaelic in the workplace is key to extending the
everyday usage of Gaelic by reinforcing individuals’ language skills, and
enhancing the perceived status of the language through daily working life. We will try to encourage Gaelic speakers to use the language in the
workplace, where appropriate.
Gaelic in the Arts, Media Tourism, Heritage and Tourism: Gaelic’s presence in
the areas of the arts, media, heritage and tourism is vital in order to promote
access to Gaelic forms of expression; increase knowledge of Gaelic heritage;
increase the usage of Gaelic in the media, and promote Gaelic in promotional
material to visitors. The increased usage of Gaelic in these areas raises the
profile of Gaelic and has potential benefits for increased tourism. - We will
highlight ongoing work relating to Gaelic activities and successes throughout
Dumfries and Galloway.
3. Language Status
Rationale:
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises that the status of a language is affected
by its presence in the daily environment and the extent to which it is used, valued
and perceived to be valued by those institutions which play an important role in our
daily lives.

Preparation of Gaelic Language Plan - We have developed our Gaelic
Language Plan using a dedicated officer who has received extensive training
on Gaelic issues. This draft plan was distributed for wider consultation in early
2016. After the period of consultation was completed, a final draft plan was
24


submitted to the Council for approval, prior to being submitted to Bòrd na
Gàidhlig for final approval.
Creating a Positive Image for Gaelic - Through our Gaelic Language Plan, we
aspire to create a positive image of Gaelic throughout Dumfries and Galloway
and promote awareness of the part Gaelic plays in Scotland today.
Increase Visibility of Gaelic - We will increase the visibility of the language by
creating a Gaelic presence on the website.
4. Language Corpus
Rationale:
Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises the need to strengthen the relevance and
consistency of Gaelic, the importance of facilitating appropriate translations and
promoting research into the language.


.
Gaelic in Surveys and Research - We will carry out an internal Gaelic
language audit as outlined in Section 4 of this plan and we will engage with
Ainmean-àite na h-Alba to develop a list of place names in Gaelic for our
Council area, for use by DGFirst .
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CHAPTER 4 – IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
Timetable
This Gaelic Language Plan will formally remain in force for a period of 5 years from
this date or until a new plan has been put in place. In Chapter 2 – Core
Commitments and Chapter 3 – Policy Implications for Gaelic, we have set out the
individual target dates for when we expect to implement specific commitments.
Publicising the Plan
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Language Plan will be published bilingually
on Dumfries and Galloway Council’s website. In addition, we shall:

Issue a press release announcing the plan;

Make copies of the plan available in our public offices and reception areas,

Make the plan known to employees via Dumfries and Galloway Council’s
Intranet;

Distribute copies of the Plan to Gaelic organisations;

Make copies available on request.
Administrative Arrangements for Implementing the Gaelic Language Plan
This plan is the policy of Dumfries and Galloway Council and has been endorsed
both by our senior management team and Council members.
Overall Responsibility:
The Chief Executive will be responsible ultimately for ensuring that Dumfries and
Galloway Council delivers on the commitments set out in this Plan over the five-year
period of 2016-2021.
Informing other organisations of the Plan
Dumfries and Galloway Council will inform other relevant partner organisations and
third parties of the existence of the Plan and seek their cooperation to operate in the
spirit of the activities outlined in this plan. We will distribute copies of the Plan to
Gaelic organisations and other interested bodies, such as other local authorities. We
will also make copies available on request.
Resourcing the Plan
Dumfries and Galloway Council will meet the resource requirements for the Plan
from existing budgets and will apply for assistance from external bodies as
necessary. Potential resource areas for the implementation of plan activities are
identified below:
26

Agencies such as Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland/
Event, Scotland, Historic Scotland
Monitoring the Implementation of the Plan
An implementation report in relation to the Gaelic Language Plan will be prepared
and submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig by a responsible council officer. This report will
give Bòrd na Gàidhlig the opportunity to scrutinise progress in terms of the Plan, and
report back to the council. The Council will monitor the implementation of the plan
through the Covalent system.
CONTACT DETAILS
The senior officer with operational responsibility for overseeing preparation, delivery
and monitoring of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Language Plan is:
Elizabeth Baxter
Acting Head of Curriculum and School Improvement
Education Services
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Woodbank
Edinburgh Road
Dumfries, DG1 1NW
t: 01387 260400
e: [email protected]
S:\Learning & Teaching\Curriculum For Excellence\Gaelic Plan
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Appendix I
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY STAFF GAELIC LANGUAGE SURVEY
Responses: 1,457
Our Gaelic language survey was carried out over a period of six weeks in early 2016.
There were a total of 1,457 responses from a workforce of just under 8,000 people.
Apart from the straight yes/no questions, there was also a box where respondents
could give further information about the extent of their knowledge of the Gaelic
language. From these comments we discovered that there was a wide range of
knowledge of the language from complete beginners to those who had reached quite
an advanced level of knowledge of the language. There was also a small group who
had Irish Gaelic and who were interested in Scottish Gaelic.
1. Can you understand Gaelic?
Yes:
No:
38
1419
2.6%
97.4%
1. Can you understand Gaelic?
Yes
No
28
2. Can you speak Gaelic?
Yes:
No:
33
1420
2.3%
97.7%
2. Can you speak Gaelic?
Yes
No
3. Can you read or write Gaelic?
Yes:
No:
21
1423
1.5%
98.5%
3. Can you read or write Gaelic?
Yes
No
29
4. Are you interested in learning Gaelic?
Yes:
No:
501
974
34.6%
65.4%
4. Are you interested in learning Gaelic?
Yes
No
5. If you have Gaelic, how often do you use it in Dumfries and Galloway?
Every Day:
Sometimes:
Now and again:
Never:
3
13
29
738
0.4%
1.7%
3.7%
94.3%
5. If you have Gaelic, how often do you use it in Dumfries and Galloway?
Every day
Sometimes
Now and again
Never
30