Gaelic development

Date: 08 September 2008
Author: k.porter
Last updated: 20/04/2004 16:58:58
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These pages outline the place of the Gaelic language and culture in the development of the Highlands and Islands and the role of the HIE Network, through its strngthening communities group and the local enterprise companies.

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A Gaelic plan for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, 2007-2012 / Plana Gàidhlig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean, 2007-2012 The Gaelic plan for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been prepared in response to the formal notice of requirement to prepare a Gaelic language plan - and with regard to the requirements as set out in Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.Cultural and arts development Much of what distinguishes the Highlands and, indeed, Scotland today, can be regarded as being based on or derived from Gaelic culture.Gaelic language development The HIE network has played a major role in the revival of Scotland's Gaelic language and culture which follows centuries of decline. Two key factors have influenced HIE's involvement. Apart from being an important aspect of the heritage of the Highlands and Islands, Gaelic-based development yields significant economic benefits.Gaelic medium education The creation of Gaelic medium pre-school playgroups, mother and toddler groups and nursery schools has emerged as a fundamental element in the chain of measures for the re-generation of Gaelic.Economic development One of the most important recent shifts in opinion is that the Gaelic language and culture is now seen as a powerful motor for economic development if harnessed in the right way. Development agencies are increasingly geared to exploit the economic opportunities which Gaelic offers.HIE's policy for Gaelic This policy has been created in recognition of the language's integral relationship with the area covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the renewed interest in the Gaelic language and culture.The Story of the Gaelic-speaking people Some 2,500 years ago, the Celts were the masters of a vast pan-European Celtic commonwealth which was eventually to stretch from Anatolia (Turkey) to Portugal and from Italy to Scotland. The importance of their place in the European cultural, linguistic and artistic development is only now being rediscovered. The old European Celtic dialects were ancestors of modern Welsh and Gaelic.Promoting the value of Gaelic development A key task of CNAG is to promote the value of Gaelic development to the Government, local authorities, business and the population at large - not least the Gaelic speaking population.A Strategy for Gaelic The bones of an integrated strategy for the development of Scots Gaelic (Gàidhlig) were set out by HIE in May 1993 in the paper "The Dynamics of Gaelic Development". These were developed to form the mission, strategy and operational plan for Scotland's Gaelic development agency Comunn na Gàidhlig (CNAG).RSAMD National Centre for Research in the Performing Arts - 25 years of the Fèisean The aim of this study is to map out the story of people who have taken part in Fèisean, and to ascertain how their participation has influenced their life, their career, and crucially, their attitude to the Gaelic language.