right folks, it's time to discuss...

i'll try and throw some purposefully controversial statements out there (not necessarily my opinions), first topic:

"Gaelic arts projects receive funding that is hugely disproportionate to their overall contribution to the arts - but also to Scottish culture as a whole."

Discuss.

Although technically I’m at work, I thought I would join in on this one and give my thoughts.

There has indeed, of relatively recent time, been a lot of money pushed into supporting the arts in Gaelic. For example, Tobar an Dulchais or Kist o Riches is a project to consolidate recordings from Scottish culture that might otherwise be lost (this is not exclusively Gaelic, but there seems to be a preponderance of the language there) and BBC Alba, the channel dedicated exclusively to broadcasting Gaelic programming or programmes in Gaelic. And it is only fair to raise the issue of why substantial sums are being spent in this manner. The issue can be looked at in practical, academic and cultural terms. Practical is perhaps the most important as this is the most common route of attack used by those who criticise in a non-constructive manner (personally, I’m a big proponent of the learning for learning sake argument which I rank far higher than practical effects for the sake of economy, etc, although that will not appear here).

Practical:

              Tourism: Performances in Gaelic draw many tourists to an area of Scotland which might not attract them otherwise. The various Fèis (festivals) which take place around the North West of Scotland are becoming bigger each year and generating more revenue.

               Job creation: Regardless of whether it is thought that this is merely jobs for jobs’ sake or whether the preservation of Gaelic culture is seen as a laudable aim, the fact remains that Gaelic culture and the arts provide a source of substantial employment. As far as I am aware, the Sabhal Mor Ostaig (Gaelic College) on Skye is the biggest employer on the island outside of the NHS.

              Historical preservation: In terms of preserving Gaelic and Gaelic culture, and again regardless of whether or not that is seen as a worthwhile goal, Gaelic arts projects help sustain the culture and language through which they perform.

              Links to other Celtic nations: Although Ireland is the most obvious example, festivals and ceilidhs throughout the Gaelic area often feature groups from places like Spain, France and Germany due to the direct link between the cultures. Equally, groups from Scotland often perform abroad in response to specific invitations resulting from Gaelic culture.

              Revenue: Although it is a small amount proportionally, playing abroad directly generates revenue likely to return to Scotland while the indirect amount generated through the publicity gained is incalculable (literally, as opposed to melodramatically) but certainly substantial.

              Skill-retention: Gaelic arts projects utilise the skill sets of the Gaelic culture, some of which are highly particular to that culture. When most people think of a ceilidh it is the dancing in kilts that comes to mind, whereas in truth a ceilidh is much more akin to a session, where a number of people will give a small performance, be it singing, dancing or playing. Storytelling is also employed within the Gaelic culture, much more so than the anglo-saxon, and the retention of skills like that is extremely valuable.

Academic:

              The nature of Gaelic culture, where music and poetry in particular are fundamentally interwoven, translates directly into artistic skills being more prevalent in the Gaelic culture. The education reflects this, and it is arguable that children brought up in the Gaelic culture areas tend to have much more potential for development of artistic skills than others in Scotland. Gaelic arts projects not only provide opportunities for training and further employment, but actively encourage this education at a grassroots level.

             As stated, Gaelic culture (alongside all other cultures) used poetry and song to capture its history, to the point where practically all artistic developments came from the recording of an event or a practical need. While songs about young men going to WWI is an obvious reference, as a less evident example, some Gaelic songs are nonsensical in terms of lyrics, but the time taken to sing them can be how long it takes to boil an egg, or similar. In academic terms, this means that Gaelic arts projects will have strong historical elements alongside the purely artistic, and that both performers and audience are learning about Gaelic culture and history when such performances are given.

Cultural:

            Pride: Although some might reject the following idea, Scotland has a very distinct culture alongside the seemingly globally dominant anglo-saxon one, and it seems to be a culture of which we as a population are very proud. While Walter Scott can (and should) be directly blamed for the ‘tartan extravaganza’ created for the visit of George IV and the adoption of Gaelic culture as Scottish culture from then on, tartan, kilts and bagpipes today routinely appear on Scottish paraphernalia (to the cost of other culture-rich areas of Scotland) and can be seen in all areas of the country. It is arguable that the Gaelic language (the last remaining bastion of Gaelic culture not taken over by the entire country) is also used to support the argument that Scotland is separate from the rest of the island, and its own nation, even by those who do not speak it; and there is yet a bit of pride on behalf of these people concerning this indigenous language when they speak to those who visit from abroad and do not know that Scotland has her own cànan (tongue). Gaelic arts performances provide examples that can be posited to support this idea (although it is quite clear and not in contention that Gaelic is not the national language of Scotland, although equally kilts, tartan and bagpipes are not the national culture of Scotland either).

Well, that’s all I can think of just now although I'm sure there are more ideas out there. It is a shame in a way that the thread is limited to consideration of Gaelic arts performances solely, as, although they are important, the main criticism tends to come in response to the funding of the Gaelic language itself, and there are more arguments to be had therein. However, having seen Ickle slammed (or politely advised to desist, whichever you prefer) on another thread for straying off topic, I’ll leave it to the moderator to decide whether or not those arguments can be stated here, or a new thread should be started.

Apologies this turned into a bit of an essay, I added things as they occurred to me. And now, I should really get some work done

Latha math aig a h-uile duine

Jon

Recently returning from New Zealand where public opinion is very divided as the the disproportionate amount of funding that the Maori culture receives, I always was of the opinion that if any minority culture, gaelic, Maori or whatever, can be strong enough to withstand the erosion of globalisation and westernisation then the disproportionate funding of this to support marginalised cultural integrity is something to be valued and welcomed.  Put simply, if a culture can be hard core enough to beat off competion from the Coca Colas of this world and retain its essence, then fair play to them!

It’s a very powerful argument to make that a language which is passing away should be left to do so naturally, as language is primarily a tool of communication. When it no longer serves that purpose, the argument can be made that it should be left alone and not maintained unnecessarily.

I don’t agree with that argument, even in the best context. I think there are a number of stronger arguments to be made which rebut the proposition. Primarily they would focus (for me, in any case) on emphasising the strength that comes with diversity, in the manner which diversity defends against the threat of complete uniformity; how boring and mundane the world would be if we all spoke the one language. I think that the situation of just one language is actually not practical, given the evolution of a language through adoption of words and ideas from other languages (English is the best example; its domination comes through the fact that it takes so much from other languages). Also, I would say that we grow as people when we are more than monoglots, and I do think it helps broaden the mind. Finally, I think that a language is inherently bound up with a culture, and to lose one risks losing the other.

However, those are arguments to be made on the face of the idea that languages should be allowed to die. Gaelic, in common with many other minority languages (the French are terrible for this, even today) was actively repressed by state machinery, to the point where Gaelic has a word for a stick that was used to beat children when they were caught speaking Gaelic in the playground. I’ve no wish to bore people with chapter and verse on the repression of Gaelic, but legally speaking, there is a clear chronology of Acts which (granted, more and more indirectly) repressed the Gaelic language. I’m happy to give them to you if required. Fortunately, the situation has reversed itself, to the point where we now have the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 that provides for its protection under the law (although the Act itself is perhaps not the most effective). This change in heart was brought about largely by what is now the European Union. That being the case, I think Gaelic, which I believe is fully capable of supporting itself, can argue that it ought to be sustained to bring it back to the position of self-sufficiency.

P.S. Was it just my imagination or did Silver not have a post, which seems to have disappeared, quoting Lewis Grassic Gibbon?

the world of gaelic speakers, gaelic learners, gaelic music etc still seems quite inward looking and insular (this from a non gaelic speaker's point of view).  i think that's where most people would take issue with funding levels. it doesn't seem (maybe i'm wrong), but it doesn't seem to be used for spreading gaelic any further than where it would have been spread anyway (if it hadn't recieved funding)

The Gaelic mafia, have many powerful, infulential and wealthy contacts and patrons; the pure determination of these Gaels has to be admirred for their often shrewed and calculated wanglings, and extraction on contracts and funds; they are a minority, but not one to be messed with it seems. Although it is a disappointment that those who lack this aggressive (not in a nasty, bribery, knife weilding sense) tactic are forgotten...it ought not to be the case of whoever bleets loudest wins when much of the funds come for public and government bodies. Sorry to hark on, but Socts/Doric has suffered the same educational oppression as Gaelic, and is in rapid decline and the only way to source funding seems to get in through the Gaelic backdoor...e.g. work to helping Gaelic and then using those sources & contacts to aid Doric.

I hesitate...Gaelic funding and projects, particularly in the media sector, are increasingly an essential part of the Highlands and Islands infrustructure, providng income to communities where all other means of income have disapated, and provides job prospects for the young ones (of the Gaelic and non-Gaelic medium) to whom, there are little opportunities in their local area, hence maintaining a native population in situ.

Nevertheless, i would argue, they are overfunded, and the sustainabilty of that funding is questionable, and for the aforementioned reasons, is unstable providing a false sense of stability and opportunity in the years to come. I'm all for funding, but this boom will bust, then what? Regular, equal funding is surely more sustainable for longer term aims and accomplishments in the media, arts, education, employment and heritage sectors.

whilst i do tend to agree with a lot of ickle's response, i'm not sure i would agree on this idea of it needing to be "sustainable".  there are certain things which need to be maintained regardless of how much cash they might drain from the public purse, and the native language of a country should receive that special protection.

regarding doric though, i agree that it shouldn't be overlooked - but you only confuse people when you try to present it as something it is not (ie, another minority language).  I don't think it should receive any less funding, or indeed less respect for being a dialect - but people will feel they're being swizzled if they're being told it's a language - especially when new words such as "wabseet" (i might have that wrong) are being created to perpetuate this confusing and unhelpful mish-mash of arguments about doric.

say what you will about the gaels, but they're consistent.

The Gaelic mafia? I’m not sure I know who those people are. I think the recent funding of Gaelic is more the result of two pieces of legislation passed by the European Union (The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages 1992 and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities). The Charter in particular requires member states to provide annual detailed reports regarding their efforts to maintain and support minority languages within their geographical jurisdictions. This has also provided boosts to other languages/dialects in Scotland, particularly Scots. I’ll happily admit that I’m less sure of the status of Doric, and whether the UK government recognised it as a minority language (although the reports are published online if you want to check).

I’m not sure I fully understand the argument (though I may be more slow than usual tonight) made by your good self, ‘ickle’. The first paragraph seems to indicate some cloak and dagger work behind the scenes by what sounds like a fairly intimidating group of Gaels (which I don’t really think ever happened, any more than the usual pleading for funding); the second notes one of the economic benefits brought by Gaelic funding; while the third then relates to reasons aforementioned to state that the projects are overfunded. The point about sustainability is certainly an important one, but I don’t think that Gaelic needs to fear too much in the near future; the economic advantages it brings to the table, alongside international pressure will, I think, ensure that it continues to receive the required money.

As for not spreading the Gaelic language, I think that is more a question of time. I think more Gaelic music and film in particular is being produced (the film Seachd stands as the most recent example) and that is slowly breaking into the mainstream. Further, things like BBC Alba (launched last year, but only available on freeview in 2010 or 2012, I forget which) should hopefully allow more access to Gaelic for those who want it.

Can I further agree with Jack that a native/indigenous language of a country deserves protection. There is an argument made that more people speak other minority languages (I think Polish is the most favoured example currently, but there are others) and these languages deserve more protection as they have more speakers; this argument can be refuted by pointing out that other languages have a native population who use them and keep them alive already.

P.S. Swizzled – good word

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8311000/8311069.stm

Food for thought on the whole issue of language and language loss