I don't speak Gaelic, I can recite one phrase (only because phonetically it sounds like "bacon, crack, colliery") but I'm not sure exactly what it means - and for obvious (and perhaps rather childish) reasons I will always remember the title of the BBC Gaelic TV show 'Cuntas'.  It is true to say though, that for a non Gaelic speaking lowlander, I have been exposed more than most to the mysterious world of the Gael.  There is no question that the Gaelic world can tend towards a slightly insular mentality, but this should come as no surprise when you consider how many people (out-with the highlands) actually speak the language.

I was sad to learn recently, that those who spoke Gaelic exclusively are now all dead.  Such a historic milestone certainly gives credence to the accusation that Gaelic is a "dying language".  Worryingly, there seems an almost bloodthirsty tendency in some quarters to help it on its way - the linguistic equivalent of kicking a man while he's down.  Certainly, the Gaelic community receives massive amounts of funding, where plenty of equally deserving causes do not - the Gaels themselves would admit this (though only after a glass of wine or two) - BUT, that is the fault of other dialects and traditions for failing to "brand" themselves as successfully as Gaelic.

So, why should Edinburgh have bilingual signs?  The Evening News is correct in pointing out that just a tiny minority of the city's population speaks Gaelic, but that is not the point.  Whilst Edinburgh's road signs are for giving directions, it is also true that the majority of people who read them are visitors to the city - and as the capital of Scotland, we are ambassadors for the nation and it's heritage.  I fear that those who oppose the SNP Government are misguidedly channeling their opposition to the party against all that which is traditionally Scottish.  It seems disgusting that a significant proportion of those who oppose independence should try to discredit our native tongue in what amounts to little more than party politics.

I would wager that there will be a few raised eyebrows among Gaelic speakers as they read this article, which might seem illogical, given that it is essentially a defense of the language.  Despite this, my opinions will curry little favor with the Gaels, as I don't speak Gaelic.  Such a reaction though, is symptomatic of a siege mentality brought about (mainly in the central belt) by outside ignorance towards the language.  Growing up in the Scottish Borders for example, I was never taught so much as a word of Gaelic at school, never mind the history and traditions associated with it.

This is the biggest problem I think, funding for Gaelic tends to get funneled into existing Gaelic communities, it should be spread much wider; until traditionally non Gaelic communities have an increased awareness of the language, it's continuing decline is sadly inevitable.  The situation is not irreversible, but we are running out of time.  The money is there, but the Gaels must look beyond the borders of their own communities.  Things like Gaelic signs in Edinburgh might seem a bit silly to some, but strangely, they could be one of the most important contributions to the Gaelic cause in a long time.

Ultimately, the narrative offered by the Edinburgh Evening News is unhelpful and poorly informed.  The fact that the language is in decline is something that we ought to be collectively ashamed of, and smug derision over the need to preserve our native tongue is a disgraceful reflection of the flippancy with which we seem willing to discard those things which are so central to our national identity.

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