Culture Counts Evidence in Response to Consultation on the Scottish Languages Bill
Comments from Culture Counts on the Scottish Languages Bill
The future of Gaelic as a living community language and as a bearer of a culture unique to Scotland is at a critical point. We are supportive of the proposals set out in Scottish Languages Bill as many of our members and those across the culture sector value Scotland’s languages as a fundamental part of Scotland’s culture with positive impacts for local communities. Committing to a Scottish Languages Bill could serve as the legislative vehicle that will enable progress to be made on the Scottish Government’s commitments to promoting and protecting Scotland’s languages.
We support many of the recommendations that were set out in the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic Report which reported on the economic and social opportunities, benefits and values of Gaelic.
This recommended:
that Gaelic should be considered as an asset
the need for a Gaelic Language Plan to be ambitious in order to make a difference and ensure delivery.
the requirement to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan places a statutory duty on public bodies to support the Gaelic language and
that the work of many organisations involved in supporting Gaelic provides, in part, the inclusion and diversity public bodies seek
that public sector Gaelic Language Plans have an unrealised potential to support Gaelic communities
that the network of properly resourced Gaelic Officers should be maintained over a sustained period to act as stimulators of a range of Gaelic social initiatives within Key Gaelic Communities as well as other areas. And that there should be learning opportunities attached to the roles.
We would agree with other respondents within the analysis of consultation responses:
"For a community to thrive, cultural initiatives like supporting traditional/folk music, promoting local Gaelic artists, and developing cultural centres and language festivals should be promoted within a Gàidhealtachd."
We would argue that having a healthy cultural ecosystem is a vital part to enable our languages to flourish.
We would also note that the focus within the Bill is on education which we agree is vital, but that other cultural and social arguments should also be further considered. For example, our members report that Scotland’s approaches to indigenous language and cultural development is a common topic of interest from our international partners.
In addition, whilst accepting there will always be challenges around delivery, as with other strategies, ambition has to be supported with adequate resourcing and investment, with the potential for investment in Gaelic to come from beyond dedicated budgets and accessed through cross-portfolio budgets.
We would also be supportive of identified means of evaluating success and regular reviews.
We also note that support of Gaelic and Scots was a commitment made in the SNP manifesto prior to the 2021 Scottish parliamentary elections and the latest Programme for Government committed to “introduce measures to provide further protection for Gaelic within communities”.
Investment in Gaelic
We have been disappointed to see the recent announcement that the additional funding to Bord na Gaidhlig’s which has been used to support the network of Gaelic community development officers, is being removed. Whilst we understand the significant pressures that budgets are under this cut will have a direct, long term and potentially irreversible impact on the protection, preservation and celebration of Gaelic as fundamental to Scotland’s culture and is likely to see economic impacts too. This decision, at this time, puts into question the value that is being placed on Scotland’s languages and Gaelic in particular, the understanding of its benefits and the commitment of the Scottish Government to developing the Scottish Languages Bill at this time.
A Human Rights Bill for Scotland
We would finally note the recent consultation on the Human Rights Bill for Scotland invited views on a right to cultural life and Culture Counts proved a response in support of preserving and promoting Scotland’s languages as a vital part of our human right to cultural life.
In Culture Counts’ view, having a right to cultural life should include that: Individuals and communities have the fundamental human right to engage in, preserve, and enjoy their cultural practices, traditions and heritage. A right to cultural life should encompass the freedom to participate in cultural activities including but not limited to music, art, dance, language, and religious practices and the freedom to engage in cultural expressions that are meaningful to them, express cultural identity, and access cultural services, spaces and resources without discrimination. This right is important as it recognises the central role that culture plays in the lives of Scottish people and society and underscores the importance of preserving and promoting cultural assets, identities and diversity.
Incorporating cultural rights into a human rights bill is a way to recognise and protect the fundamental rights of individuals and communities to freely practice and celebrate their cultures. It promotes the idea that cultural diversity is a valuable asset that should be cherished and safeguarded for the benefit of all members of society. It can also contribute to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity and individual and collective well-being.
Cultural rights preserve cultural diversity and protect the unique customs, traditions, languages, and practices of various cultural groups within society.
Cultural rights are particularly important for indigenous peoples and historically marginalised communities. These groups often have distinct relationships with their lands, languages, and traditions. Protecting their cultural rights acknowledges historical injustices and supports their right to self-determination.
There is potential for the homogenisation of cultures, erasing traditions and languages. Which we may have already seen with Gaelic – Rhoda Meek article: https://www.thenational.scot/politics/23809267.saving-soul-gaelic-will-harder-savinglanguage/
Lori Anderson, Director
Culture Counts