Gaelic and Scots now recognized

By Liz Smith

On St. Andrew’s Day just two short months ago, Scotland marked a historic milestone: Scots and Gaelic are now officially recognized as national languages under the new Scottish Languages Act.

The Act gives ministers powers to commission research into the use of both languages, establish teaching standards, and expand opportunities for learning. It also empowers parents to request the creation of Gaelic-medium schools in their communities, while ensuring that more qualified Gaelic teachers are available.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, hailed the legislation as a “historic milestone”, underscoring its importance for cultural identity and linguistic diversity.

Recent census data highlights the growing interest in Scotland’s heritage languages:

• Gaelic: 130,161 people reported some Gaelic skills in 2022, up by 43,105 since 2011.

• Scots: 2,444,659 people reported some Scots skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 since 2011.

The Act is expected to strengthen Scotland’s linguistic landscape, ensuring that both Gaelic and Scots are not only preserved but actively promoted for future generations.

Read more about these historic languages: Gaelic and Scots