Meet the saviours of Gaelic - they are German

I was rather embarrassed interviewing Michael Klavenhaus, the chap in the front of this picture. I speak about six words of Gaelic. He is fluent and teaches the language to 60 students a year in his native Bonn. Michael has also just published the first German-Gaelic textbook and runs the world's only film festival dedicated to Scottish Gaelic movies

Michael, who has a masters from Sabhal Mor Ostaig, is one of many nationalities including Japanese, Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, Austrians and Swiss who attended the Ceolas summer school last week. But why are they so keen when many urban Scots are disdainful? Is it the dreaded cringe again? Read more about foreigners embracing Gaelic in my feature A Sort of Homecoming in The Scotsman. 

Comments

[Iain Ross]

"Dreaded cringe"

I am afraid not it is far more hostile than that. There is an undercurrent in Scottish society that Gaelic equals bad. Just take a look at the letters page in any newspaper when the topic of Gaelic education or road signs come up.

Having said that it is not actually a surprise is it? Gaelic has been the target of state attack for many centuries.

Will the language survive? It is in a fragile state that is for sure. All I know is that my children shall grow up with and be educated in the language. I want them to have the opportunity I was denied and from a pragmatic point of view it is my belief that bilingual children are better prepared to succeed in the modern world.

Iain Mac Ghille Aindrais