The Highland Council supports collection of Gaelic data in Scotland’s Census – Cunntas-sluaigh na h-Alba

The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to help promote a strong response to the collection of Gaelic data in the 2011 Census.

The Committee will liaise with the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to promote the importance of completing the two Gaelic language related questions in the Census. The Council will also be supporting GROS to promote awareness of the Census generally in the run up to Census Day on 27 March.

Mr Peter Scrimgeour, Director of Census, Scotland, who attended the recent committee meeting, said: “Although information on Gaelic has been collected in the Census for many years, this is the first time that people can complete the Census online in Gaelic. Translations of the Census will be provided in 11 different languages including Gaelic but apart from online submissions all written returns by post must be sent in English. We are using the Gaelic online Census as a test bed for other languages being provided online in the future.”

He added: “The Census is the only full count of the entire population and it is the only survey of Gaelic language use. Census results also help to plan and provide future public services for Gaelic users such as education, care and communication.”

Welcoming the new Gaelic online census facility, Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee said: “We need to have definitive figures on Gaelic usage, and the Census provides an opportunity for us to record these.  It is crucial for the language that the Census questions about whether we understand, speak, read, write or occasionally use Gaelic in the home Gaelic are answered. 

“The Census is not about our level of fluency or ability but is intended to build a national picture of Gaelic use.  This includes those currently learning Gaelic as well as those native speakers and fluent learners who might only use Gaelic infrequently.  Crucially, the questions are also aimed at those who may have been born and brought up with Gaelic but who, whilst not using the language often, have still got a knowledge, understanding and family heritage in Gaelic.”  

For further information about the Census, please go to www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk