Language and culture as a societal asset

: Strategic alignment of language policy to a sustainable socio-economic market for gaelic

Abstract

Assuming that languages, in particular threatened or minority languages, require
supportive socio-economic markets in order to thrive (Grin, 2003a), this thesis
explores language and culture as societal assets, specifically for the extant
Gàidhealtachd Gaelic-speaker group. The core of this doctoral work lies in
understanding how these assets may be strategically aligned with national language
policy to create the beneficial socio-economic market conditions required to develop
a more secure, sustainable future for Gaelic, given its currently imperilled situation
(Ó Giollagáin et al., 2020).
The study objectives included defining the extent of the active speaker group,
particularly in the Gàidhealtachd; characterising Gaelic’s socioeconomy, and how its
participants understand its scope and dimensions; and identification of language
policy spheres viewed as successful in relation to sustaining Gaelic as a societal
practice or supporting linguistic and economic attainment.
This thesis breaks new ground by outlining an au courant depiction of the Gaelic elite
cohort’s private observations and thought processes regarding Gaelic’s socioeconomic
condition. These opinions highlight contradictions with the public
pronouncements of the leadership cluster which constructs and dispenses national
language policy. Concurrently, the priorities, successes and weaknesses of such
policy as perceived by participants in Gaelic’s purported socioeconomy are
assessed, meaning themes pivotal to the language’s future emerge. These matters
are further scrutinised in relation to contemporary debates on Gaelic, which are
broadly centred on the mechanics of language policy and provision, and the
problematised ideological contestation of individual and group identity. Such
discussion is largely disengaged from the lived societal realities and concerns of the
Gàidhealtachd group.
Emergent findings depict a dysfunctional Gaelic development and leadership
system, in which sub-optimal results arise from confusion over the purpose of
revitalisation, a lack of cohesive planning, the misplaced prioritisation of sectoral interests over communal concerns, and the failure to identify solutions to pressing
problems. There has been a simultaneous apparent policy shift away from
positioning the Gàidhealtachd communities as ‘the most valuable resource we have’
for developing and sustaining a social market for Gaelic (Bòrd na Gàidhlig, 2007a:
23) to focus instead on numerical growth predicated on increasing enrolments in
Gaelic-medium education by attracting an urban population which may have little or
no prior connection to Gaelic language and culture (McLeod, 2018: 86).
While the socio-economic participants identify home and community as priority
areas, they perceive Gaelic language policy as privileging sectoral interests and
individual attainment while the Gaelic leadership continues to pursue public sector
language planning which fails to afford the Gàidhealtachd group any real agency in
addressing socio-economic challenges.
This research offers evidence-based recommendations for action which may change
how Gaelic policy-makers engage with their work, and how such recalibrated policy
could be implemented in societal situations to benefit the workforce of a putative
Gaelic socioeconomy and have a tangible impact on how the Gàidhealtachd group
faces its future challenges with confidence.
It is intended that the research outcomes will be shared with leaders in all strata of
Gaelic society in the hope that the supportive socio-economic conditions necessary
for Gaelic to survive and flourish, particularly in the Gàidhealtachd, can be attained.

Date of Award	30 May 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of the Highlands and Islands
Sponsors	ESF studentship
Supervisor	Conchúr Ó Giollagáin (Supervisor), Philomena De Lima (Supervisor) & Iain Caimbeul (Supervisor)