The University of the Highlands and Islands has launched a new consultation to gather views on its fourth Gaelic Language Plan.

The consultation sets out the university’s proposals to continue to enhance the status of Gaelic and reiterates a commitment to strengthen the position of Gaelic across the partnership in line with the aspirations and objectives included in the National Gaelic Language Plan and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

The public will have six weeks until the consultation closes on 24 December to share their views on the proposed plan.

The university was the first higher education institution in Scotland to develop a Gaelic Language Plan in 2010 and is keen to build on the achievements of previous plans by increasing engagement with communities to invite feedback.

Professor Todd Walker, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, said:

“Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life. As the only university based in the Highlands and Islands, we are committed to enhancing the status of Gaelic and promote its use through the learning opportunities we provide.

“I am proud of our achievements to date, which have seen us increase the visibility and audibility of Gaelic in our services to students, staff and the public, while making opportunities for Gaelic medium and Gaelic language learning more widely available. Our hope is that this new plan will build on these achievements and demonstrate the university’s continuing commitment to the development and enhancement of Gaelic.

“Consultation is an important part of the process, so I would encourage anyone with an interest in the plan to share their views.”

The draft plan can be viewed at www.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-uhi/facts-and-figures/publications/draft-gaelic-plan

Feedback is welcomed until Friday 24 December 2021

Tha Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean a’ cur air bhog co-chomhairleachadh ùr gus beachdan fhaotainn mun cheathramh Plana Gàidhlig aca..

Tha am plana seo a’ mìneachadh molaidhean an oilthighe gu leantainn air adhart a’ togail inbhe na Gàidhlig agus ag ath-aithris ar dealais a thaobh suidheachadh na Gàidhlig tarsainn a’ chom-pàirteachais a neartachadh ann an co-rèir ri rùintean agus cinn-uidhe a tha air an gabhail a-steach ann am Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig agus ann an Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005.

Bidh sia seachdainean aig a’ phoball gus an dùin an co-chomhairleachadh air 24 Dùbhlachd, airson am beachdan a roinn air a’ phlana a tha molta.

B’ e an t-oilthigh a’ chiad ionad foghlaim àrd-ìre ann an Alba a leasaich Plana Gàidhlig ann an 2010, agus measail air togail air coileanaidhean nam planaichean roimhe le bhith a’ meudachadh conaltradh leis na coimhearsnachdan, agus fiosrachadh air ais iarraidh.  

Thuirt an t-Àrd-Ollamh Todd Walker, prionnsapal agus iar-sheansalair an oilthighe: “Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt riatanach de dhualchas, dearbh-aithne nàiseanta agus beatha chultarail na h-Alba. Mar an aon oilthigh stèidhichte air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan, tha sinn dealasach a thaobh inbhe na Gàidhlig a neartachadh agus a cleachdadh a bhrosnachadh tro na cothroman ionnsachaidh a tha sinn a’ tabhann.

“Tha mi moiteil às na choilean sinn gu ruige seo, a chunnaic meudachadh ann am faicsinneachd agus so-chluinntinn na Gàidhlig anns na seirbheisean againn do dh’oileanaich, luchd-obrach agus don mhòr-shluagh, agus aig an aon àm a’ cruthachadh chothroman airson foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig ann am farsaingeachd. Tha sinn an dòchas gun tog am plana ùr seo air na coileanaidhean sin agus gun seall e dealas leantainneach an oilthighe a thaobh leasachadh agus neartachadh na Gàidhlig.

“Tha co-chomhairleachadh na phàirt chudromach den phròiseas, agus mar sin bhithinn a’ brosnachadh duine sam bith le ùidh sa phlana na beachdan aca a thoirt seachad.”

Faodar an dreachd plana fhaicinn aig www.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-uhi/facts-and-figures/publications/draft-gaelic-plan

Cuiridh sinn fàilte air fiosrachadh air ais gu 24 Dùbhlachd 2021.