http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/letters.cfm?id=507102007
The Scotsman
Mon 2 Apr 2007
Opinion - Letters
Indigenous languages
Dr Brian Campbell (Letters, 30 March) is offended that maps of the
Outer Isles show the place names in Gaelic. But it would make as much
sense to complain about maps of Germany showing place names in
German.
In Italy, not only substantial languages like Neapolitan but local
dialects like Ladin each have the support of national and local
government in maintaining websites, publishing text books and
ensuring an important place in the school curricula.
In Scotland, languages with the enormous literary, cultural and
historical importance of Gaelic and Scots are treated as if they were
of no consequence whatever; and when the government does take some
action in support of Gaelic, the response of some people is a chorus
of girns.
William Neill, a Lowlander who learned enough Gaelic to become one of
its finest poets, well characterised the Scotland in which we live as
a "dim, miserable little spiritual desert".
J DERRICK McCLURE, Rosehill Terrace, Aberdeen
©2007 Scotsman.com
The Scotsman
Mon 2 Apr 2007
Opinion - Letters
Indigenous languages
Dr Brian Campbell (Letters, 30 March) is offended that maps of the
Outer Isles show the place names in Gaelic. But it would make as much
sense to complain about maps of Germany showing place names in
German.
In Italy, not only substantial languages like Neapolitan but local
dialects like Ladin each have the support of national and local
government in maintaining websites, publishing text books and
ensuring an important place in the school curricula.
In Scotland, languages with the enormous literary, cultural and
historical importance of Gaelic and Scots are treated as if they were
of no consequence whatever; and when the government does take some
action in support of Gaelic, the response of some people is a chorus
of girns.
William Neill, a Lowlander who learned enough Gaelic to become one of
its finest poets, well characterised the Scotland in which we live as
a "dim, miserable little spiritual desert".
J DERRICK McCLURE, Rosehill Terrace, Aberdeen
©2007 Scotsman.com
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