Gaelic Language Plan 2012 - 2017 University of Glasgow Gaelic Language Plan 2012 – 2017 “The University of Glasgow recognises that Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life” Gaelic Language Plan 2012 - 2017 Foreword Foreword The University of Glasgow recognises that Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life. We are committed to the objectives set out in the National Plan for Gaelic and have put in place appropriate structures, initiatives and activities which will assist us in making a significant contribution to the future sustainability of Gaelic in Scotland. I am delighted that The University of Glasgow has made an important contribution to the on-going regeneration of Gaelic in Scotland since the early 20th century, most significantly through our department of Celtic and Gaelic. The University aspires to build on that contribution going forward and welcomes the opportunity to prepare its first formal Gaelic Language Plan which outlines our intended commitments to Gaelic between 2012 – 2017. We recognise that the position of Gaelic is fragile and, in order to revitalise Gaelic as a living language in Scotland, a concerted effort is required on the part of government, the public and private sectors, community organisations and individual speakers in order to: • enhance the status of Gaelic • promote the acquisition and learning of Gaelic • encourage the increased use of Gaelic. We are committed to playing our part in that. Our Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared in accordance with statutory criteria set out in the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 20051 and with regard to the National Plan for Gaelic 2012 – 2017. Prof Anton Muscatelli Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow 1 The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language. One of the key features of the 2005 Act is the provision enabling Bòrd na Gàidhlig to require public bodies to prepare Gaelic Language Plans. This provision was designed to ensure that the public sector in Scotland plays its part in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic by raising its status and profile and creating practical opportunities for its use. This Gaelic Language Plan has been prepared under section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and was approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig on 10th December 2012. 1 Gaelic Language Plan 2012 - 2017 Contents Contents Foreword 1 Summary 3 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview of the University of Glasgow 5 1.2 Gaelic in Scotland and the City of Glasgow 6 2. Current Provision for Gaelic 2.1 Academic Provision 9 2.2 The Centre for Open Studies | Ionad an Oilein Fhosgailte 12 2.3 The Language Centre 12 2.4 Gaelic Language Initiative 13 3. Commitments 3.1 Student Experience 17 3.2 Staffing 20 3.3 Identity 24 3.4 Communications 26 3.5 Publications 29 4. Overview and Implementation of the National Plan for Gaelic 4.1 Overview of the National Plan for Gaelic 33 4.2 Implementing the National Plan for Gaelic 34 4.2.1 Language Acquisition 34 4.2.2 Language Usage 36 4.2.3 Language Status 37 4.2.4 Language Corpus 38 5. Implementing and Monitoring of our Gaelic Plan 5.1 Timescale 41 5.2 Responsibility and Management 41 5.3 Monitoring and Evaluating 41 5.4 Publicising the Plan 41 5.5 Contact Information 42 The Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government support aspects of the University’s Gaelic 2 Language Initiative. The University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ General switchboard telephone +44 (0)141 330 2000 www.glasgow.ac.uk © University of Glasgow 2012 The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401 GaelicGaelic Language Language Plan Plan 2012 2012 - 2017 - 2017 Summary xxxxx Summary Our Gaelic Language Plan provides an outline of how we In drawing up the Plan we have consulted widely, both will use Gaelic in the operation of our functions, how we internally with our staff and students and through a six- will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with week public consultation exercise. All contributions to the public and key partners, and how we will normalise, the consultation have been taken into account and have promote and develop Gaelic, building on successful helped to shape our Plan. engagement and developments to date. The structure of our Plan is outlined below. 1. Introduction 4. Implementing the National Plan This chapter provides an overview of the University of for Gaelic Glasgow’s main areas of operation. It also provides a This chapter demonstrates our commitment to the summary of the demography of the Gaelic language in aims and objectives of the National Plan for Gaelic and Scotland and in the City of Glasgow. outlines how we will contribute to the implementation of the National Plan through a series of specific 2. Current Practice development areas which address the language This chapter is an overview of the University of Glasgow’s planning principles of acquisition, usage, status and current provision for Gaelic including academic corpus. provision, Gaelic within our operations, grassroots Gaelic development and community engagement. 5. Implementation and Monitoring of our Gaelic Plan 3. Commitments This chapter sets out how the implementation of our This chapter sets out how we will use, and enable the Gaelic Language Plan will be taken forward and how we use of, Gaelic in relation to our main business functions. intend to monitor and evaluate our progress throughout It covers the key commitment areas of corporate identity, the life of the Plan. signage, communication and publications. In addition, this chapter details how we intend to further develop our current provision with particular regard to the student experience. 3 University of Glasgow Gaelic Language Plan 2012 – 2017 “The development of Gaelic language and culture has an important part to play in contributing to the priorities articulated in our strategic plan” 4 Gaelic Language Plan 2012 - 2017 Introduction Introduction 1.1 Overview of the University of Glasgow The University of Glasgow has a clear mission to undertake world-leading research and to provide an intellectually stimulating learning environment that benefits culture, society and the economy. This mission informs everything we do. In building upon our position as one of the world’s great broad-based research-intensive universities over the next five years, we focus on delivering excellent research, providing an excellent student experience, and extending our global reach and reputation. The development of Gaelic language and culture has an important part to play in contributing to the priorities We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of articulated in our strategic plan, and indeed Celtic and 24 leading UK research universities and a member of Gaelic is a priority academic area in our strategic plan, IRUN (International Research Universities Network) Glasgow 2020 – a global vision. – an international network of broad-based research universities. Key Facts and Figures We have a reputation for teaching excellence which was The University of Glasgow was established in 1451 and reflected in the 2012 National Student Survey in which prides itself on being: 89% of our final year students indicated that they were satisfied with their courses. This is above the national • in the top 1% of universities in the world average of 85%. (QS World University Rankings 2012) We are a founder member of Universitas 21, an • among the UK’s top 10 earners for research international grouping of universities dedicated to setting (Higher Education Statistics Agency 2010-11) worldwide standards for higher education, and our broad base of academic expertise means that we can offer • rated 1st in the Russell Group for international more than 900 degree programme combinations to our student satisfaction undergraduates. (International Student Barometer 2012) Staff and Student Numbers • rated 17th in the UK for overall student satisfaction We are a major employer in the city of Glasgow (NSS 2012) with overall satisfaction levels of 89%. with approximately 6,000 staff, including 2,500 researchers. Every year we welcome more than 16,000 We are a world-renowned centre for innovative research undergraduates and 6,000 postgraduates. Our students with 75% of our submitted staff contributing to subjects come from more than 120 countries across the world to where the majority of research is rated world-leading or study at the University of Glasgow and, in addition, our internationally excellent according to the latest Research day and evening courses support over 5,000 lifelong Assessment Exercise. learners of whom 3,500 are on credit-bearing courses. 5 Gaelic Language Plan 2012 - 2017 Introduction Excellent Research 1.2 Gaelic in Scotland and We are committed to enhancing our standing as a the City of Glasgow community of world-leading researchers by promoting The 2001 census revealed that there were 58,652 excellence both within disciplines and by encouraging Gaelic speakers in Scotland. A total of 78,402 people inter-disciplinary teams tackling global challenges, indicated that they could understand Gaelic but were providing cultural enrichment and benefiting the not necessarily able to read, write or actually speak economy. We are continuing to work collaboratively with Gaelic. Glasgow has the largest concentration of Gaelic key partners and to build on our reputation for leading speakers in Scotland outwith the Western Isles and an research in relation to various aspects of the Gaelic overview of Gaelic speakers in Glasgow is detailed in the language. A detailed overview of Gaelic-related research table below. projects is provided in Chapter 2. Number of people able to speak, read, write An Excellent Student Experience or understand Gaelic in Glasgow in 2001 We endeavour to attract academically talented students from around the world and to provide them with an Speak 5,731 intellectually demanding, research-informed education Read 4,312 as well as an experience that prepares them for lifelong learning and the means to contribute as global citizens.