Transcript 1901-2001 Gaelic in the Census

Reasons for Research
The information is easily accessible. (SCROL)
Comparison with new research from Ireland:
Hindley; Ó Murchadha; Coimisiún na Gaeltachta
?
Did early interpretations of the figures disguise
the situation?
Language development must be based on the
the language's true situation. (Hale & Hinton)
If the Gaelic Language Bill is not rooted in the
needs of the Gaelic community, will it be anything
more than another "Higher Order Prop"? (Fishman)
Iain Mac an Tàilleir, 2004
Explanation
The figures refer to speakers of Gaelic only.
The percentages relate to that part of the
population of a parish or area able to speak
Gaelic.
More attention is given to the islands because
the mainland contains few parishes where more
than 10% of the population speak Gaelic.
Parish means civil parish with legally defined
boundaries, e.g. Tongue.
Area or district refers to a smaller place within
a civil parish, e.g. Melness.
The colours below
represent the
percentage of an
area's population
able to speak Gaelic.
For example:
Farr: 75% +
75% +
Killin: 50-74%
Cromdale: 25-49%
50-74%
Braemar: 10-24%
Luss: < 10%
25-49%
10-24%
< 10%
1901
Census 2001
• General Figures
• “Highlands” agus “Lowlands”
• Gaelic in school
• Fìor Ghaidhealtachd
1901 - 2001
• Censuses 1901, 1921, 1971 & 2001
• Comparison between censuses
Details for 2001
• The strongest areas and parishes
• The Islands
• The Mainland
Census 2001
General Figures
•58,652 people speak Gaelic.
•92,396 people speak or understand or read or write Gaelic.
•There are 3 areas where more than 80% of the population can speak Gaelic.
•640 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 80%.
•3,510 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 75%. >
Census 2001
“Highlands” and “Lowlands”
•What does “Highlands” mean? Is it where Gaelic is spoken?
•Are people in areas where Gaelic was spoken a generation ago more favourably
disposed towards Gaelic?
•55.5% of the Gaelic population live in the traditional areas.
•44.5% of them live in the "Lowlands".
•Are the "Lowlands" becoming ever more important to Gaelic?
•There are areas in the "Highlands" no more Gaelic-speaking than Coatbridge. >
Census 2001
Gaelic in School
•Most primary schools in the study area have Gaelic education schemes.
•Do the parents of children in Gaelic education register them as Gaelic speakers?
This happened in Perthshire in the 1980s.
•Are the Census figures higher than they should be as a result of this? >
Census 2001
Fìor Ghaidhealtachd
If over 75% of a community speak Gaelic, it would be expected that:
•Gaelic is the community language;
•children learn and use Gaelic in the home and community.
There are 13 districts of this type in Scotland, with 3,510 Gaelic speakers living in them.
(In 1981, there were 20,345 Gaelic speakers living in areas over 75%.)
(In 1901 there were over 100,000 Gaelic speakers living in them.)
•Do Gaelic speakers have the opportunity to speak the language?
•Who are the people recorded as such – fluent speakers, beginners, school children?
•As a result of immigration is the community language shifting or do two separate
"communities" exist?
These questions cannot be answered without fieldwork to determine local language use.
General Figures
230,806
Scotland as a whole
Year
1901
* 28,106 Gaelic monoglots
Gaelic speakers
230,806*
Civil Parishes
The west and north
coasts from Appin
to Farr: 75% +
1901
Reay: 50-74%
Cromdale: 25-49%
All other islands: 75% +
Blair Athol: 50-74%
Mull (north): 50-74%
Balquhidder: 50-74%
Arran (west): 50-74%
Saddell: 50-74%
Arran (east): 25-49%
General Figures
158,779
Scotland as a whole
Year
1901
1921
* 9,829 Gaelic monoglots
Gaelic speakers
230,806
158,779 *
Civil Parishes
1921
Farr: 50-74%
Durness: 50-74%
Eddrachillis: 50-74%
Lochalsh: 50-74%
Small Isles: 50-74%
Glenelg: 50-74%
Coll: 50-74%
Ardgour: 50-74%
Morvern: 50-74%
Mull: 50-74%
North Knapdale: 25-49%
All other islands: 75% +
Arran: < 25%
Comparison between 1901 and 1921
1901
1921
General Figures
82,620
Scotland as a whole
Year
1901
1921
1971
* 477 Gaelic monoglots
Gaelic speakers
230,806
158,779
82,620 *
Civil Parishes
1971
Stornoway: 50-74%
Lewis and Harris
(minus Stornoway): 75% +
North Uist: 75% +
Benbecula and
South Uist: 50-74%
Kilmuir: 75% +
Rest of Skye: 50-74%
Barra: 75% +
Small Isles: 25-49%
Coll: 25-49%
Tiree: 50-74%
Mull (north): < 25%
Mull (south): 25-49%
Colonsay: 50-74%
Jura : 25-49%
Rinns of Islay: 50-74%
Rest of Islay: 25-49%
Aplecross: 50-74%
the only mainland
civil parish above 50%
Comparison between 1901 and 1971
1901
1901
1971
General Figures
58,562
Scotland as a whole
Year
1901
1921
1971
2001
* ? Gaelic monoglots
Gaelic speakers
230,806
158,779
82,620
58,652 *
The Islands
2001
Lewis: 56%
Harris: 69%
North Uist: 67%
Benbecula: 56%
Skye: 31%
South Uist: 71%
Barra: 68%
Small Isles: 17%
Coll: 12%
Tiree: 48%
Lismore: 29%
Mull: 13%
Seil & Luing: 4%
Colonsay: 23%
Islay: 24%
Jura: 11%
Gigha: 14%
Mainland
Civil Parishes with
at least 10% of the
population speaks
Gaelic.
2001
17% - Tongue
11% - Lochbroom
16% - Gairloch
17% - Lochcarron
20% - Lochalsh
17% - Glensheil
14% - Ardgour
14% - Morvern
19%
19%
13%
12%
-
Applecross
Kintail
Glenelg
Arisaig & Moidart
18% - Ardnamurchan
Mainland 2001
Within the civil parishes are areas where
at least 25% of the population speaks Gaelic.
35% - South Applecross
32% - Acharacle
28% - Melness
28% - Sheilfoot & Ardtoe
27% - Duirnish & Drumbuie
27% - Aultbea
27% - Culkein
26% - Dalilea > Mingarry Park
26% - Melvaig > Peterburn
25% - Mellon Charles
25% - Ardnarff > Stromeferry Station > Achmore
25% - Erbusaig & Badicaul
Census 2001
The areas of strongest Gaelic density
Scalpay Harris
322 84%
Trumisgarry > Newtonferry
106 84%
Stoneybridge > Kildonan
212 82%
Daliburgh & Garryhellie
208 79%
Scaliscro > Iarshader > Linshader
66
79%
Eriskay
133 78%
Brue
131 78%
Boisdale
427 78%
West Harris
142
Eoligarry > Ardveenish
147 76%
Laxay > Soval
136 76%
Ness
Bragar
Total
77%
1179 75%
301 75%
3,510
Census 2001
The strongest and weakest areas in
the Islands
Lewis:
Scaliscro > Linshader 79%
Braigh 41%
Harris:
Scalay 84%
Aline > Ardhasaig 57%
North Uist:
Trumisgarry 84%
Lochmaddy 52%
Benbecula:
Liniclete & Torlum 74%
Balivanich 37%
South Uist:
Middle Quarter 82%
Mingarry > Askernish 59%
Barra:
North End 76%
Vatersay 56%
Skye:
Staffin 61%
Colbost > Galtrigil 18%
Mull:
Fishnish 25%
Aros 4%
Islay:
Portnahaven 32%
Gortontaoid 17%
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%)
61%
54%
48%
47%
46%
45%
45%
43%
42%
41%
40%
38%
38%
37%
36%
35%
35%
34%
34%
-
Staffin
Tarskavaig & Achnacloich
Kingsburgh > Earlish
Kilmuir
Annishader > Romesdale
Bracadale
Skinidin, Roag, Orbost
Toravaig > Ostaig
Uig
Drumfearn > Camuscross
Bernsidale > Skeabost
Elgol
Mugeary > Uigshader
Portree
Raasay
Minginish
Borve > Skirinish
Aird, Ord, Tokavaig
Dunvegan
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%)
33%
33%
33%
32%
32%
30%
30%
30%
29%
29%
29%
29%
25%
23%
19%
18%
-
Mol & Sconser
Greshornish > Bernisdale Park
Braes
Torrin & Heaste
Vaternish
Ose > Ullinish
Achachork > Lealt
Glendale
Roskill, Harlosh, Vatten, Feorlig
Breakish > Broadford
Sligachan > Glenbrittle
Armadale, Ardvasar, Calligarry
Kyleakin
Luib > Old Corry
Lusa > Kylerhea
Colbost > Galtrigil
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)
73% - Ness and West Side
78% - Brue
75% - Ness
75% - Bragar
73% - Barvas
72% - Shawbost
70% - Galson > Borve
69% - Shader & Ballantrushal
59% - Arnol
70% - Carloway District
72% - Carloway
70% - Breasclete > Lochganvich
68% - Tolsta a’ Chaolais
61% - Dalbeg & Dalmore
68% - Uig
79% - Scaliscro, Linshader, Iarshader
68% - Gisla > Brenish
64% - Great Bernera
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)
63% - Broad Bay
70% - Gress & Glen Tolsta
70% - Tolsta
68% - Upper Coll
62% - Coll & Back
51% - Tong
61% - Lochs
76% - Laxay - Soval
69% - Keose
68% - Cromore & Marvig
66% - Ranish & Crossbost
65% - Calbost, Gravir, Lemreway
60% - Grimshadar, Achmore
57% - Leurbost
53% - Arivruich, Eishken
51% - Balallan
50% - Garyvard > Sheildinish
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)
56% - Point
64% - Knock & Suardale
59% - Garrabost
56% - Sheshader
56% - Aird > Portnagiuran
56% - Bayble
50% - Aignish
43% - Shulishader
44% - Stornoway District
49% - Newmarket > Marybank
45% - Sandwick & Parkend
44% - Stornoway
41% - Melbost & Branahuie
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Harris (69%)
84%
77%
72%
69%
68%
68%
64%
64%
62%
57%
-
Scalpay
West Side
Hushinish > Bunavoneddar
Rhenigadale; Urgha > Kyles Scalpay
Leverburgh
Northton
Bays
Tarbert
Rodel & Strond
Aline > Maaruig > Ardhasaig
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in North Uist (67%)
and Benbecula (56%)
67% - North Uist
84% - Trumisgarry > Newtonferry
73% - Sollas
71% - Grimsay
70% - Paible & Bayhead
70% - Carinish
69% - West Side
67% - Clachan > Baleshare
64% - Claddach Kirkebost
63% - Berneray
62% - Locheport
52% - Lochmaddy
56% - Benbecula
74% - Liniclete & Torlum
70%
65%
62%
59%
37%
-
Creagorry > Peter's Port
Griminish & Uiskevagh
Gramsdale & Uachdar
Nunton
Balivanich
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in South Uist (71%)
and Barra (68%)
71% - South Uist
82% - Middle Quarter
79% - Daliburgh & Garryhellie
78% - Eriskay
78% - Boisdale
70% - Iochdar
66% - Snishival > Lochskipport
64% - Gerinish
60% - Lochcarnan
60% - Lochboisdale
59% - Milton > Askernish
68% - Barra
76% - Eoligarry > Ardveenish
74% - Northbay > Brevig
66% - Tangusdale > Castlebay > Glen
62% - Cliad > Borve
56% - Vatersay
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Islay (24%)
32% - Portnahaven
29% - Port Charlotte
25% - Port Askaig & Bonahaven
24% - Bridgend
24% - Port Ellen
24% - Keils
23% - Bowmore
22% - Ardbeg > Ardtalla
22% - Gruinart, Kilchoman, Ardnave
22% - Bruichladdich
20% - Oa
18% - Ballygrant
17% - Gortontaoid
11% - Jura
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in North Argyll Islands
13% - Mull
48% - Tiree
25% - Fishnish
29% - Lismore
18% - Quinish
18% - Salen
17% - Gruline
16% - Loch Tuath
14% - Tobermory
13% - Craignure
11% - Bunessan
11% - Calgary
10% - Fionnphort
8% - Ardchivaig
7% - Brolass
5% - Dervaig
5% - Iona
4% - Mishnish
4% - Aros
12% - Coll
7% - Easdale
4% - Seil
3% - Luing
Census 2001
These areas in Sutherland were in parishes above 75% in 1901.
28% - Melness
27% - Culkein
16% - Balchrick
13% - Durness
13% - Tongue
12% - Skerray
11% - Stoer
9% - Unapool > Drumbeg
9% - Cape Wrath, Hope
9% - Far, Armadale
9% - Portskerra
8% - Aultiphurst
8% - Bettyhill
7% - Strathnaver
7% - Laxford
7% - Kinlochbervie
5% - Strath Halladale
5% - Scourie
5% - Lochinver
4% - Achmelvich
3% - Melvich, Strathy
3% - Ledmore
16% - Polbain
15% - Achiltibuie
15% - Ardmair > Elphin
Census 2001
These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.
35%
27%
27%
26%
25%
25%
25%
23%
22%
22%
21%
20%
20%
19%
18%
18%
18%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
17%
-
South Applecross
Duirnish, Drumbuie
Aultbea
Melvaig, Peterburn
Mellon Charles
Ardnarff, Stromeferry Station, Achmore
Erbusaig, Badicaul
Camusluinie > Camuslongart
Plockton
South Lochbroom
Ardelve > Avernish
Balmacara
Inverinate
Kyle of Lochalsh
Glenelg & Arnisdale
Port Henderson > Redpoint
Ratagan > Letterfearn
Naast > Cove
Slumbay, North Strome
Lochcarron
North Applecross
Torridon
Laide > Opinan
Census 2001
These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.
16% - Gairloch
16% - Cluanie > Sheilbridge > Morvich
16% - Dornie & Bundalloch
15% - Bualnaluib > Ormiscaig
15% - Alligin, Diabaig
15% - Knoydart, Loch Nevis
14% - Kinlochewe > Achnasheen
14% - Sand > Mungasdale
13% - North Erradale > Big Sand
13% - Strathcarron > Achnashellach
11% - Achintraid > Kishorn
11% - Auchtertyre > Reraig
11% - Ullpool
10% - Poolewe
10% - Badluachrach > Durnamuck
9% - Dundonnell > Scoraig
8% - Loch Maree
7% - Braes of Ullapool
7% - Kerrysdale > Badachro
5% - Braemore > Leckmelm
5% - Sheildaig > Balgy
Census 2001
These areas in Morar, Lochaber and Argyll were in parishes above 75% in 1901.
32%
28%
26%
23%
19%
16%
15%
15%
14%
14%
12%
12%
12%
11%
11%
11%
10%
10%
-
Acharacle
Sheilfoot & Ardtoe
Dalilea > Mingarry Park
Drimnin > Fiunary
Morar
Ardnamurchan
Glenuig
Arisaig
South Locheil
Strontian
Lochaline
South Loch Morar
Liddesdale > Inversanda
Ardgour
Mallaig
Portnacroish
Glencreran
Anaheilt > Resipol
All other areas now under 10%.
Census 2001: 100 years of decline
1901
2001
Census 2001
Notes - 1
Gaelic is declining extremely quickly, but there is nothing inevitable about language death.
The north and west coasts of the mainland were more strongly Gaelic in 1901 than the
strongest areas in the Western Isles today.
The media, immigration, travel and globalisation were not as omnipotent in 1901 as they are
today but the effect of education was intense.
Remoteness per se was not enough to prevent language shift.
There were thousands of Gaelic monoglots in 1901 with a huge impact on their communities.
According to the figures only, places like Scalpay are almost as strongly Gaelic-speaking now
as they were a hundred years ago.
Over the past twenty years Gaelic has made great progress in fields such as education,
broadcasting, awareness, status. It's not all bad news.
Census 2001
Notes - 2
Hundreds of languages are in a more perilous state than Gaelic.
The situation of Gaelic is in no way unusual or even without hope compared with many
other languages throughout the world.
Although not everyone recorded as a Gaelic-speaker may be fluent, partial speakers may be
useful to the language in a political sense, according to MacKinnon.
The figures do not tell us who the 58,652 Gaelic-speakers are.
Now that all Gaelic-speakers also speak English, what is the effect uon communities?
The Government, local authorities, Gaelic organisations and public bodies must develop
and implement language plans.
Other more advanced and professional language movements in countries such as Canada,
Wales, Ireland, Catalonia, Latvia and the Basque Country should be looked to for guidance.