NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY

Notebook by Bill Heaney

The Scottish language, which does not officially include the F-word as spoken by the likes of Nicola Sturgeon or West Dunbartonshire councillor Iain Dickson, has been the subject of debate in the Holyrood parliament.

Mostly this discussion was in English, of course.

When the above mentioned duo are said to have used the F-word, it was targeted at Conservatives, Boris Johnston in Nicola Sturgeon’s case and Sally Page in Iain Dickson’s.

That’s most probably why they were quickly forgiven, unlike me for telling a council press officer to bugger off.

The Scottish Languages Bill (Areas of Linguistic Significance) was raised by SNP MSP Alasdair Allan, who represents the good people of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, which is the Western Isles to you and me. Well, me anyway.

The only time I ever hear any criticism of the Gaelic is when I am driving north and I hear people criticising the fact that it is used on road signs and place names.

Some people think that is a waste of money, but not me, although I do sometimes ask myself what’s the point of this outside a Gaeltacht areas?

It’s a nice touch though, especially for tourists who can’t speak English never mind Gaelic. A bit like those bollards in Dumbarton for when we host the World’s Strongest Man competition on the Common.

Concrete bollards and now Gaelic areas of linguistic significance are important matters for our politicians to deal with in these times of crisis.

Why doesn’t this happen in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where there are more people who have the Gaelic than almost anywhere else in Scotland.?

It is beginning to look like this will happen soon though since Dr Allan giving it a push in parliament.

He has asked the Scottish Government what support will be put in place to assist local councils in establishing “areas of linguistic significance”, as set out in the Scottish Languages Bill.

Gus faighneachd de Riaghaltas na h-Alba dè an taic a bhios ann do dh’ughdarrasan ionadail a tha airson àitichean a tha “sònraichte a thaobh cànain” a stèidheachadh, mar a chaidh a chur an làthair ann am Bile nan Cànan Albannach.

Can you imagine what it would be like at West Dunbartonshire Council meetings?

It’s probably just as well that the public can’t see or hear what’s going on in Church Street at the moment, but can you imagine what it would be like if they conducted their business in Gaelic?

The next thing would be that councillors would have to wear kilts and toories which they could purchase on expenses, of course.

Whether our gauleiters would want this happen is a matter for debate, but it looks as if that’s what is going to happen.

Jenny Gilruth, pictured left, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, says it will be left to local councils to decide “the designation of areas of linguistic significance” in their areas.

For areas that may wish to be designated as areas of linguistic significance, a range of Gaelic support and provision is already in place.

There will, of course, be central Scottish Government funding support which should boost the amount in the sporran being squirreled away to deal with this.

Other public bodies and local activity (ceilidhs and other fund raising events) organised by Gaelic community organisations are anticipated.

Ms Gilruth said: “That support will be built on and strengthened by the new provisions in the Scottish Languages Bill.

“Guidance will also be prepared to assist local authorities in their process of considering areas in their local area that could benefit from designation.”

Alasdair Allan asked: “Can the cabinet secretary say any more at present about whether the Scottish Government or Bòrd na Gàidhlig may seek to place a duty on local authorities to establish an area of linguistic significance where, for example, a high proportion of the population are Gaelic speakers?”

That left me wondering how many Gaelic speakers there might be in such places as Castlehill, the Haldane and Tullichewan and whether I should google that to find out.

However, Jenny Gilruth said: “As Dr Allan will be aware, it is fair to say that there is a range of opinions on the matter. However, I expect that, during the parliamentary consideration, views will be offered that suggest that the Scottish Government or Bòrd na Gàidhlig should have an enhanced role in the designation of areas of linguistic significance.

“We are still at a very early stage with the legislation, but I assure the member that I will seriously consider those views and any observations that the Education, Children and Young People Committee might wish to make.”