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Letter in response to criticism of the use of Gaelic on the new
signage at the A1 Border crossing by Councillor Michael Cook
(Independent councillor for East Berwickshire ward on SBC)
in the Berwickshire News, August 2007
Sir,
At the outset, I must say I do respect Cllr Cook and work with
him in Ayton. However, on this occasion his comments on the signage
at the Border are quite disrespectful.
Duns, Gordon, Traprain, Dunbar, Eildon, Kelso, Penmanshiel,
Dunglass, and Edinburgh(Dun Edin) are just some examples of
placeneames derived from earlier names given in Gaelic spoken at the
Scottish Court or Brythonic (Old Welsh) spoken by the likes of the
Gododdin kingdom that inhabited the Lothians and the Merse prior to
invasion by the Angles.
Most pre-Angle placenames have gone, but it is wonderful to drive
around Scotland and see non-anglicized versions of names and be able
to translate from the Gaelic to English and understand how our
predecessors saw a place. After all, "Glas-ghu",
ironically translating as a "dear green place", is now
home to Scotland's largest conurbation, while the famous
Schiehallion in Perthshire apparently translates as "The Fairy
Hill of the Caledonians".
Gaelic speaking declined from more than 260,000 people in 1891,
at which time around 6.5% of Scotland's population spoke the
language to just 1.2% now (59,000). Scotland has finally joined
other European nations in trying to archive cultural material and
preserve its native languages (including 'Lallans' or 'Scots' used
throughout the Borders) and encourage greater use. This is a sign of
a civilised and confident society that is able to respect its
indigenous minorities and protect their culture. It is our duty to
future generations to do what we can to see these cultures survive.
Why shouldn't Gaelic speakers travelling home via the A1 be
greeted by a sign in their native or preferred tongue? Moreover,
Gaelic words are embedded in English today and I think it is
smashing (is math sin or phonetically is-ma-shin, literally
"that is great") that we reflect one of Scotland's native
tongues. It is important that Scotland maintains its distinctiveness
as place to visit in a shrinking planet with an all-pervasive
'western/US' monoculture. Cllr Cook does not have to use the
language, but is it too much to ask that he might respect its use by
others? More might wish to learn the language, if courses were
available locally -some chance if Cllr Cook has his way. Ignorance
is no defence for prejudice, given the Gaelic Language (Scotland)
Act of 2005, brought in with cross-party support.
Yours faithfully
Paul Wheelhouse
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