CMAL ANNOUNCE PLAN TO HELP REVITALISE SCOTLAND’S NATIVE TONGUE
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has published a second iteration of its Gaelic Language Plan for the next five years from 2016 to 2021.
Gaelic is widely spoken in the communities served by CMAL in the Western Hebrides and the organisation is committed to ensuring Gaelic has a strong and sustainable future in Scotland.
CMAL’s Gaelic Language Plan has a five-year timetable of activity, including increasing the amount of Gaelic multimedia content on the corporate website, strengthening the visibility of Gaelic in use across CMAL’s ports and harbours and encouraging employees to learn Gaelic.
The ports and ferries that CMAL owns serve numerous rural and island communities across the west coast of Scotland, encompassing some of the main Gaelic speaking communities found in the country.
Kevin Hobbs, CEO at CMAL said:
“We believe that where possible we should endeavour to communicate in the language of choice for our communities and see Gaelic as an integral part of this goal. We are striving as a company to better support and promote the Gaelic language and culture.
“We recognise that there is more CMAL can do to embed the language in our organisation in a way that it becomes part of our strategic thinking, decision-making and delivery plans.”
CMAL recently employed Declan MacDonald as a Graduate Naval Architect who is a native Gaelic speaker, Declan said:
“CMAL want to revitalise Gaelic as a living language in Scotland. If Gaelic is to be revitalised, it is important that CMAL make an effort to enhance its status and to encourage its increased usage.”
Welcoming the plan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Ceannard (CEO) Shona MacLennan said:
“The ports and ferries that CMAL own serve many rural and island communities across the West Coast of Scotland where Gaelic is an important part of everyday life. In addition, the ferries and ports are used by increasing numbers of visitors to these communities. Each year, the Scottish economy is boosted by the investment made by tourists travelling to Scotland who show great interest in the Gaelic language and culture, and recognise it as an important element of Scottish identity.
“This plan complements the work that VisitScotland and CalMac do to promote and use Gaelic in the delivery of their services, for both residents and visitors. We would congratulate CMAL on the commitment shown to the language through the first iteration of its Gaelic Language Plan, and look forward to working with them in delivering the aims of their second iteration.”
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with a view to securing Gaelic as an official language of Scotland, commanding equal respect to English and Gaelic Language Plans are a statutory requirement for all public bodies in Scotland.
The plan can be found on CMAL’s website: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/about-us/publications/
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Media contact:
Anna Farley, Account Manager, Clark Communications
Tel: 0141 548 7800
Email: anna@clarkcommunications.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 26 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities.
- Photograph attached of Kevin Hobbs, CEO, and Joy Dunlop, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Board Member.
- The Gaelic Language Plan was launched by Kevin Hobbs, Jim Anderson and Declan MacDonald who has recently joined CMAL and is a native Gaelic speaker.
- In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL owns 31 ferries and lease one further ferry. All 32 vessels are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides. In addition, three ferries are currently under construction.
- CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.
- For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk
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