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# Contents

- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Gaelic as a national language of Scotland
  - 1.1 Introduction
  - 1.2 History
  - 1.3 Place name evidence
  - 1.4 Retreat into the north and west
  - 1.5 Religion
  - 1.6 Education
- 2 Celtic roots and international reach
  - 2.1 Introduction
  - 2.2 The rise of the Celts
  - 2.3 Celtic place names
  - 2.4 The insular Celts
  - 2.5 The Brythonic languages
  - 2.6 The Goidelic languages
  - 2.7 The Celtic Diaspora
  - 2.8 Learners and enthusiasts worldwide
- 3 Gaelic in the modern era
  - 3.1 Who speaks Gaelic?
    - 3.1.1 I do!
    - 3.1.2 The big picture
  - 3.2 Decline
    - 3.2.1 Politics and economics
    - 3.2.3 Education and cultural influences
  - 3.3 Revival
  - 3.4 Gaelic alive!
- 4 Gaelic – the rationale
  - 4.1 Bilingualism
    - 4.1.1 The benefits to the individual
    - 4.1.2 Learning other languages
    - 4.1.3 The benefits to the community
  - 4.2 Why learn Gaelic?
    - 4.2.1 A cultural answer
    - 4.2.2 A practical answer
  - 4.3 The rights of linguistic minorities
    - 4.3.1 Introduction
    - 4.3.2 United Nations
    - 4.3.3 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
    - 4.3.4 Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act
  - 4.4 Home and abroad: examples of bilingualism
    - 4.4.1 Te Reo Maori
    - 4.4.2 The bilingual poet
- 5 How the Gaelic language works
  - 5.1 How do I say…?
  - 5.2 Gaelic: some basics
    - 5.2.1 Gaelic grammar – a taster
    - 5.2.2 Sounds and letters
  - 5.3 New words: and evolving language
    - 5.3.1 Developing terminology: some initiatives
    - 5.3.2 Creating new Gaelic words
    - 5.3.3 Gaelic loanwords in English
  - 5.4 How to learn Gaelic
    - 5.4.1 Adult learners
    - 5.4.2 Adult learning in action: some examples
  - 5.5 Options for children
- 6 Gaelic culture: a national asset
  - 6.1 The art of the Gàidhealtachd
  - 6.2 Gaelic music and song
  - 6.3 Dance
  - 6.4 Gaelic literature
    - 6.4.1 Poetry
    - 6.4.2 Drama and Fiction
    - 6.4.3 Songs and tales
  - 6.5 Sports and pastimes
- 7 FAQs
- Notes
- Conclusion
- Keep on learning
- Further Reading
- Acknowledgements

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