Plana Gàidhlig Iar-Thuath Leòdhais
North West Lewis Gaelic Plan
Co-chomhairlean Coimhearsnachd
Community Consultation Findings
Thòisich sinn le bhith a’ bruidhinn ri buidhnean coimhearsnachd san sgìre gus tuigse fhaighinn air na beachdan aca air a’ Ghàidhlig agus mar a bheir an obair aca buaidh air a’ chànan sa choimhearsnachd. Chuidich seo le bhith a’ comharrachadh prìomh raointean anns a bheil feum againn air taic. Leudaich na còmhraidhean an uair sin gu buidhnean nàiseanta agus buidhnean poblach.
Chuir sinn a-mach suirbhidh, fosgailte do dhuine sam bith a tha a’ fuireach sa choimhearsnachd, a chaidh a-mach air-loidhne le pàirt dheth air a chlò-bhualadh agus air a chur ann an diofar àiteachan coimhearsnachd air feadh na sgìre. Thug na freagairtean sealladh luachmhor dhuinn air beachdan ionadail air ar cànan agus ar cultar.
Sheall an t-suirbhidh dhuinn na prìomh rudan a tha a’ toirt buaidh air cleachdadh na Gàidhlig sa choimhearsnachd. 'S e dìth misneachd agus dìth fileantachd na prìomh dhubhlain air feadh na sgìre, le daoine a’ faireachdainn diùid Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn air sgàth dìth cleachdaidh no eagal mearachdan a dhèanamh. Tha ruigsinneachd ghoireasan gus taic a thoirt do ionnsachadh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig fhathast gann, ga dhèanamh duilich do luchd-ionnsachaidh agus do fhileantaich a dhol an sàs leis a’ chànan.
Tha dùbhlain deamografach a’ toirt buaidh air cleachdadh cànain cuideachd. Tha an sluagh a’ fàs nas sine, agus tha sin a’ ciallachadh gu bheil daoine aig a bheil Gàidhlig o thùs a’ fàs nas sine cuideachd. Mar as trice chan eil ginealaichean òga cho buailteach an cànan a chleachdadh ann am beatha làitheil. Tha nas lugha de chloinn air an togail le Gàidhlig aig an taigh, a’ lughdachadh tar-chuir eadar ginealaichean. Aig an aon àm, tha luchd òga na Gàidhlig a’ gluasad air falbh, agus tha barrachd luchd-labhairt na Beurla a’ tuineachadh ann an sgìrean traidiseanta far a bheil Gàidhlig ga bruidhinn. Tha na factaran sin, còmhla ri atharrachaidhean nas fharsainge nar comann-shòisealta, air gluasad adhbhrachadh a dh’ionnsaigh Beurla mar a’ phrìomh chànan.
Nuair a chaidh faighneachd mu an dòchas a thaobh na Gàidhlig sa choimhearsnachd, chuir luchd-freagairt an cèill gu robh iad airson barrachd chothroman a bhith ann airson an cànan a chleachdadh. Bha taic fharsaing ann airson barrachd chlasaichean Gàidhlig, gu sònraichte an fheadhainn tha ag amas air sgilean còmhraidh, gus misneachd a thogail ann a bhith a’ bruidhinn sa chànan. Chuir mòran fhreagairtean cuideam air cho cudromach ’s a tha e gum biodh an cànan air a bhruidhinn nas fharsainge ann an suidheachaidhean sòisealta, a’ daingneachadh gur e cànan a th’ ann a tha beò sa choimhearsnachd seach dìreach air a chluinntinn san t-seòmar-sgoile no aig tachartasan foirmeil.
Bha beachdan làidir ann gum bu chòir barrachd thachartasan Gàidhlig a bhith sa choimhearsnachd, gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan air a chleachdadh agus air a luachadh. Chaidh cuideam a chur air an fheum air barrachd follaiseachd na Gàidhlig, leis an dòchas an cànan a thoirt a-steach do dh’àiteachan poblach, soidhnichean, agus cleachdadh làitheil.
Feumaidh teaghlaichean le clann òga barrachd taic, gus dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid a’ Ghàidhlig a thoirt seachad do ghinealaichean ùra. Bha miann làidir ann airson in-ghabhail eadar muinntir an àite agus an fheadhainn a tha air gluasad don choimhearsnachd, a’ cruthachadh àrainneachd far a bheil a h-uile duine a’ faireachdainn air am brosnachadh gus an cànan ionnsachadh agus a chleachdadh.
Bha cothroman eaconamach na chuspair cudromach. Tha daoine airson barrachd chothroman obrach fhaicinn a thaobh cànain is cultar, a bheireadh taic don chànan agus a chuidicheadh le bhith a’ cumail dhaoine òga san sgìre le bhith a’ toirt seachad chothroman dreuchdail a tha ceangailte ris a’ chànan, a’ chultar agus an dualchas aca fhèin.
Tha na freagairtean a’ sealltainn taic na coimhearsnachd , ach tha iad cuideachd a’ sealltainn puingean gnìomh soilleir agus am feum air barrachd maoineachaidh, bun-structair agus taic gus an toirt gu buil.
Consultation took place throughout the development of the plan, with ongoing engagement at each stage to ensure that the views of the community were fully represented. These conversations were essential in understanding local attitudes towards Gaelic and how different activities and organisations impact the language within the community. They also helped to identify key areas where further support is needed.
We engaged widely by meeting with community groups and volunteers, attending local events, contacting clubs and organisations, and speaking with schools and education staff. In addition, we held in-person consultations on the draft plan and conducted community surveys open to all residents. The strong response provided valuable insight into local perspectives on Gaelic language and culture.
The survey highlighted several key issues impacting the usage of Gaelic within the community. A major concern across the board is lack of confidence and fluency, with many feeling hesitant to use the Gaelic they have due to a lack of practice or fear of making mistakes. The availability of resources to support Gaelic learning and usage remains limited, making it difficult for both learners and fluent speakers to engage with the language.
Demographic challenges are also impacting language usage. An aging population means that many fluent speakers are older, while younger generations are generally less exposed to the language in everyday life. Fewer children are raised speaking Gaelic at home, reducing intergenerational transmission. At the same time, young Gaelic speakers are moving away, while more English speakers are settling in traditionally Gaelic-speaking areas. These factors, combined with wider changes in our society, have led to the shift towards English as the dominant language.
When asked about their hopes for the future of Gaelic in the community, respondents expressed the desire for more opportunities to engage with the language. There was widespread support for more Gaelic classes, particularly those focused on conversational skills to help build confidence in speaking the language. Many responses highlighted the importance of Gaelic being more widely spoken in informal social settings, reinforcing its role as a living, community language rather than just one confined to the classroom or formal events.
There was strong support for more Gaelic events to take place locally, ensuring that the language is used and valued in the community. Emphasis was also placed on the need to improve the visibility of Gaelic, with hopes to integrate the language into public spaces, signage, and everyday use.
Families with young children need more support, ensuring that Gaelic is introduced at an early age and continues to be passed down. There was also a strong desire for inclusivity between native residents and those who have moved into the community, creating an environment where all residents, regardless of their background, feel encouraged to learn and use the language.
Economic opportunities were another important theme. People want to see more job opportunities related to Gaelic language and culture, which would not only support the language but also help retain young people in the area by providing career opportunities connected to their own language, culture and heritage.
The findings highlight strong community support for Gaelic but also show areas where strong action is needed, action which would require more funding, infrastructure, and support to make a difference.