SCOTLAND’S Gaelic development board has unveiled a new campaign inspired by a scheme in Wales aimed at spreading pride in the language.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig launched the “#cleachdi” hashtag at the Royal National Mod 2019 in Glasgow.
The body is urging Gaelic speakers and learners to include #cleachdi alongside #useit and #gaidhlig on social media, email signatures or by wearing the symbol on stickers, showing their pride in the language.
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Shona MacLennan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive officer, said: “More and more people want to use and learn Gaelic and this initiative is a very positive and easy to use means to encourage more people to use more Gaelic in more situations.
“We will be joining all those who speak the language in displaying our pride at letting others know we are Gaelic speakers. We think #cleachdi is the perfect way to do this. So let’s #useit and put #gaidhlig firmly on the map.”
The new #cleachdi campaign is similar to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s “Iaith Gwaith”, or “Welsh at Work”, scheme, which is used in Wales to show that a service is available in Welsh.
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The Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts travelled to the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow to give his backing to #cleachdi.
Roberts said: “Iaith Gwaith is well established in Wales, and is a valuable resource for organisations, businesses and charities to show customers that a service is available in Welsh.
“In recent years, it has evolved and been used more widely in ways ranging from an engineering company creating a vinyl version on hard hats to health boards creating a magnetic version to be used on beds to show which patients wish to be treated in Welsh.
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“I am confident that #cleachdi will have the same positive benefit for Gaelic and Gaelic speakers.”
Also backing the campaign are Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s partners Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland.
Public sector bodies with Gaelic-speaking staff can order badges, posters and more by contacting Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
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