ARE you speaking our language? It's hoped that you will be this spring when Scotland holds its first offical Gaelic language week.
Seachdain na Gàidhlig, or World Gaelic Week, celebrates the living leid and includes a packed programme events, with individuals, community groups and even businesses across the world invited to "take ownership" of the tongue.
While similar drives are in place in Ireland and Cape Breton, Canada, there's been nothing like this in Scotland before.
The initiative follows on from the lockdown success of #LàAbairtNaGàidhlig, or #sayagaelicphraseday.
As with that event, it'll have an online presence, with live launch held across all Seachdain na Gàidhlig social medias featuring the event's director, BBC presenter Joy Dunlop.
She'll be in conversation with Agnes Rennie, Gaelic Ambassador of the Year 2021, newly announced Young Gaelic Ambassador of the Year 2021 Choirstaidh NicArtair and Shona Maclennan of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the initiative's main funders.
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Dunlop said: "This type of event in Scotland is long overdue. Ireland already celebrates its language and culture through Seachdain na Gaeilge, (Irish Language Week) with Mìos nan Gàidheal (Month of the Gaels) also being an important part of the Cape Breton calendar.
"We want to celebrate the role of Gaelic in today’s modern society and are delighted to offer two paid roles for Gaelic speakers as part of this process who will each be responsible for engaging with schools and also, delivering exciting and engaging social media content."
MacLennan commented: "We are delighted to support this initiative which will encourage people across the world to use Gaelic. Seachdain na Gàidhlig will increase connections throughout the Gaelic community in Scotland and abroad, raising the language’s profile and increasing wellbeing while it contributes to the National Gaelic Language Plan’s aim that more people use Gaelic more often and in more situations."
Free resources, learning materials and advice are available at www.seachdainnagaidhlig.scot, the full programme will be announced in the new year and organisers are recruiting for paid jobs.
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