Language is central to our cultural heritage and national identity. and essential for supporting a diverse and inclusive society.
We recognise the importance of Scotland's rich diversity of languages, and the cultural, economic, historic and social benefits they bring.
Language is central to our cultural heritage and national identity. Language skills and cultural awareness are essential for supporting a diverse and inclusive society and for equipping people with the skills needed to participate in the global economy.
We recognise the importance of Scotland's rich diversity of languages, and the cultural, economic, historic and social benefits they bring.
Actions
We are supporting the development of languages in Scotland by:
- protecting and promoting the use of Gaelic language
- protecting and promoting the use of Scots language
- funding organisations to deliver education on English for speakers of other languages
- promoting and supporting British Sign Language by implementing our first BSL National Plan
- improving language learning so that it is a normal, expected part of school education for all children in Scotland by 2021
Background
Scotland's main language by custom and usage is English. Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language and over 150 other languages (as found in the 2011 Census) make up the country's language landscape.
Bills and legislation
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 gained royal assent in June of that year, giving Gaelic greater protection and prominence and working towards securing its status as an official language of Scotland.
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 places duties on Scottish Ministers and other public bodies to publish BSL plans every six years, and to publish a national progress report in 2020.
The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 came in to force in February 2017 and seeks to give parents the right to request Gaelic education for their child, places a duty on local authorities to promote and support Gaelic education and places a duty on Bord na Gaidhlig to develop guidance on Gaelic education.
The Statutory Guidance for Gaelic Education came from the Education (Scotland) Act 2016.
Contact
Email: Central Enquiries Unit
Telephone: 0300 244 4000
Post:
Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL.