Saturday evening sees me pottering around on the netbook while I wait for the lamb tagine (which is currently flooding the place with some amazing spicy smells) to cook. And in the background I’ve got this afternoon’s St Mirren v Hibs match on BBC Alba, with commentary in Gaelic.
No, I do no speak Gaelic, but the content of football commentary is the same no matter what language it’s in. You still get the rhythm and cadence as the excitement of the match ebbs and flows, but you don’t have to listen to the usual string of banality and cliche (actually BBC Scotland has some genuinely good commentators, especially on the radio, but you get the general point).
I do go through phases though of thinking I really ought to learn Gaelic. It’s one of our national languages, after all. And I love the sound of it too. But it would require effort and planning, and time (not something that’s in plentiful supply at the moment), so it’s constantly on the “one day” list.
Which is not to say that I particularly feel under pressure to learn the language – I don’t believe it’ll die out without my help – and, besides, it’s the language of the Highlands and Islands. I was born in the Lowlands, pretty much on the shoulder of Burns country, and am quite happy with my efforts to keep Lallans Scots in circulation (the other, other national language). As a writer, I enjoy the breadth of vocabulary Scots afford me and if it’s appropriate to the story, I like to sprinkle my work with the occasional wee pearl from my local tongue. Sometimes editors ask me to remove them. Usually I resist.
But, Gaelic. Yeah, I guess I should at least be able to garner enough of a vocabulary to do the same, without going as far as learning the grammar and all. Okay, I’ll try harder. But for now, I’m happy just to listen to it burbling away in the background.
Fitbaw’s ower. Whit noo? “Alba air Falach”? I’ll keep it on, maybe some of it’ll permeate.
ayeahmur 
I started learning Gaelic (Irish Gaelic, though) years ago. I didn’t keep up with it, which I regret now. I occasionally learn the lyrics of songs I like, and I sing along. That’s my personal contribution to Gaelic’s immortality.
Scottish and Irish Gaelic aren’t that different, are they? In case I just committed a crime of lèse majesté: *ducks and runs pre-emptively*
I honestly don’t know the answer to that question. I know nothing about Irish Gaelic. Nothing.
Actually, no. I know one thing: they pronounce it “gay-lick”, we pronounce it “gah-lick”. But that’s honestly all I know.
I shouldn’t imagine there’s a *huge* difference though. The two countries have been pretty much connected since the year dot. I know that the Ulster Scots have a version of Scots (Ullans), so the Gaelic shouldn’t be completely different, eh? (Course, if anyone knows different, I’m happy to be educated.)
The alternative name for Irish Gaelic is Erse. I was once told – though it may be apocryphal – that there was a book published as a primer in that language and titled “Brush Up Your Erse.”
I’ll get my coat now.
Which, curiously enough, Jack, is a joke that only really works in Scots.