The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.
| Population | 88,892 including 477 monolinguals, 88,415 bilinguals in Scotland (1971 census). Population total all countries 94,000. |
| Region | North and central counties of Ross, Islands of Hebrides and Skye. Also spoken in Australia, Canada, USA. |
| Alternate names | GÀIDHLIG, GAELIC |
| Dialects | EAST SUTHERLANDSHIRE. |
| Classification | Indo-European, Celtic, Insular, Goidelic. |
| Comments | Church Gaelic is based on the Perthshire dialect of 200 years ago, and is at a distance from spoken dialects. East Sutherlandshire dialect is so different from other spoken dialects as to be a barrier to communication. In some communities it is primarily used in the home, in church, and for social purposes. Books and journals are produced on various topics. Resurgence of interest in Scots Gaelic in the 1990s has been given a boost by the establishing of Scotland's own Parliament, for the first time in 300 years. Investigation needed: intelligibility with East Sutherlandshire. VSO. Literacy rate in first language: 50% (1971 census). In bilingual areas Gaelic is usually the first language of instruction for most primary subjects. Gaelic Medium Education schools have been set up. Newspapers, radio programs. Bible 1801-1991. |
