The Scottish Gaelic language is more than just a means of communication; it is a bridge to the past, a key to cultural identity, and an essential element of Scotland’s heritage. Yet, like the other Celtic languages, it faces challenges with its preservation and promotion.

The American Scottish Gaelic Association (ASGA) plays a crucial role in the ongoing effort to revitalize interest in Scottish Gaelic.

“I first learned Gaelic for family reasons,” shares Jeff Justice, President of ASGA, over the phone from his home in Texas. “It is not my entire background, but if you want to understand where your people come from, one of the best ways is to learn the language. This opens up opportunities to engage with the literature, history, and culture of the people.”

According to Justice, learning Gaelic is more than just acquiring a new language. It is about fostering a deeper connection to history. “Having lived in Scotland and having spent a lot of time in Ireland, I can certainly appreciate the nuances of the landscape.

“Scottish Gaelic has at least 15 different words to describe an elevated landmass. The English words ‘mountain’ and ‘hill’ simply don’t capture the full range of meanings. Some words, like ‘cairn,’ have made their way into English, but Gaelic offers a deeper understanding of the terrain and, by extension, the people.”

Beyond mere vocabulary, language is a vessel for storytelling in a culture renowned for it; Gaelic songs, poetry, and literature carry centuries of history and emotion that translations often fail to capture. “When you read a Gaelic poem in its original form, the depth of feeling is different,” notes Justice. “There is a rhythm and meaning that gets lost in translation. That is why language preservation isn’t just about keeping a language alive – it’s about keeping a culture alive.”

This history of preservation of Celtic culture is also tied to other cultures.

“There are strong connections between different groups. For instance, there’s an Indigenous American memorial in Cork, commemorating the generosity of the Choctaw people who aided the Irish during the Great Famine. In turn, the Irish returned the favor during the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting Native American communities. There are significant parallels between the cultures.”

Protecting culture and language is also strongly linked to the concept of Pan-Celticism, or cross-Celtic solidarity, which ASGA embraces. With Scotland, Ireland, and Wales each working to preserve their native languages, the exchange of ideas and best practices across these groups is invaluable.

“We can learn from each other,” notes Justice. “The Welsh language movement has made incredible strides in revitalization. There are things we can take from their success to help Scottish Gaelic.”

Despite the historical efforts to suppress Scottish Gaelic, the language is experiencing a modern revival. A new generation of learners, many of whom rediscovered their heritage during COVID-19, are enrolling in linguistics courses.

“If there was any silver lining to the pandemic, it’s that the lockdowns prompted people to go back to school, learn new skills, or, in some cases, rediscover Gaelic because they had more time. That trend hasn’t slowed down; in fact, more people are enrolling in courses than ever before. There is a renewed sense of pride and identity in these languages and cultures, and that’s something we’re committed to fostering.”

Technology has also played a role in making Gaelic more accessible. “There are now apps, YouTube channels, and online courses that make learning Gaelic easier than ever before.”

“Social media has created spaces where Gaelic speakers can connect globally. That’s something we didn’t have in the past.”

Although ASGA does not offer courses directly, it has positioned itself as a key supporter of Gaelic language education, providing guidance and information on courses offered across North America and online that can be accessed anywhere. “Some people ask why we don’t create our own language programs, but our mission is to strengthen existing ones rather than duplicate efforts. We do, however, contribute to events such as the Grandfather Mountain Games in North Carolina, which feature Gaelic language workshops.”

Along with providing information, ASGA organizes special events to celebrate the language and culture. “A couple of years ago, we hosted an online event celebrating the Celtic calendar, featuring a panel of speakers from the three Gaelic-speaking nations. It was fascinating to explore the similarities and differences in how these traditions are observed.”

Looking ahead, Justice and the ASGA are preparing for an event in May that will focus on bringing together different Gaelic and Celtic organizations across North America.

“We originally conceived it as a conference, but we realized that rather than uniting under one umbrella, we wish to maintain a diversity of organizations which strengthens our efforts. We shifted the focus to ‘Confluency’ – a coming together, like rivers merging.”

ASGA actively supports and collaborates with various organizations at home and abroad. “We have strong connections with the Toronto and Baltimore groups. One of our vice presidents is a senior leader with the New York Caledonian Society. I’m also a member of the World Celtic Society in Scotland, and I’ve been working on strengthening ties there.”

Advocacy is also a major focus, particularly regarding the Scottish Language Bill currently being debated in Scotland. The Bill gives the Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland and seeks to make adjustments to Gaelic and Scots education.

“We’ve been trying to get recognition from groups like Comunn na Gàidhlig, as they are currently focused on advocating for the Scottish Language Bill, which we fully support from this side of the Atlantic.”

While the ASGA recognizes the progress made in preserving Scottish Gaelic, Justice insists that more must be done. “All six Celtic languages are vulnerable, if not endangered. It’s critical that we work together.”

He also points out that preservation efforts must be collaborative, as well as innovative.

“Language preservation groups must connect across linguistic and cultural boundaries. If one language fails, it impacts all of us…”

“The Irish language has been heavily politicized, and many of us were alarmed that Scottish Gaelic had no presence in Scotland’s independence campaign 11 years ago. That said, if it had been included, it might have led to a Gaelic-versus-English debate, which could have had long-term negative consequences for the language.

“We need to do a better job of presenting ourselves to the public and showcasing the richness of these cultures. People often hesitate to engage with a language they aren’t familiar with, but the first step is simply being willing to try. By making Gaelic more accessible and fostering pride in its use, we can ensure that it continues to thrive.

“Make no mistake, however,” he adds. “Gaelic is still here. And as long as people are willing to learn, speak, and share it, it will never truly disappear.”

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