THE Church of Scotland has produced a new guide for Gaelic speakers and learners, which will also help to support worship leaders who want to use the language.
The booklet, described as a guide to biblical and ecclesiastical language, will also aim to help anyone who wants to undertake Bible study or follow sermons more easily.
It states that its goal is to encourage people to “bring their gifts to the church and use their Gaelic for the preaching of the Gospel and the work of the Kingdom.”
While it takes the form of an online document, it can be easily downloaded, printed and read in a physical format.
Sections include advice on using different translations of the Bible, a glossary of relevant words, and notes on potentially difficult grammar.
The guide has been compiled by the Kirk’s Gaelic language development officer, Dr Duncan Sneddon, and has been supported by a range of academics and Gaelic speakers.
Sneddon said: “There are a lot of people who speak Gaelic quite well or even fluently, but aren’t confident in their grasp of ‘church Gaelic’.
“‘Church Gaelic’ or ‘Bible Gaelic’ is increasingly distant from the everyday spoken language, for younger people in particular.
“This handbook should help people gain confidence in using their Gaelic in worship and Bible reading.
“I’m also happy to take suggestions for future editions, so if there’s something you think would be useful that isn’t in there, let me know.”
Parts of the Bible were first translated into the Gaelic language in the 17th century, with the first full translation being produced later on, in 1807.
During lockdown, some churches, such as Fort William Duncansburgh MacIntosh, successfully moved online for popular Gaelic Bible study and services.
The new booklet arrives following a study released last month by the University of the Highlands and Islands, which warned that the Gaelic language will decline unless people start to use it more often in everyday settings.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel