Gaelic language maintenance process(es)

Abstract

Gaelic Language Maintenance Process(es) is a contemporary ethnographic study of seventeen isolated Gaelic language users. The seventeen individuals in the study, ages three to seventy-two, were selected from Ontario, Canada and Central Scotland to identify and illustrate the perceptions and processes involved in isolated Gaelic language maintenance. Each subject was interviewed, and subsequently shadowed, for a period of nine days. During the period of active observation, the subjects recorded their thoughts about and experiences of their Gaelic language maintenance within a personal journal. The interviews, observations, and personal diaries of the subjects' Gaelic lives were then collated by the researcher into seventeen individual narratives. Through close reading, each narrative illuminated the interwoven threads and constructs which provided additional insight into the 'quilt' of isolated Gaelic language maintenance. The seven, common-sense typologies and constructs drawn from the individuals' experience of the Gaelic language world revealed a shared, inner universe of meaning where some of the major categories in the (experience of) their social language world centred upon their recognition of Gaelic ability, maintenance, community roles, and "special" identity to form a tapestry for maintenance outside of the bloc. Peigi, Pàdruig, Catriona, Cairistiona, Chlair, Cormac, Colla, Tomasina, Tara, Teàrlag, Treasaididh, Tollaidh, Aileas, Artair, Aigneas, Anna, and Aonghas generously allow readers an opportunity to share in their thoughts and feelings and [the researcher's] observations about what it is like to maintain the Gaelic language in isolation from Cape Breton and the Western Isles.