The Gaelic Voice in Canada

Feb 23, 2024

At the time of Confederation in 1867, the most common mother tongue among the Fathers of Confederation was the Gaelic language.

Gaelic scholar, Jonathan Dembling, has stated that in this period “Gaelic was truly a Canadian language”, adding that it was the “largest non-official language at the time of Confederation,” that is, only behind English and French in the number of speakers.

An independent senator by the name of Thomas Robert McInnes from British Columbia, but who had been born in Cape Breton, “tabled a Bill entitled “An Act to Provide for the Use of Gaelic in Official Proceedings.” He cited the 10 Scottish and 8 Irish senators who spoke Gaelic and 32 members of the House of Commons who spoke either Scottish or Irish Gaelic.” However, the bill was defeated.

The Gaelic language in Canada had already begun its steady decline. One of the major causes was due to prejudice from without and within the Gaelic community. Gaels in their native Scotland had experienced language oppression, for countless generations due to the colonization of their country by the British Empire. The Gaelic language became associated with poverty and ignorance. It was believed that if you wanted to be successful in life, English had to be embraced and Gaelic forgotten. The more prosperous you became, the more quickly you dispensed with anything connected to your Highland heritage. You were a Gael in name only. A case in point was the first prime minister of Canada, John A. MacDonald.

It was also common practice for educators to beat children for speaking Gaelic. This occurred not only in their native Scotland but also, in Canada. In the homeland of the Gael, the denigration of the Gaelic language continued well into the 1960s in some parts. Internationally acclaimed Highland, piper, singer and tradition bearer, Allan MacDonald was born and raised in the western Highlands. He told me recently that the only thing he remembered from his first day at school in 1961 was the word “barbaric.” This was the word his teacher had used to describe his native tongue.

A woman from the Island of Islay tells the story of how she and her classmates were treated by a particularly vicious teacher. The incident occurred in the mid to late 19th century, long before laws were enacted to protect children from such individuals. The girls were on their home from school and were singing a Gaelic song. In the words of the woman herself:

“The schoolmaster heard us, however. He called us back. He punished us till the blood trickled from our fingers, although we were big girls, with the dawn of womanhood upon us. The thought of that scene fills me with indignation. “

By the 20th century large numbers of Gaels were no longer teaching their children their native tongue, convinced that to do so would put them at a disadvantage. It would be many years before the advantages of bilingualism would be understood and appreciated.

Another reason for the decline in native speakers throughout the 20th century, has been the collapse of the taigh cèilidh or the visiting house. In the early stages of settlement, Gaelic was passed on from generation to generation in these homes. It was also where the local news, songs, stories, history, music and dance were disseminated. Once these were gone, cultural dissipation soon followed.

In 1850 there were 200,000 native Gaelic speakers in Canada. 50 years later, in 1900, there were 80,000 and by 1930, a mere 30,000 remained. According to the last Canadian census, in 2021, there are 2,170 Scottish Gaelic speakers in Canada. 635 of these live in Nova Scotia. 65 are native Gaelic speakers. Entire communities of native speakers no longer exist.

Since the 1920s, Gaelic speakers throughout the province of Nova Scotia have been trying to obtain official government recognition and support for the language of their ancestors. This has been “in an attempt to maintain and develop the Gaelic language and culture as part of the province’s unique diversity.” Finally “in 1997 the Department of Education initiated the first ever Gaelic Studies Curriculum for High School grades. 80 years of struggle finally bore fruit. It wasn’t much, but it was a beginning.

The most historic day for the Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia was December 7th, 2006. An Office for Gaelic affairs was created in the province. Their mandate is to “work with Nova Scotians in the renewal of the language and culture in the province. This government body is also “responsible for the development of educational materials and information that will assist in creating greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic language and culture.”

The latest news regarding Gaelic education is that a Gaelic medium primary school has been established in the town of Mabou, on the Island of Cape Breton. It is the first Gaelic medium primary school in North America, and the first outside of Scotland. Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide opened its doors in September 2021 ( www.taighsgoile.ca ). One of the shakers and movers of this new initiative is teacher and piper, Kenneth MacKenzie. His Father Raghnall, moved to Cape Breton from the Island of South Uist, in Scotland, after marrying his Mother, Maureen Rankin. Raghnall is a native Gaelic speaker. Maureen grew up in Mabou and was a great enthusiast of the Gaelic language and culture. Tragically, she didn’t live to see her children grow into adulthood. However, she left behind 4 passionate and highly accomplished young people who are devoted to their ancestral heritage.

Even though Gaelic speakers settled throughout Canada the ancient, melodic language of the Gael is rarely heard, except in the province of Nova Scotia, and especially on the tiny island of Cape Breton. Despite the history of Gaelic education in Nova Scotia which has been fraught with relentless push back from government and many others ( Gaelic Education in Nova Scotia Schools – Gaelic.co ), the language is still alive, a testimony to all those who understand the monumental importance of preserving the language and culture of their ancestors.