Does Celtic Culture Have a Future?

[@butterbutbetter.987]

I'd like to see more kilts more affordable and widespread as a garment!

[@straycat1674]

Well this is where poly viscous comes in. It’s a more affordable material that is still sturdy. But the elitist mindset of some people have to change to. Some people don’t view it as a kilt unless it’s wool. Some people will look down on you if you’re not working either wool or poly viscous. If you buy any other fabric blend many people will talk shit. And people have to stop doing that.

[@joeytodd795]

Outlander seems to be doing good service for things, for better or for worse! We're lucky, honestly. This time the ladies are in on things!

[@iand5369]

Gaelic is taught in Scottish schools. Whilst it is not an automatic part of the curriculum, it is accepted and taught as an option in the latter part of the education system in Scotland. Gaelic is not the only spoken word. I myself was raised and still to this day speak Doric. Piping is also taught in Scottish schools . Some of Scotlands most promising Pipers have learned their skill in school. There is a yearly Scottish schools National Piping Competition. Our culture is alive and well.

[@Cainb420]

Don't know what schools are around you but lucky if you could find anywhere to learn gaelic in the central belt. I'm learning from a guy in Canada how to speak my own language and maybe I will be able to read the damn signs the the Scottish government have put up for the tourists. Wee Sturgy need to to get her finger out before it's gone.

[@captaintimcurry1713]

I am learning Gaelic on Duolingo and I find the course to be very well built! I'd love to see Gaelic experience a revival and brought more forward in the media such as popular movies, tv shows, videogames, etc.

[@RoyMcLellan]

Scottish Gaelic is available to learn on Duolingo. Go take it. It's a lot of fun!

[@nathanbennett818]

heritage Schools I'm trying to build one in Arkansas my cousin built one I'm very proud of him

[@kirkrayner4362]

Heritage school? Would you mind sharing? My email is [e-mail]. I'm up in Ontario Canada.

[@matthewfox7000]

I retire in a few years I would gladly be an apprentice and learn to weave tartan.

[@rickmoore3730]

Now that would be a cool thiung to learn . Hope you reach your goal ! Cheers

[@trshbrnr1]

I am Manx by descent so I feel your pain. My parents had a Manx emblem on their barn here in the states and were questioned about the "swastika" It doesn't even have the same number of legs (a Triskelion)! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man

[@chiefakecheta2645]

I think its growing

[@claybird5686]

I wish Scott- Gaelic was in school as an option in the USA. I’m trying to learn it. Good example of someone who is keeping the language alive is Julie Fowlis

[@straycat1674]

I went to school in Virginia, a few years after I graduated they started making a second language mandatory. There’s no reason why Scott’s Gaelic can’t be mandatory. I’m not saying teach it and only it, I’m saying teach it along with English.

[@galoglaich3281]

Straycat1674 Depends on how its taught .Here in ireland the language is very poorly taught in schools for most students its the most hated subject. The language learning experience needs to be fun and more emphasis placed on basic conversation and less emphasis on literature.

[@straycat1674]

gallow glass You know what the truth is that’s the same for anything you teach. I find most teachers are very monotonous and they’re just obviously going through a routine. I don’t know if they’re just tired of putting up with BS or what, but you’re right. Have to be taught properly and has to take into consideration how people learn, the various ways people learning process information. Especially things such as language.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@straycat1674 Yes there is an element of that in all teaching.The key is to keep it simple and emphasis the spoken language and leave the written language and the literature for later.

[@NogrimStoneson]

I'm planning to move back to Cape Breton in about two weeks, and my family all lives within 40 minutes of the gaelic college, my little sister has been attending for 6 years and speaks/sings gaelic. as soon as i get there i plan on signing up to learn and maybe even try out the pipes. (iirc there are more gaelic speakers there than in scotland now) i really want to figure out a business that would help foster and drive that forward. im just not sure how to approach it yet. i plan on rocking my utility kilt regularly to try and pull some of the youth around to the idea and maybe try and organize some celtic rock/punk music festivals and work that angle with the less formal side of things.

[@snoopytheace4487]

one thing I can say is that with all trade jobs there is a feeling of it dying out, because the young generation is not wanting to learn. my machine shop just the other day was talking about wanting to teach younger kids about how to do the machining work on engines, but that no one will do the work. I can also say that it was EXTREMELY hard to find younger people to work in my crew as a construction worker. because myself and my boss can happily teach anybody how to do it but the younger people, even into their 30s were too damn lazy and arrogant to be of any help. I myself am in my 20s and I am going into a trade business. I can pretty much ask for whatever pay I want and they will hire since there is so few going into the field that the companies are desperate for people.

[@straycat1674]

I really got to get back to my Scotts Gaelic learning. I’ve been so slack on it so lazy. Girl she’s a linguist. See ya think I would have my backside in motion.

[@straycat1674]

I would also have to say it would be interesting to see Hogmanay Celebrated more in the US.

[@rickmoore3730]

Great idea Straycat . I would like to see it in Canada as well .

[@charlesdriggers199]

Now ,I thought I have heard that Scotland has identified its mistakes of not keeping up with its heritage . This has prompted them to teach Gaelic in schools. As we go through the mindset that we need to push forward, in a way, into the future. I do believe we have lost so much that was excellent in our heritage. I am not talking about one particular group of people, but ancestry as a whole. From every continent. Though I may be biased about the Gaelic culture. I am a mutt like the rest of us. Not only Scottish/English/Irish . I have German, Scandinavian, French. Indian( Native American) blood too.

[@TheAdventuringFoodie]

GREAT MESSAGE GUYS! This is one I can get behind!

[@raymondfink9580]

Scottish living treasures museum! Living history!!! Yes!!

[@kirkrayner4362]

Not sure if anyone said. But Duolingo now has Scottish Gaelic training for free. It's really fun and has opened my eyes to more of our history.

[@jimiwills]

Bilingual (English anns a Gàidhlig) out of office replies are encouraged by my employer (university of Edinburgh) You can study Gaelic (btw Scottish Gaelic is pronounced like ga-lick) at the uni, or your could before covid. You can listen to BBC nan Gael, or watch BBC Gaelic TV. Having said all that, mainland Scottish Gaelic is a long time dead, and all we have left is Island Gaelic. Not that there's anything wrong with Island Gaelic, but it's apparently very different. Also, Old Scots and Old English evolved in parallel from Old Saxon (that's my recollection from Wikipedia anyhow) so Scots really should be considered a language and not a dialect. Otherwise their both just dialects of Beowulf lingo. Anyway, thanks for talking about this... S'beag orm an Gàidhlig agus an geadhlteach. Tapadh leibh. Mo chreach sa thanaig! But Gaelic is definitely still alive. Still not recognised as an official language of Europe though, and I don't suppose it will be for a while yet!

[@lynpowell8532]

That is sad. I learned last year that on my mom's side we have Scottish Ancesters that go back to the 1200's in the western Highlands. Too bad none of them knew about our Scottish heritage. Now I know and understand why I have always been so fascinated with Scotland. I am thrilled. I would love to get a mask size kilt made in our proper tartan and placed in a shadow box. I want to get our crest, etc. and the history of our name. When I did, it will all be passed down to my first born.

[@ianlogan1150]

Scottish Independence and Irish reunification will surly be a huge influence. If either actually happen.

[@gallowglass2630]

Ian Logan Irish unification could be detrimental to the irish language rather than a benefit depending on what accomodation is made to the ulster unionist community who identify with ulster scots language which is really just an english dialect in anycase they don't identify with Irish.At present Irish is the first official language of the republic and compulsory language in schools and it could be relegated to second official language and optional in schools.

[@CullodenCowboy]

This is why I am trying to learn gaidhlig, we need to preserve these things. I was lucky enough to grow up with these traditions here in Texas, but most families don’t do that.

[@someguyinplace]

I am happy to see Celtic Americans maintaining and restoring their heritage. I am a Germanic creole myself and aim to emulate you in a Teutonic flavor!

[@oldsoda]

For those interested in learning Scots gaelic there are online resources you can look into. Here on KZbin there is a channel called gaelic with Jason who has a number if videos teaching the basics. Duolingo has a course on Scots gaelic and there is the website learnGaelic.scot.

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

With what you said, I wish there were a lot of movies and TV on Celtic culture. But everyone's so damn obsessed with Nordic culture. And when they do show Celtic culture they show Arthurian legend. I wish they had a lot of Celtic cultural TV shows and movies. Not just all this Norse obsession.

[@nq6417]

20 yrs ago a ground swell was potentially started with movies (Braveheart, Rob Roy etc) but now you’d have to do it via gaming to access anyone 40 or under. No ground swell will ever start with mandatory Gaelic classes at school. The current click culture has turned this generation into a jack of all trades and master of none.

[@tryphonkorm]

Music hits are the single most prominent attractor for people, especially the young ones, to a language. Then come successful movies and finally internet content in the language of interest. In two words the focus should start with art and the news. For example, making some of your videos in Gaelic with consistent subs should be attractive to many.

[@pipsheppard6747]

Yes, a return to normalcy would be a boon; I've missed four Highland games and one Celtic festival this year. More importantly, this is one of the most needful topics (the future of Celtic culture) ever covered in the video series. It's one that should be disseminated far and wide. Celebrating Celtic culture is not just about past heritage, but also present identity. Rocky hit the nail on the head: it starts at home. I would REALLY like to see the video produced that Erik mentioned (at about 7 minutes). And, I hope that the business, and more importantly, the philosophy of USA Kilts will flourish in the years ahead. I will certainly continue to do my part by wearing my kilt in public and talking to people about what is very likely a part of their heritage, particularly in my geographic area.

[@jamesmoore9870]

At a time when schools are cutting things like art and music but are spending millions on trying to revive gaelic, and when millions are being spent on dual roads signs when the roads are in dire need of repair, there is something wrong. There is a very, very small proportion of people in Scotland can or want to speak gaelic, that what money there is can be better spent on other more important things.

[@jimiwills]

Yes, I don't see the point of the signs when most people here can't read them.

[@kodyward2184]

So we need to convince Ubisoft to make a Scottish Assassins Creed game, bring back shows based in Scotland/Scottish culture(Gargoyles for example), and get someone to make lots of new shows based in ye olde Scotland

[@wanderer3591]

There needs to be a big push back to family and values, in general. The past history needs to be respected and valued, and the rich Celtic tradition is a great thing to be preserved. It values tradition, family and higher values, which are all things being undermined today. I hope it is preserved.

[@raymondfink9580]

Peat and Diesel are Scottish and super cool!

[@RoyMcLellan]

Scottish Gaelic is also available as a default system language on Windows, though I DO NOT recommend that. That's some deep language learning required there!

[@sethirwin1610]

Making history more important. Making rights of passage important again!

[@chrisjustus5446]

PERHAPS SOME KIND OF VACUUM SYSTEM COULD BE USED TO FACILITATE THE DRESSING OF LOOMS FOR WEAVING TARTAN. CUSTOMIZED TARTAN KILTS ARE WAY TOO EXPENSIVE.

[@KB-ks8jv]

This is why my stuff will start coming from USA kilts !!!!

[@nathanbennett818]

I like to see more Celtic heritage Schools in the United States they can teach Gaelic and gallic and teaches how we used to live

[@isobelamitchell1740]

I think there just needs more education on matter. Gàidhlig isn’t going extinct necessarily, still spoken in Nova Scotia, Price Charles Island - fact third most spoken language in Canada. Scotland is making a surge. Last I check, there are specific schools in Alba that teach in Gàidhlig. The BBC Alba is spoken entirely in Gàidhlig. Not to mention many other languages are being preserved and taught in Scotland, like Doric- the Aberdeen dialect was recognized as a it’s own language and this fall is being taught in Universities in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Scots isn’t dying by far. I for one started learning Gàidhlig through the online Atlantic Gaelic College in Nova Scotia. My professor is from the Isle of Lewis. Highly recommend looking into it! There just needs to more of an awareness that these things do exist, and not so much that it’s dying/

[@garethhillary2302]

The issue with Scottish Gaelic is that it was largely spoken in the Highlands and Islands. Those areas are seriously sparse in population compared to lowland “Scots” areas. There are less than 300,000 in the highlands and the lowlands (Edinburgh for example) haven’t spoken Gaelic for around 700 years. Ireland has it better because it has a decent size and population who don’t have similar distinctions (at least in Rep of Ireland). Wales is similar to Ireland because language is intrinsic to the national identity along with the arts that preserve it. See the “National Eisteddfod” for reference. I am also from North Wales and I am able to speak some Welsh as well as having known many who are first language speakers or who attained fluency in school. For reference, Irish speakers come in at 39% having some ability and Wales clock in at 29% (both Welsh and Irish are growing too). Scottish Gaelic hasn’t been at that strength probably since the clan system was dismantled and speaking Gaelic was outlawed in its entirety after the Jacobites. Similar bans happened to Irish and Welsh but to a lesser extent and people were still legally able to use the language in their communities. Not Scottish Gaelic. Highland culture was unfortunately completely ravaged, leading to the current situation today where it is on life support. To this very day, Scottish Gaelic is not an official language of the UK. This is sad considering the UK should be the custodian of Insular Celtic Culture but is constantly obsessed with “Britishness”. It is coming back though, in alternative religions, cultures as well as Celtic revival efforts for Cornish and Scottish Gaelic. Who knows, it all depends on the willingness of the people and the UK government giving it the funding, care and attention it requires.

[@icequeen6267]

Gaelic is on Duolingo

[@MWSfan18]

I've been listening almost exclusively to Celtic music for about 6 years now. Here's my Playlist of it on Pandora: pandora.app.link/36ttk49Xeab I also live near Bethlehem, where we have Celtic Classic every year (with this year as an exception) and my church (Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Brthlehem) does 2 Celtic services each month. Each time I attend one of these services, I wear my kilt. I always receive compliments from people who see me dressed that way. In the next few weeks, I'm hoping to get around to tracing my ancestry (I know there is some Irish and Welsh) as well as learning the bagpipes. In February, I will be seeing the High Kings perfor in Bethlehem (after being rescheduled from March this year). Interestingly, I just had a dream about learning Gaelic. Perhaps it was ordained that I should.

[@chrisjustus5446]

WE NEED TO HAVE A MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR DRESSING LOOMS, SO THAT TARTAN WEAVING OF THE SMALLER CLAN/ FAMILY TARTANS WILL NOT BE SO RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE FOR THE COMMON MAN.

[@rockraprecords5198]

Me being all Irish & Scottish I plan on making a room like a hall of family tartans if I have kids they will speak Gaelic wear kilts tartans listen to folk and be taught the modern ancient religious practice everything won't let it die eat Irish and Scottish food and more ect. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 just a few days ago I brought up on Facebook Gaelic should be in schools Worldly

[@philipduthie6444]

I am sure your kids will have something to say about that. How is it going, after 7 months

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

If you think that Gaelic is in trouble, which it is, try being a Manx or Cornish speaker.

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

A PhD student friend of mine told me about this.

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

@@USAKiltsOfficial I know some Kernowek speakers, I know of some Manx Gaelic speakers, they all learn it as a second (reconstructed) language and they have videos on wikitongues, definitely a nice website. There's also various Lowland, Doric and Shetland Scots. In Shetland, and you may have heard of this, there is a movement to reconstruct Norn, the Norse language of Shetland.

[@philmuller8069]

They do have it in most schools. But you have to use it, or you lose it. Like the Hawaiian language. They took the pride of it and injected it into the progress. Brother IZ. Look at how he helped get it used every day.

[@unrealrailway1592]

I would like to see more Gàidhlig speakers in Scotland. Edit: perhaps Gàidhlig medium schools would keep it living in Scotland, rather than just academic.

[@jimiwills]

There is one Gàidhlig speaking school in Edinburgh.

[@galoglaich3281]

Unreal Railway Gaidhlig medium schools is a very good idea ,it has worked very successfully in ireland over 50 000 schoolchildren go to irish medium schools.However i don't think it would be as successful in scotland though ,since gaelic was never spoken much in the lowlands hence the historical affinity with the language is not strong.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@jimiwills They are 31 irish (gaeilge) medium schools in dublin

[@SovietChris]

@@galoglaich3281 Glasgow currently has three and is building a fourth.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@SovietChris Step in the right direction

[@raymondfink9580]

Scott and Irish Gaelic are different,

[@Kira-cc4fg]

As a foreign person: how do you feel about a foreign person learning and speaking Scottish gaelic? Do you feel like it is kind of disrespectful towards you or your culture? Like it's something exclusive or do you have good feelings towards people who are willing to learn about your traditions and language. Cause I'm learning gaelic by myself (I'm trying desperately with the pronounce) and I'd like to take a trip to Scotland to help me learning it better. But can I enter a pub and speak gaelic or would you take me as a freak? Or again disrespectful towards something that is yours, like "how dare she speak the language of our ancestors" (poorly and badly probably)

[@SovietChris]

Anyone willing to put in the work, learn, and be respectful is welcome.

[@straycat1674]

Celtic inspired tacos.

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

Scottish Gaelic is not a dead language,it's just that,it's not even native to Scotland,if you think about it,and people do not speak Britonic there either.

[@galoglaich3281]

Maximiliano Moreira It is native to scotland because thats where it developed.Old gaelic was brought to scotland from ireland,now scots gaelic is an unique language in its own right .Yes its very similar to irish gaelic and manx gaelic ,but they are definitely separate languages.In otherwords if scots gaelic dies out in scotland its gone forever.

[@jimiwills]

It came over with the Scots from Ireland :)

[@galoglaich3281]

@@jimiwills My point is that it has developed into a distinct language in scotland

[@Hammerli280]

Gaelic is probably a lost cause. Except as a curiosity. But English is far more useful, it's the world's second language (and if it's your native tongue, you have a big advantage). Working the history is probably a better course of action.