Douglas Chalmers, Glasgow Caledonian University and Mike Danson, University of Paisley

1. The Economic Impact of Gaelic Arts and Culture within Glasgow: Minority Languages and Post-Industrial Cities Douglas Chalmers, Glasgow Caledonian University and Mike Danson, University of Paisley 7th Language & Politics Symposium Wednesday 7th November 2007 An t-Samhain2007 / November 2007

2. Issues for us to consider • (A) What’s wrong with current arrangements and practice? What research is needed to show what needs to be done? • (B) Are Irish and Gaelic alone sufficient means to ensure their vibrancy and maintenance as community languages? • (C) How far is the sustaining of minority language communities conditional on infrastructure, environment, society, employment, urban renewal, culture, or anything else? • (D) What is the role of education in the sustaining of minority language communities – e.g. developing social skills, cultural identity or linguistic confidence? • (E) How far is the integration of language and culture into the community an environmental issue? • (F) Is the approach to such questions top-down or bottom-up? Whose task or responsibility is it ultimately to sustain a minority language community?

3. Issues for us to consider 2 • (G) What role can universities and other institutions of higher education play? • (H) With the arrival in Ireland and Scotland of significant numbers of speakers of Eastern European languages, how far has the future role and supporting mechanisms for Irish and Gaelic been undermined? • (I) Where are there communities where minority languages are being successfully sustained? What comparisons may be drawn with Irish and Gaelic, and what lessons are to be learned? • (J) In comparison with Gaelic, where does Scots stand with regard to its being a community language for much of the Scottish population, and what is or should be done for it? And for Scots speakers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

4. STRUCTURE • Introduction • The changing nature of employment in Glasgow - from industry to services? • The role of the artistic and cultural sector • Glasgow’s Gaelic past and future • Who supplies what • Making the case with figures: work in progress • Conclusions

5. Decline Deindustrialisation Flexibility Some benefit Disposable income Personal services Primary and Manufacturing to Services Loss of old heavy industries Loss of control and policy instruments Flexible labour market female; low skilled; part time; temporary; low paid; non-unionised; poor progression BUT Uneven development RDAs and supply side interventions Cultural and creative industries: re-imagineering City of Culture, Garden Festival, Glasgow’s Miles Better Economic Restructuring

6. Employment Growth

7. Industrial structure evolves

8. Gaelic in Cultural Context • Post-industrial cities ~ Glasgow, Bilbao, Barcelona, … • Indigenous cultures? • Multiculturalism • Competition for funds, attention, support • Context: Economic impact cf. language

9. Role of arts and culture • Previous research: • Myerscough • Glasgow - European City of Culture 1990 • Glasgow Uni - Centre for Cultural Policy Research • Glasgow Grows Audiences • Extent of Gaelic speakers - implications for size of Gaelic supply/level of demand/future audiences: • Glasgow Gaelic speakers 2001 - 5,731 (9,941)

10. Role of arts and culture • Myerscough • Glasgow - European City of Culture 1990 • “When I was a young girl in the 1970s if you came to Glasgow as tourist, you were probably on your way to somewhere else” Liz Cameron (Provost) • Now third most popular tourist destination in UK after London and Edinburgh • 1990 events - 5,580 jobs (at £7,286 per job) and boosted economy by £14.3m

11. Role of cultural industries • The cultural industries based on local know-how and skills show how cities can negotiate a new accommodation with the global market, in which cultural producers sell into much larger markets but rely upon a distinctive and defensible local base…. cultural industries and entrepreneurs will play a critical role in reviving large cities that have suffered economic decline and dislocation over the past two decades” (Leadbeater and Oakley, 1999)

12. Impact of recent change • Bòrd na Gàidhlig & Gaelic Language Bill • People thinking about Gaelic plans • Homebase (cf Thomas Cook) Cal Mac • Gaelic digital service coming on line • Partnership - BBC/ GMS • On-line March 2008 • 7 hours/ day broadcast (1.5 hours new materials) • 360 degree approach - TV/Radio/ Web • Prominence of Gaelic arts • Outwith Glasgow: PNE/ Gasd : Hiort (St Kilda opera); Glasgow and surroundings: An Lochran - Ceòl ‘s craic; Flower of the West concert • Previous Studies • Inverness and Nairn; H & I; ‘GCU on Gaelic economy’

13. The Value of Gaelic within Glasgow • Questions • Supply side • Employment and financial impacts • Demand for Gaelic related goods and services • Trends • Positive impact of GLAC related goods • Factors constraining or promoting development • Business promotion activities

14. Survey questionnaire • June 2007 • Individual suppliers - tutors/ artists/ musicians • Cultural industries - BBC/ SMG/Independents • Cultural aspects of Education • Venues • Celtic Connections • Interim results: July - August 2007

15. Preliminary points 1 • Qualitative information positive: • Why involved: • “Spotted an empty niche” • “Gaelic language act increasing awareness of Gaelic arts activity” • “requirement of public/ private bodies to supply through the medium of Gaelic positive” • Problems identified • Competition for funds/ attention • Indigenous - has a special place • Language barriers within general audience • Range of product currently available limited

16. Preliminary points 2 • Quantitative information so far: • Most individuals make very little (£500 - £5,000/ annum) • Most Gaelic organisations likewise are not great money earners or if do earn money, do not do so consistently yet (i.e. an Lochran; Fèisean) • Market still seen as limited (Books; theatres) • A few big hitters: • BBC Alba - £2.1m (mostly Glasgow area) • Radio nan Gàidheal £3.2m (mostly Inverness area) • Plus approx £2.8m to BBC from SMG • Approx 55 staff in Glasgow area - mostly well qualified • Increasing partnerships/ involvement: • Gaelic Books Council etc An tobar dualchas/ Kist ‘o riches

17. Reach achieved by BBC services

18. Gaelic speakers’ attitudes to BBC Gaelic services

19. Tie up with questions • (C) How far is the sustaining of minority language communities conditional on infrastructure, environment, society, employment, urban renewal, culture, or anything else? • (F) Is the approach to such questions top-down or bottom-up? Whose task or responsibility is it ultimately to sustain a minority language community? • (H) With the arrival in Ireland and Scotland of significant numbers of speakers of Eastern European languages, how far has the future role and supporting mechanisms for Irish and Gaelic been undermined?