Absence of Gaelic Ballot in Scottish Independence Vote is Questioned

Dr. Wilson McLeod, Senior Lecturer in Celtic and Head of the Celtic & Scottish Studies Department at the University of Edinburgh, has challenged the Scottish Government's decision not to make available a bilingual ballot for the September 2014 referendum on Scottish Independence in English and  in Gaelic.

The failure of the Government to introduce a Gaelic language version of the ballot on Scottish Independence has angered many Gaelic Language Activists.  In an article posted to the Edinburgh University's Blog entitled  "Lost in Translation", and republished on the excellent bellacaledonia.org.uk, Dr. McLeod states; "The principle argument advanced by those demanding a bilingual ballot  is that Gaelic speakers should be able to express their view on this historic referendum in their language of choice."  Dr. McLeod continued; "Insisting on an English only policy in relation to the momentous decision on independence is at best a missed opportunity, at worst a calculated derogation that goes against he stated policies of the Government and the Parliament to promote the language."

Contrasting tthe Scottish Government's decision to the past practice in Wales, Dr. Mcleod observes; "In Wales, by way of contrast, bilingual Welsh-English ballots have been used not only in the 1979, 1997 and 2011 devolution referenda, but in all Assembly and local authority elections."

Dr. McLeod moderates his views with the following observation: "..the Government may well fear that a bilingual English-Gaelic referendum paper could ailienate some wavering voters who might (quite unrealistically) see Gaelic as some kind of nationalist totem". 

www.referendum.ed.ac.uk/lost-in-translation

www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/celtic-scottish-studies/staff/dr-wilson-mcleod

bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/06/11/lost-in-translation