The Gaelic Books Council is 50! In 2018, the organisation marks its 50th anniversary and is delighted to have been at the heart of the growth of the number of Gaelic books in print over the years. Against a backdrop of huge uncertainty about continued public funding for the arts and culture in Scotland, the increase in the number of books being sold by the Gaelic Books Council, clearly illustrates
there is a growing demand for Gaelic books and the numbers of Gaelic readers in Scotland and throughout the world is increasing.
Over the course of the last three years, the Gaelic Books Council, the lead organisation for Scottish Gaelic Literature, has recorded a 14% increase in the sale of Gaelic books from their bookshop in Glasgow and through online sales. 27% of Gaelic books sold from the company website are delivered to a growing number of destinations across the world, including the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Iceland.
In 2017, the Gaelic Books Council initiated a research project on reading for enjoyment to gain a detailed understanding of the reading habits and needs of Gaelic readers. 550 individuals from Scotland, the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world participated in an online survey and this was followed up with telephone interviews and geographical focus groups to further interrogate reader’s habits and needs.
The survey evidenced that 60% of respondents read Scottish Gaelic books for enjoyment. 36% of these respondents recorded themselves as fluent Gaelic speakers and confident Gaelic readers. 60% of all respondents purchase up to five Gaelic books per annum, with 22% purchasing more than six books per annum. There was no difference between the English and Gaelic reading habits
of the fluent Gaelic speakers surveyed. They were equally competent and comfortable in both languages.
64% of the survey respondents were Gaelic learners who self-assessed their competence in the language across a broad learning spectrum –from elementary right through to advanced. Most learners were very aware of the positive impact of books and reading on their usage and development of the language. They regularly use Gaelic books and practice reading to improve their confidence
and develop their linguistic competence.Fluent readers and learners were in agreement when asked about the types of Gaelic books they enjoyed and wanted to read. They want more historical fiction, classic literature, crime and murder, fantasy and a wealth of non - fiction to suit all tastes.
This feedback and the research recommendations will be invaluable to the Gaelic Books Council going forward. The support and guidance offered to Gaelic authors and publishers will be informed by the feedback received from the survey respondents.
The Gaelic Books Council has supported Literature Day at the Royal National Mod for many years and it is always very encouraging to see young people and adults taking an interest in writing in Gaelic. These literary competitions are extremely important as they encourage and stimulate new writers –some of whom have gone on to become published authors. Secure in the knowledge that
Gaelic readers want a rich variety of Gaelic books, we hope to see an increase in entries for the literature competitions this year. Go on! If you have a story or a poem – we want to read it!
Rosemary Ward
Director
The Gaelic Books Council
there is a growing demand for Gaelic books and the numbers of Gaelic readers in Scotland and throughout the world is increasing.
Over the course of the last three years, the Gaelic Books Council, the lead organisation for Scottish Gaelic Literature, has recorded a 14% increase in the sale of Gaelic books from their bookshop in Glasgow and through online sales. 27% of Gaelic books sold from the company website are delivered to a growing number of destinations across the world, including the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Iceland.
In 2017, the Gaelic Books Council initiated a research project on reading for enjoyment to gain a detailed understanding of the reading habits and needs of Gaelic readers. 550 individuals from Scotland, the United Kingdom, Europe and the rest of the world participated in an online survey and this was followed up with telephone interviews and geographical focus groups to further interrogate reader’s habits and needs.
The survey evidenced that 60% of respondents read Scottish Gaelic books for enjoyment. 36% of these respondents recorded themselves as fluent Gaelic speakers and confident Gaelic readers. 60% of all respondents purchase up to five Gaelic books per annum, with 22% purchasing more than six books per annum. There was no difference between the English and Gaelic reading habits
of the fluent Gaelic speakers surveyed. They were equally competent and comfortable in both languages.
64% of the survey respondents were Gaelic learners who self-assessed their competence in the language across a broad learning spectrum –from elementary right through to advanced. Most learners were very aware of the positive impact of books and reading on their usage and development of the language. They regularly use Gaelic books and practice reading to improve their confidence
and develop their linguistic competence.Fluent readers and learners were in agreement when asked about the types of Gaelic books they enjoyed and wanted to read. They want more historical fiction, classic literature, crime and murder, fantasy and a wealth of non - fiction to suit all tastes.
This feedback and the research recommendations will be invaluable to the Gaelic Books Council going forward. The support and guidance offered to Gaelic authors and publishers will be informed by the feedback received from the survey respondents.
The Gaelic Books Council has supported Literature Day at the Royal National Mod for many years and it is always very encouraging to see young people and adults taking an interest in writing in Gaelic. These literary competitions are extremely important as they encourage and stimulate new writers –some of whom have gone on to become published authors. Secure in the knowledge that
Gaelic readers want a rich variety of Gaelic books, we hope to see an increase in entries for the literature competitions this year. Go on! If you have a story or a poem – we want to read it!
Rosemary Ward
Director
The Gaelic Books Council
