Island taxi drivers encouraged to speak Gaelic

Taxi drivers and their passengers in Lewis and Harris are being encouraged to speak to each other in Gaelic.

A pilot scheme by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will see signs installed in taxis indicating that the driver is willing and able to speak Gaelic.

It is hoped it will help in normalising the use of the language in community settings.

If the initiative is successful it will be rolled out in taxis across the Western Isles.

The signs will read "Tha Gàidhlig gu leòr agam" or "Tha beagan Gàidhlig agam" which translate as "I speak fluent Gaelic" or "I speak a little Gaelic".

They will also say "Cleachd i no caill i!" - "Use it or lose it!".

According to a report for Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar's Gaelic committee there are many taxi drivers in the isles with Gaelic skills.

It said the proposed pilot project had received positive feedback from them so far.

After a month they will be asked about the public reaction to the exercise and if it led to them speaking more Gaelic.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting next Monday.

Marisa Macdonald and her husband Murdo are Gaelic speakers from the Point area of Lewis and run a taxi.

They "jumped at the opportunity" to be involved and received their signs a few weeks ago.

Marisa said it was really good to see how much they were helping to start conversations in Gaelic.

She said: "The young people of the island, a lot them do actually speak more Gaelic than they realise, especially after they have had a few drams in the evening.

"And once you start talking to them it's amazing how good they really are."

Marisa also said that she thought the signs would be popular with tourists who cannot speak the language.

"We do quite a lot of tours with cruise liner tourists," she said.

"Passengers are inquisitive as to the state of the language.

"Some have never heard of Gaelic, some want to hear some Gaelic spoken.

"And it is always a delight to help people find out more about the language."