Selection of comments from CalMac customers and employees:

“I'd like to congratulate your company for your recent announcement regarding your commitment to the Gaelic language. I hope other public service providers and private sector companies in Scotland will follow your example.”

“CONGRATS to CalMac on the publication of the 'Gaelic Policy'! Very well done. Bu mhath a rinn sibh, gu dearbh. That really does show the way. It will be interesting to see what other public bodies' produce!”

“The policy is good for the company, good for Scotland and good for us as individuals - it will certainly inspire many members of staff to press on rather more assiduously with any pre-existing Gaelic studies, and may encourage some new learners to make a start. It will also help to inspire school-children, who will appreciate that any Gaelic skills will actually be noted and valued by yet another important potential employer. Hooray - or indeed 's math sin!”

(CalMac Employee).

“I came on business and I'm learning Gaelic. How delightful to see Gaelic written on the signs. I really appreciated hearing Gaelic on the loudspeaker and beautifully pronounced. The more Gaelic the better. Thanks.”

“CalMac needs a bilingual signage and literature policy which gives equal prominence to Gaelic and English. Environmental language - its visibility to speakers and non-speakers is widely recognized as supporting language planning. This has the knock-on effect of stimulating tourism. Calmac is uniquely placed to play an instrumental part in the development of Gaelic interested tourists but the language needs full and equal representation, not tokenism.”

“Took part in Gaelic cultural lesson on the ferry. It was excellent, a superb service, Well Done.”

CalMac has not received any adverse comment on its Gaelic policy.

September, 2007

Aiseagan ChalMac Earranta

Aontaidhean Poileasaidh Gàidhlig

Taghadh de bheachdan bho luchd-ceannach agus luchd-obrach ChalMac, chun a seo:

“Bu toil leam beannachd a chur chun na companaidh agaibh airson dealas a thaobh na Gàidhlig ainmeachadh bho chionn ghoirid. Tha mi an dòchas gun lean solaraichean seirbheis phoblaich agus companaidhean san earrainn phrìobhaidich an t-eisimpleir agaibh.”

“BEANNACHDAN gu CalMac airson ‘Poileasaidh Gàidhlig’ fhoillseachadh! Bu mhath a rinn sibh, gu dearbh. Tha sin dha-rìreabh a’ stiùireadh na slighe air adhart. Bidh e inntinneach sùil a chumail air na chuireas buidhnean poblach eile a-mach!”

“Tha am poileasaidh math airson na companaidh, math airson na h-Alba agus math dhuinne mar dhaoine fa leth. Bheir e brosnachadh dha-rìreabh do luchd-obrach a dhol an sàs barrachd le sgoilearachd sam bith a thaobh na Gàidhlig a tha iad a’ dèanamh mar-thà, agus dh’fhaoidte gum brosnaich e luchd-ionnsachaidh ùr gus tòiseachadh. Brosnaichidh e clann-sgoile, agus tuigidh iad gun gabh fastaiche cudromach eile aire do sgilean Gàidhlig sam bith agus gun tèid luach a chur orra. ’S math sin!”

(Neach-obrach CalMac).

“Thàinig mi air sgàth mo chuid obrach agus tha mi ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Tha e mìorbhaileach a’ Ghàidhlig fhaicinn air na soidhnichean. Tha e a’ còrdadh rium gu mòr a’ Ghàidhlig a chluinntinn air a craobh-sgaoileadh air bòrd agus i air a fuaimneachadh ann an dòigh cho tlachdmhor. Mar as motha a tha agaibh de Ghàidhlig, is ann as fheàrr. Tapadh leibh.”

“Tha feum aig CalMac air poileasaidh shoidhnichean agus litreachais a tha a’ toirt follaiseachd co-ionann don Ghàidhlig agus don Bheurla. Thathar ag aithneachadh san fharsaingeachd gu bheil cànan àrainneachdail – a tha follaiseach dhaibhsan a bhruidhneas agus nach bruidhinn an cànan – a’ toirt taic do dhealbhadh cànain. Tha seo ann fhèin a’ brosnachadh turasachd. Tha suidheachadh àraid aig CalMac gus ùidh sa Ghàidhlig a thogail am measg luchd-turais, ach tha feum aig a’ chànan air riochdachadh iomlan agus co-ionann, chan e dìreach eadar-theangachadh air a sgàth fhèin.”

“Ghabh mi com-pàirt san leasan chultarail Ghàidhlig air an aiseig. Bha e math dha-rìreabh – deagh sheirbheis. Is math a rinn sibh.”

Chan eil CalMac air droch bheachdan sam bith fhaotainn mun a’ Phoileasaidh Ghàidhlig.

Sultain, 2007