The terminology agreed at the event will be published in an online database and distributed in print format to interested agencies.

The event was hosted by Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig under the auspices of the ‘An Seotal’ terminology project, which aims to support the teaching of secondary subjects through the medium of Gaelic by the collation, creation and publication of appropriate terminology. Chrissie MacRae, Project Development Officer, explains: ‘currently we’re witnessing a growth in the number of centres offering Gaelic-medium secondary subject teaching and in the range of subjects on offer. In order for this important development to succeed it’s vital that resources and teachers’ professional development keep pace, and development and propagation of terminology will be key. It’s essential that there is consistency in the terminology used in schools, in textbooks and, crucially, in the national qualifications undertaken by pupils.’

Other agencies were invited to participate in the Drumossie event in recognition of the importance of co-working in promoting consistent approaches and avoiding duplication of effort. Marion MacDonald, editor of Learning and Teaching Scotland’s ‘Gaelic on-line’ site, believes that ‘terminology for web and computer applications is now well-established and widely understood in English, but this is not the case for Gaelic. Companies dedicate considerable time and resources to the translation of terminology and there are currently many variant translations for established English terms such as ‘download’ or ‘bookmark’. This can be an obstacle to users, particularly children and young people’.

The conference opened with presentations from Una MacDonald of BBC Alba, Donald I MacDonald from the independent Sealgar, Catrìona Murray from Stòrlann and Leo McNeir from The European Language Initiative (TELI). TELI is charged with the translation of Microsoft’s Vista operating system into Gaelic and director Leo McNeir expressed his delight that the Gaelic community had come together to agree terminology in this most important area. The mood of the day was summed up by Annie MacSween of Lews Castle College who said that her only regret was ‘that we didn’t do this twenty years ago.’

‘An Seotal’ is funded by the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The website is at www.anseotal.org.uk.