Efforts to eliminate Scottish Gaelic, not to mention the Highland culture whose citizens spoke it, began--more than likely--in the last decade of the 16th century. But it had already been dying out. McIntyre (U. of Phoenix and the San Bernardino Art Institute) reports on the numerous efforts to revive the language through education, pointing out that the loss of a language is also the loss of a distinct worldview, an ethnic and cultural identity, and a linguistic heritage, among other things. He discusses a number of language revival programs, such as Gaelic immersion primary schools, high schools, nursery schools, formal and informal adult education, and cultural activities. He also contends that the fight to revive Gaelic also has political implications for minority rights. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
