This volume is specifically aimed at the non‐specialist reader who is seeking an introduction to and an overview of the Gaelic language, specifically the Scottish Gaelic language. It provides a wider context in terms of related Celtic languages and their historical backgrounds. Issues affecting Gaelic language communities within Scotland and abroad and challenges common to many minority languages also come under discussion.
Although the essays may be broadly grouped under the progressive themes of historical development of the language, sociolinguistic issues (such as language planning) and linguistic research, the volume is arranged in discrete chapters each of which serves as a stand‐alone introduction to a particular aspect of Scottish Gaelic. The preface emphasises that this structure is designed to allow the reader to approach the chapters either in sequence or entirely independently of each other. As a consequence, this volume is also sure to be of interest to readers with advanced or specialised areas of research interest which require a convenient and topic‐specific reference tool.
This companion is timely given the growth in interdisciplinary academic studies which encompass aspects of both Gaelic and Celtic studies. Therefore it is fair to assume that an increasing number of students and researchers will be required to familiarise themselves with the Gaelic language at an introductory level. In this respect the chapters of primary benefit to the novice researcher are those by Colm Ó Baoill, Michelle Macleod and Kenneth MacKinnon. They provide a great deal of important historical background and also offer summaries of past, present and future developments and prospects for the Gaelic language.
Readers approaching the chapters that discuss modern linguistic research, in fields such as onomastics, dialectology and syntax, might benefit from prior experience of the practice of linguistic studies and the more technical treatment of the linguistic evidence presented. A basic ability to read Gaelic would be helpful in order to be able to fully comprehend the examples given throughout the text.
A major strength of this volume lies in the depth and breadth of the scholarly material under discussion. This ensures that every chapter serves as an excellent starting point for research owing to the appraisal and evaluation of significant theories, evidence and methodologies which have been drawn from the wider body of academic knowledge and research. Each author concludes their contribution by supplying an informative bibliography and notes where appropriate. These serve as rich resources for readers who are commencing research and seeking guidance on source material. A comprehensive index closes the volume and provides multiple entry points for readers with specific information requirements.
The Edinburgh Companion to the Gaelic Language is to be recommended as a valuable addition to the body of introductory texts covering Gaelic studies. Readers will find that this volume accomplishes the editors' aims to fill many of the gaps which have hindered the study of Gaelic and to promote future research endeavours.
