| Summary: | Gaelic language revival is the focus of many linguists and anthropologists. There are many generalisations written about this subject. This study is primarily based on a case study of the Uig community on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. With the use of historical and current descriptions of the community, problems are outlined associated with the Gaelic language in this mainly Gaelic speaking community. Despite the high number of recorded Gaelic speakers in Uig (67%, Census 2001), I consider this not a true reflection of the number of people who can use Gaelic daily. There are still many families who underestimate and therefore undermine the status of their language, despite the official support of Gaelic Education by the Scottish Government. Interestingly, there is an evident passivity of parents to enrol their children into Gaelic-medium units at the Uig Primary School yet, many parents do consider Gaelic as part of their cultural heritage. In Uig, a rural area, the number of higher educated inhabitants is minimal. Very lately, a lack of housing, has appeared as a problem and the local Community Council must deal with it. Many of the people questioned in this study are witnessing the language shift towards English in their own families. There seems to be some progress towards a reversing language...
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