Scottish Fundeen Cooncil move taks gret step forrad fir Shaetlan language data

UHI Shetland is welcomed a deceesion bi da Scottish Fundeen Cooncil tae start collectin data aboot da Shaetlan language, describin it as a gret milestonn idda recogneetion an understandeen o Shetland’s indigenous tongue.

Students enrollin on coorses idda 2026 academic year’ll be able tae identify Shaetlan as dir first language noo. Da ineetiative is a first fir national collection o data specifically relatin ti Shaetlan an hit’s lippent tae gie valuable insichts inti hoo da language is spokken, understüd an øsed trowe communities eenoo.

UHI Shetland believes at da development’ll help bigg up stronger evidence fir resaerch tae come, developin policy an suppoart fir da language, an at da sam time raisin its visibeelity ithin Scotland’s wider linguistic landscape.

Da move gings weel wi UHI Shetland’s Shaetlan Language Plan adoptit ithin 2022, at commits da institution tae suppoart an promote da language trowe education, resaerch, engagin wi da community, an advocacy. Da plan aems tae raise da profile o Shaetlan locally, nationally an internationally, an at da sam time bigg up understandeen o its role an future as a livin vernacular language.

Fir lang, accurate data is bøn recognised as a critical requirement for strentenin recogneetion an suppoart fir Shaetlan. Till noo, haein nae comprehensive national infirmation is limitit understandeen o da number o fokk at spaeks, understaands, reads or writes da language an da contexts at it’s øsed ithin.

Collectin dis new data is lippent tae gie a clearer picter o da language’s plaess eenoo an help inform future deceesions aboot resaerch, education, cultural policy an language planneen.

Dr Beth Mouat, Dean o Resaerch an Innovation at da University o da Highlands an Islands (UHI), seid:

"Dis is a laandmerk moment fir da Shaetlan language. Fir da first time, we hae da opportunity tae formally recoard Shaetlan as wir midder tongue in a offeecial settin. Güd evidence is essential if languages ir tae be recognised, valued an suppoartit. Gadderin Shaetlan language data will help strenten understaandin o its impoartance ti Shetland’s culture, heritage an identity, informin future resaerch an policy development at da sam time.

“Dis development reflects da ambeetions set oot ithin UHI’s Shaetlan Language Plan and suppoarts wir lang-term commitment tae ensurin wir language bides visible and valued in education, resaerch, public life an ivvryday øse."

Lynne Raeside, Interim Co-Director an Deputy Director o External Affairs at da Scottish Fundeen Cooncil, seid:

“Colleges are rooted in their communities, and the Shaetlan language is an important and unique aspect of life in Shetland. I hope the information we’ll be able to share in future by adding Shaetlan language data to our gathering of national college statistics will help increase the understanding of Shaetlan as a vernacular language and promote its use on the island and beyond.”

UHI Shetland’ll keep wirkin wi community organisations, resaerchers, public boadies an government pairtners tae suppoart ineetiatives at strenten da future o Shaetlan as a liveen community language. We invite Shaetlan-spaekin students attendin colleges aa trowe Scotland tae identify dir language heritage whin dey enroll an in student surveys, helpin tae bigg a clearer picter o da language community an suppoartin future recogneetion, resaerch an investment in Shaetlan.

Scottish Funding Council move marks major step forward for Shaetlan language data

UHI Shetland has welcomed a decision by the Scottish Funding Council to begin collecting data on the Shaetlan language, describing the move as a major milestone in the recognition and understanding of Shetland’s indigenous tongue.

Students enrolling on courses in academic year 2026 will now be able to identify Shaetlan as their first language. The initiative represents the first national collection of data specifically relating to Shaetlan and is expected to provide valuable insights into how the language is spoken, understood and used across communities today.

UHI Shetland believes the development will help build a stronger evidence base for future research, policy development and support for the language, while raising its visibility within Scotland’s wider linguistic landscape.

The move aligns closely with UHI Shetland’s Shaetlan Language Plan adopted in 2022, which commits the institution to supporting and promoting the language through education, research, community engagement and advocacy. The plan aims to raise the profile of Shaetlan locally, nationally and internationally, while increasing understanding of its role and future as a living vernacular language.

Accurate data has long been recognised as a critical requirement for strengthening recognition and support for Shaetlan. Until now, the absence of comprehensive national information has limited understanding of the number of people who speak, understand, read or write the language and the contexts in which it is used.

The new data collection is expected to provide a clearer picture of the language’s current position and help inform future decisions around research, education, cultural policy and language planning.

Dr Beth Mouat, Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), said:

"This is a landmark moment for the Shaetlan language. For the first time, we will have the opportunity to formally record Shaetlan as our midder tongue in an official setting. Good evidence is essential if languages are to be recognised, valued and supported. The collection of Shaetlan language data will help strengthen understanding of its importance to Shetland’s culture, heritage and identity, while informing future research and policy development.

“This development reflects the ambitions set out in UHI Shetland’s Shaetlan Language Plan and supports our long-term commitment to ensuring the language remains visible and valued in education, research, public life and everyday use."

Lynne Raeside, Interim Co-Director and Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Scottish Funding Council, said

“Colleges are rooted in their communities, and the Shaetlan language is an important and unique aspect of life in Shetland. I hope the information we’ll be able to share in future by adding Shaetlan language data to our gathering of national college statistics will help increase the understanding of Shaetlan as a vernacular language and promote its use on the island and beyond.”

UHI Shetland will continue to work with community organisations, researchers, public bodies and government partners to support initiatives that strengthen the future of Shaetlan as a living community language. We invite Shaetlan-speaking students attending colleges throughout Scotland to identify their language heritage during enrolment and student surveys, helping to build a clearer picture of the language community and supporting future recognition, research and investment in Shaetlan.