Cash incentives offered to Nova Scotia businesses that promote the 'Gaelic brand'
The next time you order a meal in Nova Scotia, you could get a discount on your bill -- if you know some Gaelic.
Under a pilot program, the Nova Scotia government is offering up to $1,000 to small- and mid-sized businesses that promote the Gaelic language and culture, which are deeply ingrained in the province's history.
Among other things, the Gaelic Business Initiative encourages businesses to hire Gaelic-speaking employees and incorporate the ancient language into their marketing, advertising, events and daily routines.
"Gaels worldwide represent a distinct and significant economic presence," says the non-profit Scotland-Nova Scotia Business Association, which is administering the program. "Nova Scotia ... has a unique opportunity to promote its 'Gaelic brand."'
One suggestion for applicants is to provide customers with bilingual menus and offer markdowns for those who attempt to place their order in Gaelic.
"Businesses can benefit by offering their customers a unique experience," said program spokesman Nick Nickerson, who helped start the program in January. "That's going to attract customers and create loyalty."
The provincial government's Gaelic Affairs division says that among the one million people who call Nova Scotia home, about 230,000 are descendants of Gaelic settlers who started arriving from the Highlands and islands of Scotland in the 1700s. Most of them settled in the eastern mainland of the province and in Cape Breton.
Several communities in the area have Scottish names, including Arisaig, Eigg Mountain, Bornish and Keppoch. In the early 1900s, as many as 50,000 Nova Scotians spoke Gaelic as their first language.
"About a third of Nova Scotians have Gaelic heritage," said Nickerson, who added that similar programs have been launched to preserve the Gaelic language in Scotland and Ireland. "And Nova Scotia is the only place outside of Scotland where Gaelic is still spoken on a daily basis."
Gaelic-related businesses and events contribute $23 million annually to Nova Scotia's economy, the provincial government says.
In Cape Breton, the Celtic Colours International Festival has become a popular tradition, particularly when it comes to traditional music. English-Gaelic road signs are common in the eastern districts, and Gaelic studies are offered in 15 public schools. As well, the Gaelic College in St. Ann's, N.S., known as Colaisde na Gaidhlig, offers year-round courses on Gaelic culture, music, language and crafts.
Despite the Gaels' long and colourful history in Nova Scotia, there are only about 2,000 Gaelic speakers left.
As for the pilot project, it will cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of eligible events and activities, which could also include hosting a ceilidh, the Gaelic word -- pronounced KAY-lee -- for a Scottish gathering or party that features traditional folk music and dancing.
"For many people ... in Canada, their knowledge of the Gaelic culture and language is that it is dormant," said Nickerson, who spent a year living in Scotland and has been studying Gaelic for five years. "We feel that promoting it through business is a way to allow people to rediscover the language."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2023
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.