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Archiver > ABERDEEN > 2002-02 > 1012814613


From: "Fiona" <>
Subject: Re: [ABERDEEN] Census
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 09:24:56 -0000
References: <014c01c1ace4$eaf91d40$d01087d9@f5z8n3>


> I wonder if someone can help me with following query. >On the 1901 census
entry there is a column which is marked Gaelic or G & E and then if
appropriate is marked against person or persons. Can someone tell me what G
& E stands for?


G & E is gaelic and english. G doesn't mean that they speak gaelic - it
means that they speak only gaelic (and not English as well). In the census
for Stornoway, which I have some pages of, there's a lot of people,
generally the older ones, who only speak gaelic. Most of the younger
children speak both as they were taught English at school - although until
they started school they wouldn't have heard a word of English and at school
you weren't allowed to speak gaelic! I suppose it would have made them learn
English fast through necessity....

Fiona

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