Some airlines pay their staff a little extra for every language they speak, but other employers are entirely uninterested in their staff’s language skills. While it has often been argued that these skills offer a competitive advantage and that one can even expect to be paid a premium, this seems to vary a lot from country to country and from industry to industry. In some jobs communication may be less relevant, but more often language skills are beneficial in various ways.
In my own experience speaking Scottish Gaelic, a minority language, gave me the competitive advantage to get a job at the BBC. While my knowledge of several other languages has repeatedly benefited my work, it would seem that appreciation of the skills varies.

Language islands is a term I learned from the Globott/ Elemelingua app. They are very useful when you are stuck in a conversation or to get you off the ground. They talk about who you are and what you like.

Language learning app uTalk have recently added Quechua to their offering, but aim to provide a basic course for all living languages if they can source the funding. They are also unique in offering their platform in all the languages you can learn on the app. (An Là on BBC ALBA, 8/1/26)

Merry Christmas/ Nollaig Chridheil/ Feliz Navidad/ Buon Natale/ God Jul/ Joyeux Noël/ Blythe Yule/ Frööligen Jul/ С Рождеством/ 聖誕快樂/ Nollaig Shona/ Felicem Natalem/ Feliz Natal

My personal take on it:

Or read it here: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-press-and-journal-aberdeen-and-aberdeenshire/20251218/281990383863944?srsltid=AfmBOoqUmC0N89SZvlNlF9S0KjTfJaaxd5hD0eO-8cGYCDslmGNWoUbl

There are many words between Scottish (GD) and Irish Gaelic (GA) which sound identical or are very similar, but have a slightly different meaning.

The thumbnail photo is of my Scottish Gaelic class at Oideas Gael Irish language school in Glencolumbkille, Donegal, Ireland.

Here are a few more false friends in addition to the ones in the video:

còisir (GD) – choir; cóisir (GA) – party

diofar (GD) – difference; deifir (GA) – hurry

buachaille (GD) – shepherd; buachaill (GA) – boy

bealach (GD) mountain pass; bealach (GA) – way

Last not least I loved to learn the Irish saying: Is beag an rud an cuidiú nuair a rinn an dreolín mún san fharraige! (It made little difference when the wren peed in the ocean)

Mein Interview im Deutschlandfunk, Europa Heute (25.8.25)

My report on the BBC’s Reporting Scotland about a historic struggle between conservationists and the whisky industry on the Isle of Islay which is known for its top of the range single malts with a peaty flavour. While it seems the disagreement isn’t as heated nowadays there is still room for improvement (14/8/25).

Dr Sam Newington, Senior Lecturer at Aberdeen University interviewed me for their youtube channel recently.