Protests against planned cuts at the University of Glasgow, which led to student rallies earlier in the year, have now reached the Scottish Parliament. The Petitions Committee of MSPs has heard evidence from a number of campaigners who want to save lesser taught language teaching at the university.
Languages have been in decline at Scottish universities for a number of years. Most recently, five came under threat of the axe at Glasgow University, including Russian, Czech and Polish.
Czechoslovakian-born playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, who came to Britain as a refugee, told MSPs: "For me the reputation for teaching language in general, and East European languages most particularly, gave Glasgow University, and by reflection the country, a distinction." But he warned that if more is not done to protect lesser taught languages now they will be gone forever.
More information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14981426?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter.