Manx language
Gawne is a fluent speaker of the Manx language and has been involved with the Manx language for decades. He served as the Manx Language Development Officer (Yn Greinneyder), and has also been chairman of Culture Vannin (Manx Heritage Foundation) since 2004. In 1996, Gawne also helped to found Feailley Ghaelgagh (Manx Language Festival), following a research trip to Scottish Gaelic development agencies in Inverness and the Isle of Skye. Feailley Ghaelgagh was later renamed The Cooish.