Cornish Language

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The Cornish language or Kernowek is one of the Celtic languages with similarities to Welsh and Breton. The language was used until the late 18th century, and there has been a growing interest in reviving the language in modern times both in speech and writing. The Cornish Language Strategy Project have undertaken research about Cornish and it is estimated that 2,000 people are fluent as of Spring 2008.

Cornwall abounds with many place names retaining the Cornish language and a knowledge of Cornish helps to understand old place names. There is an increasing amount of Cornish literature, poems, songs and cornish chants which are being revived,spoken and created.

Cornwall County Council has, as policy, a commitment to support the language, and recently passed a motion supporting its being specified within the European charter for regional or minority languages.

There are regular periodicals solely in the language such as the monthly An Gannas, An Gowsva, and An Garrick. BBC Radio Cornwall and Pirate FM have regular news broadcasts in Cornish, and sometimes have other programmes and features for learners and enthusiasts. Local newspapers such as the The Western Morning News regularly have articles in Cornish, and newspapers such as The Packet, The West Briton and The Cornishman also support the movement.

The language has financial sponsorship from many sources, including the Millennium Commission. A number of language organisations exist in Cornwall including (in alphabetical order) Agan Tavas (Our Language), the Cornish sub-group of the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages, Gorseth Kernow, Kesva an Taves Kernewek (the Cornish Language Board), Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek (the Cornish Language Fellowship), and Teere ha Tavas (Land and Language). One organisation, Dalleth, promoted the language to pre-school children. There are many popular ceremonies, some ancient, some modern, which use the language or are entirely in the language. The language has been officially recognised as one of the historical regional and minority languages in Europe. (see European recognition below)

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