Status deges dhe'n yeth Kernewek

(Cornish language to get protected status)

Cornish is to have the same status as the other Celtic languages of the UK – Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish.

The language will be protected through the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Cornish had previously been covered by part two of the Charter and had been the only Celtic language in the UK not covered by the more extensive part three.

Leader of Cornish nationalist party Mebyon Kernow and Cornwall councillor Dick Cole said: “It is really positive news that the Government has confirmed that Cornish will be covered by Part Three of the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. It means that Cornish will have the same status as the other Celtic languages of the United Kingdom and I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has campaigned for these greater protections for Cornish.”

It’s a remarkable rise for a language that was once considered dead. Cornish became extinct as a living community language in Cornwall by the end of the 18th century.

A revival started in the early 20th century and in 2010 UNESCO reclassified the language as critically endangered, stating that its former classification of the language as extinct was no longer accurate.

It is has been recognised under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages since 2002 and there has been a steadily growing number of people learning the language.

A 2018 study found that the number of people in Cornwall with at least minimal skills in Cornish, such as the use of some words and phrases, was more than 3,000, including around 500 estimated to be fluent.

With renowned musical artists such as Gwenno singing in Cornish and a growing number of films featuring the language, interest in Cornish has increased not just locally but nationally and internationally in the ensuing seven years since the study.

You can find out more about learning Cornish by heading to the Go Cornish website: https://gocornish.org/

Mebyon Kernow’s deputy leader Cllr Loveday Jenkin said: “It is great news that Cornish has parity with Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic through the European Charter and I look forward to more investment in the language. But Cornish remains the only Celtic language that has no bespoke protections in UK law.

“It is my hope that today’s announcement will lead to ministers bringing forward government-sponsored legislation for Cornish, similar to language laws already passed in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”

Cllr Cole added: “The priority must now be for the Government to work with the people of Cornwall to better support and promote our national language and we must build on this status to ensure that Cornish nationhood is better reflected in all aspects of the governance of the UK, which needs to include a meaningful Celtic-style devolution settlement.”

Here are the details of Mebyon Kernow welcoming the news in Cornish

Mebyon Kernow re dhynerghis deklaryans an Governans RU may fydh yeth Kernewek gwithys der Rann Tri a’n Chartour Europek rag Yethow Ranndiryel po Minoryta.

Kernewek o kudhys kyns gans Rann Dew a’n Chartour ha re bia an unnsel yeth Keltek nag o gudhys gans an Rann Tri moyha efan.

Yn-medh Hembrenkyas a’n Parti, Klr Dick Cole: “Ass yw nowodhow fest posedhek an Governans a wra afydhya bos Kernewek kudhys gans Rann Tri a’n Chartour rag Yethow Ranndiryel po Minoryta. Gans henna y fydh dhe Gernewek an keth savla ages yethow keltek aral an Ruvaneth Unys – Kembrek, Albanek hag Iwerdhonek – ha my a vynn aswon gras dhe pubonan neb re gaskyrghas rag an vrassa difresyansow ma rag Kernewek.”

Yn-medh Ys-Hembrenkyas MK, Klr Loveday Jenkin: “Nowodhow splann yw bos Kernewek yn pareth gans Kembrek, Ywerdhonek hag Albanek der an Chartour Europek ha my a vir yn-rag dhe voy kevarghewyans rag an yeth. Mes Kernewek yw hwath an unnsel yeth Keltek heb difresyansow yn lagha RU. My a wayt an deklaryans hedhyw a wra ledya Menystrys dhe avonsya reythyans rag Kernewek skoodhys gans governans, kepar ha’n laghys yeth passyes seulabrys yn Iwerdhon Gledh, Alban ha Kembra.”

Hembrynkyas an Parti, Klr Dick Cole a geworras: “Y kodh bos an ragwir lemmyn rag Governans dhe gesoberi gans an pobel Kernow dhe skoodhya yn-gwell hag avonsya yeth agan Bro. Ha res yw dhyn drehevel war an savla ma dhe surhe bos kenedhlegeth Kernow dastewynnys yn-gwell yn pub gwedh oll a’n governans RU, yn unn synsi akord digresennans gis-Keltek effeythus.”